Livraria Lello is without a doubt a stunning and historic place. The architecture is impressive and it feels like stepping into a storybook. That said, the experience felt more like visiting a tourist attraction than a library or bookstore. When we went, it was extremely crowded, which made it hard to truly enjoy the space. It was difficult to move around, take in the details, or even browse the books comfortably. The staff seemed a bit tired or impatient, possibly because they deal with large crowds all day. Not rude, but not exactly welcoming either. I paid 10 euros just to enter, which can be used as a credit toward a book. But most of the books were priced around 13 or 14 euros, so you still end up paying extra. Yes, you get a discount, but personally I found the books to be overpriced for what they were. If you're really into architecture or literary history, it might still be worth it. But if you don’t go early, expect it to be packed. Personally, I’m not sure I’d recommend it to someone unless they go first thing in the morning and know what to expect.

There’s no doubt — Livraria Lello is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. The moment you step inside, it’s hard not to gasp: the intricate woodwork, the stained glass ceiling, the sweeping red staircase that seems to float in the air — it’s pure architectural poetry. You can absolutely see why people link it to Harry Potter and call it a must-see in Porto. But — and there’s a big “but” — it’s also one of the busiest, most crowded spots in the city. The line outside starts early and grows fast. Unfortunately, the queuing system isn’t well managed — people often skip ahead, and staff struggle to keep order, which can be frustrating, especially if you’ve been waiting patiently. Once inside, the space is stunning but packed wall-to-wall with visitors, making it nearly impossible to take in the details or snap a photo without a crowd in the background. It feels more like a museum moment than a peaceful bookstore visit. That said, the magic is still real. The craftsmanship of the staircase, the warmth of the lighting, and the sheer history of the place make it worth seeing at least once. The attached bookshop sells lovely editions (including Harry Potter books with special covers) and the entrance fee is redeemable toward a purchase — a nice touch. If you go, arrive early, book ahead, and bring patience. It’s undeniably beautiful, even if the experience is far from calm.

Although it’s best to buy your tickets in advance online and get a timed entry this library is still really over crowded !, very poplar tourist place to visit, the tickets are £10 each and it’s advertised that you can use your ticket towards the cost of a book, although I found out the hard way that means one discount per customer !!,, I couldn’t use all 3 tickets towards cost of a book, the book was €42.50 but when I scanned the barcode I found identical book on Amazon for £17.99 !, this would suggest the books are somewhat overpriced ? Ignoring that this library is a must see as it’s really amazing inside ! It’s like stepping into the world of Harry Potter

TOURIST TRAP. No doubt it is beautiful inside but it absolutely chaotic in there. So busy that you are like sardines in a can. You can't look at books to buy one. At least 150 people enter per 15 minute slot. The bookstore itself in tiny. The capacity is not 150 people hence why it is chaos. It is an absolute shame. I was hoping to look at books but not possible without being pushed around. People do not move out of your way as they are too busy taking pictures. If you're an Instagram fanatic this is your paradise but even then what value do you gain from this place? No culture or anything. Just a scam. 10€ for a photo? Come on.

If you haven't been, then you should definitely go to have a look. And if you go, make sure you buy your tickets online and go early as its always really crowded in there. They should in my opinion reduce the amount of people in there (which is why there are timed tickets) as its hard to move around. You won't be spending more than 30 minutes in there. They have a lot of beautiful books, but they need to ensure they have a bigger pop collection in English as when we went, there wasn't much of a selection.

Please purchase tickets in advanced. This place is crowded once you get in your time slot but naturally will empty as people just come in take pictures and go. If you appreciate bookstores and reading this is the place for you :). When you purchase a book they discount the value of your ticket (the most basic one 10€). They have tons of editions on classic novels with their covers and typography. You can get your purchased books stamped if you want to :)

Amazing bookstore, consistently voted in the top few in the world. They say physical bookstores are struggling. Well this one cerainly isn't. As at Nov 2025, it costs 10 Euro to visit the bookstore which comes off the price of any book purchased (which are very pricey). And no, two or more visitors cannot combine their discounts and applybthem to a single book. At around 3000 to 5000 visitors per day that is a nice little earner for the bookstore so they can easily afford the plethora of helpful store attendants that patrol the floor. So what makes it so special? Floor to ceiling bookshelves, a stained glass ceiling and an amazing central staircase which steals the show. Everyone wants to take photos of themselves or their friends/partner on the staircase and mid-landing and upper landing.... Even with visitors restricted entry to certain time slots the book store was uncomfotably crowded. As for the books, the store is trying to cater to all tourists in a bunch of languages which restricts the colkection on offer. And did i mention that there is a tenuous connection to the Harry Potter books. J.K. Rowling lived in Porto for a few years teaching English during the 1990s prior to writing HP and the Philosopher's Stone. Some say that her books were highly influenced by her time in Porto, including the Livraria Lello and its amazing staircase. Glad I visited and, yes, I did purchase a book for around 50 Euros. Now to work out how to visit the other most beautiful book stores in the world.

