10 Unmissable Bookstores in Lisbon

10 Unmissable Bookstores in Lisbon

My first ever visit to Lisbon all I bought were books. No souvenirs, not a single item of clothing, not even a collectable Portuguese tile; just a bag full of new and used books and seven extra kilograms on my luggage capacity.

As I made my way through Lisbon I was perpetually enamored by the hundreds of independent, hole in the wall bookshops that lurked around each corner. And the smells, don’t even get me started.

by Becca Tapert – Unsplash

If you’re a reader prepare for the ride of your life. Here are ten unmissable book sellers in Lisbon where you can sniff the spines of novels to your hearts content.

1. Bertrand in Lisbon

Bertrand’s Bookstore is world famous. It is the oldest bookshop in the world and was founded right here in the heart of Chiado back in 1732 .

It’s a space of tangible history. The collection of both English and Portuguese books is immense but even if you’re not looking to purchase, a walk through the different rooms is worthwhile.

Livraria Bertrand – by Livraria Bertrand – Sourced from their website

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9am to 10pm

ADDRESS: R. Garrett 73-75, 1200-203 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Baixa-Chiado

2. Ler Devagar in Lisbon

Ler Devagar is one of the first attractions you’ll pass as you enter the Lx Factory in Lisbon south. This old factory lot was transformed into a yard of restaurants, concept stores, bars and galleries.

Ler Devagar is the only bookstore on the grounds, and it is massive. It’s a double story space with thousands of books from the floor to the ceiling. In the center of the store is the old printing press machinery that you can climb onto while you visit. There is even a small cinema in the back where they hold regular screenings and occasional talks.

A must visit spot during your trip to Lisbon.

Ler Devagar in Lisbon – by Ler Devagar – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11am to 11pm

ADDRESS: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103 – G 0.3, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Alcantara-Mar

3. Bookstore Trinity – Alfarrabista in Lisbon

Nestled in a quiet spot just between Chiado and Bairro Alto, the Bookstore Trinity is a lucky packet experience for readers who are open to anything.

What you find in here is the luck of the day and largely based on how much time you’re able to dedicate to browsing. A friendly store manager is always present to help you along.

Bookstore Trinity – Alfarrabista in Lisbon – by Bookstore Trinity – Alfarrabista – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday – 9:30am to 7:30pm

ADDRESS: R. do Alecrim 36, 1200-018 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Cais do Sodre

4. O Az do livro in Lisbon

I love this little nook in northern Chiado. It’s not far from the Teatro, and theatre districts are always known to carry great bookshops.

It’s a tiny, chaotic little space with bookshelves piled beyond capacity. A collection of new and used gems all screaming to be adopted; temptation at its finest.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – Various

ADDRESS: Calçada do Duque 11, 1200-155 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

5. Ferin Bookstore Lda. in Lisbon

The Ferin Bookstore is also in Chiado and is another very old bookseller in terms of Portuguese history.

It’s a whimsical space both inside and out. The majority of their books are in the Portuguese language; their selection of English books is quite limited.

They do, however, offer an inclusive range of bilingual books such as Portuguese to Chinese, Portuguese to Japanese, Portuguese to Spanish etc.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10am to 8pm

ADDRESS: R. Nova do Almada 72, 1249-098 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Baixa-Chiado

6. Livraria Simao in Lisbon

This bookshop in the Alfama has seen incredible popularity for tourists in recent years; so much so that a €5 entrance fee is now charged to get into the establishment just to see it, and there is almost always a line outside.

The entrance fee can be used as credit toward whatever you end up buying inside. Worth seeing at least once while in Lisbon.

Livraria Simao – by Livraria Simao – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 8am to 1pm // 3pm to 7pm

ADDRESS: Escadinhas de São Cristóvão 18, 1100-213 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Baixa-Chiado

7. Livraria Sá da Costa in Lisbon

I wandered into this little slice of heaven one evening while walking home from dinner in Chiado. What caught my attention was the fact that a bookshop was still open despite the time being close to midnight.

They are open until midnight, seven days a week. The space is warm and inviting, & and you’ll browse rows of books of all genres. I particularly love there boxes of old, discarded photographs and 35mm film slides. One can flip through the memories of strangers for hours in here.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:30am to 12am

ADDRESS: R. Garrett 100, 1200-273 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Baixa-Chiado

8. XYZ Books in Lisbon

If you move north from the city center toward Santa Cruz you’ll venture into university territory, where bookshops run in abundance.

XYZ isn’t your typical bookstore, it’s a store for photographic art books only, most of them made by Portuguese locals.

XYZ Books – by XYZ Books – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday – 3pm to 7pm

ADDRESS: R. Ilha do Príncipe 3A porta E, 1170-182 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Anjos

9. It’s a Book in Lisbon

Also in university town, just below the viewpoint of Monte Agudo, is the best place for children’s books in Lisbon.

It’s A Book caters to both the Portuguese and English speaking markets & is a great place to take your kids where they can select their own books in a space dedicated to them.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 12:30pm to 7pm

ADDRESS: Rua do Forno do Tijolo 30-A, 1170-137 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Anjos

10. Leituria in Lisbon

A wonderful literary spot recommended to me by a friend I made while taking a free guided walking tour through Belem.

Leituria is a diverse bookstore where you’ll find a lot more than just fiction. Poetry, cooking, architecture, history and philosophy are all available here.

Leituria in Lisbon – by Leituria – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – Various

ADDRESS: R. José Estêvão 45 A, 1150-200 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Anjos