Lello & Irmão bookshop

Squashed in between two buildings, this white neo-Gothic facade is not a church, but a library. Sorry, I mean THE library Lello & Irmão! Open since 1906, this place has always been successful, whether that is before, today, or later. What you have in front of you, from the names of the founding brothers to the allegorical paintings representing art and science on either side, is just a foretaste of what’s actually waiting for you. Don’t say now that I haven’t warned you! There’s an entry fee, but know that you’ll get a book for a reduced price in return! As you enter, you’ll find yourself surrounded by books from floor to ceiling. They’re everywhere! Even if you’re no book worm, it’s impossible not to be moved by the library’s old decor, presenting dark brown woodwork and sculpted pillars, both towered by a luminous glass roof. If there’s one thing that catches your eye for sure, it’s the huge central staircase. No, you’re not dreaming—it’s made of concrete, specially designed to look like carved wood. No wonder it’s the main room when you see this crimson two-way staircase. Often called the “Cathedral of Books” or the “Harry Potter bookstore”, it is regularly compared to Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley. Once inside, there’s no coming out: you’ll never want to leave this dimly-lit library again!