free tour porto harry potter

HARRY POTTER FREE TOUR

Harry potter free tour a tour full of magic.

We'll meet at the agreed time in front of Café Majestic to begin our magical free tour of Porto, the city that was a source of inspiration for one of the world's most iconic authors: J.K. Rowling! First, we'll head to São Bento station, where we'll admire the famous tile decoration next to the platforms, reminiscent of Platform 9 and 3/4. Then, we'll head to Café Majestic, a place the writer visited almost every day to write Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Afterward, we'll pass by the Palácio Atlântico to admire the murals of Jorge Barradas and find out all about the dragon mythology that appears throughout the Harry Potter saga as we head to our next stop: Praça da Liberdade. Then we'll make our way to the Palace of Justice to find out all about António de Oliveira Salazar, a Portuguese politician who is rumoured to have been the inspiration for the founder of Slytherin House! Our next stop will be the University of Porto, where we'll see seven emblems of Portuguese culture, on which J.K. Rowling is said to have based Lord Voldemort's seven horcruxes! Lastly, our tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to the iconic Lello bookstore, world-renowned for its Harry Potter likeness. We'll marvel at its magnificent facade as we find out all about its role in the books! Our tour will end here following two hours of magic.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Café Majestic, where our journey commences;

Palacio Atlántico;

São Bento train station;

Praça da Liberdade;

Palácio da Justiça;

Universidade do Porto;

Lello Bookstore;

And much more!

Other Information

Group Policiy

Minimum number of participants.

Groups of 7 or more are always welcomed. In this case, we require a prepayment of 10€ per adult and 5€ per youngster (14 - 18 years).  This principle results from the need to protect and value the level of quality and dedication of our guides.

Please note that this Free Tour only takes place with a minimum of 4 adult participants.

How long does the Free Tour take?

In what language is the Free Tour?

The Free Tour lasts around 2h30. 

​The tour is exclusively in English.​

What's included in the tour?

What's not included in the tour?

The tour includes a local English-speaking guide expert in our history and ready to give you great tips to make your stay in Porto unforgettable.

The tour does not include transportation, entrance to monuments or meals.

How do I book the Free Tour?

You can book your Free Tour by clicking the Book Now button on this page, then choose the date and complete the booking form. You will receive your confirmation immediately. If you have any difficulties please contact us by email, phone or Whatsapp:

[email protected]  | +351 914 059 080

Is booking mandatory?

​Booking is usually not mandatory you can just show up at our meeting point and join the Free Tour. Although it is recommended especially during public holidays and festivities, at such dates you should book as soon as possible to guarantee availability.

How do I get my ticket?

​Once you book the Free Tour a Booking Confirmation is sent by email. If you do not receive the confirmation email check your spam or contact us.

You do not need to print the confirmation, you can present it to our team on your phone/tablet at the beginning of the Free Tour.

Is the Free Tour accessible?

No. This Free Tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Meeting Point

Harry Potter Free Tour

• 9.20 / 10 673 reviews | 5,994 travellers Very entertaining and dynamic! The person who gave the presentation ENRIQUE interacted with the entire group in a great way, making the tour very enjoyable. 10 Joan Manuel
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Explore the city of Porto and discover the places that inspired J.K. Rowling when writing one of the world's most famous literary sagas: Harry Potter.

We'll meet at the indicated time under the Os Corcéis statue at  praça de Dom João I square to start a magical free tour of Porto . Can you imagine which famous writer used the city as a source of inspiration?

I'm sure you guessed right, it's J. K. Rowling , who went almost daily to this exact cafe to write Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone . From here we'll head to São Bento station , and next to the platforms, we'll admire its famous tile decoration . Did you know that J. K. Rowling chose this location for her Platform 9 ¾ ? You will be shocked at their amazing resemblance! 

Next, we will pass by the Clerestory Tower , in the old part of the city. Do you remember the Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts ? We'll talk about how the novelist took inspiration from this monument to describe it. 

Afterwards, we will stop in front of the Courthouse to find out who António de Oliveira Salazar was . Was this character used to create the Slytherin house and the name of its feared founder? There is much debate surrounding this topic.

Continuing on to the Louse Café and the Lion Fountain , which bears a rather striking resemblance to the Gryffindor house emblem , and we'll approach the Hidden House , where we'll reminisce about  number 12 Grimmauld Place . 

Next, we'll arrive at the University of Porto , where we'll see seven emblems of Portuguese culture , just like Lord Voldemort's seven horcruxes... coincidence? I think not! 

Of course, we can't end tour without first passing by the iconic Lello bookstore , known worldwide thanks to the adventures of Harry Potter . We'll let you in on the secrets surrounding this place while we admire its fascinating facade. 

Last stop? The Escovaria de Belomonte , an old store that still manufactures brooms by hand . Something else too coincidental to be a coincidence!

After 2 hours of adventure, we'll conclude our free tour of Porto here.

Free cancellation

We currently don’t have any scheduled dates for this activity.

Meeting point

Where does the activity end.

Estatua Os Corcéis, en la Praça de Dom João I

Escovaria de Belomonte

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An Unexpected Harry Potter Tour in Porto, Portugal

The Harry Potter book series is the best-selling of all time.  It’s crazy to think about how many people have read the books and have seen the Harry Potter movies .  Many people travel specifically to Harry Potter destinations in the United Kingdom like the Harry Potter Studio Tour just north of London, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland , or the Harry Potter train in Scotland .

I knew there were a lot of Harry Potter locations in London , but I was surprised to learn there are several places connected to Harry Potter in Porto.  Let me explain the connection between Harry Potter and Porto and then share our suggestions for places to include on your Harry Potter Porto tour .

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure for more information.

