Hello bookish people! How are you? Can you feel summer’s coming??! I sure do! June was a busy month with work and since there were not a lot of days off like there were in May…it was back to that little routine. But damn I love it when the sun is shining, when the flowers are in full bloom, when the sky is clear blue.
I’m back today on the blog with a topic I wanted to talk about for a pretty long time : my top 10 dream libraries around the world. Yeah…it turns out you can judge a book by its cover or at least the library where it sits. Of course there are SO many gorgeous librairies across the globe, big ones, small ones, famous ones you can see everywhere on instagram and underrated ones we don’t even know about. So in my top 10 list, I probably missed a lot of them but well…here are some of the prettiest ones I found.
All pictures are from talented photographers on unsplash.com unless stated otherwise.
? 10. Beitou Public Library / Taipei, Taiwan
It’s Taiwan’s first green library! Its thoughtful design saves energy as the large amount of windows allow natural light to substitute interior lighting, and ventilation reduces the need for air-conditioning. The woods that used to build the library are woods from managed forests. The roof of this building is partially covered by photovoltaic cells to converts sunlight into electricity. Beitou Library also conserves water by capturing rainfall and stored to use for the library’s toilets. All those eco-friendly features and that unique architecture totally make it to my top 10!
? 9. New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / New York, USA
This landmark Beaux-Arts building contains research collections in the humanities and social sciences plus a children’s library, home to the real Winnie-the-Pooh. It’s guarded by the world-famous marble lions Patience and Fortitude and it houses that breathtaking Rose Main Reading Room, nearly the length of a football field! It totally makes me want to study, it seems peaceful, quiet and just plain gorgeous! Did you know it was built on a reservoir? Were you aware that under the Reading Room lies 88 miles of bookshelves, on seven floors??! It’s all very fascinating!
? 8. Bodleian Library, Oxford University / Oxford, England
There are actually other Bodleian libraries, about 40, that all serve the University of Oxford. Together they hold 13 million printed items! It’s the second largest library in the UK, after the British library. I got lucky enough to see that building with my own two eyes and let me tell you it is gorgeous! Known to many Oxford scholars as ‘the Bod’, these buildings attract an ever-increasing number of visitors and students from all over the world. I can totally see myself with my backpack, going to the library to study for a big exam and ending up staring at that lovely architecture!
? 7. National Library of France / Paris, France
So I’m French, I live in France, I’ve been to Paris a thousand times and I haven’t see this yet! What the hell??! I’m putting it on my list right this second! The National Library of France, or BNF for short, is the national repository of all that is published in France and it holds extensive historical collections. There are actually seven sites in Paris, the main one being the library François Mitterrand located on the left bank of the Seine. On the photo below, you can see the oval reading room located at the Richelieu site and I’m in awe, aren’t you? It screams French and that architecture is pretty impressive don’t you think?
? 6. Stuttgart City Library / Stuttgart, Germany
From the outside, this 9-storey building looks like a giant cube, with an edge length of 45 meters. It’s one of the biggest public libraries in the world and it sets important standards concerning culture and the availability of knowledge and education. In fact, the architects chose to express the importance of this cultural center by giving the building a grand physical presence. The interior design is geometric and well-structured. And look at all that white! It looks so pristine! It makes the books really stand out.
? 5. Royal Portuguese Reading Room / Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I’m a sucker for floor to ceiling bookshelves and I would totally be in heaven here! This little gem contains the largest collection of Portuguese texts outside of Portugal itself. The plain exterior masks the inside which is absolutely beautiful! Look at all those lavish decorations, historical settings and wooden bookcases! Plus, the ceiling of the Reading Room has that gorgeous chandelier and pretty skylight. Who’s coming with me to admire it for real?
? 4. Zhongshuge Bookstore / Shanghai, China
I feel like I just stepped into a dream! This bookstore has a pretty gorgeous aesthetic with haphazard geometry and mirrored ceilings. Lots of people are saying that the designer got his inspiration from the movie Inception. There is this awesome section for children with vibrant colours and shelves shaped like mountains. There is also some cushioned ‘caves’ where you can read peacefully away from the crowd. Plus, you’re promised to be dazzled by ‘infinite tunnels’ and Alice In Wonderland themes! Okay…I’m moving in!
