Step inside Porto’s literary world with must-visit bookstores, charming hotels, and vibrant libraries that celebrate Portuguese literature and culture.
Porto is a city that reads like poetry: layered, lyrical, and alive with imagination. For literary travelers, it’s a place where storytelling is etched into every stone and street, from artful libraries to writer-themed hotels and beyond. As one of Europe’s most important literary cities, it’s also home to one of the world’s most stunning and uniquely designed bookstores: Livraria Lello.
Livraria Lello
Voted the world’s most beautiful bookstore, Livraria Lello makes a grand statement with its Neo-Gothic architecture and eye-catching, red staircase. Founded by José and António Lello and designed by engineer Francisco Xavier Esteves, it opened in 1906. While it has aged over the years, the Pedro Pinto family began restoring it in 2014, gradually reviving the bookstore both inside and out and bringing back its former glory.
Aside from the unique, curved staircase—rumored to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s depiction of Hogwarts—the bookstore also features a stained glass ceiling with the phrase Decus in labore, or “honor in work.”
One thing to keep in mind: because this place is so famous (especially among Harry Potter fans), it can get seriously crowded. If you plan to visit, stop by as soon as it opens at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Ruas das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal
Wine & Books Hotels
Just a couple of streets down from Livraria Lello is Wine & Books Porto Hotel, a boutique hotel that blends sophistication with Portugal’s literary culture. Not only does it have an on-site restaurant lined with bookcases, but it also hosts its own Wine & Books Club, offering members regular recommendations on the latest Portuguese writers through an online newsletter.
Even if you don’t read Portuguese, the modern, stylish rooms and central location make it an appealing place to stay. And for bibliophiles, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from many of Porto’s best bookstores.
Location: Rua de José Falcão 39-41, 4050-526 Porto, Portugal
Livraria Poetria
Just a one-minute walk from Wine & Books will take you to Livraria Poetria, a cozy little shop specializing in poetry and theater. This independent bookstore has a curated selection of works by both local and international authors. While most of the collection is in Portuguese, the English section is thoughtfully chosen and of high quality.
Reviewers often praise the owner for his kindness and helpfulness, reflecting a true passion for the subject matter. The shop also has a sweet resident dog—perfect for those who wouldn’t mind a little petting between books.
Location: Rua Sá de Noronha 115, 4050-526 Porto, Portugal
Livraria Moreira da Costa
One of Porto’s oldest antiquarian bookstores, Livraria Moreira da Costa, was founded in 1902. It specializes in rare and antique books, with many on display and over 25,000 more stored away in the book cellars. On the shelves, you can find works in Portuguese, French, English, and Latin.
Its semicircular indoor balcony adds a touch of unique charm to its century-long history, and as a whole, the bookstore is recognized under Porto de Tradição, Porto’s preservation program for shops of local historic or cultural importance.
Location: Rua de Avis, 30, 4050 – 075, Porto, Portugal
Livraria José Alves
If you want to truly immerse yourself in Porto culture, look no further than Livraria José Alves. This bookstore catches the eye with its hendecagonal ceiling light and wooden panels that web outward.
It primarily serves college students and professionals, offering a wide range of specialized texts in medicine, economics, and engineering, mainly in Portuguese. Like Moreira da Costa, it’s recognized under Porto de Tradição for its historic importance to the city.
Location: Rua de Avis 9, 4050-075 Porto, Portugal
Livraria Bertrand Porto (Rua da Fábrica)
On Rua da Fábrica, you’ll find a branch of one of Porto’s largest bookstore chains, and one of the oldest still-operating chains in the world—originally founded in Lisbon in 1732.
This Porto location isn’t quite that old, but it’s highly praised by visitors for its organized, easy-to-access layout and kind, helpful staff. It offers a solid selection of books in both Portuguese and English across a wide range of genres, with an especially good collection of novels.
Location: Rua da Fábrica 90, 4050-246 Porto, Portugal
Livraria Chamine da Mota
While all the previous spots on this list are clustered in the same area, we’re branching out a bit with Livraria Chaminé da Mota, a sprawling antiquarian bookstore. The store spans four floors, including a family museum on the second floor, and is beautifully decorated with antiques throughout.
