Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Libraries

Qatar National Library

Doha, Qatar

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST LIBRARIES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 3 2026

Top 10No. 1 in the Middle East

Qatar National Library

A national library in Doha, designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA and opened in 2018. Inside, one continuous reading space has shelves that double as walls, with natural light and a Heritage Library of manuscripts, maps and old photographs.

Highlights

  • Heritage Library
  • Open-plan reading floors
  • Shelves folding into walls

Good to know

  • Free registration; borrow up to six books
  • Closes at 8 PM
  • Study rooms can be booked

Also in the Middle East

  1. Bibliotheca Alexandrina N° 20 Bibliotheca Alexandrina Alexandria, Egypt National library
  2. Mohammed bin Rashid Library N° 22 Mohammed bin Rashid Library Dubai, United Arab Emirates Public library
  3. Jondi Shapour Library N° 61 Jondi Shapour Library Tehran, Iran Public library
  4. Ithra Library N° 95 Ithra Library Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Public library