Born from a strong partnership between APEL – the Portuguese Publishers and Booksellers Association – and the Lisbon City Council, the event has taken place uninterrupted for 96 years, remaining resilient even during the pandemic. As it approaches its 100th anniversary, the Lisbon Book Fair stays true to its mission: to make every encounter with books and authors joyful, memorable, and inspiring for everyone who visits or works at the Fair.
A unique setting in the heart of Lisbon
Held each year in Eduardo VII Park, the Fair’s open‑air layout is one of its most distinctive features. Visitors wander among pavilions and pages surrounded by trees, lawns, and sweeping views over the city—an atmosphere that feels relaxed, welcoming, and full of colour and inspiration.
19 days of books, encounters, and experiences
Over 19 days, the Fair brings together publishers, bookshops, and second‑hand booksellers, offering titles for every taste, often with special promotions and discounts. But it is far more than a place to buy books: presentations, signings, debates, workshops, concerts, children’s activities, and meetings with authors turn it into a true gathering point for writers, readers, families, and the wider literary community.
The numbers behind its impact (2025)
In 2025, the Lisbon Book Fair welcomed around 900,000 visitors and brought together 960 publishing imprints represented by 133 participants. Spread across 350 pavilions, the Fair showcased approximately 85,000 different titles and delivered a record‑breaking cultural programme of 3,200 events for all ages and interests.
One of the world’s leading open‑air book fairs
Internationally, the Lisbon Book Fair is recognised as one of the best open‑air book fairs in the world—not only for its scale, but for its cultural vitality, the diversity of its offer, and the unique way it blends literature, city life, and nature.
More than a place to buy books, it is a celebration of literature and culture—turning Lisbon into a lively meeting point for stories, ideas, and shared experiences.
Dates: Traditionally held between late May and early June
Location: Eduardo VII Park, Lisbon – Portugal
Official website: www.feiradolivrodelisboa.pt