Such an impressive tower, not only close up but can be seen even from over the river viewed from the port cellars. The view from the top is amazing, but there is also a lot to see inside the building which I was not expecting - plenty of history and intricate carvings, with lots of detail to go with them. Definitely worth a visit when in Porto - best to get there early - around 10 if possible as the tour groups seem to descend about 11.

The 75.6-meter-high Torre dos Clérigos, one of Porto's most iconic and, above all, most visible structures, was built between 1754 and 1763. Climbing the 240 steps to the top of the bell tower rewards you with a panoramic, unobstructed view of Porto. Because the number of visitors allowed to ascend is not regulated or limited, it can get (too) crowded. Don't let that spoil your fun and enjoy the magnificent view!

We bought tickets in advance and got in quickly with no wait at all. The security guard made us check our backpack, but we noticed many people inside with backpacks the same size or larger than ours so this was a little annoying. There are many many stairs but it is gradual, as you walk around the building and go bit by bit so it was not tiring at all. Once you get past the church and the main open spaces, you line up to go to the top. This is where it gets fun. There is no organization to how many people go up or flow of traffic. You are supposed to go left to right but the space gets smaller as you go further up the tower. The stairs are cramped and like merging during high traffic time. Once you get to the top, the personal space does not exist but the view- is worth it!! I think this attraction could be improved with better traffic flow and a head count but this may not be realistic. If you are claustrophobic or have problems being sardined in with other people, this is not for you! As well, there is a bathroom in the middle of the building so you have to use it when you see it or you will have to reenter or find a different washroom. This lay out was not great. The views of the city are amazing and you have a panoramic view (if you can squeeze by to see it.) I would recommend but one and done. I would not go again as I have done it!

This is arguably one of Porto’s most recognizable landmarks, built in the mid-18th century by architect Nicolau Nasoni for the brotherhood of clerics. Our walking tour guide mentioned that it is approximately about 75 metres tall, with about 225 stairs to climb up. From the top, you are offered a panoramic view of Porto, the rooftops, the Douro River and the city layout. The tower and the associated church (Igreja dos Clérigos) are fine examples of Baroque style in Portugal. If you’re looking for a “view over Porto” experience, this is one of the best vantage spots. The climb makes is a bit of an activity, but well worth the view.

The chapel is beautiful and was very much active in communion service and I think a few christenings when we arrived for our 2pm slot. We were early as advised and so explored the architecture which is beautiful. When you enter for you allocated slot, you can explore more of the chapel and get some great views of the interior art and architecture. The museum areas on each floor were interesting too. The climb to the top of the tower is not for the claustrophobic. It is narrow and very busy with people going up and coming back down. It’s the same on the observation area half way up and when you get to the top. Overall Nice views at the top, beautiful building, very busy. Glad we done it, but once it’s done it’s done.

Great experience, but happy I went during the low season as I'm sure the stairs to the tower can be quite uncomfortable with more than the number of people they allowed during my visit. Very narrow passages to get up and down the tower. The museum was great and offered a lot of info regarding the architect Nicolau Nasoni.

It was on my bucket list from beginning when walking in downtown or visiting Porto’s cathedral, it was all the time sticking out from city’s buildings and that was much better to see it from distance. When you get close or visit it, it offers great views and museum from more than 70 meter height plus location on hill. Highest bell tower in Portugal with 360 views

💯% worth it! If you’re questioning ‘is it worth it?’, it most definitely is! It’s a 30 minute guided tour - you’ll come to understand why, but it’s absolutely phenomenal! Thank you for the experience. I would recommend booking tickets early. The great thing the Palácio do is conduct the tours in various languages, therefore slots get booked up pretty quick, so my advice would be to book early/prior. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, saying he had only been there 3 weeks. An excellent guide. Thank you 💫

An amazing building steeped in history that is still being used today! Tight, but informative 30 minute guided tour was worth it and I would recommend you buy the tickets ahead of time. Make sure to take lots of pictures and absorb all you can. My personal favourite was the Arabian room, simply for its grandeur and craftsmanship. I highly recommend it if YOURE in Porto!

