Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal
Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal
Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal
4
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
For all interested in Portuguese culture, this website introduces the National Library of Portugal and its services, ranging from those intended for library and the book industry professionals to the activities aimed at researchers and the general public, concerning access, promotion and diffusion of the heritage held at the largest library in the country. It is a vast and diversified heritage covering almost ten centuries of history and culture of the Portuguese society, encompassing all subjects and genres in ever growing library holdings. Thus securing a future for the past and building up a record of the present for the generations to come. The essence of the Library lies in this heritage. Kept alive and inspiring through the multiple forms of access enabled by technologies in constant renovation that convey farther than ever before, in a globalized world, the resources of our language, history and identity. Conservation, access and internationalization remain today, as in the past, the main lines of action in the management of the Institution, alongside increasing its social value by promoting initiatives convergent with the world of research. In this perspective, beyond the Library for the readers we also work towards the Library with the readers. The Library not confined to making content available, but envisaged as a platform for the creation and sharing of knowledge that offers an infrastructure for the participation of the community it serves.
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- Entrecampos • 6 min walk
- Cidade Universitária • 8 min walk
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4.0
30 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
4
alisony213
Minnesota93 contributions
Sept 2019
We found ourselves at the Biblioteca on a Saturday afternoon and found it to be adequate, as libraries go. But I was really hoping for a grand display of books and other libraryish things, but no. It was a rather mundane building, with a small display area and grand hall with tables. I can imagine the space as a lovely and quiet place to study, but as a tourist destination, it just isn't worth the trip. They did have an old card catalogue, which I had to explain to my 16-year-old.
Written 8 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller2010NYC
New York237 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Although it's a bit out of the way from the typical tourist destinations, we enjoyed our visit to the Biblioteca Nacional. We booked a brief guided tour two weeks in advance. During our visit, there were three exhibits open to the public, one on illuminated manuscripts, one of botanical prints, and one dedicated to the recently deceased Mozambique-born soccer player Eusebio.
I am librarian by profession, so I was prepared for the rest of my family to be possibly bored, but everyone enjoyed the visit, particularly the exhibited items from the Middle Ages. Also, I can read Portuguese and was able to translate captions for them. Visitors who cannot read Portuguese may not be able to fully appreciate the National Library as much as those who can.
I am librarian by profession, so I was prepared for the rest of my family to be possibly bored, but everyone enjoyed the visit, particularly the exhibited items from the Middle Ages. Also, I can read Portuguese and was able to translate captions for them. Visitors who cannot read Portuguese may not be able to fully appreciate the National Library as much as those who can.
Written 28 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amhc168
1 contribution
Feb 2020
As a student, I tried to come to the library for a session of uninterrupted quiet study.
When you arrive, you're immediately stopped by the security guard, who only speaks portuguese (it is portugal, so I guess that's to be expected, but when you are the first point of contact with visitors from all over the world it can become an issue.) Maybe because of the language barrier, but he then very rudely pointed me to a room by the entrance and told me to drop off my bag there. I said I needed my laptop and stuff, and he pointed to a few clear bags and a locker. Basically, you have to leave your bag in the locker. Ok, not too bad, I did that and pulled what I needed (a notebook, a book, a pen and my laptop into the plastic bag). He then just said "no books!". I understand the motivation in a way, although it's the only library I've ever been to where you can't bring in your own study materials, and the manner in which he said it was aggressive and rude. I literally left the library crying. So, all in all, if you only need to do offline work on your laptop then you're good. Otherwise, it's just a waste of time to try to go here.
When you arrive, you're immediately stopped by the security guard, who only speaks portuguese (it is portugal, so I guess that's to be expected, but when you are the first point of contact with visitors from all over the world it can become an issue.) Maybe because of the language barrier, but he then very rudely pointed me to a room by the entrance and told me to drop off my bag there. I said I needed my laptop and stuff, and he pointed to a few clear bags and a locker. Basically, you have to leave your bag in the locker. Ok, not too bad, I did that and pulled what I needed (a notebook, a book, a pen and my laptop into the plastic bag). He then just said "no books!". I understand the motivation in a way, although it's the only library I've ever been to where you can't bring in your own study materials, and the manner in which he said it was aggressive and rude. I literally left the library crying. So, all in all, if you only need to do offline work on your laptop then you're good. Otherwise, it's just a waste of time to try to go here.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer K
London15 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
Looking at the website for the BNP, it looks like a wonderful and very organised place to go and read and study. They have a section with the key information in English and make it sound like a very welcoming place. The reality couldn't be further from the truth.
I went here this morning to register for a library card to be able to use the reading rooms here for personal study. When I approached the registration desk the man I spoke to snickered at me, asked if I really knew that the books I wanted to consult were here (I mean with the largest collection in Portugal?) and when I persisted that I wanted a card, made me feel like I was a complete pain. The library charge a fee of €3 for a week or €10 for a year's reader card, which isn't a big deal - but the guy insisted that I must first go to another floor and hand over all my bags to a security person before he'd take my money and register me. I asked why he couldn't just register me and then I go to check in my things and he looked at his colleagues and snickered again as if I was asking for the moon.
I said thank you and as I was walking away to go find the security desk (another floor somewhere - the directions were so vague) I felt so angry and humiliated at being treated this way. And for what? For asking for a library card? Isn't that exactly what these institutions are for?
I decided just to leave and try and find somewhere else. I can't bear the idea of going to this miserable place every day. A completely depressing experience - who is this library for if not for EU citizens?
I went here this morning to register for a library card to be able to use the reading rooms here for personal study. When I approached the registration desk the man I spoke to snickered at me, asked if I really knew that the books I wanted to consult were here (I mean with the largest collection in Portugal?) and when I persisted that I wanted a card, made me feel like I was a complete pain. The library charge a fee of €3 for a week or €10 for a year's reader card, which isn't a big deal - but the guy insisted that I must first go to another floor and hand over all my bags to a security person before he'd take my money and register me. I asked why he couldn't just register me and then I go to check in my things and he looked at his colleagues and snickered again as if I was asking for the moon.
I said thank you and as I was walking away to go find the security desk (another floor somewhere - the directions were so vague) I felt so angry and humiliated at being treated this way. And for what? For asking for a library card? Isn't that exactly what these institutions are for?
I decided just to leave and try and find somewhere else. I can't bear the idea of going to this miserable place every day. A completely depressing experience - who is this library for if not for EU citizens?
Written 6 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theTimeTravellersBox
Belgium286 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
It is not easy to remain positive as tripadvisor guidelines require when describing this collection of Portuguese manuscripts which dares to call itself a library while yet everything is stuffed away in glass closets and the female servants act as if they outrank you, while in reality they have no translations of jules verne or James Joyce. It's a shame upon the resting souls of all historical libraries. Very very bad. Yet it's kept in perfect state of order as if some autist really presents us with his lifework to keep the old dead languages alive yet all stuffed away in glass cases to ensure its neverending survival. How interesting.
Written 20 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanesha R
3 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
The airport is so near that you can hear every plane land and take off, its so distracting and an awful sound. Difficult to find inspiration when the decor is bland green and bare. The restaurant food downstairs is cold and I found a hair in my stragonoff. All staff are very nice and friendly which is the only reason I gave this rating above a 1.
Written 4 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where in the National Library can I see prints by Henri L'Eveque (1769 - 1832)?
Written 20 August 2018
Where in the National Library can I see prints by Henri L'Eveque (1769 - 1832)?
Written 20 August 2018
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