Lavaria Lello Facade 
Outdoor Selfie!
Upon recommendation of one of our trusted travelers (thanks, Kathleen), we decided to check out Livraria Lello. The book store was established in 1906 and inspired the Hogwarts library in the Harry Potter books. You can check our their website at: https://www.livrarialello.pt/.
Visitors can enter the bookstore without procuring tickets in advance if they have plenty of time available. When we first tried to visit the store, probably a hundred folks were waiting in the queue. The line doubled back leading Kevin to quip, “the queue has a u in it!’ Our decision to buy the tickets was worth it! We even went the extra step to buy the priority tickets which also gave us a discount on a book. We decided on The Lusiads by Luis de Camoes, originally published in 1572. It is the great epic of Portugal. The purchase allowed us to move right into the store.
Once inside, it became quite clear why the stop is so popular and inspiring. Levraria Lello has two floors. The shelves along the walls are intricately crafted and decorated with ornate designs and sculptures of classical writers. There is a track system in the floor that allows a cart to move stacks of books between the back of the store and the front door. Today, at the end of the track is the Harry Potter Section, complete with a sorting hat.
Sorting Hat 
Book Trolley
But the first thing that captures your eye is the staircase. The single stairs split into two midway up and then curve around around to allow you to exit at the top on either side of the store. And when you get to the second story, you immediately notice the stained glass ceiling. The effect is stunning.
Staircase – Underside View 
Donna on Main Staircase 
Staircase – Full View
There are several pieces scattered throughout the store, including an old typewriter, and one of the cash registers that the store used. And of course there are books. Lots of books, in different languages, genres, and size and shape. If you are a reader, and you are in Porto, I would have to say, this store is a MUST SEE, and it is well worth the price of admission.
Underwood Typewriter 
Register from Ohio….Small World! 
Cool Bookcases 
Ummmm….?? 
Oh, ok, I get it now! 
Checking out the books 
Carving 
Staircase – Upper View 
Light Fixture Upstairs 
Inside Levraria Lello 
Ceiling Stained Glass 
Kevin and Book Trolley 
Love this staircase! 
Staircase Details
After a quick bite for brunch right next door to Livraria Lello, we headed for our bus tour of the Porto Castles. We have not take guided tours before, but decided to give Yellow Bus Tours a shot. The tour took about an hour and conveyed us through part of the historic and modern districts and out to the beach. We learned about some of the historical buildings as well as some of the history of the city and its people. From the Ingreja de Santo Ildefonso constructed in 1739 to the Casa de Musica constucted in 2005, the architecture of the city is amazing. And as we rode through the fishing district, the aroma of fresh grilling fish wafted onto the bus, luring us to the many restaurants for a fine meal.
Ahh….the Atlantic! 
Great tile facade 
“Fruity” Advertisement? 
Igreja do Carmo 
Atlantic View 
Porto Cathedral 
Yellow Bus Selfie
The bus stopped at many attractions along the way and runs every hour (in case one wants to hop off the bus for a closer look). We will be taking another tour tomorrow of the historic district and we will also check out the street car and the funicular. But that will be tomorrow. We recommend Yellow Bus Tours as a starter for your venture in Porto. You can find more information at https://www.yellowbustours.com/pt/porto .
To finish off our day, we headed down to the hotel lobby for a glass of 20-year tawny port and then strolled through the nighttime down Rue de Santa Catarina.
20-year Tawny Port 
Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls) 
Igreja de Santo Ildefanso 
Rue Santa Catarina Street Art 
Grand Hotel of Porto 
Rue Santa Catarina – Nighttime