Stunning range of architecture and design across a series of rooms. The Arab inspired room was particularly beautiful. Note though that it is a whistle stop tour with not much time to linger. The tour guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, but time constraints probably meant we missed out on some of the background. Still worth the visit though.

We took the 30 minute tour in English of this palace and it was very interesting and informative, but maybe didn’t do justice to the interesting history of this landmark. The architecture is pretty amazing and the famous blue room was spectacular to see. Our guide was very friendly and gave a good presentation, but the tour seemed a bit hurried. Spending more time here would be great. I would definitely recommend seeing this unique palace while you’re visiting Porto.

beautiful palace constructed across the reign of the last king and the beginning of the republic, never a royal residence but looks fit to be one. the tour was amazing and loved the guide -- a bit pricier than other attractions but that's being a tourist for you. buy tickets in advance and you might get some discount.

It’s only possible to explore this with a guided tour, with a time slot, which shouldn’t put you off as it’s really interesting to hear about the history of the building, royal family and politics of Porto, all of the info the guide shares with you and the rooms are fascinating ! The last room on the tour is just amazing ! The pics and videos don’t do it justice

Gorgeous palace and a very nice tour that takes just over 30 minutes. Definitely worth it and our English guide was fun and friendly. Enjoyed seeing the different rooms, very impressive! Try to book ahead online otherwise

The day I visited this Garden they had a book selling event which was amazing! The garden is peaceful and it's attached to the Super Bock arena. There is a great lookout spot and tower with great views of the river. And lots of space to have a picnic or just relax with a book. Lots of birds walking around and they are super friendly. Nice place to take a few hours and relax and take in the view

Lovely big gardens for walking and relaxing. We had to download a pdf map to find out what was there and where different viewpoints were. Has a lot of potential but felt it needed a little TLC in places. Whilst it was heading towards autumn it would benefit from a cafe. There was a place selling the usual ice creams. Beautiful views from the vantage points. Great to see peacocks, hens, cockerels and ducks happily mingling with visitors! Plenty of seating. Looked like preparations were underway for a concert but nothing to say what it was. You can climb the 360 dome if you wish. We didn’t go inside so I cannot comment on the facilities inside. A craft market was on during our Saturday visit. Toilets available.

a beautiful park with lots of peacocks running around! its my first time seeing them spreading their wings in such close distance, gorgeous! there are other places where you can get a magnificent view of the city and the river. i will suggest to go early in the morning to avoid the crowd.

This is a must see place if you are coming to Porto! The gardens are so big you can easily get lost, and the best thing is each garden leads to another garden. But the best thing about this is the view od Porto. From here you can see the whole city and you can watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in your life! Especially with the view over the bridge. It’s a perfect spot for doing picnics and hanging out with friends outdoors. Also, not as crowded as I expected it to be.

Absolutely beautiful gardens, so so peaceful with cute little ducks and hens! Lovely in the sunny weather to sit and eat some lunch, or just explore the area. Amazing views over the river too

Great views. Very clean and safe. You can joy this urban gem and relax with chickens and peacocks. You certainly will like to climb the tower and have a 360° view of the city. There's a lot of gardens there, with fountains and places to rest.

So surprised to see that the entry of my (small) dog 🐶 was refused by security in this beautiful park. Though I strolled my dog with its leash, the only explanation that were given to me when I questioned the surprising rule was that it is to better protect the other animals (ducks and blue peacocks). So here in Porto , there is no part of this huge park that is accessible to dogs which is certainly not understandable. I think that you could amend your policies and allow a minimum playground to be opened for dogs. Thanks for your further consideration.

This is an impressive art of modern architecture. Unfortunately I was a bit late to arrive and was not able to visit inside, but the building itself is marvelous. There is a good space for skateboarders outside it, with many people skating and skateboarding around the area.

Casa da Música is an incredible building with striking modern architecture – well worth seeing in person. We booked a guided tour and it was definitely worth it, giving real insight into the design and history of the space as well as access to areas you wouldn’t normally see. A must-visit in Porto whether you’re into music, architecture or just looking for something unique to do.

Crazy architecture and even more crazy when you see how all the details in each venue come together to create the perfect space for each concert. I would recommend buying a ticket for the tour (8 euro). You can just explore on your own pace and use your phone and headphones to be guided through the building by scanning the qr-codes.

