I've been a bookworm since a very young age (4 years old to be exact when I learned how to read by myself) - I had little interest in anything besides books and puzzles, so bookshops and libraries were for me as racing cars were for Ayrton Senna.
Every trip to a shopping center had a mandatory stop at any bookshop I peeked, otherwise there was a tantrum.
That love for books eventually turned into an admiration for book collectors, and eventually I found out that I live in a country that is very rich in culture and books.
So I decided to share some of the most amazing bookshops and libraries that any book lover should visit if they find themselves in Portugal!
1 - The Oldest Bibliotheca in Portugal - Biblioteca Joanina
Located in one of the oldest Universities of the World, Universidade de Coimbra was built in 1717 and still stands gracefully up to this day, is considered one of the city jewels, its architecture follows a very baroque line and many golden details. This library holds about 200000 volumes that can be consulted but only if you fill a request with a proper justification and strong enough motives. Granted authorization, the book will be taken to you to another facility by a worker, and he'll "chaperone" the consultation, this meticulousness is due the rarity of these editions.
In fact, the library has a bat colony living there because the bats control the plagues and avoid the book's deterioration.
It's definitely a must-visit for a book lover.
2 - The Bibliotheca of Mafra's Palace
Known as an "ex libris", this is one of the most important Europe’s bibliotheca and considered to be one of the most beautiful bibliotheca worldwide.
Just like the first one, this is also ancient and well-preserved, built in 1771 and with a collection of around 36000 volumes, some of those older than the building itself. There we can find some treasures as Giordano Bruno and many other important scriptures for the church.
You can also visit this one, but just like the above, the consultation process is very acute.
Fun fact: this is the second and last bibliotheca that has bats living inside to keep the moths away from the precious knowledge stored in secret.
3 - The Oldest Bookshop - Bertrand
Recognized by the Guinness World Records, Bertrand is the oldest operating bookshop in the world!
Located in Lisbon, it was founded in 1732 by the name of "El Dorado" but it changed its name circa 1750 when the Bertrand dynasty was born. Not long after, it was devastated by the big 1755 earthquake, where all the building came down. But it wasn't long until the Bertrand Bookshop was back on its feet in the same place as before in 1773.
Ever since, it turned a cult place for the big famous Portuguese writers at the time and even gathered writers who conspired against the dictatorship Portugal was living at the time.
It is a place full of story, worth to pay a visit!
4 - Livraria Lello
Inaugurated in 1906 this neo-gothic building in Porto has a lot more story behind than what passersby get to know.
This bookshop was a great milestone in literature importation and exportation, in fact here were edited and translated all of Shakespeare's work and other great writers such as Victor Hugo, Gustave Flaubert, Miguel de Cervantes and even Charles Darwin.
Considered one of the most beautiful bookshops, its looks started attracting a lot of tourists which lead to some deterioration and no sells, so they implemented a voucher method, you pay to get in, but the entrance value will be discounted on the book price.
Potterhead Fun Fact: this bookshop served as an inspiration for "Flourish and Blotts" bookshop where Harry Potter buys his books.
I’ve been to all of them and there is no way to choose a favorite, I tried.