According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first light guide element and a light-emitting element. The liquid crystal layer contains stringy polymers and liquid crystal molecules. The first light guide element includes a third transparent substrate including a side surface and a main surface, and a transparent layer disposed on the main surface and having a refractive index lower than that of the third transparent substrate. The light-emitting element opposes the side surface, and the third transparent substrate is adhered to the second transparent substrate while interposing the transparent layer therebetween. The light-emitting element is disposed on the second transparent substrate.