What's the best way to see Biblioteca Nacional?

According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Biblioteca Nacional: Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires (From C$13.59) Electric Scooter Tour: North Buenos Aires (From C$53.00) Private Historical Tour of Argentinian Writers in Buenos Aires (From C$203.84) Highlights of BA by Bike - Part two - (From C$44.85) Private Historical Tour of Argentinian Writers in Buenos Aires (From C$207.29)

What hotels are near Biblioteca Nacional?

Hotels near Biblioteca Nacional: (0.17 km) Up Recoleta Hotel (0.17 km) Alta Piazza (0.17 km) Beautiful apartment with french balcony. (0.19 km) Recoleta Square (0.42 km) Sileo Hotel View all hotels near Biblioteca Nacional on Tripadvisor

What restaurants are near Biblioteca Nacional?

Restaurants near Biblioteca Nacional: (0.17 km) Síntesis Tapas Asiaticas (0.09 km) Invernadero (0.20 km) Tupe Parrilla (0.20 km) Starbucks (0.21 km) Pizza Cero View all restaurants near Biblioteca Nacional on Tripadvisor

BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

#138 of 998 things to do in Buenos Aires

Libraries

12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Monday

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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About

This huge, modern National Library stores a massive volume of books and offers a spectacular view of Buenos Aires from its reading rooms on the top two stories.

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The area

Neighbourhood: Recoleta

Characterised by the French-style mansions which are the legacy of its aristocratic past, Recoleta is the true “Paris of the South.” Walking around this neighbourhood is an experience like no other in Buenos Aires: its streets are lined with elegant apartment buildings, exclusive boutiques, and former mansions turned into high-end hotels and embassies, which exude an alluring air of sophistication and class. You'll also find a rich cultural scene centred on the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Library, and the Recoleta Cultural Center; as well as some great shopping spots, like the Buenos Aires Design Mall with an artists' fair set up in Plaza Francia every weekend.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

4.0

310 reviews

Excellent

110

Very good

125

Average

53

Poor

12

Terrible

10

David P

Kyiv, Ukraine1 contribution

Don’t waste your time here

Dec. 2022 • Solo

I recommend do not enter, the personnel is just rude and there aren’t books. It’s a sad reflex of how the public sector is just a mess.

I took some pictures from OUTSIDE and the security came to stop me. Damn is a library not an police station or something.

Written January 26, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

averastravels

New York City, NY79 contributions

Took me back in time!

Apr. 2022

We had an opportunity to visit the exhibit on the 40th anniversary of the The Falkland Islands (Las Islas Malvinas) war, as well as an exhibit on Gauchos' everyday life! Quite a learning experience for a young history teacher traveling with us.

Written July 13, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Goal100Countries

Cheltenham, UK615 contributions

Breathtaking Views

Mar. 2019

The National library of Argentina is absolutely huge. It is not my favourite library in the city due to the fact that it isn't very aesthetic from the outside and it looks old and worn. Despite this, the interior is quite the opposite and there are some very modern aspects to the place. The most notable mention however, is found on the top floor which is a communal study space and offers stunning views of the city.

Written December 15, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julie L

1 contribution

Don't bother going unless you have your passport

Jun. 2019 • Friends

We were told we just needed "documentos" but after waiting in a long line to get in, we were told that our US Drivers license wasn't good enough, nor was a picture of our passports. We always leave our passports in our hotel when traveling, and other places accept a picture of the passport. The entrance staff was very rude to us, even though my friend is fluent in Spanish (being from Spain). Plus the building is just ugly, like our city hall in Boston which is in the same "Brutalist" style. Don't bother.

Written June 29, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dereck Iplan

3 contributions

Good

Apr. 2019 • Solo

It is a place that is not essential to go if you are going to be a few days in Buenos Aires.
They must do a lot of silence that many people spend concentrating for their exams. :)

Written May 2, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adriana P

Pembroke Pines, FL888 contributions

Such an interesting building

Aug. 2018 • Solo

I visited this building at the request of my father, who is an avid architect and lover of all modern looking buildings.
It was very interesting; such a beautiful structure with straight edges and sharp corners. I though the security guards were a bit harassing and didn't like that I was taking so many pictures.
I noticed the building maintenance is a bit poor as many of the walls were dirty and could be cleaned better considering Clorindo Testa (the architect who designed the building) is one of the most famous and important architects in Argentina. I felt his memory could be better honored if the building were kept clean and better maintained.

Written August 19, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SEs

London, UK25,876 contributions

Books

May 2018 • Friends

This is a very good place to visit if you are interested in books specially Spanish. The building is modern.You can spend about half hour here if you have time.

Written May 24, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter

Antwerp, Belgium8,203 contributions

Military style surveillance

Mar. 2018 • Solo

Functional, huge concrete, steel and glass building. Only floor 1 and a part of floor 5 are open for visitors. The security guards are very rigid with an air of importance. Gabriel Garcia Marquez would have been amused.

Written March 22, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dfgasser

San Juan, Puerto Rico22 contributions

Celebrating the Magic of 100 Years of Solitude

Aug. 2017

From August to December 2017, you can visit the Biblioteca Nacional to see a free exposition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the publication of Gabriel García Marquez's masterpiece of magical realism, 100 Years of Solitude. You can hear a recording of García Marquez reading the first chapter of the book. You can see his Nobel prize, awarded in 1982. You can even see his typewriter. There are reproductions of the covers of the book in translation from many corners of the world.
The building itself is monolithic, stark and very interesting. It was designed by Clorindo Testa, Francisco Bullrich and Alicia Cazzaniga. Construction began in 1971 but the building was finished and inaugurated in 1992. It occupies the piece of land that was formerly the presidential residence, destroyed in 1955. Evita died here and there are comparative plaques in the entrance of the building.
There are other exposition areas in the entry foyer.

Written August 15, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jess L

2 contributions

Amazing guided tour

Jun. 2016 • Solo

I took the Thursday tour with Susan. This woman knows so many things, and she knows how to communicate her passion! I didnt expect it to be, but this tour will remain one of my favorite experience in the city. She made want to read and learn so much more. I took hundreds of tours in my life, but this one I'm sure i won't forget.

Written June 30, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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