Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It is rumored to be one of places that inspired JK Rowling for Harry Potter. The architecture is so stunning that even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, this bookstore is worth going to.
Can I buy my tickets in person?
In all of the reviews, videos, and blogs that I read online, they all said that there was a store around the corner from Livraria Lello where you could buy your tickets in person. If this is true, I could NOT find it for the life of me. So don’t rely on this!
Otherwise, you pay for them at the door. But don’t do this! You will be waiting for a long time.
Which leads me to my first tip…
Buy your tickets online!
Just do it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what time of day you are going, but buy your tickets online. And buy your tickets the day before you go.
While I was waiting in line, there was an attendant walking up and down the line encouraging everyone to buy their ticket online. So everyone got on their mobile phones, purchased their tickets, and then they were allowed to move over to the fast-track line which is infinitely faster.
I bought my tickets online that morning, but for whatever reason they weren’t delivered to my inbox. This had happened to a few people and caused a lot of confusion. If this happens to you, wait in the fast-track line anyway. The staff were able to confirm that I purchased my ticket using my email address.
When is the best time to visit Livraria Lello?
The best time is in the early morning (arrive 30 minutes before opening to get infront of the line), or about 1 hour before closing time. I arrived 30 minutes before opening and there was only a small group of people infront of me.
If you have no plans to visit the bookstore and are walking around Porto and see that the line isn’t very long, then it is easy to buy your ticket online and get into the fast track line.
How much does it cost to visit Livraria Lello?
There are a few different ticket options to choose from. The starting cost to enter Libraria Lello is 5 EUROs. If you buy a book, this cost is deducted from your purchase. For updated pricing (and to buy your tickets!) visit their website.
How long will I wait in line for?
The line for Livraria Lello is VERY long. The crowd control in the bookstore is managed very well, but you can wait hours and hours to get in if you arrive after 9:00am.
When I left the bookstore at around 10am, the line was already down the street.
Is it worth it to visit Libraria Lello?
Everyone’s opinion will vary, but I would say yes it is. Especially if you buy your ticket online, and arrive early.
If you haven’t purchased your ticket in advance, and the line is going all the way down the street and you have to wait hours and hours to get in, then I would say try again the next day and get there early. Or, try coming back later in the later to see if the line has gone down. It isn’t worth missing an entire day in Porto for.
I visited the bookstore (and Portugal as a solo female traveler) and had no issues having people take my photo.
It was wonderful to wander around the small bookstore and admire the architecture and look at all of the small details in the woodwork. I spent about an hour in the bookstore just soaking up the atmosphere, but this can vary per person. Read more reviews here.
Their book selection is very small, and mostly in Portuguese, so I would say that this bookshop should be visited to appreciate it’s beauty rather than to shop for a book. There is a Harry Potter selection in the store with books in different languages, so it is interesting to look at those.
The bookstore is quite small, but crowd control is managed very well. If you wait the staircase will eventually become empty (but only for a brief moment, so get your photo chance while you can).
Have you visited Livraria Lello, or are planning to go? Let me know about your experience in the comments below!
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Very good to know it is best to buy tickets online in advance. Saving time by not standing in line means more time available to look at books!
Oooh! I wanted to go to this bookstore for years! I love interesting libraries and bookstores.
Love this unique bookstore! I have not seen anything like this where a small local language bookstore attracts people not only for the books but the arrangement or decor of the place. The queue in your picture is unbelievable. Will definitely look up this place if I am passing through Portugal. 🙂
I was in Porto a couple of years ago and did not know about this bookstore ahead of time. I saw an INCREDIBLY long line outside of this bookstore, only to inquire and learn of its significance. So, as you can guess, I did not go in. I love your tips, though, and the pics of the interior. When I get back to Porto, I will plan ahead to see it.