The World’s 100 Best Libraries · 2026
The Best Libraries in the Middle East
5 of the 100 libraries in The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026 are in the Middle East, in 5 countries. The highest placed is Qatar National Library in Doha, Qatar, at number 3 in the world. Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt (number 20) and Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (number 22) follow.
Gulf
Qatar National Library in Doha, by OMA, opened in 2018; its shelves stand in one continuous space. The Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai is shaped like an open book and has seven floors. Ithra Library is inside the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran.
Egypt and Iran
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina stands on the seafront of Alexandria near the site of the ancient library. Jondi Shapour Library is on the second floor of Iran Mall in Tehran.
Libraries
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N° 3
Qatar National Library
Doha, Qatar
National library
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N° 20
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Alexandria, Egypt
National library -
N° 22
Mohammed bin Rashid Library
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Public library -
N° 61
Jondi Shapour Library
Tehran, Iran
Public library -
N° 95
Ithra Library
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Public library
Best by region
- The NordicsDeichman BjørvikaOslo, NorwayN° 2
- EuropeState Hall of the Austrian National LibraryVienna, AustriaN° 1
- AsiaIshikawa Prefectural LibraryKanazawa, JapanN° 18
- The Middle EastQatar National LibraryDoha, QatarN° 3
- North AmericaSeattle Central LibrarySeattle, United StatesN° 10
- Latin AmericaRoyal Portuguese Cabinet of ReadingRio de Janeiro, BrazilN° 14
- OceaniaState Library VictoriaMelbourne, AustraliaN° 12