Northwest of Porto's historic center stands a much more recent monument: the Casa de Música. This concert hall was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and was scheduled for completion in 2001 when Porto was the European Capital of Culture. Due in part to its unusual shape, the building wasn't completed until four years later, opening its doors on April 14, 2005. Besides its modern design, the building is also renowned for its exceptionally good acoustics (and rightly so, considering its construction cost €111.2 million). There are two halls: the large Suggia Hall with 1,238 seats and the flexible Hall 2 with 300 seats and 650 standing. Even if you're not attending a concert, a visit to the Casa da Música is worthwhile.

A must-visit for music lovers, especially if you’re into the experimental side! We went to a Friday night “Digitopia” performance in the Sala 2 (a trio featuring percussion, guitar, and piano, among other experimental instruments and great lighting) and it was phenomenal. Definitely more avant-garde than your typical concert experience: think bold soundscapes, unexpected rhythms, and stunning musicianship. If you have a music background or even just a curiosity for the contemporary, you will not be disappointed. Funny enough, our Portuguese tour guide the day before suggested we skip the performance and just do a tour of the building (he said it wasn’t really his style) but I’m so glad we trusted our instincts and booked tickets. The space itself is striking, but it comes alive when you experience a live performance. Highly recommend checking the schedule and seeing something live!

Impressive building, with several modern concert halls. Guided tours weren't available when we visited but there was a "Keyboard Marathon", mini piano recitals by many pupils from various music schools across Portugal, and we could listen to a couple of young, dazzling performers.

Beautiful building. We saw a lovely show there. Easy to find, quick cafe in the bottom.

Recommend the bakery, not so much the cafe. If you want to eat there, do not make the mistake of ordering from the cafe menu they give you! (Limited options, cold and unappealing pastries). Instead, take a picture of the pastry you want from the bakery and show it to the waiter. I didn’t realize they had this option until I overheard a staff member telling another customer :(

Bakery with many options! We ordered a variety of the pastries to eat in. Weirdly none of the savoury pastries are heated up, so everything was cold and honestly not very good. The carrot / ginger cake and chocolate cake were the best things we got. Might be better to order as a takeaway to heat up at home.

unfortunately highly would not recommend the mango smoothie. it was 4.40€, but it was extremely bland and did not have any milk or cream (isn’t that what a smoothie means?). it tasted like a little bit of mango and a lot of water. pastel de nata was just ok, can get better elsewhere

Really good place. It is busy all the time... so may you have to wait a bit, but it's worthy. You have to try éclair there. I love it. Prices are reasonable

Friendly staff and nice terrace, the only con was that the pastries were all cold when the salty ones that we chose were supposed to be at least quite warm

All we ate were very delicious. Especially carrot cake and kish with mushrooms. Staff were very smiling face and helpful. I recommend there

One of the best coffees in Porto thus far. Purchased a chourico bread, cod cake, and carrot cake. All great The carrot cake is highly recommended. Location was busy, though service was excellent. Right around the corner from Livaria Lello and Lion fountain.

Iconic location with an atmosphere that feels truly authentic. The food was exactly what you’d hope for in Porto — fresh, flavorful, and generous. The shrimps were outstanding: perfectly cooked, fresh, and rich with flavor. The grilled sardines were the ideal first-night meal in Porto — simple, traditional, and absolutely delicious. Service was excellent — quick, efficient, and very friendly. A small tip: make sure to put your name on the waitlist when you arrive, as there is almost always a queue. The system runs smoothly, and the short wait is well worth it. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to dive straight into genuine Portuguese flavors and a great dining experience in the heart of Porto

My companions and I had an excellent meal here! I tried to make reservations via phone but my call wasn’t answered. So we just went there for a late lunch, and had a wait of 20 minutes. The staff is efficient and they try to sit you asap. Once you have your table, the staff is really helpful and answers your questions. The food comes in quite fast. The octopus rice was splendid and the octopus fillet was unbelievably tender. The tripe was the highlight for me though. It was so rich, complex, and tender. I hope it was easier to get reservations, but it’s worth the wait. It was an amazing meal for our last day in Porto!

If you want to eat something near the river side, I would pick here! Prawn was good. Sauce was with deep seafood favor. Octopus was pretty ok as well. Staff were nice. We went there for just simple food and a glass of wine then liked prawn so ordered more food to just have dinner there!!!!!

