In our modern world, it’s easy to take access to information for granted. With a smartphone in hand, we can summon any book, article, or archive within seconds. But history—and culture—remind us that knowledge wasn’t always this immediate. For centuries, people traveled long distances to reach centers of learning, whether it was a desert outpost preserving fragile manuscripts or a monastery safeguarding sacred texts. Even today, some libraries remain off the beaten path, requiring determination, patience, and curiosity to visit.

These libraries you have to travel to reach are more than places to borrow books. They are living museums, cultural strongholds, and testaments to humanity’s devotion to preserving wisdom. They tell stories not just through the volumes on their shelves but through the landscapes they inhabit, the journeys they demand, and the communities they serve.

From the sands of Mauritania to the mountaintops of Greece, from a donkey’s back in Colombia to the ancient walls of Egypt’s Sinai desert, each of these libraries offers something unique. They aren’t just destinations—they’re pilgrimages. Visiting them means stepping into centuries of history while experiencing the thrill of discovery.

In the sections that follow, we’ll dive deep into some of the most extraordinary remote libraries, exploring what makes each one special, how to reach it, and why it’s worth the effort.
 

The Desert Libraries of Chinguetti, Mauritania
 

Chinguetti, a remote town in the heart of the Sahara Desert, is often referred to as the “City of Libraries.” Once a bustling center for trans-Saharan trade and a key stop for pilgrims traveling to Mecca, the town’s most enduring legacy lies in its manuscript libraries. These family-run collections, some dating back to the 9th century, hold texts on Islamic law, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and poetry.

The manuscripts are fragile, handwritten on parchment or camel skin, and have survived largely because of the desert’s dry climate. Families in Chinguetti have safeguarded them for generations, passing down the responsibility of preservation as a sacred duty. For travelers, stepping inside one of these libraries is like stepping into another era. You’ll often find the descendants of these guardians personally showing visitors the manuscripts, explaining their importance, and sharing stories of how knowledge was once transmitted across Africa and beyond.

Reaching Chinguetti is no simple feat. The town lies deep in the Mauritanian desert, accessible by 4x4 journeys across vast sand dunes or by camel caravans for those seeking a truly traditional route. The harsh journey adds to the sense of awe once you arrive. Standing in a mud-brick library surrounded by centuries-old manuscripts feels almost surreal.

Travel Tip: Travelers should go with a trusted local guide, not only for safety but to better understand the cultural and historical significance of what they’re seeing. Be prepared for limited facilities—Chinguetti is remote and rustic—but that’s part of its charm. If you’re passionate about history, this is a once-in-a-lifetime destination.
 

Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Puebla, Mexico
 

While not buried in sand or perched on a cliff, the Biblioteca Palafoxiana in Puebla, Mexico, earns its place on this list because of its immense historical importance. Founded in 1646 by Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, it is recognized by UNESCO as the first public library in the Americas. The bishop donated 5,000 volumes from his personal collection to establish the library, believing knowledge should be available to anyone who sought it—a radical idea at the time.

Today, the library houses over 45,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts, incunabula (books printed before 1501), and early maps. The building itself is breathtaking: rows of intricately carved wooden shelves, vaulted ceilings, and a serene atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re stepping back into the 17th century.

Travelers who make the journey to Puebla often do so not just for the library but for the city itself. Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its colonial architecture, colorful Talavera tiles, and rich culinary traditions. A trip to Biblioteca Palafoxiana becomes part of a larger cultural experience—visiting the library is like unlocking a deeper understanding of Puebla’s history and role in shaping intellectual life in the Americas.

Travel Tip: Puebla is easily accessible from Mexico City by bus or car, making it a convenient day trip or weekend getaway. Pair your library visit with local culinary explorations—try the famous mole poblano or chiles en nogada. While the library is open to the public, guided tours can enhance your appreciation of its treasures.
 

The Monastery Libraries of Meteora, Greece
 

High above the plains of Thessaly in central Greece, the monasteries of Meteora appear to defy gravity, perched on massive sandstone pillars. These monasteries, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, became spiritual sanctuaries for monks seeking isolation from the world. Inside their walls lie small but invaluable libraries that house religious manuscripts, codices, and historical documents.

Getting to Meteora is an adventure in itself. The monasteries were deliberately built in inaccessible places to protect against invasions. Originally, monks reached them using ladders or nets hoisted up cliffs. Today, stone stairways and winding paths make the ascent easier, but the sense of awe remains. Climbing up to these monasteries, with sweeping views of valleys and distant mountains, feels like a pilgrimage—physical exertion matched by spiritual reward.