Harry Potter and Porto

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I didn’t even realize until I checked into my hotel that Porto and Harry Potter have a connection.  Diogo, who works at the front desk at the Grand Hotel Porto, where I was staying, told me that JK Rowling actually was living here teaching English when she started writing the books.  It was a dark and painful period of her life as her mother had passed away and her house was burgarlized just before she moved.

It’s understandable she rarely talks about her time in Porto.  For this reason, it’s hard to know for sure exactly which elements of the Harry Potter saga were inspired by her experiences in Porto.  Even if it is debatable about how much Porto influenced the Harry Potter books, it is interesting to visit the sights.

Note: Harry Potter was never filmed in Porto.

Doing a Harry Potter Porto Tour

There are a few places that Harry Potter fans must see in Porto.  These locations are in the Porto city center and are within walking distance of each other. 

You can visit these spots on your own, like we did, or take a Porto Harry Potter tour with a local expert like this one .

The Majestic Café, where it is rumored that JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book, was less than a block from our hotel.   Many experts don’t believe that she started writing the books at the café mainly because it is an expensive place.  It’s possible that she visited the Majestic Café Porto and may have worked on the book there for a while, but it’s not the kind of place you would sit for hours and write.

Majestic Cafe opened it’s doors as the Elite Cafe back in 1921.  The beautiful Art Nouveau style building was designed by the architect João Queiroz. 

The most influential figures in Porto became regulars at the cafe.  The Elite Cafe name did not fit in well with the atmosphere at the time in Porto because of sentiments with the monarchy, so the name was changed to Majestic Cafe.

From 1992-1994, the Majestic Cafe was closed for restoration.  Today, after nearly 100 years, it is still popular and stands as one of the most beautiful examples of Art Nouveau in Porto.

Like a lot of other Harry Potter fans, I took a picture outside. Then, I peeked inside the cafe.  It looked like a fancy place with lovely woodwork. When we stopped by around 10 am on a Wednesday, there was no wait, but we had already eaten a lovely (and filling) breakfast at the Grande Hotel Porto. 

I have read that there can be long lines, so you may have to wait depending on the time you arrive.  They are open from 9:30 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday.

Majestic Cafe Address: Rua Santa Catarina 112

Livraria Lello is another Harry Potter Porto location.  It is one of the oldest and most beautiful bookstores in Portugal, some might say in the world.  

JK Rowling frequented the Porto bookstore and rumor has it that the staircase inspired the staircases at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  However, that is debatable because in Hogwarts the flights of stairs are straight, while Lello’s are round.  You can imagine the Livraria Lello inspiring her though. It is atmospheric and just the kind of location that would fit in the Harry Potter world.

In addition to checking out the staircase, be sure to look up to admire the ceiling.  Many people think it is carved wood, but it is actually painted plaster.

We arrived at the Lello bookstore just before it opened at 10 am and found a line at least a block long.  I should have expected something tied to Harry Potter would be popular!

Unfortunately, we did not have time to join the line to go inside the Porto library.  I could peer through the window and see the staircase.  If you would like to go inside the Harry Potter bookstore, I would recommend buying a ticket online in advance.  You can buy a time-entry ticket for €5.00.

Alternatively, you could do this walking tour of top Porto monuments that also includes skip the line entry to the Lello bookstore.

Livraria Lello Address: Rua das Carmelitas 144

Porto University is one of the oldest and most significant universities in Portugal and is located in a beautiful building.  Some people believe that the Hogwarts uniforms that the children wear are modeled after the ones from Porto University.

The uniform for Porto University students is black pants or skirts and knee-length capes draped around their shoulders.  The cape is supposed to be similar to the Harry Potter school uniform.  We walked by the building but didn’t catch a glimpse of any students in uniform.

Note: Christ Church College in Oxford also played a role in the Harry Potter films.

Porto University Address: Praça de Gomes Teixeira

Also, in Gomes Teixeira Square, you will find Fonte dos Leões or in English, the Fountain of the Lions.  Some think that this fountain inspired the Gryffindor crest.   I’m not sure if that’s true because the lions on the Gryffindor crest don’t have wings like the ones on the fountain.  Still, I think the sculptures on the fountain make it worthwhile to visit.

Fonte dos Leões Address: Praça de Gomes Teixeira 10

The Torre dos Clérigos, or Clergymen’s Tower, is a beautiful church tower best known for it’s views of Porto, but some people think it was the inspiration for the Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts.  It was in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower that Severus Snape killed Professor Dumbledore, on Dumbledore’s own orders.

Personally, I don’t see much of a resemblance between the two besides the fact that they are both tall.  Maybe when you visit, you will spot something I missed? Worst case you can enjoy the spectacular views.

It’s 240 steps up the narrow staircase to get to the viewing platform. There is an elevator available for those with mobility constraints.  The Tower is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm and it costs €5 (you can get a 50% discount if you have the Porto Card ).  Before 7:00 pm your admission includes a visit to the Clérigos Museum.

Torre dos Clérigos Address: Rua de São Filipe de Nery

The Jardins do Palácio de Cristal is actually a mosaic of small gardens with stunning views of the city and Douro River.  Some people think these gardens inspired the Forbidden Forest, a place that was strictly off-limits for Hogwarts students.

I am not sure I believe the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal inspired the Forbidden Forest because these gardens are so well-manicured while the forest was overgrown.  Still, there is something a bit enchanting about the gardens.  You will see some exotic plants and maybe even a peacock.  I like the themes of some of the areas like Jardim dos Sentimentos (Garden of Feelings) and Jardim das Plantas Aromaticas (Garden of Aromatic Plants).

Jardins do Palácio de Cristal Address: Rua de Dom Manuel II

When you go to Porto, you will have to fit in seeing these Harry Potter locations along with all the other things to do there.  The Grande Hotel Porto is ideal for this.  

