The Longest Line With The Smallest Payoff Rick Steves Has Ever Seen In Europe

Long lines are inevitable in Europe. You'll stand in one to visit the Eiffel Tower, ride in a gondola in Venice, or eat at some of the best restaurants in London. However, many of the queues filled with tourists aren't worth the wait, including the one outside of Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal.

Travel expert Rick Steves posted a video to Facebook documenting the bookstore's lengthy, snaking line. Livraria Lello gets so crowded that vouchers are required to enter, ranging from 8 to 50 euros (the most expensive package includes a voucher for a book purchase, access to an exclusive room, and priority entry). The retailer calls itself "The World's Most Beautiful Bookshop," and according to Steves, the interior has a stunning Art Nouveau style with a curvy grand staircase. However, this isn't the real draw for many visitors. The travel guru explains in the clip that an online rumor spread alleging that author J.K. Rowling took inspiration from Livraria Lello when writing "Harry Potter," which has attracted fans from all over the globe.

Those visiting for an inside glimpse into the Hogwarts world will be sorely disappointed, especially if they waited in line for hours. In a tweet, Rowling revealed that she never visited the famous bookstore and didn't even know it existed. In other words, Livraria Lello is nothing more than a pretty shop. It's no wonder Steves captioned his video, "This is my vote for Europe's longest line with the smallest payoff."

Some lines are simply a part of travel, especially if you're visiting a popular destination. However, Rick Steves says that if you're running into a lot of crowds during your trip to Europe, "90% chance is, you're the problem." Put another way, you may be contributing to overtourism and all the issues that come with it.

Whether you were considering stopping by Livraria Lello or another spot made famous on social media, be mindful of the hype and question the claims made in TikToks and Instagram reels. Do your research (using trusted sources, of course) to determine if a site or attraction is really all it's cracked up to be. Additionally, compare how long the wait in line might be with the time you'll spend at the famous spot. Steves points out that many people will spend only about 10 minutes in the Porto bookstore, yet they can waste half their day queuing at the entrance. Also, keep in mind that if it's crowded outside, it'll likely be crowded inside, too, which can sour your experience.

For buzzy sites you know you don't want to miss, try timing your visit during periods with fewer crowds, such as in the morning. You may also want to only travel in the off-season to avoid long lines. If you can't beat the crowds, be patient and leave plenty of room in your travel itinerary for the wait. In the end, even Steves chose to stand in line for Livraria Lello, though he noted in a comment, "Lines can be ridiculous and, while it's charming, there's really not a lot to see inside."