One other thing a friend pointed out to me today (before I happened upon this post of yours), is that Penguin books corners like 75% of the publishing market in Portugal (or so I'm told). I haven't fact-checked that number. If you have a good bookstore like we do in Braga, they can order English versions of any book you like if it's published by Penguin.
Thank you for sharing that. I can't speak to the publishing market numbers, but I've also been pleasantly surprised by how often local bookstores are willing to order English-language titles on request. Building a relationship with a good neighborhood bookstore can be incredibly helpful. - CW
Thank you for sharing this resource, Paulo. I think many readers looking for English-language books in Portugal will appreciate additional second-hand options, especially since sourcing books internationally can sometimes become expensive or limited depending on where people live. - CW
Finally getting to read this and wanted to thank you for pulling this list together. I've been ordering from Wook and my local papelaria. Now I can use your list to find browsing spots on day trips.
Thank you, Casey. That makes me so happy to hear. One of the things I’ve come to appreciate is how each bookstore has its own personality and atmosphere, so they really do make wonderful stops during day trips and travels around Portugal. I hope you discover a few favorites along the way. - CW
I love this idea, Grace. There’s something especially meaningful about books continuing to circulate from reader to reader, particularly within communities abroad. Wishing you great success with Passa a Página near Coimbra. Please keep me posted! - CW
Thank you, Janelle. I’m so glad you found it helpful. The comments have turned into a wonderful collection of recommendations from across Portugal as well. - CW
Wonderful! I have saved this for future reference! I have been to a few spots you mentioned. All are aptly described! I left most of my books behind in the U.S. and am trying not to collect too many here but it’s nice to read from a hard copy.
It’s amazing how many unexpected places in Portugal end up having English-language books tucked away somewhere. Cascais definitely has more options than many people realize. Thanks for adding these to the list, Julie. - CW
This is exactly the kind of recommendation I hoped readers would add to the conversation. Essência do Livro - Livraria Urbana sounds wonderful, especially the combination of a cozy atmosphere, thoughtful English-language selection, and the ability to order additional titles. And “cool neighbours” may be the best endorsement of all.
Thank you also for confirming 100ª Página. It’s always helpful hearing from readers who have actually spent time in these spaces. - CW
I love hearing about these independent literary communities forming across Portugal, not just bookstores themselves, but reading groups and ongoing cultural spaces around them. Paradoxo sounds fascinating, and now I’m curious to learn more about it as well.
And I’m beginning to think 100ª Página may need to move much higher on my “must visit” list. - CW
Well, now you’re just making it impossible not to visit:)
Books, coffee, cookies, and a sunny patio may be one of the best combinations Portugal has to offer. Thank you again for sharing all of this. I suspect many readers will appreciate these recommendations as much as I do. - CW
We live in Belém and often frequent the Bertrand bookstore at CCB. Also, the Anglican Church in Estoril, St. Paul’s, has a large selection of donated used English-language books for sale for €1 each. (The Anglican Church in Lisbon, St. George’s, might also, but I don’t know.). I was delighted to find novels by some of my favorite authors there, and will re-donate them when I am finished.
There’s something comforting about these small book communities that form quietly in places far from home. I especially love the idea of re-donating books once you’ve finished them, almost like they continue traveling through Portugal finding new readers along the way. Thank you for sharing these wonderful suggestions. - CW
I wonder if a book swap could be created in Portugal. In the US, I first came across Bookmooch - where you would list books you wanted to give away and got 1 credit for each book, someone would request a title or more and be debited credits. You were responsible for paying postage to send the books. In return you got credit for each book delivered. Similarly, if you requested a book, your credit was subtracted, but the person with the book paid for postage. It wasn't perfect, but back in the day, it was a great way to get books you wanted and to have your books go to good homes, too. It is mostly based on an honor system. There is also PaperbackSwap that monetized things a bit by charging postage and you could buy credits. I have no idea whether sending books within Portugal is expensive, or if this kind of idea would be feasible, but just a thought...
That’s an interesting idea, Lori. I suspect there are already small informal versions of this happening quietly around Portugal through expat communities, local Facebook groups, lending shelves, and circles of friends swapping books back and forth.
Personally, I’ve shared books with friends here in Portugal and vice versa, so I think a lot of these little networks already exist in an unofficial way. A few of the bookstores I mentioned in the article also sell used books, so there’s clearly some circulation happening already through expats and readers passing books along.
One of the interesting things about living abroad is how people naturally build these kinds of connections when certain resources are harder to find locally.
I’m not sure how practical postage costs would make a larger system here, but I do think there’s a real appetite for sharing and circulating English-language books in Portugal. - CW
This is exactly why I love these conversations in the comments - readers always introduce me to places I might never have found otherwise. Story Owl Books sounds lovely, especially the combination of books, café space, and events. Thank you for sharing it, Lani. - CW
One other thing a friend pointed out to me today (before I happened upon this post of yours), is that Penguin books corners like 75% of the publishing market in Portugal (or so I'm told). I haven't fact-checked that number. If you have a good bookstore like we do in Braga, they can order English versions of any book you like if it's published by Penguin.
Thank you for sharing that. I can't speak to the publishing market numbers, but I've also been pleasantly surprised by how often local bookstores are willing to order English-language titles on request. Building a relationship with a good neighborhood bookstore can be incredibly helpful. - CW
https://www.ammareal.fr/
Second-hand books from France, it takes about four days to reach Portugal, there are a lot of English books.
Prices start a one euro... many excellent titles.
