Self-guided tour with included entrance at Lello Bookstore
Porto, Portugal
- 30 minutes to 1 hour (approx.)
Explore our promoted experiences
OverviewAuto-translated
What's Included
- Digital ticket for access to the Livraria will be sent via chat by the experience provider.
- Presencial Guide
- Printed ticket
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Livraria LelloR. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal
Go directly to the address indicated, corresponding to the official entrance of the Lello Livraria. Upon arrival, look for a library employee or enter the access queue indicated at the venue and present your ticket to the entrance at the scheduled time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Livraria Lello
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.6
based on 50 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
It was a great half day trip getaway. The cities visited were beautiful and the experience was amazing. Our driver Rui L. was super professional and ontime and very attentive. Our tour guide Cuber was very nice, funny, trilingual, and informative. We had a blast and they both made this trip better.
The overall experience was amazing! The procedure of tickets and entrance was very organized, which made our visit so easy. I found myself in a wonder world!
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Dear Silvana,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience at Livraria Lello and that the organized ticketing and entry process made your visit smooth and enjoyable. It's lovely to know that the bookstore's magical atmosphere made you feel like you had stepped into a world of wonder!
Thank you for choosing Luka Destinations. We hope to welcome you back to Porto for more unforgettable experiences!
Best regards,
Luka Destinations
The online ticketing is not great. I made several attempts at booking an early entry but the credit card gateway was unreliable. Luckily they have staff on site to assist you.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Dear Rams,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We're sorry to hear about the difficulties you encountered while trying to book your tickets online. We understand how frustrating payment issues can be, especially when planning a visit with a specific entry time. We're glad that the staff on-site were able to assist you. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps highlight areas where the booking experience could be improved. Thank you for choosing Luka Destinations, and we hope you enjoyed your visit to Livraria Lello. Kind regards,
Luka Destinations
A masterpiece! Just fantastic!
Good selection of books, the place is so well maintained, and the reading club was a brilliant addition to the experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Dear Vilma,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted that you enjoyed the beauty of Livraria Lello, its book collection, and especially the reading club. It's lovely to hear that these details made your visit so memorable. Thank you for choosing Luka Destinations to be part of your Porto experience. We hope to welcome you back someday!
Best regards,
Luka Destinations
Loved the bookstore and experience. Aside from the long lines and crowds, this was well worth the wait.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Dear Lee,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed visiting Livraria Lello and felt it was worth the wait. We understand that the queues and crowds can be challenging, especially during busy periods, and we truly appreciate your patience. Thank you for choosing Luka Destinations. We hope you left Porto with wonderful memories!
Best regards,
Luka Destinations
It’s definitely worthwhile. Must get timed tickets in advance. Our entrance time was 10:15. We got there about 9:45. Waited on line for 1/2 hour but got in about 10:15 which was good. Very crowded inside but a must see in Porto. Maybe worthwhile to do the guided tour as you might avoid the line.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Dear Amy,
Thank you for sharing such a detailed and helpful review! We're delighted that you found Livraria Lello worth visiting and that your entry went according to schedule. We appreciate you highlighting the importance of booking tickets in advance, as well as sharing your experience with the queues and crowds. Your insights will certainly be helpful to future travelers planning their visit. Thank you for choosing Luka Destinations. We hope you enjoyed your time in Porto!
Best regards,
Luka Destinations
It’s a magnificent building for a bookshop and very well organised with staff available at every turn. Did feel it was a slick commercial enterprise though
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Dear Arlene,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you appreciated the beauty of Livraria Lello and highlighted the organization and helpfulness of the staff throughout your visit. We also understand your observation about the commercial atmosphere. Livraria Lello combines remarkable architectural and literary heritage with its popularity as an international attraction, which can make the experience quite different from visiting a traditional bookstore. We appreciate your perspective and hope to welcome you back to Porto in the future!
Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
Easy to book , times very clear . Loads of books to browse and beautiful inside . Recommended but you do need to book .
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Dear Sarah,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience at Livraria Lello. It's especially rewarding to know that the booking process was easy, the time slots were clear, and you had the opportunity to enjoy the bookstore's beautiful interior and explore its wonderful selection of books. Thank you for your recommendation and for highlighting the importance of booking in advance. We hope to welcome you back to Porto!
Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
Disappointing. The entire tour is based around commercialisation. No toilet facilities is a big minus. However, the lack of staff to operate the tills is unforgivable. The wait at the till was as long as wait in queue.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Dear Sean,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re sorry to hear that your visit to Livraria Lello did not meet your expectations. We understand how waiting at the checkout, particularly after already spending time in the entrance queue, can significantly affect the overall experience. We also understand your concerns regarding restroom availability and checkout service. These aspects related to the bookstore’s facilities, staffing, and internal operations are managed directly by Livraria Lello and are not under the control of Luka Destinations. Nevertheless, we’re sorry that these conditions negatively affected your visit. Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your perspective with us. Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
It was absolutely not worth the money!!!! Stand in line for an hour to walk through a crowded bookstore... photos turn out bad. A scam.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Suzanne,
We’re sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. Livraria Lello is one of Porto’s most visited attractions, and especially during busy periods, there can be lines and a high number of visitors inside. While visitor flow and conditions inside the bookstore are not under the direct control of Luka Destinations, we understand how this can significantly affect the overall experience. We would also like to clarify that the experience purchased includes more than admission to Livraria Lello, as it also provides a self-guided tour designed to help visitors discover other highlights of Porto. We’re sorry that, in your case, the visit did not provide the experience you expected, and we appreciate you sharing your feedback with us. Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
Be prepared for long lines but once your entry time opens up…it moves quickly. Highly recommend going early at the open to avoid the crowds.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Diedre,
Thank you for sharing your experience and for offering a helpful tip to other travelers!
Livraria Lello is one of Porto’s most popular attractions, so busy periods can certainly bring longer lines. We’re glad to hear that once your entry time arrived, the process moved quickly. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope you had a wonderful time in Porto!
Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
Well organized waiting lines outside, beautiful inside the library with all the wood works. decorations and the stained galss skylight.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Josee,
Thank you so much for your review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a positive experience, from the organized waiting process outside to exploring the beautiful interior of Livraria Lello. The intricate woodwork and impressive stained-glass skylight are certainly among the details that make the bookstore such a special place. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you back to Porto!
Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
I was traveling with a odyssey travel group of 24. I was told by our tour guide that we purchase a $30 ticket. X 2. $68. Us $ That I would get a credit of $15.95 towards a book per ticket i purchased 2 Harry. potter books for my grandkids in emglish, i went to checkout and the checkout clerk ssid. It does apply to hatrry potter in English. He then pointed to my ticket on my phone Ssid. Right here in portegese, very disappointed. I bought $90 i2 books. $68 to get in. I will give the a bad review. Watch out very misleading.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Mary,
We’re sorry to hear that this situation caused frustration during your visit to Livraria Lello. The credit associated with the admission ticket is subject to the conditions and book selection established directly by Livraria Lello, and we understand that these conditions may not have been sufficiently clear at the time of your visit. We’re especially sorry that you selected books for your grandchildren expecting to use the credit, only to learn at checkout that it did not apply to those specific editions. We understand how this could make the experience disappointing. Your feedback is very important to us and helps us improve how we communicate the conditions of the book credit so future visitors have clearer information before their visit. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we’re sorry that it did not meet your expectations. Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
Thankgod we were told about this bookshop.What a highlight.Interior is amazing.you get to take home a book to the value of your ticket.Thats a Wow factor.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Ross,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Livraria Lello was one of the highlights of your time in Porto. The architecture and interior truly make it a special place to visit, and we’re glad that the opportunity to take home a book made the experience even more memorable for you. Thank you for choosing our experience. We hope to welcome you back to Porto!
Kind regards,
The Luka Destinations Team
Get tickets before date of visit and schedule after five pm. It was great that you could purchase a book and cost deducted from ticket fee.
Exceptional Library and staff very helpful!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Katherine,
Thank you so much for this wonderful review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience at Livraria Lello and that you appreciated the opportunity to purchase a book with the ticket value deducted from the purchase. It’s wonderful to know that you also found our staff helpful and welcoming. Thank you as well for sharing your helpful tip about purchasing tickets in advance and visiting later in the day. We’re sure this will be useful to other travelers planning their visit. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. Thank you for choosing to explore Livraria Lello with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Porto in the future!
Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
There was no tour of the bookstore - you walk around like you would any other bookstore. Not worth $84 Euro for two.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Dana,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you found Livraria Lello lovely, although we’re sorry to know that the experience did not meet your expectations. We would like to clarify that this experience is designed as a self-guided visit, meaning that there is no guide accompanying guests inside the bookstore. The experience includes admission to Livraria Lello along with our self-guided tour materials, allowing visitors to explore the bookstore at their own pace. We’re sorry if this was not clear when you made your booking, and we truly appreciate your feedback as it helps us make the experience and its description clearer for future travelers. Thank you again for choosing to visit Livraria Lello with us. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Well organized and the staff is helpful and kind. Follow their instructions for the best experience.
This is a beautiful and unique bookstore, as photos and descriptions have told you. I cannot shop for a book in a crowd, so I chose not to buy anything. It was worth it just to wander about and to get a look at the wonderful staircase.
I wish it was a relaxed space and not such a tourist destination, though I totally understand why it is a tourist “must see.” On that note, timed admission tickets are a brilliant way to make a visit manageable and hopefully beneficial to the bookstore.