It is centrally located, a block from the market where we started our Porto food tour and close to one of the main Harry Potter locations (Cafe Majestic).  The perfect home base for sightseeing generally.  After all, if you’re chasing Harry Potter in Porto, why not stay in a beautiful period hotel at the same time?

The Grande Hotel Porto is the second oldest hotel in Porto and has a proud history.  This is apparent as soon as you step through the door. The lobby area feels very elegant with beautiful period furniture and this continues throughout the hotel. The dining area is beautiful and our room was very comfortable and nicely decorated with classic pieces.  The service at the hotel stood out, everyone was so nice and helpful.

You can read more reviews of the Grande Hotel Porto on Tripadvisor here .

JK Rowling did confirm that Salazar Slytherin, one of the four founders of Hogwarts and the namesake of Slytherin House, was named after António de Oliveira Salazar , the dictator who ruled Portugal from 1932 to 1968.  The Slytherin founder wanted to ban all Muggle-born wizards and witches from Hogwart which is not too far off from some of the dictator’s policies.

Are you a Harry Potter fan? Then you need to visit Porto for yourself. 

Have you visited any locations that have influenced the places in Harry Potter? Do you think Porto was a big Harry Potter inspiration?

Pin for Later

• You can do your own Porto Harry Potter tour since the locations are all within walking distance of the city center.
• Buy your tickets to visit the bookstore in advance!
• If you plan on eating at Cafe Majestic in Porto, I would recommend going at off hours to avoid a long wait.
• Keep an eye out for Porto University students in uniforms that look like the Harry Potter Hogwarts uniform.
• You should also make sure you do some port tasting while you are visiting Porto.

Disclosure: We were guests of the Grande Hotel Porto.  As always, all opinions are my own.

This post contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you. Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit. The commission does not influence the editorial content of this site.

Two Traveling Texans is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Last Updated on April 2, 2024

About the Author

Anisa  

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband.

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Free Porto Walking Tours

Which free tour is best.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about the history of Porto or its most notable landmarks, there are several free walking tours available in this city that we will cover in this post.

All tours are offered by local tour guides.

• Overview + Schedule

Old Town Porto

• Alternative Porto
• Harry Potter Tours
• Douro River Cruises
• Porto Wine Tours
• Tours in Lisbon

O VERVIEW + SCHEDULE

Porto, Portugal is rich with history and culture both modern and centuries-old, which explains why tour companies offer so many different types of services in this city.

Most of these outings are focused on orientation, offering several important details about the city centre, otherwise known as Old Town Porto .

The tours listed below are run through us. More tours are available in the following sections.

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Here is a calendar with more of the best free walking tours in Lisbon.

Other tours explore some of the beautiful street art on display throughout the city.

There are also free walking tours that focus on the ways in which Porto inspired Harry Potter and how women shaped the city both in the past and today.

What is a free tour of Porto? They are pay-what-you-wish tours, which means that you can decide what the service was worth, or what you could afford after the tour is over.

You are not obligated to pay anything, but according to online reviews, most people give between €5 - €20 each to Porto's best local tour guides.

In addition to fully guided tours, there are also self-guided tours you can use to explore the city at your own leisure.

Tours are typically offered in English, Spanish, and sometimes other languages such as French and German.

We offer tours globally . Here are just a few cities.

•  Barcelona

As the name implies, these free Porto walking tours provide a closer look at the historic center of the city.

They cover topics like how Porto became such an important location and which buildings/landmarks played a significant role.

There are several options to choose from, but no matter which service you pick, you can usually expect to visit some of the following locations and monuments:

• Praça da Liberdade
• Porto Cathedral
• Tower of Clérigos
• University of Porto
• São Bento Train Station
• Palacio da Bolsa
• Douro Riverside
• Clérigos Tower
• Arrabida Bridge

Along the way, you'll experience a lot of incredible architecture, histyoric baroque churches, and more.

Your knowledgeable guide will likely point you in the direction of the best cafes, restaurants, and other places to visit while you're in the area.

The historic city centre of Porto is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so these tours cover one of the most notable locations on the globe.

If you’re interested in learning more about these sites or seeing them up close, consider taking a Porto free walking tour listed below.

Take Porto Tours

Visit the heart of Porto on this 2 ½ hours free walking tour which covers some of the most historic locations.

Along the way, you’ll get an introduction to the city with plenty of advice and suggestions for how to get the most out of your trip.

Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, this tour is offered twice per day at 10:30 am and 15:30 (3:30 pm).

This company also offers pay-what-you-wish walking tours in Lisbon .

Learn more or book the tour .

1-2 Porto Tours

This is a somewhat newer tour company, and they are quickly making a name for themselves with one of the best free walking tours in the city.

Over the course of 2 ½ hours, you’ll learn about the history of Porto from its birth to the Carnation Revolution and beyond, even offering a few details about modern life and culture.

You can take this tour in either English or Spanish twice per day at 10:15 am and 15:15 (3:15 pm).

Book this tour or learn more .

Hi Porto Walking Tours

Much like the other companies on this list, Hi Porto provides this pay-what-you-wish tour two times a day at 11 am and 15:30 (3:30 pm) in both English and Spanish.

Get more information or book this tour .

Additional Old Town Porto Tours

In addition to the tours we’ve already mentioned, there are a few more options you might want to consider which are also excellent services covering the historic center of Porto.

• Sandeman New Europe
• Porto Walkers
• The Walking Parrot

City Lovers Tours

P orto street art tours.

These tours focus on a different side of Porto, giving you a look at how modern culture has helped shape the city just as much as its medieval history.

While on these outings, you can expect to learn about and see a variety of significant street art, sculptures, and ancient buildings in various neighborhoods that will usually take you off the beaten track.