Thank you for sharing this resource, Paulo. I think many readers looking for English-language books in Portugal will appreciate additional second-hand options, especially since sourcing books internationally can sometimes become expensive or limited depending on where people live. - CW
Finally getting to read this and wanted to thank you for pulling this list together. I've been ordering from Wook and my local papelaria. Now I can use your list to find browsing spots on day trips.
Thank you, Casey. That makes me so happy to hear. One of the things I’ve come to appreciate is how each bookstore has its own personality and atmosphere, so they really do make wonderful stops during day trips and travels around Portugal. I hope you discover a few favorites along the way. - CW
For my retirement project, I'm starting a book exchange just outside of Coimbra. Passa a Página (on facebook). Right now it's mostly English books.
I love this idea, Grace. There’s something especially meaningful about books continuing to circulate from reader to reader, particularly within communities abroad. Wishing you great success with Passa a Página near Coimbra. Please keep me posted! - CW
Thank you Carol! This is a great resource!
Thank you, Janelle. I’m so glad you found it helpful. The comments have turned into a wonderful collection of recommendations from across Portugal as well. - CW
Wonderful! I have saved this for future reference! I have been to a few spots you mentioned. All are aptly described! I left most of my books behind in the U.S. and am trying not to collect too many here but it’s nice to read from a hard copy.
Hard copy. Always my preference 🙂.
Cascais has lots of places to find English books. Lobby of Hotel Pestana, the English church, bookshop near Citadela Hotel.
It’s amazing how many unexpected places in Portugal end up having English-language books tucked away somewhere. Cascais definitely has more options than many people realize. Thanks for adding these to the list, Julie. - CW
Here in Porto there's a big one missing from your list:
Essência do Livro - Livraria Urbana.
Rua da Alegria, 390, 2 mins from Bolhão and Santa Catarina.
Very friendly and cozy, great Penguin selection and able to order from all editors if needed.
Also online on essenciadolivro.pt
(Not affiliatted at all, their just cool neighbours)
Can also vouch for 100ª Pagina in Braga. :)
Thank you, Alex for adding this. We are moving to Gaia in July. 🙏🏽
This is exactly the kind of recommendation I hoped readers would add to the conversation. Essência do Livro - Livraria Urbana sounds wonderful, especially the combination of a cozy atmosphere, thoughtful English-language selection, and the ability to order additional titles. And “cool neighbours” may be the best endorsement of all.
Thank you also for confirming 100ª Página. It’s always helpful hearing from readers who have actually spent time in these spaces. - CW
Thank you for doing this. Really appreciated.
Neighbours say hi. :) Was inside, just browsing, when your notification came. Thank you for your comments.
100a Página is amazing. Worth a visit while in Braga.
And they are our partners in Paradoxo, our Braga Book Club. But about Paradoxo, I'm paging @Marta Moreira to explain it better than me. :)
I love hearing about these independent literary communities forming across Portugal, not just bookstores themselves, but reading groups and ongoing cultural spaces around them. Paradoxo sounds fascinating, and now I’m curious to learn more about it as well.
And I’m beginning to think 100ª Página may need to move much higher on my “must visit” list. - CW
If it helps… it has a sunny outdoor patio. It as great coffee. And even better cookies. :)
Well, now you’re just making it impossible not to visit:)
Books, coffee, cookies, and a sunny patio may be one of the best combinations Portugal has to offer. Thank you again for sharing all of this. I suspect many readers will appreciate these recommendations as much as I do. - CW
If the winds (or the train, let's be practical) ever get you to Braga, let me know. :)
We live in Belém and often frequent the Bertrand bookstore at CCB. Also, the Anglican Church in Estoril, St. Paul’s, has a large selection of donated used English-language books for sale for €1 each. (The Anglican Church in Lisbon, St. George’s, might also, but I don’t know.). I was delighted to find novels by some of my favorite authors there, and will re-donate them when I am finished.
There’s something comforting about these small book communities that form quietly in places far from home. I especially love the idea of re-donating books once you’ve finished them, almost like they continue traveling through Portugal finding new readers along the way. Thank you for sharing these wonderful suggestions. - CW
I wonder if a book swap could be created in Portugal. In the US, I first came across Bookmooch - where you would list books you wanted to give away and got 1 credit for each book, someone would request a title or more and be debited credits. You were responsible for paying postage to send the books. In return you got credit for each book delivered. Similarly, if you requested a book, your credit was subtracted, but the person with the book paid for postage. It wasn't perfect, but back in the day, it was a great way to get books you wanted and to have your books go to good homes, too. It is mostly based on an honor system. There is also PaperbackSwap that monetized things a bit by charging postage and you could buy credits. I have no idea whether sending books within Portugal is expensive, or if this kind of idea would be feasible, but just a thought...
That’s an interesting idea, Lori. I suspect there are already small informal versions of this happening quietly around Portugal through expat communities, local Facebook groups, lending shelves, and circles of friends swapping books back and forth.
Personally, I’ve shared books with friends here in Portugal and vice versa, so I think a lot of these little networks already exist in an unofficial way. A few of the bookstores I mentioned in the article also sell used books, so there’s clearly some circulation happening already through expats and readers passing books along.
One of the interesting things about living abroad is how people naturally build these kinds of connections when certain resources are harder to find locally.
I’m not sure how practical postage costs would make a larger system here, but I do think there’s a real appetite for sharing and circulating English-language books in Portugal. - CW
In Torres Vedras, we have Story Owl books. She’s got a decent supply of English books and it’s a nice little bookstore/cafe with frequent events.
This is exactly why I love these conversations in the comments - readers always introduce me to places I might never have found otherwise. Story Owl Books sounds lovely, especially the combination of books, café space, and events. Thank you for sharing it, Lani. - CW