If you're wondering you should visit Livraria Lello, the famous bookstore in Porto, Portugal...the answer is a resounding YES!
I absolutely loved it.
It's certainly one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world (the prettiest I've ever stepped foot in!), and heralds back to another age of opulence and lavish details. Opened in 1906, the bookstore still sells books today. For most of it's existence, it was free to walk into the bookstore. However, in the last few years Livraria Lello was getting thousands of visitors a day with less than 5% purchasing books...so now the bookshop charges a fee to enter. If you do end up purchasing a book, they deduct your ticket price which is nice!
There are multiple ways to purchase a ticket. You can stand in line and purchase one at the door. If you have kids, you will get ushered up to the front of the line. We didn't realize this, and stood in line for 30 minutes before the worker spotted us and told us we could come to the front because we had children. So if you have kids with you, walk right up to the front of the line!
You can also purchase one online at their website here.
There is a rumor that JK Rowling, who wrote the famous Harry Potter series, was inspired by Livraria Lello! She did live in Porto from 1991-1993 and was said to have visited the famous bookshop on occasion. Being in the bookstore absolutely reminded me of all things Happy Potter...the gorgeous winding staircase, the floor to ceiling books, the grandeur of the architecture...there was a magic and energy to the whole shop!
The bookshop is right around the corner from the University and the gorgeous blue and white tiled churches of Carmo and Camelitas! This would be a perfect way to spend a morning visiting all 3 places...
And...if you're hungry, there's a delicious place to eat right across the street from Carmo & Carmelita church called Noshi Coffee & Healthy Foods. It's the perfect spot to relax after doing some site seeing and is very allergy friendly!! (You can see the pictures below!)
Also, make sure to check out:
and my entire post on Porto, Portugal
Don't forget to pop in to Noshi Coffee & Healthy Foods, just a short walk from Livraria Lello!
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