Finding Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez Barcelona
If a library could feel like part spa and part boutique hotel lobby, then Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez Barcelona has done just that. When I heard it had won a big design award, I immediately opened Google Maps to see where on earth this place was. I’d never stumbled upon it, and no one had ever mentioned it to me. Turns out, I have been very close by without knowing it. The library sits in Sant Martí, tucked directly behind the National ID and Passport Offices. I’d been to that building twice and had no idea this gorgeous library was just steps away.
The library is named after the Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez and specializes in Latin American literature. In 2023 it won the International Federation of Library Associations’ award for Best New Public Library, and it was also nominated for the FAD Awards for Architecture. From the outside, it doesn’t look that big. But once you’re inside and climbing the glass staircases that zigzag upward, you see how the building unfolds. Each level is open, airy, and layered with glass views into the different reading zones.
A Library That Redefines Quiet Luxury
The seating is what makes this library feel different. In the children’s section, oversized floor cushions are scattered around like it’s one giant family room. You could sink in for hours with a pile of books. There are tables and computers for public use, and collaborative corners for small groups. Sheer curtains divide some of the workspaces, creating a little mystery about what projects people are working on behind them.
But my favorite spot is the main reading room. One wall is stacked floor to ceiling with books. Bright green lounge chairs face it like an audience. And if you’re lucky, you’ll grab one of the cocoon swings or even the hammock. It’s the kind of place you walk into and immediately think: I could spend all day here.
One of the best details about Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez is that it’s part of Barcelona’s Climate Shelter Network. This means that during the worst heat of summer, the library stays open and cool. In August, when the city feels like it’s melting, it becomes a refuge. (Truth be told, I had no idea this was even a thing until I learned it from Barcelona International Welcome)
Other Barcelona Libraries Worth Visiting
One thing I love about Barcelona’s public libraries is that they’re not just about books. Many, including Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez, are part of the city’s Climate Shelter Network, which means they stay open and cool during the worst of the summer heat. In August, when the city feels like it’s melting, these spaces become a refuge — a place to work, read, or just take a breather. (Truth be told I had no idea this was even a thing until I learned about it from .)
If this visit inspires you to see more, Barcelona has plenty of libraries with personality. Biblioteca Jaume Fuster near Plaça Lesseps is another award-winning design, all sharp glass and angles. The historic Biblioteca de Catalunya in Raval is set inside a 15th-century hospital. Biblioteca Sagrada Família sits right in the shadow of Gaudí’s masterpiece. And Biblioteca Sant Pau-Santa Creu, one of the oldest, is tucked into a former convent. Each space feels different, and all of them are free and open to anyone.
These libraries are more than just places to check out books. They’re true community spaces. You can read, work, cool off in the summer, or just take a break from the chaos of city life. To me, that’s what makes Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez Barcelona so special. It’s not just another library. It’s a reminder that in a city that can feel busy and crowded at times, there are still quiet, beautiful spaces that belong to everyone.