Here are a few of the most notable stops included on these free walking tours:

• Lello Bookstore
• Porto University
• Rua da Madeira
• National Theatre
• Dom Luís Bridge
• Rua de Santa Catarina
• Carmo & Carmelita Church

If you want to discover what makes these locations so interesting, consider taking one of the pay-what-you-want tours below.

While their Old Town tour covers some of the most important histories from centuries past, this outing is all about street art and its influence on modern culture in Porto.

This 2 ½ hour tour is available in both English and Spanish every Tuesday and Friday at 15:30 (3:30 pm).

Book your tour or learn more .

Available in both English and Spanish, you can take this 2 ½ hour tour daily at 16:30 (4:30 pm).

Street Art in Porto Self-Guided Tour

This self-guided tour provides stops at a dozen different examples of interesting or culturally significant street art in Porto.

Although you won’t have a professional tour guide to provide additional details about each piece of art along the way, this is an entirely free option that you can use whenever you want.

H ARRY POTTER TOURS IN PORTO

Did you know that J.K. Rowling actually lived in Porto when she was working on her first manuscript for Harry Potter?

Thanks to this history behind the books, there are some companies offering tours of the city which focus on areas that may have inspired this fantasy world of wizards.

There’s at least one free option and another service you may want to consider which has very low ticket costs.

While on these tours you can expect to see some of the following locations:

• Palacio Atlántico
• Cafe Majestic

Harry Potter and the Heroes of Porto

This is actually a virtual tour, and it’s free to join and works on the pay-what-you-wish model once the tour is over.

While enjoying this online experience, you’ll see 7 notable locations that reveal some of the potential influences Porto may have had on the book series.

As long as you have a computer or tablet which can stream both audio and video, you can take this pay-what-you-wish tour.

It generally runs every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday in English ( Book here ).

It generally runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 19:30 (7:30 pm) in Spanish ( Book here ).

Aside from its historical and cultural tours, this company also offers a Harry Potter tour which provides information about how the magical world of J.K. Rowling’s books came to exist.

Although Take Porto Tours offers a lot of free tours, this is one service that requires you to purchase a ticket, just €15 per person.

This outing is approximately 2 - 2 ½ hours long, and it’s available every Saturday at 11 am.

If you’re planning to visit Lisbon as well, it’s worth keeping in mind that Take Tours also offers its services in that city.

An Unexpected Harry Potter Porto Tour

If you’re looking for another free alternative, this self-guided tour covers some of the most important sites in Porto which are linked to the history of Harry Potter.

The only disadvantage of this option is that it is not professionally guided, but it is entirely free to use.

Although you could take it anytime you want, many of the stops included close down in the evening, so it makes more sense to enjoy this outing sometime in the morning or afternoon.

Learn more or take this self-guided Harry Potter tour .

MYSTERIES AND LEGENDS OF PORTO

If you're curious about some of the creepier aspects of Porto's history, these outings provide information about the most grizzly tales that have haunted this city for generations.

Here are a few of the sites and secrets you can expect to be covered on these tours:

• Rua das Flores
• Courtyard of the Hanged
• Old Armenian Quarter
• Medieval Wall
• Louis I Bridge

This type of free walking tour Porto offers is similar to a ghost tour, but it covers more historical fact than supernatural activity. Still, if you're in the mood for a disturbing night tour, consider one of these outings!

In addition to their standard Old Town tour, this company also offers an outing called "Dark Porto" which covers various mysteries, legends, and crimes from throughout the history of this city.

This 2-hour and 15-minute outing is available in English at 18:00 (6 pm) every Tuesday - Sunday. You can also take the tour in Spanish nightly at 18:30 (6:30 pm).

This is another company that offers an outing covering this subject called the "Mysterios Porto Fair" tour.

You can take this 1 hour and 45-minute tour in Spanish every night at 19:15 (7:15 pm).

DOURO RIVER CRUISES

If you're interested in seeing this historic city from the water, there are plenty of Douro River cruise options you might want to consider. Unfortunately, these waterfront outings are not free, but the average price is between €15-€20, so it's a pretty affordable activity.

Here are a few of the best cruises and boat tours you can enjoy on the Douro Riverbanks.

PORTO WINE TOURS

There are several tours from Porto that cover some of the best wines which come from the region.

These outings typically visit wineries, wine cellar locations, or even the Douro Valley Vineyards to give visitors a closer look at how wine is made in Porto.

Some tours also include wine tastings for guests!

As with Douro River Cruises, these services are not free, and in this case, they can run up to €100 or more, but some are as low as €20.

Here are a few of the best options to consider.

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Table of Contents

The Harry Potter Porto Connection

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you probably already know that London and Edinburgh are full of locations that influenced and inspired JK Rowling as she was writing the Harry Potter books.

Read More:  Top Harry Potter Things to Do in London

But what about Porto???

Not many people know it, but there is indeed a Harry Potter Portugal connection, and it’s particularly evident in the northern Portuguese city of Porto. Read on to find out why anyone who loves Harry Potter should definitely visit Porto.

The JK Rowling Porto Years

JK Rowling lived in Porto while she was writing the first Harry Potter book.

JK Rowling moved to Porto in 1991. This was a difficult time in her life, as her mother had recently passed away after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. And to rub salt in the wound, her house in Manchester had been burgled, and everything her mother had left her was stolen.

Eager for a change of scenery, she accepted a job teaching English as a second language in Porto at a private language school on Avenida de Fernão de Magalhães called Encounter English.

Rowling spent her evenings teaching English to young teenagers, business people and housewives and spent her days working on the manuscript of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

While living in Porto, she fell in love with and married a Portuguese journalism student. The next year, at age 27, she gave birth to their daughter, Jessica. Unfortunately, the marriage quickly deteriorated.

