Livraria Lello is a historic bookstore dating back to 1906 in Porto, Portugal. People often dub this bookstore the “Prettiest Bookshop in the World,” and for this reason, it is popular among tourists. Not to mention, speculation suggests that J.K. Rowling’s visit to Livraria Lello in 1991 inspired the interiors of Hogwarts and the Flourish and Blotts bookstore in the Harry Potter universe. Now which of the Livraria Lello tickets is worth it?
Visitors must purchase a ticket to enter Livraria Lello. There are three different tickets available for purchase online: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Silver Ticket (€8)
The Silver ticket includes entry to the bookstore and an €8 voucher for purchasing a book.
I personally believe the Silver ticket isn’t worth it compared to the Gold ticket. Most books are a minimum of €15, meaning you will end up paying €15.95 if you plan on redeeming your €8 voucher. Not to mention, you have to wait in the long line outside to enter the bookstore.
Gold Ticket (€15.95) – Recommended
I recommend the Gold ticket. This ticket allows you to reserve a timeslot for your visit, allowing you direct entry into the bookstore. Therefore, no waiting in lines! The Gold ticket also includes a book from Livraria Lello’s “The Collection” which acts as an awesome souvenir to commemorate your visit to Porto.
Here are the books my friends bought with their Gold Ticket.
Platinum Ticket (€50)
The Platinum tickets allow you to reserve a timeslot for your visit, giving you priority entry into the bookstore. Once again, no lines! They also grant you access to the Gemma Room and provide a €50 voucher to use toward any books.
If you are a big book lover or have great interests in art and culture, I think getting the platinum tickets for €50 can be worth it. With the platinum tickets, you get a €50 voucher for a book and access to what Livraria Lello calls the “Gemma Room.” Aptly named for a space that holds their precious jewels, the room houses their collections of rare books, manuscripts, first editions, and luxury books (coffee table books).
Your visit begins with a small guided tour in languages tailored to the people in the group. You will learn about the beginnings of Livraria Lello before visiting the Gemma Room. Upon entry, you will notice moderately sized room is lined with shelves of books from different genres. Some of the books are for sale, which you can use your voucher towards.
That being said, a lot of the books are only for display and preservation. This includes first editions from various Portuguese authors, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, and also a signed copy of Margaret Atwood’s Bluebeard’s Egg. At the end of the tour, you can go back upstairs to find a book to purchase or find a book in the Gemma Room that’s for sale. There are books for sale in the Gemma Room for all interests, such as photography, architecture, fashion, film, etc. You can even take home a rarity like a first edition of Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita for €5,000 or Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll for €9,500.
Overall I had a wonderful time learning about the bookstore and seeing the first editions of books I enjoy. You definitely feel the appreciation the folks at Livraria Lello have for preserving these pieces of history.
If you are planning a visit to Porto, I recommend visiting the Livraria Lello. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets in advance. Also, don’t forget to cross the bridge over to Vila Nova de Gaia and take in the immaculate riverside views of Porto.
Happy Travels!
Verona
* Guest Post
** Not Sponsored
