British newspaper The Guardian and travel website Lonely Planet picked it as the world’s third most beautiful bookstore. Over 100 years old, Lello is a true art-nouveau pearl with neo-Gothic details. Inside, you’ll find the newly restored “Decus in Labore” stained glass and a fabulous red staircase, the store’s defining feature, said to have inspired the one in Hogwarts, from the Harry Potter books (author J.K. Rowling once lived in Porto). As you’re walking in, look down: there’s a carpet filled with words related to the city. Be warned: you’ll probably have to wait in line, there are that many visitors. Tickets cost 4€, to be deducted from any book purchase, and you buy them from a red booth outside the store, where you can also leave your bags.
Livraria Lello
Time Out says
Details
- Address:
- Rua das Carmelitas, 144
- Porto
- 4050-161
- Contact:
- View Website
- +351 22 200 2037
- Price:
- 4€
- Opening hours:
- Mon-Fri 10am-7.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7pm
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