If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, chances are you’ve heard of Livraria Lello. Located in Porto, Portugal, this bookstore was rumored to have served as inspiration for author J.K. Rowling during her time living in Portugal.
Regardless of whether the rumors are true or not, this famous bookstore’s stunning architecture and unique staircase, with its ornate carvings and crimson railing, certainly do evoke magical feelings of Hogwarts and other mystical literary tales.
While Livraria Lello may not be the real source of inspiration for the popular book series, it’s definitely worth seeking out for any book lover or Potter fan — or anybody wandering the cobbled streets of Porto interested in exploring a fun local attraction.
Here’s what to know about Livraria Lello in Porto and whether or not it’s worth the entrance fee (yep, this is one bookstore you have to pay to get into).
Where is Livraria Lello?
Porto’s famous bookstore, known as one of the most beautiful in the world, sits at Rua das Carmelitas, 144. If you’re wandering around Porto or taking a walking tour then you’ll find it just steps away from Clerigos Church.
The beautiful interior features spiraling staircases, ornate wood carvings, and even colorful stained glass windows.
However, the outside is a little unassuming. When we walked past it the first time we would have had no idea it was the famous bookstore if it weren’t for the line of people waiting outside to get in.
Architecture and Facade of the Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello is characterized by a mix of styles on its façade that evoke both the modernist and neo-Gothic eras of Portuguese architecture at the beginning of the 20th century.
Designed by Xavier Esteves, its entrance is adorned with carved stone details, while the semicircular arch windows add elegance to an otherwise dark space. Likewise, its façade is also loaded with symbolism and minute neo-Gothic and art nouveau details.
What we loved about exploring the bookstore (in early afternoon) was the soft light flooding through the stained glass windows that seemed to bounce off the carved wooden details.
While not as spectacular as it looks on Instagram (no surprise there), the spiral-shaped staircase did also feel a bit magical, mostly for its shape and the craftsmanship of the details that adorn it.
The entrance to the Livraria Lello is guarded by two very particular figures: the personification of Science and Art.
What is Livraria Lello Famous For?
The Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto became popular years ago after a rumor started to spread that the location inspired J.K. Rowling during her time living in Porto while writing the Harry Potter series (she lived in Portugal between 1991 and 1993 while teaching English).
And it’s true that if you use your imagination a bit, many aspects of the bookstore can be found in her books, from the winding staircase to the centaur statue near the entrance.
Nowadays, you’ll find that the bookstore has capitalized on these aspects and even sells Harry Potter books at the front entrance.
It’s a huge part of why the bookstore consistently attracts tourists and fans of Rowling’s work, eager to immerse themselves in this “real life” Hogwarts library. But even if you’re not a Potterhead, Livraria Lello is unique due to its elegant design and vast collection of books in various languages.
This bookstore hasn’t witnessed any magical spells (that we know of), but it has stood the test of time, from the Portuguese Revolution to the Resistance during the Salazar dictatorship.
Was J.K. Rowling Inspired by the Livraria Lello?
All of that being said, did J.K. Rowling actually write the Harry Potter book series based on this magical and enchanting bookstore? Is Flourish and Blotts based on the look and feel of Livraria Lello?
Unfortunately not.
J.K. Rowling has confirmed that she never visited Livraria Lello while living in Portugal. In a tweet posted on May 21st, 2020, Rowling confirmed, “I never visited this bookshop in Oporto. Never even knew of its existence! It’s beautiful and I wish I *had* visited it, but it has nothing to do with Hogwarts!”
So, there you have it. While the Livraria Lello didn’t serve as the inspiration for the magical world of Hogwarts, it still enchants people today who visit by the dozens just to line up and wait for their chance to enter and explore the history hidden within the walls and pages of books that line them.
The Real History of Livraria Lello
While the bookstore might not have served as inspiration for the wizarding world of Harry Potter, the famous Livraria Lello bookstore in Porto has a history that dates back over 100 years.
Two brothers opened the bookstore in 1906. José and António Lello were passionate book lovers, and the store quickly became a hub for intellectuals and artists, with (rumored) regulars like Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa.
Today, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Porto with over a million visitors every year.
Despite its success, some locals believe that the influx of tourists has taken away from the intimate atmosphere that once made it such an inspiring hub for culture and creativity in Porto’s history. Regardless, Livraria Lello remains a stunning example of late 19th-century architecture and a crucial part of literary history in Portugal.
Livraria Lello Opening Hours & Tickets
Livraria Lello is open every day from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm.