The libraries themselves are modest compared to national archives, but their significance is immense. Many of the manuscripts were painstakingly copied by hand, preserving Orthodox Christian thought, philosophy, and history during times when Europe was marked by war and upheaval. For bibliophiles, the experience is about context: reading rooms tucked into centuries-old monasteries high above the earth emphasize the lengths humanity has gone to protect knowledge.

Travel Tip: Meteora is best visited from the nearby town of Kalambaka, which offers accommodations and guided tours. Visit in spring or autumn when the weather is mild and the crowds are fewer. Remember that the monasteries are active religious sites—dress modestly and respect the monks’ traditions.
 

The Village Library of Hay-on-Wye, Wales
 

On the border of England and Wales lies Hay-on-Wye, a town famous worldwide as the “town of books.” With over 20 bookstores, many specializing in rare and second-hand editions, it has become a pilgrimage site for book lovers. But beyond the shops, the village library itself holds a central role in the community, embodying the town’s literary spirit.

Traveling to Hay-on-Wye is part of the appeal—it’s not on the main tourist trail, requiring a detour through winding country roads and rolling hills. Once you arrive, the entire town feels like a living library. Even the ruins of Hay Castle house bookshelves, and open-air “honesty libraries” let visitors pick up books by leaving coins in a box.

The library here may not rival the Vatican or Chinguetti in age or rarity, but it represents something equally powerful: a community built entirely around a love of books. Each May, the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts transforms the town into a global literary hub, attracting authors, poets, and readers from around the world. The village library, along with the festival, reminds us that access to stories and ideas is as much about community as it is about preservation.

Travel Tip: To make the most of your visit, plan around the Hay Festival (late May to early June). Accommodations fill up quickly, so book early. If visiting outside festival season, enjoy the charm of browsing countless second-hand bookshops and the library itself, which reflects the town’s unique character.
 

The Biblioburro of Colombia
 

Few libraries are as inspiring—or as unconventional—as the Biblioburro, a mobile library created by Colombian teacher Luis Soriano. In the late 1990s, Soriano began loading books onto his donkeys, Alfa and Beto, and trekking into rural villages where children had little or no access to reading material. For many of these children, the Biblioburro is their first introduction to the joy of books.

Traveling with the Biblioburro is not about visiting a building—it’s about experiencing the journey itself. Soriano traverses rugged paths and remote countryside, bringing not just books but hope, education, and imagination to underserved communities. His work has inspired documentaries, international recognition, and similar initiatives around the world.

For travelers, engaging with the Biblioburro requires sensitivity and respect. This isn’t a tourist attraction but a grassroots educational effort. Those who have accompanied Soriano on his routes describe the experience as humbling, watching children’s faces light up at the arrival of books. The Biblioburro is proof that libraries can exist anywhere—even on four hooves—and that access to knowledge is a basic human right worth fighting for.

Travel Tip: If you’re traveling in Colombia, look for community-based tourism programs that connect visitors with educational initiatives like the Biblioburro. Support can come in the form of book donations, funding, or simply spreading awareness. Always approach with respect for the mission rather than treating it as an attraction.
 

The Library of Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai, Egypt
 

At the foot of Mount Sinai, one of the most sacred sites in Christianity, lies Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Built in the 6th century, it has been continuously inhabited for nearly 1,500 years, making it one of the oldest functioning monasteries in the world. Within its walls lies a library that rivals the Vatican in importance, holding the second-largest collection of early manuscripts and codices in the world.

The library’s treasures include early biblical texts, theological works, and classical writings in Greek, Arabic, Syriac, and other languages. Among its most famous holdings was the Codex Sinaiticus, a 4th-century manuscript of the Bible, parts of which are now housed in London. The sheer range and age of the manuscripts here make the library a priceless resource for scholars and a wonder for travelers.

Getting to Saint Catherine’s Monastery is itself a journey. Visitors must travel across the Sinai Peninsula, often by long bus rides or private tours. Many combine the trip with a night hike up Mount Sinai to watch the sunrise, an experience that feels both physically demanding and spiritually rewarding. Once inside the monastery, visitors encounter an atmosphere of deep history and devotion, where the library stands as a testament to centuries of preservation.

Travel Tip: Dress modestly, as the monastery is an active religious site. Combine your visit with the Mount Sinai trek for a truly memorable trip. Be prepared for basic facilities in the surrounding area—this is a pilgrimage, not a luxury getaway.