In 1993, when Jessica was just a few months old, Rowling left her husband and returned to the UK with her daughter. While she had not managed to finish the manuscript in Portugal as she had hoped, she did have the first three chapters completed.

The time Rowling spent in Portugal was in many ways a dark and painful period of her life, and one that she rarely talks about. For this reason, it’s hard to know for sure exactly which elements of the Harry Potter saga were inspired by her experiences in Porto.

Nevertheless, the influence is clearly there. Many people have speculated that Rowling took inspiration from certain Porto landmarks, shops and cafés.

Some of these supposed inspiration locations almost certainly did inspire her, while others require a stretch of the imagination. Rowling may have been subconsciously influenced by them, even if she didn’t recognize it at the time.

In any case, Potterheads young and old will get a kick out of catching glimpses of Harry Potter’s wizarding world as they explore Porto.

Harry Potter Portugal - Sources of Inspiration

António de oliveira salazar -- the original slytherin.

António de Oliveira Salazar, the inspiration for Salazar Slytherin

Salazar Slytherin, one of the four founders of Hogwarts and the namesake of Slytherin House, is named after the dictator who ruled Portugal from 1932 to 1968. While other Harry Potter Portugal connections are mere speculation, we know for sure that this one is true. JK Rowling herself confirmed it on Twitter:

I did indeed take his name from António Salazar, the Portuguese dictator. https://t.co/an6l8U3ma5 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 14, 2017

António de Oliveira Salazar is known for, among other things, refusing to grant independence to Portugal’s African colonies and using military force to quell revolutionary movements in Africa. 

As a leader who upheld outdated, racist policies, Salazar is perhaps an appropriate inspiration for the Slytherin founder who wanted to ban all Muggle-born wizards and witches from Hogwarts.

But, while the toppling of Salazar’s dictatorship in the Carnation Revolution is widely celebrated every April 25th and is a source of pride for many Portuguese, it’s worth noting that not everyone in the country thinks he was evil. In fact, in a 2007 television poll, Salazar won the vote for the “ greatest Portuguese who ever lived ”!

Swing Club was a popular bar and nightclub in Porto, which unfortunately closed a few years ago. It was a favorite hangout of JK Rowling and her flatmates, Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely, when they lived in Porto in the 1990s.

This explains the dedication in the front of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which reads:

"To Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely, The godmothers of Swing".

Hogwarts Uniforms

School robes for sale at A Toga

It may sound hard to believe, but university students in Portugal really do wear long, black robes that look uncannily like the uniforms worn by Hogwarts students. The uniform is called a traje académico (academic suit) and is worn by male and female students alike.

The traje académico was made optional more than 100 years ago, and yet many students continue to wear it proudly, even modeling it on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ۰•● Daniela ฅ'ω'ฅ ●•۰ (@danielaaalves1) on Oct 28, 2019 at 6:46am PDT

If you visit the University of Porto campus,  you’ll probably see students walking around with their black capes flowing behind them.

To get a taste of what it feels like to shop for new robes at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions on Diagon Alley, visit the A Toga shop on Rua de Fernandes Tomás in Porto. They sell all kinds of student robes, but probably not invisibility cloaks!

Majestic Café

The Majestic Cafe, where Rowling supposedly scrawled bits of the first Harry Potter book on napkins

This beautiful Art Nouveau café on the famous Rua Santa Catarina shopping street is said to be one of the places where Rowling worked on the manuscript of her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In his biography of JK Rowling , Sean Smith claims that she jotted down Harry Potter story lines on napkins while sipping coffee here.

I’m slightly suspicious, as the Majestic’s pricey menu was likely beyond Rowling’s budget at the time. Nevertheless, it’s known that Rowling did do a lot of writing in cafés once she moved to Edinburgh, and her ex-husband has confirmed in interviews that they used to frequent the Majestic.

Despite the high prices, there’s often a line out the door of tourists waiting for a table here. If you don’t mind paying seven times the going rate for a cup of coffee, then go right ahead. But for food, I recommend heading to the nearby Vegana by Tentúgal instead.

It’s a lovely café with very reasonably priced sandwiches, burgers and other light meals, and it’s all vegan! In the coming weeks I’ll be publishing a vegan guide to Porto with lots of other great food recommendations, so watch this space!

Wondering what else there is to discover in Portugal? LOTS! Here are my other articles on the country:

• The Best and Worst Museums in Porto
• Top Vegan and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Porto
• Surviving Portugal's Hunting Capital as a Vegan
• Top Vegan Restaurants in Lisbon as Picked By a Local
• Restaurants in Lisbon that Both Vegans and Non-Vegans Will Love
• Top 7 Experiences in Lisbon to Put on Your Bucket List
• Lisbon's Most Incredible Street Art District
• Art on the Streets of Braga, Portugal
• Everything There is to See in Óbidos Portugal
• Where to Eat as a Vegan in Évora, Portugal
• Vegan Eating Guide to Faro, Portugal
• Going on Retreat in Northern Portugal

Livraria Lello Bookstore

The Livraria Lello and its beautiful crimson staircase

There’s no doubt that Livraria Lello, or the Lello Bookstore, is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Built in 1906 in a mix of Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic styles, it has been attracting booklovers for more than 100 years.

But when rumor spread that it was the inspiration for Flourish and Blotts -- the bookstore in Diagon Alley where Hogwarts students purchase their school books -- Lello’s popularity quickly spiraled out of control. Nowadays, most visitors know it as the Harry Potter bookstore.

In 2015, Lello began charging an entrance fee in an effort to control the crowds. To be more accurate, they sell €5 vouchers that can go towards the purchase of any book in the store. So visiting the bookstore is still free, as long as you buy a book.

Some visitors are confused by the name Livraria Lello and think that it’s a library. It is not. In Portuguese, the word for library is “biblioteca”, while the word for bookstore is “livraria”.

