Livraria Lello Bookshop, Porto

13/10/2026

Livraria Lello is a historic bookshop in the centre of Porto, in the north of Portugal. It is often called one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world. The Lello brothers opened the shop in this building in 1906. The white façade is in the neo-Gothic style, with tall windows and painted decorations. Inside, the walls are covered with carved wooden bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Many people believe the shop inspired the Harry Potter books, because the writer J.K. Rowling lived in Porto in the early 1990s, but she has said that she never visited it.

What to See

The most famous feature is the red wooden staircase in the middle of the shop. It curves and splits into two parts as it goes up to the first floor. Look up to see the large stained-glass window in the ceiling, which lets coloured light into the room. The carved wooden ceilings and shelves are full of details. Of course, it is still a real bookshop, with books in many languages, including special editions of classic novels. Upstairs you can look down over the staircase for the best photos.

How to Get There and Practical Information

Livraria Lello is on Rua das Carmelitas, in the centre of Porto, very close to the Clérigos Tower. To enter, you need to buy a ticket, preferably online for a fixed time slot. The cost of the ticket can be deducted from the price of a book if you buy one in the shop. The shop is small and very popular, so there are often long queues outside. Come early in the morning or buy a priority ticket to avoid waiting. Inside it can be crowded, so be patient when taking photos.