If you’re asked about places you’d like to visit, you’ll call natural wonders like the hidden gems or beautiful islands. I’m sure the last place on your mind will be libraries. Unless you love books, you won’t be expecting to find yourself in a library.
But truth be told, libraries are becoming more popular in 2025. There’s no better way to spend your afternoon than in the most beautiful libraries around the world, surrounded by more books than you could dream of reading.
These libraries are so breathtaking, regardless if they’ve been around for centuries or they’re just decades old, that they deserve a visit of their own. That’s why we’ve gathered the top 13 most beautiful libraries around the world just for you.
13 Most Beautiful Libraries Around The World
1. Admont Abbey Library
If you’re a book lover, then you should know about this fairytale library in Austria called Admont Abbey Library. It is the biggest library in the world, located in this abbey where Benedictine monks practice their faith.
This beautiful library has been voted the eighth wonder of the world and the most beautiful library on earth many times. So if you find yourself in Vienna, visit here to explore the 70,000 books in their collections. You could honestly spend hours admiring every shelf, art, symbolic statute, and mural displayed.
Apart from these books, the abbey has over 200,00 books in its archives, including the gold bible and manuscripts from the 8th century. Stepping into this enchanting library feels just like stepping into the library in Beauty and the Beast. It’s possible that this may have been the inspiration for the Disney animation cos it’s like a castle in a faraway land.
2. Rampur Raza Library
Most warlords are only known for their contributions on the battlefield, but not Faizullah Khan, an Afghan chieftain who became the first Nawab of Rampur. His artistic and literary contribution is what makes this library one of the best in the world. He donated his collection of rare and priceless manuscripts, books, and several artworks.
The Rampur Raza Library & Museum is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It has 17,000 manuscripts and 60,000 rare books in different languages on display. During the holy month, rare copies of the Holy Quran are displayed on leather, cloth, copper, and handmade paper.
This library attracts tourists not just for the books but the pictures of sultans and thousands of rare specimens of calligraphy. This palace-like library also houses an incredible collection of Indian and Asian works, which attracts scholars and researchers from all around the world.
3. Abbey Library of Saint Gall
If you love books and libraries, then you would love to visit the St Gallen Abbey Library in Switzerland. This is considered the best library in Europe, with its intricate moldings, Baroque touches, Rococo art, and over 17,000 books on display.
This library is magical, and the smell of the books and wood only adds to the experience. This library has 34 windows, so a visit on a rainy day doesn’t diminish its beauty at all. It’s also one room, so within 30 minutes, you would have gone through everywhere in this library. The book collection here, with books acquired over 12 centuries, is the largest in Switzerland.
You can go on daily tours in this library to see the various exhibitions, which are regularly changed, including the 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy. It also holds one of the most important collections in the world, including the first example of an architectural plan on parchment. But first, you have to remove the book from your face and explore this beautiful library.
4. Mafra National Palace Library
When you’re asked to imagine classic fairytale libraries, what comes to your mind? Intricately carved wooden shelves? Sweeping arched ceiling? The Mafra Palace Library has all these and more. You can take a tour of its fairytale rooms to explore its carefully preserved books.
From the moment you enter this beautiful library, you’ll be captivated by its beauty and history. This library even has a royal collection of 120 16th-century leather-bound books. Most of the rare books are rumored to have been bound by monks in the monastery.
Although it is one of the oldest and best libraries in the world, it also has a weird side. Unlike other libraries, bats are used to control pests and ensure the ancient books are in the best condition. But all these add to the charm of this library cos where else have you seen this ancient method of book conservation?
5. Strahov Monastery Library
Prague is known for its many gigantic and beautiful buildings but few can compare to the Strahov Monastery. If we are going to be honest, you won’t just find one but two libraries inside the monastery, beautifully decorated and filled with ancient and valuable books.
This beautiful library has ceilings covered with beautifully painted frescoes, so don’t forget to look up. Once you enter the Strahov Library, you’ll be directed to the Philosophical Hall, which was recently added to accommodate the ever-growing books.
Next, you’ll be taken to the Theological Hall, which is the older and more elaborate library.
With over 20,000 book collections, you’ll even find different editions of the Bible and its components on display.
6. Wiblingen Abbey Library
Did you know that one of the most beautiful libraries in the world is found inside a historic monastery in Germany? This library can pass as a royal palace with its frescoes, painted statues, and Rococo architecture.
The painted statues look like they are made of porcelain but are in fact carved and painted wood. Each statue represents Faith, History, Jurisprudence, Natural Science, Mathematics, Obedience, Prayer, and Renunciation of the World. This library used to have over 15,000 books but most were either stolen or relocated.
The Wiblingen Abbey is so famous cos of its beautiful baroque library located in the upper floors of the monastery. Walking through here feels like you’re a character in a Disney movie or you’re Belle, exploring the library in Beauty and the Beast.
