After two months of passionate voting, the global book-loving community has delivered their verdict on the world’s most stunning libraries.
In May 2025, the 1000 Libraries Awards team nominated 20 exceptional libraries for their outstanding work in keeping the magic of books alive in 2025. From May 15th to July 15th, we asked the 1000 Libraries community to vote for the ones they found the most beautiful in the largest global competition of its kind.
Over 60 days of intense competition, 200,000 votes were recorded and book lovers from all around the world have now spoken. The response was overwhelming—librarians, students, tourists, and literary enthusiasts cast their ballots for the spaces that capture the beauty of libraries old and new.
These places represent the enduring power of the written word in our digital age. Each library that made it to the top represents something unique—whether it’s breathtaking historical architecture, innovative modern design, or simply that intangible quality that makes you want to lose yourself among the stacks.
Here are the 2025 Top 10 World’s Most Beautiful Libraries – as voted by the largest online community of book lovers.
1st Place: The Library of Trinity College Dublin
Voted as the most beautiful library in the world for 2025, the Library of Trinity College Dublin rightfully holds the top spot! It’s little wonder that this library is on this list. Often compared to the Hogwarts library from the Harry Potter books for its enchanting atmosphere, the Library of Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s largest library, housing thousands of rare manuscripts, including the famous 9th-century text known as the Book of Kells.
Its most prominent feature is the Long Room—aptly named at 65 meters—lined with the busts of famous literary figures. It's dark, polished shelves and stately aesthetic give it an aged and dignified atmosphere. It’s easy to see how it could be the source of inspiration for a magical world.
Address: Old Library, College Green, South-East Inner City, Dublin 2, D02 VR66, Ireland
Opening hours:
– Monday: 9:30AM – 4:30PM
– Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 5PM
2nd Place: State Library of South Australia
If you ever want to know what it’s like to have your jaw drop to the floor, take a stroll through the State Library of South Australia—particularly the famous Mortlock Chamber. Though the library as a whole was established in 1836, this particular chamber came a bit later, opening in 1884. It has a gorgeous Victorian design with a long, barrel-vaulted skylight that lends an almost transcendent elegance to this literary space.
Aside from the architecture, the library itself holds a vast collection of documents on South Australian history from pre-colonial times to today. There’s even a nice little café to top off a pleasant visit.
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Opening hours: (Note: Below are the opening hours of Spence Foyer and State Library Gallery. See the official website for hours of other spaces in the library.)
– Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9AM – 5PM
– Tuesday: 9AM – 7PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 12PM – 5PM
3rd Place: Abbey Library of St. Gallen
The Abbey Library of St. Gallen traces its roots to the mid-8th century, when a scriptorium was established to serve the monastery that had grown up on the site where the Irish monk Gallus founded a hermit community in 612. Today, it stands as one of the world’s oldest and most important monastic libraries. Its gleaming wooden interior—crowned by intricate Baroque frescoes completed in 1767—creates an atmosphere both elegant and earthy.
Among the many treasures on display are centuries-old manuscripts and a faithful replica of a 16th-century globe.
Address: Klosterhof 6D, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
4th Place: Duke Humfrey’s Library (University of Oxford)
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Duke Humfrey’s Library, part of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, was established in the 15th century starting with a 281 manuscript donation from Humphrey of Lancaster, the Duke of Gloucester. It is the oldest part of the Bodleian and was built above the Divinity School.
After its manuscript collection was stripped during the Reformation, Duke Humfrey’s Library was revived at the end of the 16th century through the efforts of Sir Thomas Bodley. It now stands proud as a reading room for rare books and manuscripts, retaining its historic oak bookcases and painted ceiling panels.
Address: University of Oxford, Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BG, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 5PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed
5th Place: Admont Abbey Library
The Admont Abbey Library in Austria, completed in 1776, is the world’s largest monastic library and a masterpiece of late Baroque architecture. With a pristine white design and gilded accents, stepping inside this library feels almost like stepping into a sacred painting.
