At first glance, a library; in reality, one of the most interesting modern buildings in Mexico City.

The Biblioteca Vasconcelos has earned the nickname ‘mega-library’ and, following its opening in 2006, immediately became an architectural icon of the city.

The main attraction is the seemingly endless rows of shelves suspended several storeys high, making the interior resemble a scene from a sci-fi film rather than a public library.

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A library you won’t forget

What impressed us most was the main hall with shelves suspended several storeys high.

It looks interesting in the photos, but in reality it looks even more monumental.

As we walked between the different levels, we felt as though we were in a modern museum rather than a library.

If you enjoy photographing architecture, you’ll probably spend more time here than you originally planned.

Is it worth a visit?

If you only have two or three days in Mexico City, I’d recommend Teotihuacán, Chapultepec or the historic centre instead.

However, if you’re spending more time in the city and looking for something a bit off the beaten track, the Biblioteca Vasconcelos is definitely worth a visit.

For us, it was one of the most interesting modern buildings we saw in Mexico City.

We managed to see it all in 30 minutes.

Admission and opening hours

It is open daily, including weekends, from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm.

There is no charge for entry to the library – admission is free.

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