? 3. Central Library / Vancouver, Canada
This library, the third-largest public library in Canada, has more than 6.9 million visits. Its nine-story rectangular box, which is resembling the Colosseum in Rome, is surrounded by a colonnaded wall featuring reading and study areas that you access by bridges. The floor to ceiling windows offer natural light and an almost 360 degree view of the surrounding city. And you know what? There is a greenroof at the top of the building! Isn’t that amazing?
? 2. Geelong Library And Heritage Centre / Victoria, Australia
Constructed with 322 panels of glass reinforced concrete, this library is better known as ‘the Dome’ or even ‘the Brain’. It’s modern, contemporary and near-futuristic, I love it! There is this brilliantly red third floor (walls, furniture, ALL IN RED!), which is dedicated to history and is one of the more striking examples of the libraries’ devotion to showcasing both a digital and physical collection. Spread over six levels, you can catch a pretty awesome view from the open-air balcony at the very top.
? 1. Old Library, Trinity College Library / Dublin, Ireland
And my number one is…this beauty!! I’ve visited this one with my sister and let me tell you it’s jaw-dropping! The photo below is displaying what it’s called ‘The Long Room’ which is 65-metre-long and houses 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books in oak bookcases. Stepping into this room is like walking into a movie set. Actually, sci-fi fans may recognize the room’s resemblance to the Jedi Archives from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Plus, it smells like books…I promise you, it’s true!
What did you think of my choices? In your opinion, what are some of the most beautiful libraries or bookstores across the globe? Ever visited one?
Would you like to take a world tour and visit every single one of them? What are the things you enjoy the most in a library?
Let’s chat in comments ?
Twitter ☂️ Goodreads ☂️Instagram ☂️Bloglovin’☂️ Support the blog
Rasya says
All of the libraries/bookstores are gorgeous! I wouldn’t mind making a trip to just visit the library! Your post just convinced me to go to either Taiwan/China for my next trip lol
Nyx says
Yeees! ?? Haha, same here!! ?
the #1 Itinerary says
Great post 🙂
Nyx says
Thank you so much! ?
the #1 Itinerary says
No problem 🙂 check out my blog when you get the chance ?
Nyx says
Sure thing! ?
emme @ a literary latte says
What an aesthetic post – the design and architecture of these libraries is so stunning!! Would love to visit 🙂
Nyx says
Thank you so so much ? They all look so dreamy, I want to visit them all ??
Jai Lynn says
I agree with you about the library at Trinity College!! I was lucky enough to be able to see it in person too and it is TOTALLY GORGEOUS <3 (and really does smell like books). Honestly, now I want to go and visit every other library you put on this list! Great post! 🙂
Nyx says
Glad you agree!! That library is ???? Yeeees, same here! Thank you so much, happy you enjoyed it ?
ourcrossings says
Great post and fantastic list of libraries to visit, would love to explore every single one, especially the one in Rio. Thanks for sharing and have a good day ?
Nyx says
Thank you, I’m so happy you liked it ? Same here!! Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day ??
Sandra says
Old library Trinity College Library took my breath away. Its atmosphere was magical.
Nyx says
Totally!! ???
confessionsofayareader says
These are all amazing! I love libraries.
Nyx says
Yeees, I want to visit every single one ?
Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts says
Well … I just added ALL of these to my travel list ha-ha! My friend actually works for the Vancouver Public Library as a Children’s Librarian … I’m SUPER jealous, though I do love my own work 🙂
Great post!
Nyx says
Haha, same here ?? That’s awesome!! It must be such a great environment to work in ? Thank you so much ??
The Educated Negra says
These were all so gorgeous! I never really thought about how there are famous libraries but now your post makes me want to visit all of them. They all look so cool, I hope you get to go to each of them in person one day, especially the Paris one since it’s so close. 🙂
Nyx says
Aren’t they?! ?? Aww, thank you so so much, that’s sweet of you to say! I really want to visit every single one, I guess I need to start with the closest ones ? Hope you’ll get to see them too ??
Gianna says
I’m definitely flying up to Taiwan and driving up to New York for these library, they are the most gorgeous libraries I have ever seen!! Now I really want to travel to see them… I’m convinced! ?
Nyx says
Hahaha, same here! I want to see them with my two eyes ???