Everywhere you turn in this library, you’ll find intricate and elaborate detail, from colorful frescoes on the ceiling to the artistic reliefs coming out of the walls. It’s also the inspiration for the grand library from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Address: Kirchplatz 1, 8911 Admont, Austria
Opening hours:
March 19 to May & October to December 14:
– Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30AM – 3:30PM
– Monday & Tuesday: Closed
June to September:
– Tuesday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
– Monday: Closed
6th Place: Cuypers Library
Part of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, the Cuypers Library opened in 1885 is the Netherlands’ largest and oldest art history research library, housing around 450,000 volumes. It features austere, neo-Gothic architecture that’s impressive to behold, with skylights that let in plenty of natural sunlight.
During a museum visit, guests can view the library from the balcony in Room 2.16—no reservation needed. For those interested in studying the Rijksmuseum’s collections more closely, on-site access is available by appointment.
Address: Museumpromenade 1, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed
7th Place: State Library Victoria
Established in 1854, State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library and was one of the world’s first free libraries. Showing off a stunning Neo-Classical design, this building makes an impression with Corinthian columns and a grand portico.
Did I mention this library is also massive? It is occupying an entire city block in Melbourne and contains around 23 interconnected buildings huddled together over the past hundred-plus years. The recent Vision 2020 redevelopment also gave the place a new shine, expanding some spaces and modernizing others, blending historic architecture with contemporary design.
Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
8th Place: The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading
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Set in Rio de Janeiro, this stunning Neo-Manueline library holds over 350,000 volumes, including rare first editions and the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside Portugal.
Its design was inspired by Portugal’s 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery, and it features statues of key Portuguese explorers and literary figures. Inside, you can find carved oak galleries, a grand chandelier, and some of the most ornate moldings you’ll ever see in your life, marking the space with a sense of majesty.
Address: R. Luís de Camões, 30 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20051-020, Brazil
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 5PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed
9th Place: Wiblingen Abbey Library
If any architecture buffs out there were wondering what late Baroque and Rococo styles would look like in combination, take a visit to Wiblingen Abbey Library. The interior of the library is alive with vibrant color, incorporating red and blue marble in columns, balconies, balustrades, and banisters. Decked out in gilding and ornate design in exquisite rococo style, it’s honestly heartrendingly gorgeous.
The collection itself contains over 15,000 rare and valuable books, making it a literary treasure on top of being an artistic masterpiece. In addition to its book collection, you can enjoy various art pieces and displays at this library, all within a breathtaking space.
Address: Schloßstraße 38, 89079 Ulm, Germany
Opening hours:
(January 1 to March 14)
- Saturday & Sunday: 12PM - 4PM
- Monday to Friday: Closed
(March 15 to April 6)
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30AM - 4PM
- Monday: Closed
(April 7 to July 31)
- Tuesday to Friday & Sunday: 10:30AM - 4PM
- Saturday: 1PM - 4PM
- Monday: Closed
(August 1 to September 7)
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30AM - 4PM
- Monday: Closed
(September 8 to October 31)
- Tuesday to Friday & Sunday: 10:30AM - 4PM
- Saturday: 1PM - 4PM
- Monday: Closed
(November 1 to December 31)
- Saturday & Sunday: 1PM - 5PM
- Monday to Friday: Closed\
10th Place: Sainte-Geneviève Library
Just across from the Panthéon, the Sainte-Geneviève Library stands as a grand example of innovative 19th-century architecture. Its double-barreled roof is supported by a row of thin iron columns, and the lattice metalwork framing the ceiling offers a delicate beauty to what might otherwise be an imposing sight.
The library isn’t just gorgeous. It houses the Abbey of St. Genevieve’s collection, which dates to the 6th century, making it of significant historic import as well.
Address: 10 Pl. du Panthéon, 75005 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
– Sunday: Closed