7. Trinity College Library
Located in the middle of Trinity College, this beautiful library is one of the favorite buildings of the university. You can find some of Ireland’s treasures here, including the Book of Kells, the Book of Durrow, and the Brian Boru harp, the model for the Guinness drink logo.
This room is one of the biggest libraries stretching over 65 meters with its arched windows, spiraling staircases, and long ladders. At first, it was built to house the expanding collection of books, but now it has become the magnificent structure we know today.
Most times, there’s a queue just to see this artistic heritage but it’s worth it. Inside, you’ll find several volumes of journals, manuscripts, maps, and music from over 400 years. The library also serves as a university library, a research library, and a government library.
8. The Black Diamond
This beautiful library is nicknamed the Black Diamond for its shiny, irregular facets on the outside that reflect the sea and the sky. Inside this building, you’ll find a small bookshop, a cafe, a restaurant, a concert and theater hall, and the National Museum of Photography.
In the building, you can also see philosopher Søren Kierkegaard’s manuscripts, which are kept safely in the Royal Library’s Søren Kierkegaard Archive. However, you may not be allowed to enter cos only a few people have access to this manuscript collection.
The Black Diamond also doubles as the Royal Danish Library’s cultural center, hosting events all through the year. It’s free, so you can enter and make use of the library, cafe, and shop, and attend the cultural festivities.
9. Bishan Public Library
In 2025, it’s still crazy that some people only think about books and studies when they hear the word “library”. But what they don’t know is that libraries now include exhibitions, events, and workspaces. At least, that’s what Bishan Public Library in Singapore is all about.
This treehouse library has been revamped into a comfortable space where you can relax, read, and work. The chairs here are so comfortable, and other features like the book sections, clubs, water coolers, toilets, computers, film house, and cafes are all to make sure you feel comfortable.
Recently, Bishan Community Library has been listed as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It can now be mentioned in the same category as Dublin’s Trinity College Library and Admont Abbey Library.
10. George Peabody Library
We won’t lie to you; Europe is filled with several historic and beautiful libraries, but one of the most beautiful libraries in the world can be found in Baltimore, Maryland. From its picture, you won’t be able to tell how big this library really is, but it is the biggest library in Maryland.
George Peabody Library is a popular spot for book lovers and it’s free to enter. If you want a stunning and unique wedding location, you can host your wedding here. Just take your time to admire the Greco-Roman-revival columns and detailings in gold leaf.
This library has a collection of over 300,000 volumes of 18th and 19th-century books, some are by Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville. You can browse through several books on religion, British art, science, geography, literature, and American history.
11. Royal Library of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
There are beautiful old libraries, and then there is the Royal Library of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This may not be the oldest surviving library, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful.
Like most old European libraries, it began as a monastery and was known for its beautiful frescoes before it became a library in 1584. It’s packed with globes, armillary spheres, artworks, handwritten manuscripts, and over 40,000 books on display.
In medieval times, this was the first library to display its manuscripts and books on shelves along the wall. This was done so readers could see the titles of the books without causing damage by bringing them out. The books and manuscripts here cover everything from philosophy to politics to poetry, written in different languages.
12. Royal Portuguese Reading Room
The addition of the word “royal” befitting of this beautiful library in Rio de Janeiro cos it is truly fit for a king or queen. The outside is amazing but not as attractive as the interior dark wood arches, stained windows, and blue ceilings.
This isn’t your average library; in fact, it is one of the biggest libraries in the world. Once you enter inside, you’ll be surrounded by towering shelves of books. As a book lover, you can spend all day browsing from over 350,000 books on display.
The books on display include rare original manuscripts, significant literary works, and unique folios. This library holds one of the largest collections of Portuguese and Brazilian culture, making it a bridge between both countries.
13. Vennesla Library
Not all beautiful libraries in Europe with baroque windows were built in the past, at least not this Norwegian library. Vennesla Library, built in 2011, is an elegant modern space that gives us a glimpse of what libraries could look like in the future.
This library is combined with the Vennesla Culture House to serve the people of Vennesla. It includes a cafe, open meeting places, and a small stage. This library uses wooden ribs and lighting to ensure that it is always bright and welcoming.
This library might be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, but it has received lots of criticism for lacking functionality. The library is mostly used to take good pictures and is not to be read in like other regular libraries.
Conclusion
These libraries might seem so different but they have one thing in common their beauty and attraction for book lovers. Some of the beautiful libraries on this list are libraries of various institutions, while others are castle-like royal libraries.
Some of these libraries are stuck in the past while others give us a glimpse of the modern world with its innovative designs. No matter what, as long as you love books, you’ll love them. So calling all book lovers in the world, plan your next itinerary and add these libraries for your next trip.
