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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

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Livraria Lello: The Harry Potter Library in Porto — Is It Worth It?

Last Updated: February 26, 2022 · Portugal

What does a library in Porto and Harry Potter have in common? Umm.. have you SEEN photos of the Livraria Lello in Porto yet? From its red, spiraling staircase to its stained glass window and neo-Gothic architecture, this bookshop just oozes magical Hogwarts and Harry Potter vibes! ⚡️

Livraria Lello entrance with staircase, considered the Prettiest Library in the World
The view upon entering the Lello Library!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

While I couldn’t find any official statement from JK Rowling herself on the resemblance between the Hogwarts Library and the Lello Library, she did live here in Porto for several years and was known to visit both Livraria Lello and Majestic Café, where it’s rumored that she wrote the very first words of the books we all know and obsess over today.

In this short and sweet guide, I’m going to take you on a little peek inside the now-famous Livraria Lello. As one of the top things to do in Porto, I’ll share my top tips on how you can visit this magical bookshop, often honored with the title of being the “prettiest library in the world.”

Table of Contents show
Guide to Lello Library — the Harry Potter Bookstore
Livraria Lello — Visiting Hours & Entrance Ticket
Secrets to Know About Livraria Lello
So… Is Visiting the Harry Potter Bookshop in Porto Worth It?

Guide to Lello Library — the Harry Potter Bookstore

Crimson red spiraling staircase inside Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal
The view from atop the crimson staircase inside Livraria Lello

While Porto has many cute “livrarias” or libraries, arguably none enchant its visitor more than the Livraria Lello. However, because of this, and especially because of its connection with JK Rowling and the Hogwarts Library in Harry Potter, it has become somewhat a victim of its own success!

Livraria Lello — Visiting Hours & Entrance Ticket

Gone are the days when you could simply waltz inside the Lello Library and silently browse through its collection. Nowadays, you need a ticket voucher to enter; purchase yours online at Livraria Lello’s website in advance for €5 or pay €6 on arrival in the queue.

neo-Gothic exterior of the Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto
Girl climbs red stairs inside Livraria Lello prettiest bookshop in the world

Tip: A regular (€5) ticket voucher is discountable on the purchase of a book. If you buy a priority ticket voucher (€15,90–€17,90), you’ll get priority entrance to the library before everyone else and it includes the purchase of a book (the one marked on your ticket voucher–so choose wisely!)

Currently, the books you can purchase with the priority ticket voucher include editions of classics produced by Livraria Lello: The Jungle Book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Los Lusiadas, The Art of War, and Sonnets. Check back on their website as they may rotate out which books are available with the ticket. The prices of the books that I picked up, such as Alice in Wonderland, cost around €16 without the voucher.

Children under 3 years old enter free, but you still need to add their ticket voucher to your cart when booking online.

Stained glass window on ceiling inside Livraria Lello with motto "Decus Labore"
Books produced by Livraria Lello
Pride and Predujice original book on exhibition behind glass in the Livraria Library

To be the very first in line at Lello Library, you need to show up at its doors even before it officially opens at 9:30 am (every day hours are 9:30 am to 7:00 pm).

It’s better to go on a weekday rather than a busy weekend. For reference, I went off-season, in mid-January on a Wednesday, and was the first out of 10–15 people in the library. I quickly took my photos and videos first before the crowds arrived not even twenty minutes later.

Secrets to Know About Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello has many secrets hidden in plain sight, starting with their royal, crimson spiraling staircase.

Livraria Lello entrance with staircase, considered the Prettiest Library in the World
Crimson red spiraling staircase inside Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal

Although it gives off the look of real wood, it’s in fact all reinforced concrete and painted plaster. (Gasp, I know!) And in summer 2021, they painted over the red in yellow and gray, in collaboration with Pantone’s colors of the year — “Illuminating” and “Ultimate Grey.”

You can find other traces of Livraria Lello’s history by keeping a curious eye open. On the ground floor, for example, you’ll see trolley tracks that were leftover from the building’s publishing era (1906–the 1990s).

The current trolley cart is a replica of the original and is on display in the back left corner of the library, where you’ll also find the Harry Potter books in English and the Sorting Hat perched on the top shelf.

bookshelves with Harry Potter books in English inside the Lello Library in Porto
Harry Potter inspired bookshop Livraria Lello with grand red staircase
bookshelves with Harry Potter books in English inside the Lello Library in Porto

Also to your left on the ground floor is the Face of Porto installation in the upper glass windows. These clay busts and faces represent over 400 figures important to Portugal’s culture.

Up the majestic and iconic staircase, you’ll find thousands of books and likely a temporary exhibition or artistic installation. When I toured, they were showcasing “Livraria Lello X Time: What Makes A Nobel?” with a room dedicated to José Saramago who was the only Portuguese-language writer to have won a Nobel Prize for Literature.

As if that wasn’t enough, the library also boasts the Gemma Room, which holds the bookshop’s most rare and unique collections of works. (It was closed when I went.)

Porto library filled with books on shelves at Livraria Lello
Temporary exhibition room featuring José Sagarmo inside Lello Library

Before you go, don’t forget to look up!

The stained glass window adorning the ceiling is just stunning. In its center, you can spot the motto “Decus in Labore” (meaning “Dignity in Work”).

Stained glass window on ceiling inside Livraria Lello with motto "Decus Labore"

So… Is Visiting the Harry Potter Bookshop in Porto Worth It?

Yes — Livraria Lello is definitely worth visiting; especially if you are a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love it! 🪄

And even if you don’t consider yourself a part of the fandom, you can still appreciate the bookshop for its absolutely stunning architecture, artistic exhibits, and its historical and cultural significance to Porto and the Portuguese.

The Harry Potter library and bookshop in Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal
1st floor of the majestic Livraria Lello with books on shelves and stained glass window
Girl climbs red stairs inside Livraria Lello

Lastly, if you want to follow in the footsteps of JK Rowling in Porto, you should head to Café Majestic right after your visit for brunch or tea service with a warm pastéis de nata!

I did, and even if it was overpriced, it was definitely worth it.

Also Read: The Ultimate Lisbon, Portugal Bucket List

Let me know if you have any questions about visiting Porto! More guides coming soon! ✨

Here are some final practical tips to make the most of your trip to Porto.

  • 👀 Livraria Lello is nearby the Clérigos Tower, you can’t miss it!
  • 🏡 Use Booking.com and save on hotels in Porto nearby Livraria Lello for easy convenience.
  • 🖼 GetYourGuide has awesome tours in Porto — I’ve been on two!
  • 👣 You don’t need to rent a car to get around Porto! You can quickly get around on foot, or if you’d like, by using the Porto City Card (metro/tram, discounts on museums, etc).
  • 💛 If you’re traveling abroad, make sure to protect your trip with SafetyWing — it only costs $40/4 weeks and starts the day of!
Photo grid of Livraria Lello in Porto with text overlay
Photo grid of Livraria Lello in Porto with text overlay

By: Bri · In: Portugal

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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