While most of the collection—including many rare finds and signed copies—is in Portuguese, there’s a small English section as well, along with an assortment of vintage posters, records, and postcards. Just note this is not a casual tourist attraction, and visitors are asked to be considerate and not take pictures inside.
Location: Rua das Flores 28, 4050-262 Porto, Portugal
Torel Palace Porto
Torel Palace Porto takes the idea of being a literary hotel very seriously. Each of its 24 rooms is uniquely designed and named after an influential Portuguese writer or poet. Renovated from a 19th-century palace, highlights include ornate stucco ceilings, a huge, centrally located skylight, and overall authentic, historic design.
The hotel also has a sweet surprise: a cute, in-house patisserie with rows of books on display, making for a perfect atmosphere for any lover of literature.
Location: Rua de Entreparedes 42, 4000-198 Porto, Portugal
Livraria Manuel Ferreira
Not too far from Torel Palace stands Livraria Manuel Ferreira, a rare book store with over 200,000 volumes of old, rare, and out-of-print books. It’s a favorite among collectors, offering services like book evaluations and purchases, with options for in-store visits or on-site assessments.
This shop mainly caters to local collectors and researchers, so the selection is mostly in Portuguese. Still, if you arrive with a specific title in mind, you just might get lucky.
Location: Rua Dr. Alves da Veiga 89, 4000-073 Porto, Portugal
Café Candelabro
Café Candelabro hits that sweet spot between cozy café, wine bar, and bookstore. Once exclusively a bookshop, it now focuses primarily on the café side of the business, though it still offers a selection of used books, mainly in Portuguese, on photography and cinema.
Its outdoor seating area is popular in the summer, and the interior features vintage decor with a contemporary touch. The space also hosts a variety of events, from outdoor silent movie screenings to live music performances.
Location: Rua da Conceição 3, 4050-215 Porto, Portugal
Salta Folhinhas
This is the oldest children’s bookstore in Porto, offering a broad collection in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Its books aren’t just for young children; they include titles suitable for all ages up to young adulthood.
Salta Folhinhas also hosts occasional storytelling sessions for its young readers and is run by an owner passionate about sparking a love of literature in today’s youth.
Location: Rua de Costa Cabral 426, 4200-223 Porto, Portugal
FEUP Library
As is fitting for a university department dedicated to engineering, this library building has some fascinating architectural design. It’s truly massive, spread across six floors with study rooms, independent work booths, and multimedia areas.
Although part of a university, its use is not restricted to students only, and with a capacity that can comfortably accommodate 400 students, it offers a quiet, spacious place to dial things back and focus.
Location: Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art Library
The Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art livens up every corner of its building and outdoor garden with fascinating exhibits and art displays. So while its library might seem ordinary at first glance, just look up and you’ll see an array of hanging ombre bulbs that add a delightful bit of whimsy to the white shelves and rows of study tables.
As you might expect from an art museum, the collection focuses on art-related publications. You can also view a series of paintings displayed on the library’s second floor.
Location: Rua Dom João de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto, Portugal
Almeida Garrett Municipal Library (Library of the Crystal Palace)
For a different kind of modern spin, head over to the Almeida Garrett Municipal Library, located in Porto’s Crystal Palace Gardens. Named after a famous Portuguese writer, this library features fascinating architecture, such as an exterior screen made up of long, thin logs ideal for keeping the building cool. The visual effect of the log screen is further enhanced by the peaceful, natural surroundings.
Inside, you’ll find reading rooms, a children’s section, an exhibition gallery, and more. It’s a perfect place for both study and relaxation.
Location: Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, R. de D. Manuel 21, 4050-239 Porto, Portugal
Gato Vadio
To tune into a more alternative vibe, head to Gato Vadio. The space combines a cafe, bar, and bookstore with a backyard garden. It also hosts frequent activist and countercultural events—including debates, speeches, and film cycles—for those hoping to shake things up a little.
It’s all in Portuguese, but those who can’t understand the language can still appreciate the café’s menu, which offers vegan options alongside craft beers and a decent selection of wines.
Location: Rua da Maternidade 124, 4050-369 Porto, Portugal
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K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