Although, there is also speculation that Lello was the inspiration for the Hogwarts library, as well as the Grand Staircase. I’ve even read claims that Lello was the filming location for the Harry Potter scenes inside Ollivanders, the wand shop!

I’ve watched the scenes from all of these locations carefully, and there’s nothing inside the Lello bookstore that is immediately recognizable in any of them.

Nevertheless, it’s not hard to imagine that Rowling would have taken inspiration from the architecture here. The stained-glass windows and sweeping crimson staircase certainly would not look out of place at Hogwarts.

Beware that there’s often a long line to get into the Lello bookstore. You can purchase your voucher online in advance, but the vouchers are not issued for a specific time slot, so you will still have to wait in line.

Also, keep in mind that bags are not allowed inside the bookstore. There are lockers at the check-in area a couple of doors down, inside the Armazéns do Castelo, where you can leave your bag for free. You will need a €1 coin as a returnable deposit to open the locker, though.

Platform 9¾

Me on my way to my first day of school at Hogwarts!

Platform 9¾ inside King’s Cross Station is one of the most popular Harry Potter attractions in London . Potterheads line up for hours to get their photo taken as they pretend to run head first into the brick wall of the platform while pushing a trolley laden with old, worn out suitcases and a white owl in a cage.

One of the best-kept secrets for fans of Harry Potter in Porto is that you can pose for your platform 9¾ photo here too … without waiting in line!

Inside the Armazéns do Castelo, where the Livraria Lello vouchers are sold, is a photo backdrop that’s very similar to the one inside King’s Cross station. While there is no professional photographer here to take your first-day-of-school photo as you head off to Hogwarts, you are welcome to take all the selfies you want.

And the platform is free to access, even if you don’t buy a voucher to visit the bookstore. Obviously, the platform was placed here in the wake of the Harry Potter frenzy and is not an inspiration location. But it’s a great photo opp that you won’t want to miss!

Fonte dos Leões

A lion, a gryffin, or something in between?

On Gomes Teixeira Square, near the famous blue-and-white-tiled Carmo Church, is a fountain known as the Fountain of the Lions, or the Fonte dos Leões in Portuguese.

When I heard the theory that the lion statues on the fountain inspired the Gryffindor crest, my first thought was, “But surely the animal on the Gryffindor crest is a griffin??”

Nope, it’s a lion. 

The Griffindor crest

A gryffin is a legendary creature that has the body, tail, and back legs of a lion, and the head and wings of an eagle. The lions on the fountain do have wings, but not eagle’s heads.

But the Gryffindor lion has neither wings nor an eagle’s head, so it’s hard to make a strong case either way as to whether these particular lions were the inspiration behind the Gryffindor mascot.

Torre dos Clérigos

The Torre dos Clérigos is certainly tall, but is it the Astronomy Tower?

The Torre dos Clérigos, or Clergymen’s Tower, is a beautiful church tower that offers sweeping views of Porto and its surroundings. Climbing up the tower’s narrow spiral staircase is definitely one of the top things to do in Porto.

But did this tower inspire the Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts? Some say it did, but I’m not convinced.

The Astronomy Tower is the tallest tower in Hogwarts Castle. It also plays a key role in the Harry Potter saga, as it was in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower that Severus Snape killed Professor Dumbledore, on Dumbledore’s own orders.

The Torre dos Clérigos is certainly tall, but apart from that I don’t see much of a resemblance between the two.

Escovaria de Belomonte

Brooms for sale at Escovaria de Belomonte

This broom shop, which has been in operation since 1927, is the Portuguese equivalent of Quality Quidditch Supplies, Harry’s favorite shop on Diagon Alley. You’re unlikely to find a Firebolt or a Nimbus 2000 here, though. The brooms here are made for sweeping, not flying.

Still, it’s pretty cool to watch brooms being made in the workshop here as they have been for nearly 100 years. Portugal has some unique, historic shops that still manage to stay afloat despite competition from large department stores and online vendors, and the Escovaria de Belomonte is a great example.

Do I think JK Rowling invented quidditch after passing by the Escovaria? Probably not. It’s not like witches riding broomsticks was a new concept in the 1990s.

But the shop is definitely worth checking out, and with a little imagination you can pretend you’re shopping for the latest quidditch gadgets.

Escovaria de Belomonte is just down the street from Porto's puppet museum. For more great museums in the city, check out my Porto Museum Guide .

Fernando Pessoa

Fernando Pessoa wearing his signature dark-rimmed glasses

Fernando Pessoa was a prolific writer and one of the greatest poets to write in the Portuguese language. Pessoa is a fascinating character. Or, to be more accurate, he is 72 fascinating characters.

He wrote under many different names, which he called heteronyms rather than pseudonyms, as they each had their own biographies, writing styles and even signatures.

Pessoa’s face can be seen all over Portugal and is easily recognized by the dark, round glasses he wore. They do look a lot like the preferred eyewear of a certain young boy wizard. Coincidence? You decide.

Prado do Repouso Cemetery

Rowling lived near this cemetery in Porto

According to the Sean Smith biography , Rowling lived with her then-husband at Rua do Duque de Saldanha 59. Very close to their old residence is a cemetery called the Cemitério Prado do Repouso.

It’s known that the inspiration for Little Hangleton cemetery, where Harry duels with Voldemort, came from Rowling’s wanderings through actual graveyards.

The ominous Angel of Death sculpture on Tom Riddle’s grave was based on actual sculptures in the Highgate Cemetery in North London. And the names of several key characters in the books came from gravestones in the Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.

It doesn’t seem too far fetched to think that Rowling also would have meandered through the graves of the Prado do Repouso during this dark and sad period in her life.

