Where is Livraria Lello? 5 Things You Should Know

Where is Livraria Lello? You can access Library Lello from Porto Metro Line D or by bus using 201 or even 302 depending on where you are located.

LOCATION: Rua das Carmelitas 144

TRANSPORTATION ACCESS: Metro, line D; Bus 200, 201, 207, 208, 300, 301, 302, 305, 507, 601, 602, 703, 801, 900

STATUS: Open every day (except January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, June 24th and Christmas Day) from 9AM to 7PM

RATING: 4/5

Livraria Lello first opened in 1906 and was partly responsible for bringing some of the Classics to Portugal, having been the first to publish all of Shakespeare’s work in Portuguese. Livraria Lello is considered to be one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, because of its iconic staircase, stained glass and rich decoration.

Is Livraria Lello Worth it?

Yes, both travelers and locals find the bookshop stunning, but find it quite tourist-y and crowded. Livraria Lello is definitely worth visiting if you intend to buy a book, since the price you pay to enter is discounted.

Where is Livraria Lello Located?

Livraria Lello is located right next to Praça dos Leões, in the street coming from Torre dos Clérigos. The visit itself is quite short, around 30 minutes at most. However, the waiting time is very long, since there is ALWAYS a line. 

How do I Access Livraria Lello?

The most common means of transportation used to get to Livraria Lello is Metro (subway), line D. You need to exit at either Aliados or S. Bento. It’s a short walk from both stops.

Alternatively, you catch the bus and exit at Cordoaria or Carmo. Here’s a list of buses you can take:

200, 201, 207, 208, 300, 301, 302, 305, 507, 601, 602, 703, 801, 900

Catching the bus won’t be necessary unless you’re coming from outside of Baixa (center of Porto), since it’s such a short distance from Aliados.

From S. Bento, you need only walk uphill, in the direction of Torre dos Clérigos (the tallest building in sight) and then turn right. From Aliados, you’ll need to walk uphill in the direction of Torre dos Clérigos as well, but then take a left turn, until you get to Praça dos Leões.

Status

• Livraria Lello is open to visit every day (except: January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, June 24th and Christmas Day) from 9AM to 7PM.
• Every visitor must buy a ticket-voucher (8€). If you buy a book, the price is discounted.
• There’s a “premium” ticket available (15,90€), which guarantees priority access and includes a book.
• At time of writing (early 2024), there’s construction on Avenida dos Aliados, near Livraria Lello. This does not affect accessibility.

FAQs

Is Livraria Lello Used in Harry Potter?

No, Livraria Lello has absolutely no connection to Harry Potter. Rumors that J.K Rowling used this bookshop, especially the its staircase, for inspiration have made Lello extremely popular. However, these rumours aren’t true, and many tourists are disappointed to learn this information.

Can I buy a book in Livraria Lello?

Yes, you can buy books in Livraria Lello as it is still a very functionable bookshop. The only difference is you may need to wait in line to enter.