You’ll be shocked the moment you open the door – Portugal’s “3 Harry Potter-Inspired Fantasy Scenes”

By Reporter You  / Special Report

Although “Porto” in northern Portugal is not as famous as the capital Lisbon, its small and leisurely lifestyle once attracted J.K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter. Rowling moved to Porto, Portugal, to work as an English teacher and wrote parts of the series there. Many Portuguese say that many of the imaginative settings in Harry Potter are connected to the mysterious and magical architecture of Porto, the second-largest city in northern Portugal.

Porto, which can be explored in just an afternoon, has three spots in the city center that J.K. Rowling particularly loved to visit. These sites, voted as “the most beautiful in the world” – a bookstore, train station, and café – all became part of the framework of the Harry Potter stories. With careful exploration, you can find scenes similar to those in the books.

Livraria Lello Bookstore

 
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Once selected by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s three most beautiful bookstores, Livraria Lello is a stunning two-story building designed in 1906 by architect Xavier Esteves. Its exterior may not look remarkable, but once inside, you’ll see a spiral staircase with a beehive-like design. The seams of the stairs are almost invisible, and their red color makes them appear as if they’re floating. Paired with walls of dark wooden bookshelves, it truly creates a magical world illusion.

For those looking for traces of Harry Potter, follow the old cart tracks where books were once displayed—you can find a full cart of Harry Potter books tucked in a corner, a classic tribute to the great work.

Address: Rua das Carmelitas 144, Porto
Phone: +351 222 002 037
Business Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30–19:00; Sat 9:30–13:00
Ticket: €3 per person, deductible from book purchases

Café Majestic


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Café Majestic in downtown Porto was once voted one of the “10 most beautiful cafés in the world.” This 95-year-old café features wooden interiors and leather seats, with exquisitely preserved carvings both at the entrance and throughout the venue. Visiting the café at night adds to its majestic atmosphere.

Café staff say that during her time in Porto, J.K. Rowling often wrote here. “She usually sat on the leather chair to the right of the entrance—not necessarily that exact seat, but always by the wall.” Perhaps because it’s now almost a historic monument of a beautiful café, and because J.K. Rowling once wrote here, Café Majestic has become a highly important tourist highlight in downtown Porto.

Address: Rua Santa Catarina 112, 4000-442 Porto, Portugal
Phone: +351 22 200 3887
Business Hours: 09:30–23:30

São Bento Railway Station (Estação de São Bento)

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Also known as one of the “most beautiful railway stations in the world,” São Bento Station was completed in 1916—exactly 100 years ago. Inside the station is a mural made up of 20,000 hand-painted tiles by Portuguese artists. The artwork depicts historical scenes, battles, and everyday life of the Portuguese, with exquisite detail and showcasing Portugal’s rich tile art tradition.

To find the inspiration for Platform 9¾ from the Harry Potter books, head to the platforms inside the station. The grand hall of São Bento Station is filled with beautiful tile paintings, but the platforms themselves are quiet and modest. The only hints of European architectural flair come from the pillars in front of each platform. Though different from the image of Platform 9¾, locals say that the magical and secluded atmosphere of this place might have inspired the creation of the fictional platform—leaving room for imagination.

Address: Porto District, Portugal