In addition to my article about the best bookstores in Porto and the only children’s bookstore that sells Literature in other languages than Portuguese, it is time to tell you about the best second-hand bookstores.
These are truly remarkable places where you can find very rare and valuable books and quite often, objects that do not exist anymore.
I leave you here a list of my favourite second-hand bookstores in Porto.
Chaminé da Mota
Rua das Flores, 28 | Porto
In Porto it is said that if a book does not exist in Chaminé da Mota, then it does not exist anywhere else, and it might well be the case.
In my opinion, Chaminé da Mota is not a bookstore, it’s an enchanted world that unfolds in exchange for your time. Even though its popularity among locals and tourists, the owners of Chaminé keep their gentleness – in fact, when I am looking for information to write a more specialised article about the history of Porto, I stop by this bookstore as Pedro will always let me search on his books.
This second-hand bookstore in Porto has over one million books spread across four different floors. It has books in many different languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian and even a Czech Version of Lusíadas. Naturally, it also has some rare editions, as well as a very curious Lucky Luke comic book signed by Morris himself when he was at the bookstore.
In addition to the second-hand books, Chaminé do Mota has an extraordinary collection of beautiful ancient music boxes – and some of them actually still work!
How to get there: the São Bento train station is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Candelabro
Rua de Cedofeita, 471 | Porto
Candelabro, a beautiful second-hand bookstore in Porto, located at the romantic Cedofeita neighbourhood, is the first I started attending and it remains my great first love.
This bookstore, covered with old leather sofas and elegant green lamps, is an invitation to pause your daily routine and enter, take a seat and spend the afternoon reading or chatting with the funny staff. Moreover, even though Candelabro is not one of the antique shops in Porto, it has exquisite furniture and decor objects for sale.
Candelabro has books in English, French, German and Spanish.
How to get there: the subway station Lapa is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Manuel Ferreira
Rua Dr. Alves da Veiga, 89 | Porto
No one goes to Manuel Ferreira by chance, but those who know it don’t go anywhere else.
This reputable second-hand bookstore in Porto has a vast catalog of rare books, and is the only place in Porto that does books’ auctions, so it is much sought after by collectors.
To enter, you need to – literally and figuratively – knock on the door. Once there, you’ll notice that Manuel Ferreira looks more like a book deposit rather than a bookstore, so I would recommend you to go to this bookstore if you know exactly what you are looking for.
It has books in French, English, Spanish and Italian.
How to get there: the subway station Campo 24 Agosto is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Livraria Académica
Rua dos Mártires da Liberdade, 10 | Porto
This ancient second-hand bookstore in Porto, that recently celebrated its 105th anniversary is a feast for the eyes, which get lost in a universe of gold, green and red bumps.
The owner, Nuno Canavez, has a rustic kindness that is so very typical from the region of Trás os Montes, exactly where my family comes from. He is truly passionate about books and has a great memory, so it is a great pleasure to talk to him (I am not sure if he speaks English though – it’s a good opportunity for you to practice your Portuguese skills!).
Livraria Académica has hundreds of books in English, French and Spanish.
How to get there: the subway station Trindade is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Tintim por Tintim
Rua da Conceição, 27-29 | Porto
When I was a little girl, my father would take me to the mess on Sundays and, afterwards, we would go an buy a comic book together. I escaped the mess part as soon as I could, my my curiosity towards comic books remains until today.
Therefore I truly enjoy my visits to Tintim por Tintim, the only second-hand bookstore in Porto dedicated to comic books.
Tintim por Tintim also sells posters, postcards and other items exclusively related to comic books and related movies, which are great souvenirs to bring back home.
It has comic books in English, French, Spanish and a few in Italian.
How to get there: the subway station Trindade is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Dani Garcia, from Spain, was kind enough to make a map with the location of the 5 second-hand bookstores in Porto that sell books in other languages rather than Portuguese. Thank you, Dani!
Save this article for later:
