The best libraries to work and study in Madrid, according to Reddit
The 4 libraries to work and study in Madrid that people on Reddit named as places they worked from, led by Biblioteca Reina Sofía, Biblioteca Iván de Vargas and Biblioteca Municipal Ana Maria Matute. The 6 after them are our own picks, by work score, to make 10.
Ranked by how many Reddit threads name the place as somewhere to work, then by work score. Quoted as written, linked to the thread. One branch per chain.
01Biblioteca Reina Sofía
library2 Ronda de AtochaWork 100
Te recomiendo la biblioteca del Reina Sofía, es impresionante y no pilla muy lejos de la BNE. Puedes llevar portátil y lo que sea, lo único que te tienes que hacer carnet
r/MadridDecember 2023 02Biblioteca Iván de Vargas
libraryCalle de San Justo, 5Work 94
Cafe Gosto, panaria, biblioteca Ivan de Vargas (if you can get the wifi to work), acid cafe or acid bake house, ambu coffee, nomade cafe.
r/MadridMarch 2023mixed 03Biblioteca Municipal Ana Maria Matute
libraryC. Cortada, 1Work 94
Mi biblioteca favorita en Madrid es la de Ana María Matute (está por Marqués de Vadillo, L5). No necesitas carné, siempre puedes encontrar un sitio para trabajar cómodamente y las vistas son geniales.
r/MadridDecember 2023 04Biblioteca Nacional de España
library20-22 Paseo de RecoletosWork 82
The Biblioteca Nacional de España is the national library of Spain. It is the largest public library in the country, and one of the largest in the world. Founded in 1711, it is an autonomous agency attached to the Ministry of Culture since 1990.
Portátil sí, pero tienes que registrarlo. Agua/comida, no (hay una cafetería). Móvil sí, pero solo para sacar fotos de libros. No puedes llevar libros. Es posible reservar y guardar libros
r/MadridDecember 2023mixed
Our picks
Reddit named 4. These are the next best by work score, one branch per chain.
05Biblioteca Pública Municipal Eugenio Trías
library24 Paseo de Fernán NúñezWork 100
Access to Madrid's public libraries is open and free, which means that to go into them and sit and study you do not need to obtain a library card.
NYU Madrid MarginaliaSeptember 2025 06Biblioteca Pública Municipal Mario Vargas Llosa
library4 Calle de BarcelóWi‑FiWork 100
Without fees and registration-free with not so much as showing your passport.
FlatioApril 2022 07Biblioteca Pública Municipal San Fermín
library10 Avenida de San Fermín★ 4.4Wi‑FiWork 100
Biblioteca Pública Municipal San Fermín is a public library in the Usera neighbourhood of Madrid. Reviewers describe it as clean and quiet, with comfortable temperature control.
08Municipal Public Library Pío Baroja
library12 Calle de Arganda★ 4.1Wi‑FiWork 100
Municipal Public Library Pío Baroja is a public library in Madrid's Arganzuela neighbourhood. Reviewers mention it has a good collection of books and a study room with air conditioning. The space attracts regular visitors seeking a quiet place to work.
09Biblioteca Tomás Navarro Tomás
library26-28 Calle de Albasanz★ 3.6PowerWork 100
Biblioteca Tomás Navarro Tomás is a humanities research library in Madrid's San Blas-Canillejas neighbourhood, housed in the CSIC Centre for Human and Social Sciences. The reading room is spacious and quiet, with comfortable workstations.
10Biblioteca Pública de Carabanchel 'Luis Rosales'
library7-9 Calle de Antonia Rodríguez SacristánWi‑FiWork 100
Quoted from the Reddit threads linked, which are not ours. If a quote is yours and you would rather it were not here, email us and it comes down.