Livraria Lello and El Ateneo Grand Splendid Highlight Iconic Bookstores Worldwide

Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal, opened in 1906 and is renowned for its neo‑Gothic façade, intricate wooden shelves and the famous red staircase that acquired its colour by accident during a 1993 restoration. The bookstore has become a cultural landmark, showcasing Portuguese literature, rare editions and serving as a symbol of the city’s literary heritage.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was originally the Grand Splendid theater opened in 1919, later a cinema, and was transformed into a bookstore in 2000. It retains the original balcony seats, red curtains and dome, offering around 120,000 titles while providing a café and reading nooks inside the historic auditorium.

Both venues are celebrated as tourist destinations where architecture and books combine to create a unique cultural experience.