From the North to the South, there are many bookshops, that are points of culture and knowledge and have in the past been visited by some of the most important historical figures of Portugal, including Kings and Queens.


Livraria Lello

Located in the historic centre of Porto, Livraria Lello is probably the most famous bookshop in Portugal and is recognised worldwide. The neo-Gothic façade of the building and the intricate wooden carvings have turned the place into one of the most emblematic tourist points in Porto.

Livraria Lello gained worldwide popularity due to it being rumoured to have inspired J. K. Rowling in idealising Dumbledore’s office, in the Harry Potter saga. Besides the author having denied the rumour, the queues to visit the bookshop never seem to end. More than just a book scenario inspiration, people look for Livraria Lello to explore more about the enigmatic architecture of the place.

Xavier Esteves was responsible for the architecture of the bookshop, famous for the wooden shelves with colourful books and the crimson staircase, often captured in photographs. Given the high tourist demand, people now must pay to visit the bookshop, as most visitors only want to take a step inside the Harry Potter universe, instead of buying books.

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Livraria Centésima Página

Nestled in the historic city of Braga, Livraria Centésima Página is located in a building of public interest since 1977. The bookshop is known for its cosy environment, built in an 18th-century building that followed modernity and has a very distinct interior.

To go with the books, there is also the opportunity to enjoy a drink in the cafeteria bar, a place where readers get together and spend as much time as they want to enjoy their newest book.

Centésima Página is an important cultural centre in Braga, as besides selling books, people may attend photographic expositions, as well as being able to get know various authors who present their most recent releases in Braga.

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Livraria Ferin

The bookshop located in Lisbon is known for being one of the oldest in Lisbon, and is found in Bairro Alto. Founded in the 19th century, the bookshop used to do bidding services, which were highly requested by King D. Pedro V, who determined the place would be the official bidding shop of the Kingdom of Portugal.

With the architectural specifications of the 19th century, Ferin managed to create harmony between tradition and modernity, making it possible for every generation to enjoy the place, whether for buying books or to assist book launches and other literary events.

Unfortunately, the bookshop closed in December 2023, due to economic difficulties that made it impossible for the owner to maintain the shop.


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Livraria Bertrand Chiado

Livraria Bertrand Chiado is probably the oldest bookshop in the world. Located in Lisbon, the bookshop was founded in 1732, and has remained almost the same since then. People claim that when entering the bookshop, the smell of old books is still there, making it almost feel like traveling back in time when visiting the place.

Currently, people may buy books in various languages and can browse through a huge collection of different books. Just like the other bookshops mentioned, Livraria Bertrand Chiado is also a cultural hub for literature enthusiasts.

Get to know them

These emblematic bookshops are places worth visiting even if literature is not the visitor’s biggest passion. Enjoying the architecture of the bookshops will bring amazing feelings to those who walk through the cultural hubs of Portugal, surrounded by books. So, what not try them and live a Belle moment, like in Beauty and the Beast?

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos