Opened in the 19th century and considered a true symbol of the Belle Époque, Porto’s oldest hotel—the Grande Hotel Paris—is hosting three reading events open to the public this month . “The Book Was Better Bookclub, ” “Silent Book Club Porto, ” and “Porto Queer Book Club” are coming to the hotel on different dates, each with its own format and unique way of experiencing books.
The venue’s connection to literature is nothing new. Eça de Queiroz, Camilo Castelo Branco, and Guerra Junqueiro are among the writers historically associated with the hotel, whose cultural identity remains inseparable from the city’s literary life. It is drawing on this heritage that the Grande Hotel Paris now hosts these gatherings, as a contemporary extension of its literary legacy.
The Book Clubs are also linked to “Echoes of Writers,” the hotel’s immersive experience that revisits stories, authors, and episodes connected to the venue and the city. These new gatherings add contemporary voices to the mix—communities of readers who continue to find in literature a space for sharing and discovery.
Schedule of events
- Silent Book Club Porto will meet on September 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Dupuy Room. The format is simple: participants read together in silence. More information is available on the group’s Instagram.
- The Porto Queer Book Club wraps up the month on September 27 at 4:00 p.m. in the Breakfast Room. More information is available on the group’s Instagram.
Registration for the events is open to the public, and they will take place at the Grande Hotel Paris, in downtown Porto.
A Brief Look at Porto’s Oldest Hotel
Opened in 1877, Porto’s oldest hotel stands out for its Belle Époque style and Art Nouveau entrance. In the 19th century, its hallways were named after figures such as Camilo Castelo Branco, Eça de Queirós, and Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro—a cultural legacy that remains visible in the hotel’s common areas.
Outside, you’ll find a garden with trees and outdoor seating areas —a small, hidden retreat where you can have breakfast or relax right in the heart of the city.
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