Porto Book Fair attracts 231,000 visitors in 2026 edition

The 2026 Porto Book Fair (Feira do Livro do Porto) attracted approximately 231,000 visitors to the Palácio de Cristal gardens, marking the second-highest attendance in the festival's history. Despite experiencing periods of heavy rain and wind that forced temporary closures, the event featured 144 exhibitors, including booksellers, publishers, and antiquarian booksellers.

The programming spanned over 400 hours and included more than 200 activities. This edition highlighted poetry and female perspectives through a tribute to poet Inês Lourenço. The festival also introduced international authors such as Mohammed El-Kurd, Angelica Liddell, Rim Battal, and Marie Darrieussecq, alongside new cycles dedicated to dramaturgy and expanded youth programming.

According to Culture Councilor Jorge Sobrado, the first two days of the event saw a 20% increase in visitors compared to the same period in 2025, with 41,000 people attending on August 21 and 22.