My greatest passions are travelling and literature, so whenever there's a chance to merge the two, I seize it.

Whilst organising a recent journey to Porto, Portugal, I discovered it housed what's been acclaimed as the "world's most beautiful bookshop", so naturally it immediately joined the itinerary.

Livraria Lello has probably already appeared across your social media timelines.

Reportedly serving as inspiration for Harry Potter scenes, the stunning bookshop features towering bookshelves, elaborate architecture, stained glass ceilings and a famous red spiral staircase at the building's centre.

Nevertheless, its growing popularity meant overcrowding became a major issue; consequently you must now reserve a time slot for your visit. 

I remained unaware of this until arriving in Porto, though fortunately several slots remained available during our stay. The visit literally carries a cost; you must pay €10 upfront. The bookshop implemented this policy due to numerous visitors arriving solely for photographs without purchasing any literature.

Should you buy books, the €10 charge gets subtracted from your final bill. I chose a 9.30am slot, hoping to avoid the worst of the crowds. However, I was taken aback by the number of people already queuing from earlier and later time slots. We joined the queue for our designated entrance time, bracing myself for a lengthy wait; fortunately, my pessimism was unfounded as we gained entry into the shop just 15 minutes later. Immediately, it became clear why this place is so popular.

Livraria Lello is like something out of a fairy tale. Upon entering, you're greeted by towering bookshelves that stretch from floor to ceiling, while the grand staircase gives the impression of stepping into a Bridgerton ballroom scene.

Initially, I doubted whether I'd purchase any books, assuming they'd all be in Portuguese given our location. However, the bookshop has thoughtfully catered to its international clientele, organising books by language.

This proved to be a very helpful system as it also meant that you weren't jostling with loads of tourists to browse - and it clearly works as I ended up picking up about five books. 

The shop also boasts some stunning limited edition covers exclusive to Livraria Lello, along with a range of merchandise catering to fans of Harry Potter and The Little Prince. The queue at the till was surprisingly short, making the entrance fee seem more reasonable.

The beauty of Livraria Lello is that it's nestled in the heart of Porto, a stone's throw away from numerous stunning landmarks. As a Brit, I couldn't help but be drawn to the nearby McDonald's - before you quietly judge me, it's often hailed as the world's most beautiful McDonald's, so naturally, I had to see what all of the fuss was about! 

For more details and to book tickets, visit livrarialello.pt. For additional information about Porto, check out visitporto.travel.