Livraria Lello, Porto: tips for visiting the most beautiful bookstore in the world

Imagine stepping into Livraria Lello in Porto, where every nook and cranny tells a story with its neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau atmosphere. Straight ahead is an incredible staircase that winds like a dragon’s neck and a stained glass ceiling that could rival the beauty of a Gothic church. We just got back from Porto, fresh from a visit to the Livraria Lello, and we wanted to share our tips on how to get in, buy tickets and have the best experience in this beautiful bookstore.

And hey, have you heard of JK Rowling and the Harry Potter connection? Despite saying she’s never been there, rumors of Livraria Lello as a muse for Hogwarts continue to attract Potterheads from all corners of the world. In this article, you’ll learn about its celebrated history, cultural impact and unique architecture that enhance its global allure, and plan your visit with our practical tips.

We wanted to emphasize that there are only 2 ways to get tickets for Livraria Lello. Firstly, you can book a city walk with skip-the-line access like this one, or you can buy tickets online on the library’s website and reserve the time slot you want. The Library’s website can be a little confusing, but we’ll discuss how to navigate it below.

Discover the enchantment of Livraria Lello: a gem of Porto

Livraria Lello, also known as the Lello Bookshop, is known for its enchanting design features that transport visitors to another era. In this era, books and newspapers were the most important forms of cultural exchange and public debate. Considered one of the most famous bookstores in the world, the Livraria Lello bookstore fascinates everyone with its sweeping staircase, dark wood bookshelves, stained glass ceilings and ornate wood carvings. Bringing together an atmosphere that is difficult to forget.

The architectural wonder of Livraria Lello

When you set foot in Livraria Lello, you will be enchanted by this visual masterpiece. It was conceived by the Lello brothers and architect Francisco Xavier Esteves and was a pioneer of its time. It was one of the first buildings in Porto to use reinforced concrete in its construction.

One of the most striking features of the bookstore is the large stained glass window, decorated with the Lello motto: ‘Honour in work’. It’s hard to miss when you walk up the stairs; it dominates the room at the top of the stairs.

How to visit the Livraria Lello bookstore

The experience of entering Livraria Lello is very special, even if you are not a Harry Potter fan. It took us two attempts to visit Liveria Lello. On our first try, we left Porto without setting foot in the most beautiful bookstore in the world, but when we returned last spring, we were prepared. And we’re sharing a few tips you can use to ensure you skip the line, see it without the crowds, or actually get on.

Our number 1 tip: the Golden Ticket benefit

The Golden Ticket Voucher is perfect for those who want a seamless visit to the famous bookstore. It offers priority access, a reserved book of your choice and a skip-the-line experience.

We visited Porto last year and didn’t know this, but this year we made sure we booked in advance and got the golden ticket. We booked the first entrance at 9am and took a few photos without people – quite a feat considering the rest of the day is an endless stream of people. Since it’s only 8 euros more than general admission, I have no idea why everyone doesn’t book this ticket.

We also found out that if you buy the Golden Ticket as an online ticket, you have the choice of Romeo and Juliet or The Art of War, but you are not locked into this choice; you can select any book from the store which costs €15.90 (the cost of our Golden Ticket) or if you want a larger, more expensive book you can pay the difference.

Navigate through the website

As we mentioned above, the website was very confusing. Here are some tips for booking your ticket online.

• Firstly, you should choose Ticket Voucher Gold for the following reasons.
• When you add it to your cart you will be asked which book you would like to choose. You can choose either one, and you can change it in the bookstore itself if you wish. When we checked out, we chose The Little Prince and Selected Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
• Once you add it to your cart and proceed to checkout, you can schedule your time. Choose early morning or a time close to closing to avoid the crowds, and check ‘apply to all vouchers’ if you have multiple tickets.
• You will then be asked to create an account or register as a guest. We just registered as a guest and had no problems. Continue filling out all the information for each ticket holder.
• Once you have paid, you will receive an email stating that you were successful, and another with your tickets. Load these onto your phone and present them at the door.
• Remember that Liveria Lello sells tickets weeks or even months in advance, so the sooner you know your travel dates, book your tickets.

