The best libraries to study in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Bilbao

At Vanguard we understand that to feel happy in your flat, you need to feel happy in your city. That's why we make sure you know where to go to study and meet people. Although the concept of a library may not sound very exciting, it is a key place where a student spends most of his or her time. That's why in this blog we're going to give you a little tour of the best libraries in your city.

Best libraries in Barcelona

Biblioteca García Márquez

This library stands out for its architecture. It has won the award for “Best Public Library in the World” and the “City of Barcelona Architecture Award”.

Location: Treball, 219

Biblioteca de Catalunya

If you are looking for a historic place to spend your time, the Biblioteca de Catalunya has almost 100 years of history and a collection of 3 million copies, 20,000 manuscripts and 500,000 letters.

Location: Hospital, 56

Biblioteca Francesca Bonnemaison

For history, the Francesca Bonnemaison Library. This was the first European library to allow access to women.

Location: C/ de Sant Pere Més Baix, 7.

Biblioteca de Semillas

If you are bored of studying and you are passionate about agriculture, you can go to this “library”, where you can create your own vegetable garden.

Location: Elisa Moragas i Badia, 16-34, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi

Biblioteca Arús

For those who are passionate about research, this library is a “must go”. They have a collection dedicated to Freemasonry, the labor movement, anarchism, and the universe of Sherlock Holmes.

Location: Pg. de St. Joan, 26

Find the best library in Bilbao

Biblioteca central de Bidebarrieta

Appreciated as a cultural treasure and located in the Old Town of Bilbao, this library combines its architectural splendor with all kinds of services, from the most traditional to the most modern.

Location: C. Bidebarrieta Kalea, 4

Begoñako Liburutegia Biblioteca

For a wide range of services, the Begoñako Liburutegia Library. Everything you can look for in a library can be found here. If you come, you won't lack anything.

Location: Calle Club Deportivoren, Zirko Amateurraren, 2.

Biblioteca de San Francisco

This library is not located in the United States but in the San Francisco neighborhood of Bilbao. In addition to being in a very good area, the library provides ample space for study, a large catalog of books and a wide variety of cultural and artistic activities.

Location: Mariaren Bihotza Plaza, s/n

Biblioteca Foral de Bizkaia

Founded in 2007, it is the least veteran library we have talked about so far. It stands out for its more than interesting Researchers' Room and has a system of alerts for users called Dialnet.

Location: Diputazio Kalea, 7

Biblioteca Universitaria de Deusto

Another young library is the Deusto University Library, founded in 2009, which focuses on research and learning. Many university students use it to gather information for their projects.

Location: Ramón Rubial Kalea, 1

The best libraries of Madrid

Escuelas Pías

To study and enjoy a relic that belongs to the UNED there is no better place than the library of the Escuela Pías. Although it reopened in 2021, the old hermitage, from which it was born, has existed since the early eighteenth century and will leave you impressed.

Location: Calle del Tribulete, 14

Biblioteca Eugenio Trías

If you are a person who loves to study while enjoying the views, this place is ideal for you. It is a library overlooking the Retiro Park, where it is impossible not to find inspiration.

Location: Paseo Fernán Núñez, 24 (junto a la Casa de Fieras de El Retiro)

Biblioteca Nacional de España

This library is not designed to study with your own material, but there is no lack of material. Here they keep copies of all the books that have been published in Spain. It is highly recommended for those who are passionate about reading.

Location: Paseo de Recoletos, 20-22 (Barrio de Salamanca)

Biblioteca del Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España

What stands out about the library of the Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España is its modern coliseum shape. It is a modern building in which studying is undoubtedly a pleasure.

Location: Calle Pintor el Greco, 4 (Ciudad Universitaria)

Biblioteca Pedro Salinas

The Pedro Salinas Library is probably the best place to study. It has 219 reading places and extended opening hours, which increase during exam periods.

Location: Glorieta de la Puerta de Toledo, 1 (Puerta de Toledo)

Discover the best libraries in Valencia

Biblioteca Pública de Valencia - Pilar y Faus

Formerly a hospital, today it is one of the libraries with the most abundant lending network in Valencia. It has the added value of being able to delve into Valencian history thanks to the remains of the old hospital that still surround the library.

Location: Carrer de l’Hospital, 13.

Biblioteca Valenciana - San Miguel de los Reyes

The Valencian Library - San Miguel de los Reyes stands out for its research and study facilities.

Location: Avinguda de la Constitució, 284.

Biblioteca Constantí Llombart

Formula 1 fans are especially excited about this center. From its large window you can see the circuit that brought so much joy to Valencia. In addition, it is modern and very well suited to the needs of students.

Location: C/ del Dr. J.J. Dòmine, 16

Biblioteca de Ciències Socials “Greogori Maians”

The remarkable thing about this library is how they prioritize students above all else. When you are in exam time the library closes its doors so that university students can study in peace. Added to this is its beautiful interior design.

Location: Pl. Manuel Broseta I Pont. Campus Tarongers.

Biblioteca del MuVIM

The last library we are going to talk about is one of the most peculiar. It is located in a museum and prioritizes research and dissemination with a clear focus on modern thought.

Location: C/ de Quevedo, 10.

If you are coming to study in Barcelona and you do not like to study at home, at Vanguard Student Housing we recommend you go to these libraries, because apart from being excellent places to study, they are also places where you meet a lot of people and make friends for life.

For more information on where to go and where to have a good time in your city, follow our blog and stay connected with Vanguard Student Housing