Livraria Lello, located in Porto, Portugal, has been described as "the most beautiful bookstore in the world" and is also the inspiration for the Harry Potter series, and JK Rowling is said to have frequented the bookstore and written the first few chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone here.

I read in many places before coming here that this Lello bookstore in Porto was the inspiration for Hogwarts School in Harry Potter. As a bookstore, it is really special and tasteful. The whole facade is wooden style, elegant and elegant. Wooden floors, wooden bookshelves, wooden stairs, and even the ceiling of the first floor are inlaid with wooden carvings.

Enter the bookstore, step on the stairs, and the creaking sound of old wooden boards brings a retro feeling. The ceiling of the second floor is a full stained glass painting, which brings natural light into the heavy and gloomy wooden bookstore.

📖 : Livraria Lello
📍 Address: Rua das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal
🚇 Access: Take the subway to Trindade station and walk about 10min to the bookstore
🕐 Business hours: 09:30-19:00
🎫 : €5 (can be deducted when books are purchased in the bookstore)

📜 History introduction

Founded in 1906, Livraria Lello is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal, with a history of nearly 128 years. It was founded by the Lello brothers. The architectural style of the bookstore is a blend of neo-Gothic, Renaissance and Art Deco styles.


🔮 The Harry Potter connection

J.K. Rowling is said to have frequented the bookstore during her stay in Porto and was inspired by its unique atmosphere and design, which led to the creation of the library and staircase at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

🌟 Highlights of the visit

The wooden staircase inside ▪️ bookstore is known as one of the most beautiful in the world. The red staircase complements the surrounding wooden bookshelves. One second back to the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

▪️ The stained glass Windows on the ceiling add a unique touch of brilliance to the interior of the bookstore. The carvings and details on the walls reflect the century-old history of the bookstore! 360° view of the sky through the glass roof.

▪️ bookshop's surrounding literature is also very well done, and is suitable for buying Portuguese companion gifts.

▪️ has food and wine on the top floor and a small cafe upstairs. The majestic art style and exquisite books make readers and travelers linger here. The cafe can serve delicious local coffee and Portuguese wine, but it will take a while.

As a Harry Potter fan, I'm going to make a pilgrimage. The bookstore is very beautiful, yes, but to 8 euros of ticket money honestly I think it is not worth it, although the ticket money can offset the cost of books, but this money in the inside is not able to buy a book, fortunately today there is an Arbor to help me take a beautiful photo, leave a memorial because I will not come again next time.