You do have to purchase a ticket, which costs €8 for adults. Entrance to Livraria Lello is free for children ages 3 and under.
| Silver Ticket | €8 | With a discount of €8 on the purchase of a book |
| Gold Ticket | €15.90 | Priority entry with book included |
| Child Ticket | Free | Free entry up to 3 years old |
The Gold Ticket is a priority tickets that allow you to not only skip the line and go straight to the entrace but also allow you to receive a book in either Portuguese or English. While most of those tickets cost €15.90, we’ve also seen the ticket go up to €16.90 depending on the book you choose.
Click here to purchase tickets to visit Livraria Lello straight from the bookstore, and arrive early to beat the crowds (especially if you want to snap photos of the staircase without dozens of people on it!).
How to Get to Livraria Lello
Porto is such a walkable city that we recommend walking to the Livraria! However, if you’re staying a bit further outside the center of Porto, getting there is easy by public transportation.
| Buses and Metro | Buses 601 and 602 are the best option, since they have stops close to the bookstore. In addition, lines 201, 207, and 500 will get you close, too. If you’re staying somewhere near the yellow D line, you can take that to the Aliados metro stop, which is approximately a 7-minute walk from Livraria Lello. |
| Walking | Again, Porto is so walkable that we recommend walking if you can! When we visited Porto for the first time, our Airbnb was about 20 minutes away walking and it was such a nice way to explore the city. |
| Taxi or Uber/Bolt | If you need to get there fast, hail a taxi or download Uber or Bolt to order a cap from your phone. We prefer Bolt. However, we found Porto’s traffic to be too intense to justify taking a car. Walking everywhere seemed faster and easier. |
Attractions Nearby Livraria Lello
It doesn’t take much time to visit Livraria Lello, meaning that you’ll still have plenty of time left in the day to explore other nearby attractions. So what else should you do once you’re done visiting Livraria Lello? Here are a few things we suggest.
Torre dos Clérigos
The Clérgios Tower is the closest attraction to Livraria Lello and one we absolutely recommend visiting. This distinct bell tower and church were designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni and constructed between 1754 and 1763 for the Society of Priests.
The tower stands 75 meters tall, making it one of the tallest structures in Porto at the time (it was even taller than the Notre Dame in Paris when it was built!). More impressively, the entire project took around 30 years to complete.
It has been hailed as one of Portugal’s finest baroque towers and is one of the most popular attractions in Porto today. Climb up the 240 steps to reach the top and soak in stunning views of Porto’s colorful buildings, Douro River, and beyond.
Igreja do Carmo
You’ve likely seen the side of Igreja do Carmo in many Instagram photos of Porto. The stunning azulejo tiles make it a pretty Instagrammable spot, but there’s a lot of history behind those bright blue and white tiles.
Similar to the Clérgios Tower, the Igreja do Carmo was built in the latter half of the 18th century. The tiles weren’t added until 1912, however, which is why they look so bright and new.
The church is a two-minute walk from Livraria Lello. While you’re there, be sure to be on the lookout for Casa Escondida (if you don’t know where to look, you’ll miss it).
O Diplomata
Hungry after a morning of exploring Livraria Lello? While we can’t promise you butterbeer, there is a great brunch place just a few minutes away from the bookstore. O Diplomata in Porto offers the ultimate brunch experience with their famous build-your-own pancakes.
But we don’t love O Diplomata’s brunch just for the food. The venue itself is cozy and cute, with a bright and airy interior design that creates a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy your meal.
Parque das Virtudes
If you visit Livraria Lello in the afternoon then head on over to Parque das Virtudes to snag a spot for the sunset spectacle.
Located on the top of a hill, the park offers panoramic views of the city and the Douro River. The vibrant colors of the sunset blanketing the city’s rooftops are something you won’t want to miss, especially if you’re a photography lover like we are.
So, don’t forget your camera! We snapped photos with our phones the first evening we visited Porto, but wish we’d brought our real camera.
The Final Verdict: Is It Worth It to Visit Livraria Lello?
It’s honestly totally up to you. Is it a gorgeous bookstore with an ornate interior that attracts tourists from all over the world? Absolutely. Did it actually serve as the inspiration for Hogwarts’ library in Harry Potter? No.
If you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan or book lover looking for Instagrammable backdrops, then yes, Livraria Lello should definitely be on your list of places to visit.
But if you don’t care about any of that, aren’t particularly interested in the unique architecture, and just want a quiet place to browse books, there are plenty of other (less crowded and cheaper) bookstores in Porto that may suit you better.