Again, I cannot say enough about the helpful and welcoming staff. Claudia was especially wonderful. She helped me learn how to pronounce the name of the bookstore and that added to the charm and the fun of the experience. She also suggested where to find a restroom, as the bookstore did not have one available that day.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Cindi_P,
Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback about your experience at Livraria Lello. We’re glad to hear that you appreciated the beauty and uniqueness of the bookstore, as well as the organization and helpfulness of the staff. We’re especially happy to know that Claudia made your visit more welcoming and enjoyable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with her. We also appreciate your comments about the crowds and timed admission. As one of Porto’s most visited landmarks, Livraria Lello can become quite busy, particularly during peak periods. The timed entry system is designed to help manage visitor flow and make the experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible while preserving the character of this special place. Thank you again for sharing your experience and for highlighting the small details that made your visit memorable. We sincerely hope to welcome you again on a future visit to Porto. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
The long lines made us think we were in for something special. Well what a disappointment. The lines were very long and turned out to be just a gift store
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Ira,
Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your visit to Livraria Lello did not meet your expectations. We understand that the long queues can be frustrating, particularly when the experience itself turns out to be different from what you anticipated. Livraria Lello is a historic bookstore with a strong focus on its architecture, atmosphere, and book collection, but we recognize that its appeal is not the same for every visitor. We respect your opinion and are sorry that you felt the experience was more like a gift shop than the unique bookstore you were expecting. We also appreciate your comments regarding the waiting time. High demand can lead to significant queues, and we understand how this can negatively affect the overall experience. Thank you again for sharing your perspective. We hope you were able to enjoy other experiences during your time in Porto. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Gets a little crowded- but overall a great experience!!! Would love to find more 1 of a kind books in this store.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Paul,
Thank you very much for your fantastic review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience at Livraria Lello and that you found the visit incredible overall. We understand that the bookstore can become crowded, particularly during busy periods, and we appreciate your understanding. We also love your suggestion about having more one-of-a-kind and unique books available. It’s a great observation, and we appreciate you sharing it with us. Thank you again for your kind words and valuable feedback. We hope to welcome you back to Porto and Livraria Lello in the future!
Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
It’s a beautiful place. Not sure how looking at books can be sold as a self guided tour!
Staff weren’t very polite and the wait was long and in the rain!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Ian,
Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback. We’re glad that you appreciated the beauty of Livraria Lello and its unique atmosphere. At the same time, we are sorry that the overall experience was disappointing, particularly because of the long wait in the rain and your interaction with the staff. We also understand your comment regarding the term “self-guided tour.” This experience is designed to allow visitors to explore the bookstore independently, at their own pace, rather than as a guided tour with a guide accompanying the group. We appreciate that the wording may have created different expectations. We sincerely apologize that the waiting conditions and service affected your visit. Your comments regarding the queue and staff are valuable, and we will share them with the relevant team. Thank you again for your feedback. We hope that, despite these difficulties, you were able to appreciate what makes Livraria Lello such a unique place. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Despite coming in peak season it was much less crowded than I expected. The bookshop is a must see for book lovers and Harry Potter fans. Loved the experience
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Wendie,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a lovely experience at Livraria Lello and that the crowds were more manageable than you expected, even during peak season. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed the visit and would recommend it to fellow book lovers and Harry Potter fans. The bookstore’s unique architecture and atmosphere certainly make it a memorable place to discover. Thank you again for sharing your experience and kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Porto!
Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Long lines to enter but mostly organized. Recommend visiting if someone never has. Book selections were good and well organized by the different languages.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Jorge,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback!
We’re glad to hear that, despite the long lines, you found the entry process mostly organized and that you would recommend visiting Livraria Lello, especially for first-time visitors. We’re also pleased that you enjoyed the book selection and found it well organized by language. We truly appreciate your recommendation and your helpful observations. Thank you again for visiting us, and we hope to welcome you back to Porto in the future!
Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
I would not recommend this 1) The time slot I had booked and had confirmed months ago, the day prior "was no longer available" so we were moved to a later time 2) You don't actually get in at the time you are assigned, you are waiting in line with ~100 other people for your exact 15 minute slot and get in 15ish minutes late 3) They oversell the time slots to the point it is literally shoulder to shoulder and you can't look at any books comfortably 4) The book selections are VERY limited and mostly LL editions of books. Save your time and money and go to the world's oldest book store in Lisbon or any other bookstore for that matter.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Meghan,
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We are truly sorry that your experience did not meet your expectations. We sincerely apologize for the change to your confirmed time slot at short notice. We understand how frustrating this can be, particularly when a visit has been planned and booked months in advance. We also appreciate your comments regarding the queues and the number of visitors during your time slot. Although entry is organized around scheduled periods, high visitor demand can still result in waiting and crowded conditions, and we understand that this significantly affected your ability to comfortably enjoy the bookstore. Your feedback regarding the book selection is also appreciated. We understand that the range of titles and editions may not suit every visitor, and we respect your perspective. We are sorry that you felt the experience was not worth your time or money. Your comments regarding scheduling, visitor flow, and the overall experience are valuable and will be taken into consideration as we work to improve our service and communication. Thank you again for sharing your honest feedback. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Just a great experience to go into an old old school bookstore. Unique design and layout well worth a look
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Glenn,
Thank you very much for your fantastic review!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Livraria Lello and appreciated its unique design, layout, and historic atmosphere. It’s wonderful to know that even as someone who doesn’t read much, you found the bookstore to be such a memorable and worthwhile experience. Thank you for sharing your recommendation with other travelers. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Porto!
Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Lello is an extraordinary bookstore for its gorgeous woodwork, the iconic winding staircase, and near-Baroque-style ceilings. The lines were very manageable in the mid-morning (I was there for a 10:45 am entry), but as the day went on, it did get unwieldy, as my fellow travelers reported. I found the line to purchase a book worse than the line to get in, so I opted out and chose to seal my memory with photographs.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Judi,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review!
We’re delighted to hear that you appreciated the beauty and unique atmosphere of Livraria Lello, especially its remarkable woodwork, iconic staircase, and stunning architectural details. It’s wonderful to know that your morning visit allowed for a more comfortable experience. We also appreciate your helpful observations regarding the lines throughout the day. As one of Porto’s most visited landmarks, the bookstore can become significantly busier during peak hours, and feedback like yours is valuable for helping future visitors plan their experience. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us. We’re very happy that the visit was worthwhile for you and hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Porto. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
There weee too many people in the bookstore. I wished they would limit the number of people going in.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Daisy,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We understand your concern regarding the number of visitors inside Livraria Lello and we’re sorry that the crowd levels affected your experience. Due to the bookstore’s worldwide popularity, it can become quite busy, especially during peak hours and high season. We completely understand your wish for a more controlled visitor flow to allow guests to better appreciate the beauty and atmosphere of the space. Your feedback is very valuable and will be shared accordingly. We truly appreciate your visit and hope you still enjoyed discovering one of Porto’s most iconic landmarks. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Viator charged me eur26 for silver ticket which you can get eur 12 at Lello bookstore website directly.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear about your concerns regarding pricing. We understand your frustration when comparing prices with the official website of Livraria Lello. Please note that prices on third-party platforms like Viator may differ due to service fees, platform commissions, currency conversions, and the inclusion of customer support and booking assistance. That said, we fully agree that pricing should be as transparent as possible, and we regret if this was not clear at the time of booking. Your feedback is very important and helps us improve how we communicate these differences to future guests. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and hope you still enjoyed your visit to Livraria Lello. Warm regards,
Luka Destinations
Whether JK Rowing received inspiration from the bookstore or not, it is a must see. Absolutely beautiful!
Billet d'entrée déductible uniquement sur leur collection
En sens unique impossible de reveniez arrière
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Cher Frederic,
Merci d'avoir partagé votre expérience. Nous sommes désolés d'apprendre que votre visite à la Livraria Lello n'a pas répondu à vos attentes. Nous comprenons votre déception concernant les conditions d'utilisation du bon d'achat et le parcours de visite. Le bon inclus dans votre billet est valable uniquement sur les livres de la collection Livraria Lello Editions, conformément aux conditions établies par la librairie. Nous comprenons toutefois que cette restriction puisse être décevante si vous souhaitiez choisir un livre parmi l'ensemble des ouvrages proposés. Nous vous remercions pour vos remarques, qui nous aident à améliorer la clarté des informations communiquées à nos visiteurs. Cordialement,
Luka Destinations
Nous n’avons pas été autorisés à entrer pour la visite de 10h le samedi dernier, le 12 septembre ( nous étions 6).
Et vous nous aviez envoyé un courrier à ce sujet , nous disant que vous alliez nous rembourser….
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Bonjour Helene,
Nous sommes sincèrement désolés pour ce qui s’est passé et pour la frustration causée par le fait que vous n’ayez pas pu effectuer la visite prévue. Nous comprenons à quel point cette situation a dû être décevante, d’autant plus que vous étiez un groupe de six personnes. Notre équipe a bien été informée de la situation et nous regrettons que votre expérience ne se soit pas déroulée comme prévu. Concernant le remboursement mentionné dans notre communication avec vous, nous comprenons votre préoccupation et nous sommes également désolés pour tout retard ou désagrément lié à cette procédure. Nous vous présentons nos sincères excuses pour cette expérience et vous remercions d’avoir partagé votre commentaire avec nous. Cordialement,
L’équipe Luka Destinations
Member Pricing
From
$23.48
per personWas $24.72(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Self-guided tour with included entrance at Lello Bookstore
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Free Cancellation
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