Literacy lovers hideouts: Breathtaking libraries worth travelling for

Libraries have always been a special place for me. The opportunity to read, study, and learn in a peaceful environment, and for free, is something I believe everyone should have access to in the world. Since I started travelling, they have also become an ideal escape from homesickness and travel worries. Settling into a seat, grabbing a book, and losing myself in the pages has become my go-to travel reset.

There are some truly incredible libraries in the world. From ancient parchment collections to modern architectural wonders, you can get as lost in the grandeur of many libraries as you can in the stories they contain.

To celebrate National Library Week, I reached out to my Instagram community and asked them to share about the unique libraries in their hometowns as well as some of my favourites.

1. John Rylands Library, Manchester

Ever since I saw a photo of John Rylands Library in Manchester, I knew I had to visit, and last month, I finally got the chance to tour its impressive vaulted ceilings and hidden collections.

The building itself is actually late Victorian, although, against the backdrop of Manchester’s modern city, you could easily assume it dates back to 1900. Still open to the public, it was founded by the wife of John Rylands in his name and memory.

Now part of the University of Manchester, it’s pretty much a real-life Hogwarts study room and one of the highlights of any visit to the city. More info.

2. Mafra Palace Library, Portugal

One of my favourite discoveries so far in Portugal is the Mafra Palace.

Located less than an hour from Lisbon by bus, the city of Mafra is quite compact, but the Mafra Palace dominates. This vast building is UNESCO listed, and with an entry for only €3 it’s a bargain.

You can wander through various rooms and halls throughout the palace, including visiting the Library. Sadly, at the time of my visit (Summer 2020), you were no longer allowed to walk through the library, but I’m not sure if this is a temporary or permanent Coronavirus change.

Construction on Mafra Palace began in 1717 and was completed by the royal family in 1755. It’s one of the countless beautiful palaces in the country, many of which are open to the public and a dream to wander around.

3. Anna Amalia Library, Weimar, Germany

The town of Weimar in Germany is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its contribution to the arts and as an intellectual centre in the early 1800s.

Tragically, the library had a fire in 2004 that destroyed much of its decoration and books, but through a dedicated restorative team, around 60,000 volumes and the grand interior were restored. 

One of the first public libraries in Germany, the original space was part of a royal art collection dating back to 1552, and over the centuries, the collection has moved into different rooms in the palace before its current, post-fire beauty that it is now. You can also explore the gardens and other rooms of the palace on your visit. More Info.

4. Biblioteca di Brera, Milan

I stumbled upon this library completely by accident in my favourite area of Milan, Brera, during my long weekend in Milan and Lake Como.

The library is part of the Art Institute in Milan, and it is also open to visitors as a public library. One of the largest libraries in Italy, its collections contain scientific, legal, and historical texts. What I loved about the library was the mix of historic elements alongside the modern computers and students at work, which made it feel more alive than many of the historic libraries in Europe.

The impressive architecture of the building and the courtyard add to the grandeur, so it’s well worth popping in if you are in this hip area of Milano. More Info.

5. Trinity College Library, Dublin

Before sinking one too many Guinness in Dublin, I got in a slice of culture at Trinty College Library. Serving as the University of Dublin’s library and the largest in the country, the dark-wood work and shelves stacked with volumes are one of the coolest buildings to check out on a tour of the city.

The 18th-century building is one of the most beautiful historic libraries in Europe and boasts more than 200,000 books in its imposing ‘long room’. It also houses the ‘Book of Kells’, a world-famous gospel manuscript dating back to the 9th century. More Info.

6. El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookshop, Argentina

Not taken a library, but rather a bookshop, this grand building in Buenos Aires had to make the list. Originally a performing arts venue, it opened in 1919 and is now one of the largest book stockists in South America.

When it was converted into a bookstore, the theatre seats were removed and replaced with shelving for the collection, and now you can browse the store, find a snug corner to read in, or, if you are lucky, you can enjoy the live piano music when being played. More info.

Thanks to Ben on Instagram for this recommendation.