Best times to explore Livraria Lello

Due to its popularity, Livraria Lello regularly attracts large crowds. However, there are ways to beat the rush. The best times to visit are during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when crowds are low and more time slots are available. You can buy tickets at the Lello’s bookshop next to the ticket office, but we recommend booking online as this is easier and you have a better chance of getting your time slot.

To avoid peak times, it may be useful to plan your visit during quieter periods, such as lunchtime, late afternoon or an hour before closing on Saturday evening. That said, if you can catch the first entry at 9am, that would be your best option.

When someone asked an employee what the best time to visit was, the answer was: 3 p.m. on a weekday in February.

Unveiling of the Harry Potter Mystique in Livraria Lello

The charm of Livraria Lello extends far beyond its enchanting beauty and rich history. The rumored connection to the Harry Potter series has added a layer of intrigue and mystique that is attracting fans from all over the world. JK Rowling lived in Porto in the early 1990s, where she taught English as a foreign language and visited cultural sites such as Livraria Lello.

Despite the deep ties between JK Rowling and Porto, the author herself has stated that she never visited Livraria Lello during her time in the city. Nevertheless, stories persist of Rowling spending hours in the bookstore and even buying books there.

The Hogwarts Similarity: Fact or Fiction?

While JK Rowling may not have written parts of the first Harry Potter book at Livraria Lello, the bookstore’s unique aesthetic bears a remarkable similarity to her descriptions of the Hogwarts library. The grand, neo-Gothic staircase at Livraria Lello, a standalone Harry Potter bookstore, is often cited as the inspiration for Hogwarts’ moving stairs. Seeing Liveria Lello’s steps with our own eyes, it’s hard to believe that this bookstore didn’t inspire her writing in some way.

The complete Livraria Lello experience

A visit to Livraria Lello offers an unforgettable trip. From the iconic floating staircase, which evokes images of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, to the ornate wooden shelves that remind visitors of the Flourish and Blotts bookstore from the Harry Potter series, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best bookstores in the world (in lists of Lonely Planet and The Guardian).

The legacy of the Lello brothers

The story of Livraria Lello begins with the Lello brothers, José and António Lello. At the end of the 19th century they founded this bookstore, which quickly became a cultural icon in Porto. Their intellectual spirit is captured in the stained glass window of Livraria Lello, with their motto ‘decus in labore’.

The Lello brothers were instrumental in the bookstore’s development, appointing a designer for the new bookstore and overseeing its expansion and renovation. Their efforts culminated in the inauguration of the bookstore in 1906, marking an important milestone in history. This period of growth and renovation was driven by their vision to create a space that was more than just a place to buy books, but a cultural center that encouraged the exchange of ideas and intellectual discourse.

Over time, the legacy of the Lello brothers has endlessly inspired and enriched the cultural scene of Porto and beyond. Their vision for a bookstore in Porto that goes beyond just selling books and serves as a cultural center, where the exchange of ideas and intellectual discourse flourishes, remains the heart of Porto’s Livraria Lello.

Your questions answered

Since we returned from Portugal we have had many questions about the best way to visit the library, whether it was worth it and what the connection to Harry Potter is. We thought we would make it easy for you and will answer them below.

Is Livraria Lello the most beautiful bookstore in the world?

Yes, Livraria Lello is widely considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world due to its unique architectural design and ornate interior.

Did JK Rowling write Harry Potter in Livraria Lello?

No, JK Rowling has stated that she did not visit Livraria Lello when she lived in Porto, but we believe otherwise.

Is Livraria Lello the inspiration for Hogwarts in Harry Potter?

Although the interior of Livraria Lello resembles Hogwarts, it has not been confirmed as the direct inspiration for the series.

What is the best way to visit Livraria Lello?

The best way to visit Livraria Lello is to buy tickets online to avoid long lines or consider a city walking tour that offers skip-the-line access. Enjoy your visit!

What is included in the Golden Ticket at Livraria Lello?

The Golden Ticket at Livraria Lello offers priority access, a reserved book and the option to skip the line. Enjoy your exclusive benefits!

Why you should visit the Lello Bookstore

Livraria Lello is more than just a bookstore. It is an architectural masterpiece, a cultural center and a living testament to Porto’s vibrant intellectual history. Whether you are a book lover, an architecture enthusiast or a Harry Potter fan, Livraria Lello offers an immersive experience that transcends time and tells a story of passion, creativity and intellectual spirit.