Biblioteca Vasconcelos — Attraction in Mexico City

This library is awesome, when they first built it the people were upset as to why there was so much money spent on it. But once you visit, you know it is very different than others. The floors are made of glass, and everything else is made of steel. As you walk in you go thru metal detectors and they will not let you go upstairs with a backpack, but you can leave it without charge in the middle of the common area in the first floor. When I visited, there was a Chinese exhibition, they were still setting up the details but it looked cool. From every angle you can see the beauty of the structure and how it was well built. On the top floor there is a relaxing area so you can sit and read. There are also computers for you to use. And if you want some fresh air, you can either walk out from the top floor to a balcony and see the surrounding neighborhood. There are plenty of books to look around and if you need help the people are friendly and helpful. I really liked the overall experience.

This is a place to visit, the neighborhood to the east of it is not the best but to the west side of it there is a mall where you can eat shop and it is the terminal for the bus as well...

I had been meaning to visit this library for a while, and I’m glad I finally did.

The architecture is a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it situation—pure brutalism—but it definitely leaves an impression. It feels somewhere between a warehouse and Hogwarts. You can check the photos and see for yourself.

Inside, there are exhibitions; this time, there was something related to feminism, probably because March 8 had just passed.

On a more practical note, you can actually sit down and read, use the internet, or even watch TV. However, many couples treat this place more like a lounge, making out and sprawling across the sofas.

Beyond the library itself, there are balconies on each level with access to a garden, and the garden itself is overgrown with fragrant flowers. For some reason, there aren’t many fragrant flowers in Mexico City…

No requirements to enter—just walk in.

If you want to take photos with a professional camera, you need a permit. It’s free and can be obtained on the spot, but you’ll need...

★★★★★ One of the most breathtaking libraries I’ve ever visited

Biblioteca Vasconcelos is an architectural masterpiece. It gave me a brutalist vibe with its exposed concrete, steel, and massive scale—but softened by how much natural light pours through the glass and open structure. There’s something surreal about walking into a space so vast and quiet, with endless stairs, suspended walkways, and floating metal bookshelves that almost feel like they’re part of a futuristic sculpture.

Designed by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach and opened in 2006, the library was meant to symbolize knowledge as a living, growing structure—and you feel that as you explore it. Every corner invites you to sit, read, or reflect. It’s not just a place for books, it’s a place for ideas and inspiration. The scale is overwhelming in the best way.

Highly recommend stopping here even if you’re not planning to read—just walking through it is an experience. Bring a journal, bring your camera, bring...