This was our second time dining here. Our first visit was with a reservation, but this time we walked in. There was a bit of a wait, but it was absolutely worth it. The food is amazing! I loved the oxtail stew and the Arouquesa veal steak. And don’t forget to order the orange pie for dessert it’s a must-try. The service is excellent as well. I’ll definitely be coming back every time we visit Porto!

This was our first dinner place in Porto and it did not disappoint. You may have to wait a bit for a table, but it would be worth it. It’s close to the river but tucked away on a little narrow uphill street that lends a quaint atmosphere of authenticity to it. The portions of the mains is pretty big, I’m a hearty eater, I can really eat a lot, but the servings for one main would be good for two people, particularly if you would be doing an appetizer, and dessert after. My partner and I made the mistake of getting one main each. We tried the Tripe stew and the veal stew. Both were very rich. The tripe was tender, not gamey, and was stewed with white beans and some carrots making it a very filling dish. The veal was also very tender, perfectly seasoned, and had a moderately thick sauce perfect for sopping up with bread. We also had the croquettes for starters which were a bit too creamy inside (the outer shell was nice and crispy, and the jesuit crackers which were light and fluffy. We were very full in the end so the climb/walk up the hilly parts was a wee bit challenging but kinda welcome. Pro tip: just really think about whether you need to have two mains, best to share one.

What an amazing find! The inside is like you're in a wine barrel. The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable...and fun. The food was amazing. I had the Lagareiro Octopus and it was one of the best things I've eaten over my 2 weeks in Portugal. My sister had the Lagareiro cod, which was also delicious, but the octopus was outstanding. Go there - you will not be disappointed

We had the final meal of our short break in Porto here, and a fitting finale it was. Superb food, with a friendly service in a really nice atmosphere. We shared Codfish croquettes and Octopus salad to start, both fresh and flavoursome. For mains it was Octopus fillet which came with Octopus rice, across the table it was Oxtail stew with rice. Both dishes were superb. We stumbled across this place earlier in the day, and said we'd go back later, and weren't disappointed, I would recommend anyone to try this small restaurant which is slightly off the beaten track.

Ode to the fries! From the first time we passed by this place and saw a guy carrying 3 enormous bags of fresh potatoes we knew. We knew we were about to start a love affair with the Curb fries. On a more serious note, this was such an easy and unpretentious place to get a meal from. Honest, cheap and greasy food. Perfect for a lazy dinner or after one of many hangovers you will experience in Porto. Great place for takeaway. Fresh and quality ingredients, simple yet flavorful burgers. Homemade buns. Best fries! Always friendly and quick service. I would recommend picking up your order rather than ordering with delivery. No dine-in, only takeaway.

The burger was amazing!!! There is no where to sit, it's only T.A., but the stuff was so nice and they gave me recommendations on place to sit in. I didn't like the frise, but I ordered the double burger that was soooooo good and it was enough for me.

We got the burgers to go but the service was great and the burgers were too. Just a classic burger and fries. Nothing more. Nothing less. But the special sauce is a delight!

Not a bad burger, big and tasty. Fries are very good too but I wouldn’t recommend the “secret sauce” for the fries, tastes like shrimp sauce. Slightly too expensive compared to other burger places but the burgers are good.

This is one of the best burgers I have had and best in Porto. There’s a few other burger spots in Porto that come close but the freshness and the quality of meat here is fantastic. Also fries here are great and good with special sauce. This is a takeaway space

Great cheeseburger - delicious, juicy, and perfectly grilled meat. The fries that went with it was also full of flavour and crispy. The staff was friendly, and it was only a short wait for the burgers

The burger is very juicy and flavourful! The taste of the pickles and the sauce weren't too overwhelming and the buns are fluffy and light. The meat patties were nice and tender. The burger is an appropriate size! I know it sounds like something ridiculous but I hate when they make the burgers so big you can't bite into it properly. Although, it is maybe a bit too greasy. The fries had skin on which I think is always the best choice. They weren't crispy but nonetheless they were pretty good. The problem was that they were definitely a bit too much on the salty side. The food is nice, but the main issue is price and location. 15eur for fries and a burger in a takeaway place that doesn't offer a waiting area ( I had to sit on the sidewalk to wait 10minutes ). The area around is not of interest so it's not like you have an enjoyable place to sit down and eat. For this reason, it makes it for me not worth it. Very good food, I wish there was a sitting area of that it was located somewhere different.