7. Klementinum, Prague, Czech Republic

I’m kicking myself for not visiting this beautiful library on either of my visits to Prague. The Klementinum is one of the largest building complexes in Europe, and the Baroque library bills itself as ‘the most beautiful library in the world’, and they might just be right.

Guided tours take you through the grandeur of the library, with various astronomical clocks in the 20,000-strong book collection. The ceiling is a true masterpiece, and it’s somewhere I can’t wait to see with my own eyes when I return. More Info.

Thanks to Sarah on Instagram for this recommendation.

8. Yusuhara Community Library, Kochi, Japan

During my trip to Japan, I wasn’t expecting to stumble upon a library designed by no less than the man behind the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Stadium, Kengo Kuma.

Located in the beautiful village of Yusuhara, made even more magnificent thanks to its forested mountain setting and buried electricity cables, rather than overhanging like much of the region, this picturesque library is a homage to the woodwork the renowned artists like to design with.

In fact, there are more buildings of his work here, including a museum in his dedication. The library itself is a warm, open place, with dramatic wooden beams erupting from the ceiling, a grand piano at the entrance, and cosy corners to settle into. The wooden cube-like design outside is equally as striking, and it fits in perfectly with the nature of this region, which is well worth a visit for many other reasons beyond the library. More info.

Read up more about reasons to visit Kochi, Japan

9. Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra, Portugal

Construction of this grand building was completed in 1728, and the three-floor library is part of the University of Coimbra in central Portugal, a city I can’t wait to explore now that I’m living in the country.

The towering dark wood bookshelves contrast against the ornate gold doorways, making the main room breathtaking. The academic prison underneath is another extra to visit on your tour of the library. More info.

Thanks to Ana Rita on Instagram for this recommendation.

10. The Public Library, New York

One of the most famous libraries in the world, the Public Library is home to various talks and presentations, as well as its vast collection of books. It is a place for everyone to learn.

With over 50 million items, ranging from traditional books to digital media, the lovingly curated collection, which has been built over 150 years, provides a peaceful respite from the buzz of the Big Apple. More info. 

Thanks to Dougie on Instagram for the recommendation.

11. Carolina Rediviva, Uppsala, Sweden

This grand building, completed in 1841, is a gem, mixing clean-white bookshelves with chandeliers. Height wins in the reading rooms; from tall windows to columns, it’s an open space perfect for flicking through a few chapters. In the main hall, though, home to some 5 million books, you’ll be blown away by the light colours and imposing light pieces.

The collection boasts the ‘Silver Bible’, a rare 6th-century manuscript and map collection that is an exciting draw for visitors to this part of Uppsala, and hand-written music notations by Mozart himself. More info.

Thanks to Ade on Instagram for the recommendation.

12. The National Library of Finland

I accidentally stumbled upon this one after exploring Helsinki Cathedral, which is just across the road.

The Helsinki University Library by Anttinen Oiva Architects has won awards for its white, futuristic curved ceilings, but if you like your libraries served up with domed ceilings and intricate artwork, then the National Library of Finland is well worth popping your head into.

13. Stuttgart City Library, Germany

Opened in 2011, the 40-metre-high public library room in Stuttgart’s ultra-modern, white lines are a sharp contrast to the ornate finishings of its sister in Weimar. From the outside, this box-shaped building really comes alive at night with the glowing light from each of its large square windows.

Inside, its well-placed staircases and leading lines make for more than the perfect Instagram shot; they make a great place to settle into your favourite novel. With a nod to how public libraries should be open to all, on the four sides of the hall, you can find the word Library in German, English, Arabic, and Korean. More Info.

(Thanks to Julie on Instagram for this recommendation)

14. Lincoln College Library, Oxford, UK

A converted church, the Lincoln College Library in Oxford is now a beautiful University study space. The 18th-century All Saints Church only re-opened as a library in 1975, but it retains the grandeur of its former life.

With a range of modern study literature and early classics, including theatre and a dedicated Hebrew collection, the main draw for visitors to Oxford is the architecture of the building itself. You can visit Lincon College as a small group during stipulated visitor hours. More info.

Thanks to Rhianna on Instagram for the recommendation.

Got an amazing library worth travelling for near you? Leave it in the comments so I can keep building this list, thanks :)