Best places in Portugal for book lovers

Do you, like me, adore books? Then there are a number of places in Portugal that you will surely love. Discover the prettiest historical libraries and most unique bookshops. You can very well visit these highlights during a road trip between Lisbon and Porto. All the stops you make along the way are fun for a lot more reasons than just books. 

Livraria Ler Devagar in Lisbon

This bookstore in the trendy LX Factory may be best known for the cycling girl that hangs from the ceiling of the store, but the books are especially fantastic. It is a large store with an extensive collection. You can also have a drink there to take it all in or visit various exhibitions.

Livraria do Simão in Lisbon

This is the smallest bookshop in Lisbon and therefore nice to visit. It was opened in 2008 by a former chemistry teacher, halfway up the steps of the Escadinhas de São Cristóvão. On four square meters, about four thousand books in different languages are for sale. No more than two people can enter at a time, so you may need to be a little patient.

Feira do Livro in Lisbon

You can only visit this book market if you are in Portugal at exactly the right time. Around the end of May / beginning of June, this large book market is organized in the Eduardo VII park in Lisbon. In addition to lots of stalls with books, you can also eat and drink and attend lectures or music performances.

Library of the Palácio Nacional in Mafra

Although it is only one room in the huge palace and monastery of Mafra, the library is still the star of this monument. Unfortunately, you are only allowed to look at the thousands of old books from a distance, but that is understandable. This special collection must be preserved at all costs.

Hotel The Literary Man in Óbidos

The medieval town of Óbidos was declared one of Unesco’s Cities of Literature in 2015. So you definitely want to go here! If you’re staying the night, this hotel is an absolute must. Although it might be difficult to sleep in a place with so many bookcases full of wonderful books.

Livraria do Mercado in Óbidos

This mix of bookstore and organic grocery is the best. In this store you can treasure hunt for hours. They sell second-hand books in all kinds of languages and on all kinds of topics.  It’s in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the main street between all the souvenir shops, so don’t walk past it accidently!

Livraria de Santiago in Óbidos

This unique bookstore is located in the Church of Saõ Tiago, right next to the entrance to the Castle of Óbidos. You will automatically find it when you walk down the main street to the end. Here you can buy new books in all kinds of categories, mostly in Portuguese, but also in other languages.

Festival Literário Internacional in Óbidos

As a City of Literature, you of course have to organize a literary festival. If you happen to be visiting Portugal in October, you might want to take a look at Folio, an international multi-day festival at various locations in Óbidos.

Biblioteca Joanina in Coimbra

Portugal’s most famous library is the beautiful Baroque Biblioteca Joanina in Coimbra. It was built in the eighteenth century by order of King João V and has been particularly well preserved over the centuries. Around 200,000 books are housed in tall wooden bookcases on three floors. Visits are only possible with an entrance ticket for a specific time.

Livraria Lello in Porto

This bookstore is very often mentioned in lists of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Personally, I think it’s a shame that it has become such a big tourist attraction these days. For example, you now have to buy a ticket to enter. But yes, it remains a beautiful place, which should not be missed in this overview.

Feira do Livro in Porto

Porto also has a large book market with all kinds of activities. For this, you have to be in the city at the end of August / beginning of September. It is organized in the Jardins do Palácio do Cristal.

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