Amanda @Cover2CoverMom says
Wow! Being the library lover that I am, I highly enjoyed this list 🙂 Trinity College Library has always been on my bookish bucket list, but it looks like I have many more to add. I particularly want to see Beitou Public Library and Geelong Library And Heritage Centre. Absolutely stunning! I think it is going to be more feasible to see the NY library though because I live in the U.S. lol BUT hopefully I’ll make it to one of these other libraries some day!
Nyx says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it ?? They all look so gorgeous, I want to see them all ?? Haha, well..you can start by this one and then you’ll get to the others ? Thanks for stopping by ??
Gianna says
Same here!! The libraries are spectacular and more beautiful than any library I have seen before!
–A Court of Books– says
I’m worse than you, I’m French, I live in France, 10 minutes away from Paris, and I’ve never been to BFN!!! Dublin, Tapei and Brazil are my favourites. Thank you for this lovely article
Nyx says
Yaay, I’m not the only one haha ? Next time, I’m traveling to Paris, I’m going! ? They are SO pretty ? Thank you so much, glad you liked it ?
Angela says
These are all so so gorgeous! I love the more historic-looking ones, but that one in Germany is quite striking with all the white! Looks like a museum!
Nyx says
Aren’t they?? ?? I totally agree, such a gem! Thanks for stopping by ?
Paper Procrastinators says
I’ve actually been to the New York Public Library you mentioned! Considering I’ve lived in New York all my life it took me a ridiculously long time to visit! And so many of these libraries have me itching to travel and visit them! Especially Stuttgart City Library and Central Library! The architecture of both libraries just sounds amazing to me!
One of my favorite things about going to new places is going to the libraries and book stores in that area! When I visited Seattle with my friend a few years ago we made sure to visit the library there, plus we’d stop into every bookstore we passed whenever we were walking anywhere! It ended up being one of the best parts of the trip because of all the unexpectedly amazing places we discovered!
Nyx says
Aaah you’re so lucky!! ? Haha, I feel like we don’t visit enough sites close to home! There are such gorgeous things right next door, I don’t know why we feel like we need to travel really far away. Yeees, they are so pretty! I really want to visit them now ?? Wow, tha’s amazing!! You must discover such stunning places! I do love to visit bookstores when I’m traveling especially since in France we don’t have many english bookstores so when I’m going to England for example it’s like heaven for me haha ? Thanks for stopping by ??
hshattock29 says
I mean I could live in any one of those libraries quite happily!
Nyx says
Oh my god…same here!! It would be the dream ??
Pamela Nicole says
My heart ♥ These are gorgeous. I’ve seen pics of the one in Germany and it looks so pristine I love it. I hadn’t heard about the one in Canada but now I’m officially in love.
One library I’d one day like to visit is El Ateneo, in Argentina. I’ve heard it’s stunning.
Nyx says
Aren’t they?? ?? Pristine! That’s exactly the word! Same here, I wanna marry them all ? Oh, I haven’t heard of this one! Just googled it and oh my god…it’s gorgeous ?
Pamela Nicole says
It is! I think it’s so cool it was previously a theatre. Hopefully we’ll get to visit at least some of them some day!
Nyx says
That’s awesome! Yeees, fingers crossed ??
Lauren Becker says
Ooh beautiful. I think I’d want to visit the ones in Australia and Germany!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Nyx says
Yaaay! Good choices ? Thanks for stopping by ??
Margaret @ Weird Zeal says
I have the biggest heart-eyes right now from looking at all of these beautiful libraries. They’re all gorgeous!! I’ve been to two of them – the New York Public Library and the Bodleian Library in Oxford (did you know that’s the place they used to film the Hogwarts library?) – but I want to see them ALL! I can’t even pick a favorite! Though that one in Rio de Janeiro looks absolutely breathtaking…
Nyx says
Aren’t they?? They are all so pretty, I want to marry them all ?? Awesome, you’re so lucky!! Yeeees, the huge Harry Potter fan that I am knew that ? I totally should have mentionned it in my post! Totally breathtaking, that’s the word ?
Elizabeth says
Oh my word, this post is pure beauty. And makes my heart ache to go traveling and visit more libraries. Seriously, i can’t wait to one day see the library in Dublin, Paris and Oxford. They’re all so gorgeous and I think I could actually spend several days in all of these libraries.
Nyx says
Awww, thank you so so much for your kind words ☺️I’m so happy you enjoyed it ? Haha, same here! I wouldn’t mind being locked inside ??
Marta says
I absolutely love the ones in Taiwan, Germany and Brazil ? In Portugal we have Lello – but that’s a store, not a library, unfortunately – and the Library of the Palace of Mafra, that is, very sadly, not accessible to the public (you could only see it from the entrance) ??
Nyx says
They are all so pretty ?? Oh my…just googled the Lello one and it looks gorgeous!! ? Oh that’s too bad, it also seems so stunning! ?
Marta says
JK Rowling was inspired by Lello so it’s quite the tourist trap in my city ? I remember my grandma taking me there when I was little and it was empty but now ? The Palace of Mafra is very beautiful indeed ?
Nyx says
Oh I didn’t know that! I bet it is ? I hope I’ll get to visit all those gorgeous places someday ?
Marta says
If you ever come to Porto, let me know, I’d love to show you around ?
Nyx says
I sure will, thanks! ??
Kat @ Kat from Minas Morgul says
Omg I want to visit all of them!!! I’ve been to the one in Stuttgart since I grew up near the city and it was amazing. Our univeristy library in Leipzig, the Bibliotheca Albertina is gorgeous as well! It’s one of my favourite places ♥
Lovely post!
Nyx says
Same here!! ?? You’re so lucky, it looks pristine! Didn’t know about this one, adding it to my list right now ? Thank you so much ??
Emma @ AFCTL says
These are all so amazing! I would love to go to any of these, or really any that just aren’t, my public library near me XD
Hope that you get to visit them all someday!
-Emma 🙂
Nyx says
Hahaha, yeaah I want to visit them all ? Aww, that’s sweet thank you, I hope you get the chance too ?
literatureandsunshine says
Woo, score! I am going to Dublin in August, and I am absolutely going to stop by that gorgeous library!
Nyx says
Yaaaay, awesome!! Dublin is such a great city, you’re going to LOVE it! Have the best time ???
noémie, tempest of books says
That is such a nice post! There are so many wonderful libraries in the world, it’s lovely to discover them ♥ I also visited the library in Dublin, it was an absolute dream. I literally had heart eyes when I went there, I couldn’t believe it. And really, being french, I should also go to the library in Paris, I had no idea how beautiful it was!
Nyx says
Thank you so much! ? Yeees, I wish we could visit them all ? Same here!! I totally fell in love ?? Yeah, I didn’t know about the one in Paris! There are such pretty things right next door, I should be more attentive haha ?
noémie, tempest of books says
It’s something I often tell myself, I should be more attentive to things around me!
Nyx says
Yeees, totally! ?
Meeghan reads says
OMG!! The Geelong library was my library before I moved back to Canberra!! I was literally donating books there 4 weeks ago!! It’s such an amazing building, and the inside has this gorgeous geometric pattern up the internal stairs as well. I imagine it’s what living inside a beehive is kind of like!! And yes, the viewing platform on L5 is beautiful!!
Nyx says
Oh my god…that’s awesome!!! You’re so lucky, it looks DREAMY! ? I want to come and visit even more now! ?
Meeghan reads says
In back there next week so I’ll stop by and take some photos of the inside for you!! ?
Nyx says
Awesome, that’s so sweet of you!! Can’t wait ?
Xandra @ Starry Sky Books says
Awesome post, Nyx! I have been to the New York Public Library, and it did not disappoint! I even got a temporary library card, which I could only use for a few months online, but it was still very cool!
I’ve also visited the library at Trinity College, and I loved it so much! I think I spent hours in there, and it was truly an experience. I wish I could visit all of these – it’s a dream of mine to visit as many major libraries as I can!
Nyx says
Thank you, I’m so happy you liked it ? That’s awesome, you’re so lucky!! The library at Trinity College is really something ?? Same here, I wish I could see them all! Thanks for stopping by ?
Lais @ The Bookish Skies says
this was such a great and unique post! it truly made me want to transport myself to all of these libraries. there aren’t a lot of libraries around where i live, so i feel like i’d be pretty overwhelmed to walk into any of them, hahah.
i have actually visited the one in rio de janeiro that you’ve mentioned and it is indeed gorgeous! however, besides taking pictures, i didn’t have much time to explore all the shelves, and i do believe you’d need a library card to do so anyway, but it is a gorgeous place to visit, since the original portuguese architecture is stunning!
the one in ireland looks like for real something out of harry potter, hahah. it’s stunning!
the one in stuttgart is probably the most impressive one. when i think of libraries, i typically think of really old architecture, brown shelves and dusty books, but that one looks so clean & modern. i’d probably think it was an alternative bookstore if i hadn’t seen the title!
Nyx says
Aww thank you, I’m so happy you liked it ? Well…I think any library is pretty much heaven so ?? That’s awesome, you’re so lucky!! I hope I’ll get the chance to see it one day ? Haha, yeeees! It totally got Harry Potter vibes ?? Maybe that’s why I liked it so much ? I totally agree with you! The one is Stuttgart is so modern and pristine, it doesn’t look like any library I’ve ever seen ?
Kal @ Reader Voracious says
All of these libraries are imply STUNNING, what an awesome list! I actually stumbled on the library in Vancouver when I was there last fall, and it is truly incredible. Way better than any library I have had access to!
Nyx says
Aren’t they?? ?? That’s awesome, it does seem amazing!! ?
Amazing Distance - Bookish ?? (@fatinamudz) says
oh wow!!! Look at that all beautiful libraries. I don’t mind spending my time there hours and hours longs It is so stunning. I truly would love to visit them!!
Fatina Mudz || Amazing Distance
Nyx says
Same here, I wouldn’t mind being locked inside haha ? I hope we’ll get to see as many of them as possible ?
evelynreads1 says
They are all gorgeous, but I especially love the one in Taiwan!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Nyx says
Yeees ?? Good choice ?
Ngoc says
Ok well this is my fave post ever!! I’ve actually joked that when I get married, I’m gonna do a tour of the world’s most beautiful libraries & bookstores for my honeymoon ? And I’m so upset I didn’t know about the Geelong library – I just came back from a trip to Victoria ?
Nyx says
Awww, thank you that’s so sweet! It makes me so happy ? Wow, that’s awesome! I would LOVE to do that ? Oh no, that’s too bad! Well…you’ve got one reason to go back one day ?
ashley @ socially awkward bookworm says
All of these libraries look amazing! 😀
Nyx says
Yeees, I want to marry them all haha ?
flippingthruthepages says
These are some lovely libraries. Why can’t I visit them?? There are so many of my favorites too. But that China library is on the top 😀
Nyx says
I want to visit them so badly, they are so pretty ?? Good choice! ?
Alex says
I’m planning a trip to Dublin in November and Trinity Library is top of my list to visit! It looks stunning ?
Nyx says
That’s awesome!! You’re going to LOVE it! ??
tasya @ the literary huntress says
This post is just heaven! <3 My favorite is the green library in Taiwan, it just looks like such a great place to chill and read!
Nyx says
Aww, thank you so so much ☺️☺️ I totally agree! ?
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight says
These. Are. Amazing. I honestly can’t decide which one I love the most! I would absolutely kill to visit ANY of them, because wowwww. Okay I narrowed down my top 3, it’s the best I can do: Rio, Shanghai, and Germany. Those are my favorites so now I do a get a free trip? Is that not how this blog post works? SAD.
Nyx says
Same here, they all look SO gorgeous ?? Hahaha, if only…?? Thanks for stopping by! ?
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
Oh my goodness, these are all so very beautiful!! I want to visit them ALL!!
Nyx says
Same here ???
theorangutanlibrarian says
Brilliant list! I want to go to all of these- especially New York public library. And I loved Trinity’s library too 😀
Nyx says
Thank you, I’m so happy you liked it ? Yaaay, this one is SO pretty ?? Thank you for stopping by ?
Charlotte says
Oh wow, these look amazing! I think my favourites are the ones in New York and Brazil judging from those pictures but they all sound fascinating. I love the design of the Canadian one and the fact that it has bridges to access it. Plus I think I’ve probably seen the Oxford one on TV. Fantastic post (: Madison’s Inkwell did one too on libraries a while back, if you wanted to see a few more ever.
Nyx says
They all look so pretty! It’s so hard to choose a favorite! ?? Thank you so so much, I’m happy you enjoyed it ? Oh, thanks I’m going to check it out! You can never get too many beautiful librairies ?
Charlotte says
I agree. If I ever got to see them in person I’d probably be starstruck. I hadn’t really considered looking them up before but I should definitely make the time to sometime as there are some truly amazing libraries out there. And you’re right, you can never get too many of them.