If you’re a book, beer, picnic, or park lover, then we’ve got the perfect place for you to visit this June in Lisbon. From June 4-22, Parque Eduardo VII transforms into a book lover’s paradise that is now celebrating its 95th edition (yes, it is THAT successful).
“So, Portugal.com, is this just a place where I can look at books, pick one out, and then go home? I can do that at any bookshop in town. Or better yet – I can just buy a book online.”
“No, dear reader, the Lisbon Book Fair is much, much more and is the perfect place for introverts to escape the hordes of revelers stuffing their faces with sardines and chorizo all around town during the Santos Populares festivals.” Now, let’s look at the reasons why.
What Can You Find at the Book Fair
First, the Lisbon Book Fair takes place in one of Lisbon’s most beautiful parks – Parque Eduardo VII, which offers beautiful views at the top of the hill over which the park extends. The fair has over 50 booksellers from local independent shops to big retailers such as El Corte Inglés and FNAC. Many of the book stalls are set up like mini bookstores. You can walk in, peruse the titles, offered in a variety of languages (although most of them are in Portuguese), and even plop down on a nearby beanbag chair and start reading right away.
With so many books to discover, you could easily spend hours browsing through the titles, finding the perfect book to suit your late spring fancy. Once you find your perfect book, you can check out talks and mini concerts at one of two main stages, one at the top end of the park and one at the bottom near Marquês de Pombal. Some stalls also exhibit art and serve wine, crepes, and ice cream. Near the top end of the park, you can also grab a meal from food trucks serving vegetarian meals, poke bowls, and empanadas, to name a few.
And Then You Can Picnic in the Park!
While you’re up near the north end of the park, you can retreat into a leafy greenhouse that is truly one of Lisbon’s best hidden gems called Estufa Fria, which is closed on Mondays but open every other day from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. You can also sit on a bench above Parque Eduardo VII in a separate part of the park called Jardim Amália Rodrigues. Better yet, bring your own picnic blanket and bottle of wine and enjoy your new book in comfort under a tree. Because Parque Eduardo VII has some of the most open space of any of the central parks in Lisbon, there are plenty of options for a picnic spot! So why not combine the fresh new pages of a book with the coziness of a picnic? Our final recommendation here is a stop by the Linha D’Água, just three minutes from Jardim Amália Rodrigues, where you can grab a coffee or a beer and sit around a pond.
Have you convinced you? Then, come on over and enjoy the Lisbon Book Fair (Feira do Livro) during the following hours from June 4 – June 22:
- Monday-Thursday – 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Fridays and Holiday Evenings – 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Saturdays – 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sundays and Holidays – 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Don’t miss this annual celebration of literature, culture, and the final days of spring in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities! The Lisbon Book Fair is waiting for you!
Looking for More to Do While You’re in Town? Check Out These Lisbon Tours!
Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour with Eating Europe
Lisbon Sunset Sailing Tour with White or Rosé Wine and Snacks
Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon
Three Cities in One Day: Porto, Nazare and Obidos from Lisbon
Lisbon E-Bike Tour Commerce Square, Mouraria and Alfama
