"Camino store" in Porto?

[Prentiss Riddle]

This has been asked in the past but it's been a few years, so:

Is there anything resembling a "camino store" in Porto?

My immediate wish is to browse the current selection of Caminho Português guides, and the local bookstores I've checked are spotty on that front. But I'm curious if there's a shop along the caminho with walking gear, trinkets, etc.

FYI, the Decathlon in downtown Porto is closed. There's one near the Casa da Música metro stop that should be pretty accessible, and another one in Matosinhos that is probably less so.

There's also an independent hiking and climbing store called "Camping Shop" that's just a few blocks off the Central route through Porto: https://campingshop.co.pt/ at R. de Brito Capelo 94 98, 4050-128 Porto.

But if there's something specifically catering to pilgrims, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks.

 

[kenwilltravel]

At the Porto Cathedral, there is a small store just off the tourist entrance that sells credencial booklets and other Camino-related books and trinkets but no hiking gear, as I recall.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

At the Porto Cathedral, there is a small store just off the tourist entrance that sells credencial booklets and other Camino-related books and trinkets but no hiking gear, as I recall.

Thanks. I was just there a few days ago and somehow must have missed it - they sold us credenciales at the same register where one pays to tour the cathedral, but I saw no books or trinkets.

 

[timr]

I bought a guide to the Portuguese route from this (very) famous bookshop in Porto.

Livraria Lello - A Livraria Mais Bonita do Mundo

Uma viagem surpreendente pelo mundo dos livros e da imaginação começa aqui!

www.livrarialello.pt

You have to pay to get in (because it has become a tourist attraction) - but you get the price of the ticket back on any purchase you make.
There was not a huge selection of camino books, but more than one!
But if you like bookshops, it is worth a visit.

 

[auburnfive]

When we were there last year in April the Livaria Lello had huge lineups to get in. It’s pretty small so they limit the numbers, but you can book your spot to get in. Maybe not so crowded in the winter

 

[timr]

When we were there last year in April the Livaria Lello had huge lineups to get in. It’s pretty small so they limit the numbers, but you can book your spot to get in. Maybe not so crowded in the winter

Yes that is a problem!
I remember going in November and at about 0900 and there was a wait of only a few minutes. I think you would have to want to specially see the shop, but it is interesting and is also a proper bookship.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

I bought a guide to the Portuguese route from this (very) famous bookshop in Porto.

Livraria Lello - A Livraria Mais Bonita do Mundo

Uma viagem surpreendente pelo mundo dos livros e da imaginação começa aqui!

www.livrarialello.pt

You have to pay to get in (because it has become a tourist attraction) - but you get the price of the ticket back on any purchase you make.
There was not a huge selection of camino books, but more than one!
But if you like bookshops, it is worth a visit.

Sadly, the lines at Lello are so long that I don't think it's useful as a bookstore any more. 😢

 

[timr]

Sadly, the lines at Lello are so long that I don't think it's useful as a bookstore any more. 😢

Probably much less attractive, or more annoying, to residents than visitors?

I am thinking of 'major attractions' in a variety of places I have lived which I 'wouldn't be seen dead' queuing for - but I have to bite the bullet when friends come to visit!

 

[lt56ny]

When we were there last year in April the Livaria Lello had huge lineups to get in. It's pretty small so they limit the numbers, but you can book your spot to get in. Maybe not so crowded in the winter

In 2019 after my camino I met my daughter in Porto about December 10. She wanted to go there because of the Harry Potter connection. When we arrived there must have been 200 (maybe more) people waiting to get in. I told her if she wanted to wait we could. Instead she googled good breakfast places in the area and we found a winner and had a great breakfast. When we finished we walked back and the line may have even been longer. We didn't wait.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

There are a number of other bookstores within a couple blocks of Lello. Here are two which are side by side and when I stopped in today they both had a few choices of Camino gudebooks in various languages.

Livraria De José Alves, Lda.
R. de Avis 9, 4050-075 Porto

Livraria De José Alves, Lda. · R. de Avis 9, 4050-075 Porto, Portugal

★★★★★ · Book store

goo.gl

Livraria Bertrand
Rua da Fábrica 90, 4050-246 Porto

Livraria Bertrand - Rua da Fábrica · Rua da Fábrica 90, 4050-246 Porto, Portugal

★★★★★ · Book store

goo.gl

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

This has been asked in the past but it's been a few years, so:

Is there anything resembling a "camino store" in Porto?

My immediate wish is to browse the current selection of Caminho Português guides, and the local bookstores I've checked are spotty on that front. But I'm curious if there's a shop along the caminho with walking gear, trinkets, etc.

But if there's something specifically catering to pilgrims, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks.

Now here's an interesting option, if you're not too intimidated by the Portuguese language.

FNAC is a big bookstore chain in Europe with a significant Portuguese presence. They have several branches in and around Porto:


Looking up "livros" "caminho" "Santiago," I came up with quite a range of books about the various caminhos, Portuguese and others, that I had never seen reference to. Just for the maps and commentary on the various towns, these might be worth checking out! (Not much hiking gear, I would expect.)

Fnac.com

www.fnac.pt

FNAC is also a good store for any electronics needs you have.

Bom caminho!

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

FNAC is a big bookstore chain in Europe with a significant Portuguese presence. They have several branches in and around Porto

Thanks! Yes, I like FNAC and the one in central Porto was my first stop. They had a couple of Camino guides on hand but not the selection I was hoping for. Maybe they'll stock up in time for summer.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

There's also an independent hiking and climbing store called "Camping Shop" that's just a few blocks off the Central route through Porto: https://campingshop.co.pt/ at R. de Brito Capelo 94 98, 4050-128 Porto.

I finally stopped into the Camping Shop. Lovely store and very nice people. They said they get a lot of pilgrims but they're not a "camino store" - no shell souvenirs or camino guidebooks. Definitely a place to check out if you need to replace your pack or shoes and you want a step up from Decathlon.