BookTrail Travels to Porto

BookTrail Travels to Porto

Let’s be honest, I only wanted to go to Porto to see Livraria Lello. The bookshop that it’s said is the most beautiful in the world. Its staircase is something out of Harry Potter, which is exactly what is said to have inspired the magical moving stairs at Hogwarts. Stairs in the real shop don’t move sadly but they are a sight to behold!

The bookshop in question:

You have to queue to get in and you HAVE to buy a ticket to get inside beforehand. There is a QR code on a board to buy one at the door but it seemed to cause frustration with those trying. Get your ticket beforehand!!!

Turn up about 20 mins before your time if you can as the queues start very early. Even when the shop is shut, people queue for pics on the outside. It gets VERY hot inside so take a drink or a fan. You can stay as long as you like, but once you leave, you need another ticket to get back in.

Livraria Lello (c)TheBookTrail

There are no quiet times. I went at 6pm and 1pm and at 9am. All dead busy. But hey, everyone wants the same photos so there is always someone to take your picture. The basic tickets cost 8 euros but you scan this at the till if you buy a book and you get that taken off the price.

Livraria Lello times (c)TheBookTrail

This is not a normal bookshop in the sense that it is very specifically curated with Harry Potter for the large part (given its inspiration to the author) and books in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Mostly classics both yesteryear such as Jane Eyre and modern day such as Sarah Waters. Special editions of all  – cheapest book is around 17 Euros.

As for travel options, two stood out. One was this fine tram. There has to be another post on the other one as, well, I still can’t get over it.

Transport , Porto (c)TheBookTrail

The parks are wonderful and this peacock is straight out of the novel about Thomas True

peacock (c)TheBookTrail

Just look at the views.

Porto views (c)TheBookTrail

And the food…..I like to live local when abroad and this is the famous Francesinha, originally from Porto

Francesinha sandwich (c)TheBookTrail

layers of toasted bread and assorted hot meats such as roast, steak, wet-cured ham, linguiça, or chipolata over which sliced cheese is melted by the ladling of a near-boiling tomato-and-beer sauce called molho de francesinha. It took me a week to eat but it was GORGEOUS!

And I am FAR from done with this city. It really is one surprise after another!

Susan x