Harry Potter Tour in Porto

While I knew about some of these Harry Potter inspiration locations before arriving in Porto, others I discovered by joining a Harry Potter walking tour of Porto.

That particular Harry Potter Porto tour is no longer being offered, but that's okay. Because I recently discovered another tour that's even better, and that you can join from the comfort of your own home!

Vinícius Otaviano is the most hardcore Harry Potter fan I've ever met, and he has created a magnificent Harry-Potter-themed virtual tour of Porto . In addition to taking you virtually to all the Harry Potter attractions in the city, he also goes into an in-depth analysis of Harry's hero journey and relates it back to other heroes in Porto's history. 

Even people who aren't Harry Potter fans are sure to get a lot out of this tour.

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Photo credit: Gryffindor crest courtesy of thegreatgreekmanual , used under CC2 license (cropped).

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Who is the Nomadic Vegan?

Hi, I'm Wendy. I'm an intrepid traveler, vegan foodie and animal lover. I travel all over the world (117 countries and counting!) uncovering vegan treasures to show you how you can be vegan anywhere. Read more on my About page .

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Lello Bookstore

The extraordinary and historic bookstore in Porto

What to see at Lello Bookstore

The harry potter bookstore in porto, is it possible to buy books.

• Fado in Oporto

How to get there

Opening hours.

The Lello Bookstore is more than just a regular bookseller. It is a historical monument of Porto and the most beautiful bookstore in Portugal.

The Livraria Lello & Irmão is known worldwide, as has already been chosen by several internationally renowned publications as one of the most beautiful in the world.

Although the queues to visit it have increased with its popularity, when you visit Porto you should include it in your list of places to visit .

The beautiful building where it is located began its construction in 1904 and was inaugurated on January 13, 1906 . It was designed by architect Xavier Esteves and painted by artist José Bielman.

Not only is the facade beautiful, but even more so is its stucco interior of molded and painted figures simulating carved wood. The most striking element of this space is undoubtedly the majestic staircase that takes to the second floor where one can continue to browse books and admire its architecture.

There is also a rumor that some scenes of the movie Harry Potter were filmed there, which is not correct: some scenes might be inspired by the Lello Bookshop, but they were not filmed there but in London , at Warner Studios.

What is true is that the author, J.K. Rowling , lived in Porto for a few years and was, like everyone else, fascinated by the bookstore. Some claim to have witness when she used to go there to read and write.

Yes, of course! They have all kinds of bibliography, from the most elitist to the most popular, and because of the amount of tourists they receive daily, they also have well-known Portuguese literature authors (such as poetry books by Pessoa and novels by Saramago ) in many languages.

The admission cost (5€) can be discounted in the purchase of any book.

Tips to avoid the lines: go early or half an hour before closing time, when there is usually fewer people waiting to get in.

5€ which you can discount on the purchase of any book.

Rua das Carmelitas, 144

The buses that get you the closets are numbers 601 and 602. If you don’t mind getting off a few yards away, then you can arrive via the 207, 201, and 500. From the metro in Aliados , it takes about a 10 minutes’ walk.

Monday to Sunday: from 10:00 to 20:00

More to see in Porto

Clérigos Tower

A few meters from the Lello Bookstore you can visit the Clérigos Tower.

The Cordoaria Garden is also just a few meters from the Lello Bookshop.

Famous streets of Porto

Right next to the Lello Bookshop is the Galerias de Paris street. And a few meters away is Rua de Cedofeita.

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HARRY POTTER FREE TOUR

Harry potter free tour a tour full of magic.

We'll meet at the agreed time in front of Café Majestic to begin our magical free tour of Porto, the city that was a source of inspiration for one of the world's most iconic authors: J.K. Rowling! First, we'll head to São Bento station, where we'll admire the famous tile decoration next to the platforms, reminiscent of Platform 9 and 3/4. Then, we'll head to Café Majestic, a place the writer visited almost every day to write Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Afterward, we'll pass by the Palácio Atlântico to admire the murals of Jorge Barradas and find out all about the dragon mythology that appears throughout the Harry Potter saga as we head to our next stop: Praça da Liberdade. Then we'll make our way to the Palace of Justice to find out all about António de Oliveira Salazar, a Portuguese politician who is rumoured to have been the inspiration for the founder of Slytherin House! Our next stop will be the University of Porto, where we'll see seven emblems of Portuguese culture, on which J.K. Rowling is said to have based Lord Voldemort's seven horcruxes! Lastly, our tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to the iconic Lello bookstore, world-renowned for its Harry Potter likeness. We'll marvel at its magnificent facade as we find out all about its role in the books! Our tour will end here following two hours of magic.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Café Majestic, where our journey commences;

Palacio Atlántico;

São Bento train station;

Praça da Liberdade;

Palácio da Justiça;

Universidade do Porto;

Lello Bookstore;

And much more!

Other Information

Group Policiy

Minimum number of participants.

Groups of 7 or more are always welcomed. In this case, we require a prepayment of 10€ per adult and 5€ per youngster (14 - 18 years).  This principle results from the need to protect and value the level of quality and dedication of our guides.

Please note that this Free Tour only takes place with a minimum of 4 adult participants.

How long does the Free Tour take?

In what language is the Free Tour?

The Free Tour lasts around 2h30. 

​The tour is exclusively in English.​

What's included in the tour?

What's not included in the tour?

The tour includes a local English-speaking guide expert in our history and ready to give you great tips to make your stay in Porto unforgettable.

The tour does not include transportation, entrance to monuments or meals.

How do I book the Free Tour?

You can book your Free Tour by clicking the Book Now button on this page, then choose the date and complete the booking form. You will receive your confirmation immediately. If you have any difficulties please contact us by email, phone or Whatsapp:

[email protected]  | +351 914 059 080

Is booking mandatory?

​Booking is usually not mandatory you can just show up at our meeting point and join the Free Tour. Although it is recommended especially during public holidays and festivities, at such dates you should book as soon as possible to guarantee availability.

How do I get my ticket?

​Once you book the Free Tour a Booking Confirmation is sent by email. If you do not receive the confirmation email check your spam or contact us.

You do not need to print the confirmation, you can present it to our team on your phone/tablet at the beginning of the Free Tour.

Is the Free Tour accessible?

No. This Free Tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Meeting Point

Best things to do and see in Porto

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. It is also known for the many bridges that cross the Douro River and for its namesake wine. This city is a top tourist destination because of its picture-perfect sunsets, exquisite local cuisine, and all the amazing architecture it has to offer. 

One of the best ways to get to know the city of Porto is by doing a free walking tour with a professional guide who will help you discover all its hidden charms. Some of the most emblematic places in this city are the Dom Luis I Bridge, the LIvraria Lello Bookstore, Clérigos Church, The Stock Exchange Palace, (Palácio da Bolsa) the narrow streets of the Ribeira neighborhood, the Dragon Football Stadium, San Francisco Church, the Porto Cathedral, Casa da Musica Theater, the Serralves Foundation, the Crystal Palace Gardens, the Contemporary Art Museum of Serralves, the Arrabida Bridge and the Bolhão Market. 

You can see other walkers' reviews with their evaluation of guides and their own experience on the walking tour. The city of Porto has so many different monuments to explore whether you tour during the morning, afternoon or evening to really enjoy its cityscapes and its delicious cuisine. 

What happens if it rains on the scheduled day for my free tour?

Are free tours accessible for people with reduced mobility, how can i identify the guide of my free tour, what happens if i am late to the meeting point of the free tour, free walking tour near porto, others cities to visit after porto, find other guruwalks in porto, where are you traveling to.

• Tours en Porto

Free Tour Harry Potter en Oporto

Visión general del tour en Porto

El Free Tour de Oporto más mágico comienza donde la propia autora confiesa haber escrito capítulos del primer libro de la serie Harry Potter, el Café Majestic. Joanne Rowling vivió un periodo corto pero muy intenso de su vida en Oporto, y cuando llegó para ser profesora, nunca pudo creer que se marcharía con una hija y un manuscrito que cambiarían su vida para siempre. Su vida y la de millones de lectores. ¿Sabía que Joanne Rowling se casó en Oporto? Se enamoró de esta ciudad encantada y de los encantos de una periodista local, y algunas de las referencias más famosas del libro salieron de las calles de Oporto. Pasearemos por la ciudad y descubriremos lugares como la hermosa estación de tren de São Bento y la inspiradora librería Lello. También conoceremos más sobre la ciudad y los símbolos del país, como el siempre presente Dragón, las capas negras de las universidades o el nombre del infame dictador de Portugal. Hay mucho más por descubrir en este recorrido único en su género, en el que incluso los menos familiarizados con el universo de los brujos quedarán encantados con las historias y anécdotas de nuestros guías. ¡Abra su corazón a la magia y deje que el hechizo de Oporto entre en su vida!

• Livraria Lello
• Majestic Café
• Clérigos Tower
• Jardim da Cordoaria
• Sao Bento station
• And much more!

Punto de encuentro

Os Corcéis, Praça Dom João I

A la llegada

Nos encontraremos frente a la estatua de los caballos, en la Praça Dom João I. Confíe en nosotros, ¡será muy fácil encontrar a nuestro guía mágico! Si se retrasa, escríbanos un mensaje. Tenga en cuenta que no respondemos al instante por correo electrónico. Los grupos de 7 o más personas son siempre bienvenidos. En este caso, exigimos un depósito de 10 euros por adulto (a partir de 12 años). Este principio resulta de la necesidad de proteger y valorar el nivel de calidad y dedicación que exigimos a nuestros guías locales de Take Oporto.

Aspectos importantes

Nos encontraremos frente a la estatua de los caballos, en la Praça Dom João I. Confíe en nosotros, ¡será muy fácil encontrar a nuestro guía mágico! Si se retrasa, escríbanos un mensaje. Tenga en cuenta que no respondemos al instante por correo electrónico.

Cancelación Gratuita

Puedes cancelar tu reserva en cualquier momento. Te recordamos cancelar las reservas a las que no puedas asistir. Ser reportado como ausente disminuye tus puntos de nivel de cliente y los beneficios que ello conlleva.

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Essential Free Tour Porto

• Step into the Portuguese tradition inside the Cathedral of Porto and the Dos Carmelitas Church .
• In La Ribeira you can take a relaxing walk under the sun and next to the water canals.
• Find the magic of Harry Potter in one of the film's most stunning locations, the Lello Bookshop .

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The best tours & experiences in porto.

Porto entices visitors with its distinctive architecture, the buzz that permeates its streets, and its delicious cuisine. Port wine cellars, stunning azulejos (painted tiles), and fantastic museums make Porto a must-visit destination in Portugal.

What to see in Porto

Clérigos Tower, the Stock Exchange building, the city walls, São Bento Station, and Porto Cathedral are among the city's most important monuments. These gems will take you back to a bygone era!

The best things to do in the city

Civitatis offers a wide range of activities in Porto. Winery tours, cruises, Fado shows, cooking workshops, and even Harry Potter-themed tours! In fact, did you know that J. K. Rowling lived in this very city?

Day trips from Porto

What is there to visit near Porto? We recommend visiting the picturesque Aveiro , famous for its canals. Another option is the charming Guimaraes , which boasts an incredible medieval castle and is only 80 kilometres (50 miles) from 516 Arouca, one of the world's largest pedestrian suspension bridges.

Other attractions in Oporto that might interest you

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