Street art is always something I look out for when I travel. Over the years, I’ve developed a great appreciation for the aesthetics of street art, its often thought-provoking nature and the skill required to produce them. Originally a means to convey social commentaries or political ideas, street art is increasingly used in many places around the world to beautify the surroundings, in some cases becoming popular tourist attractions. As a tribute, here’s my photo collection of street art around the world.
18 street art cities around the world
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
My hometown has loads of fantastic street art scattered throughout the city. You can find some cool pieces in the Jordaan neighbourhood but also in the Noord (North) and West districts of the city. One place you absolutely have to visit in Amsterdam is the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam North (NDSM area). This museum houses huge murals created by artists from around the world in an old industrial warehouse, and is a rich addition to the Amsterdam street art scene.
Read more about street art in Amsterdam. Read further about some of the most photogenic places in Amsterdam or check out my Amsterdam canal photos.
Belfast, United Kingdom
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, has an amazing array of street art. There are those which are a reminder of the city’s tempestuous past but there are also many new murals which adorn the walls in and around the Cathedral Quarter. Check out this Belfast street art tour.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is one of my favourite cities in the world for street art. From the famous ‘The Kiss’ on the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall to the colourful street in Friedrichshain, Berlin is definitely one of the best street art cities in Germany!
Bristol, United Kingdom
The birthplace of Banksy, one of the world’s most famous street artists, Bristol is another of the world’s great street art cities. You can find street art across the city on buildings, alleys and bridges. Or you can go on a street art tour! The annual Upfest, in the Bedminster suburb, during which artists from around the world are invited to create street art on houses and buildings, is a popular attraction. There are also regular street art exhibitions at the Upfest Gallery (198, North Street).
Brussels, Belgium
The capital of Belgium has its fair share of striking street art. You’ll find them all around the city, from the historic centre to the lovely Marolles district and the Midi neighbourhood.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is another city that has fantastic street art. Check out the colourful La Boca district and the vibrant Palermo/Palermo Soho district for some great pieces. There’s also a street art tour of Palermo you can join.
Dresden, Germany
This UNESCO World Heritage city in eastern Germany is famous for its historic Baroque architecture but look around, especially in the Neustadt district and you’ll find lots of cool street art. Read more about things to do in Dresden.
Kaunas, Lithuania
The second-largest city and former capital of Lithuania is a joy to explore – from its historic Old Town to the Art Nouveau architecture in the New Town. Stroll around to discover a plethora of street art, including the colourful Courtyard Gallery in the New Town.
Read further about things to see in Kaunas.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In recent years, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, has started to make a name for itself as a ‘street art city’. Works of art by local and foreign street artists can be found across the city but look out for the beautiful street art in Chinatown.
Read further about things to do in Kuala Lumpur and my stroll around Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
Leipzig, Germany
This city in eastern Germany has been a centre of music and culture for centuries. On a stroll around the city, you’ll pass grand historic buildings and tree-lined avenues but the brightly coloured street art will certain grab your attention.
London, United Kingdom
London is one of the best street art cities in the world! You’ll see them everywhere but few places can match the sheer variety and intensity of the street art in Shoreditch and Brick Lane! Check out this street art walking tour or this street art bike tour.
Read further about alternative ways to explore London.
Melbourne, Australia
Australia’s second-largest city has a vibrant street-art scene. Most visitors crowd into the famous Hosier Lane to see the chaotic mosaic of graffiti but there’s more: check out AC/DC Lane, Centre Place and the Keith Haring mural in Collingwood. Read about Melbourne’s hidden secrets.
George Town, Malaysia
George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage city, is situated on the island of Penang, Malaysia. In 2012, the city council commissioned Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian artist, to create a series of murals depicting street life in the city. Many local artists followed and these days, the street art in George Town is a tourist attraction in its own right! Read more about things to do in Penang.
Réunion Island, French overseas territory
Réunion Island is a department of France situated in the Indian Ocean. Known as the island of adventure for its incredible natural landscapes, Réunion Island is also home to very talented street artists. You can find their work throughout the island.
Read more about things to do in Réunion Island, street art in Réunion Island and check out my Réunion Island guide.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro not only boasts a spectacular natural setting, it also has a fantastic street art scene which is evident across the city. For the 2016 Olympic Games, the city commissioned famous Brazilian street artist, Kobra, to create the world’s biggest mural along the Olympic Boulevard. The result is simply amazing! Read more about street art in Rio de Janeiro, or see my photos of Rio de Janeiro.
Valparaiso, Chile
Valparaiso is Chile’s largest port, situated west of Santiago on the Pacific coast. Known for its colourful neighbourhoods and steep funicular railways, Valparaiso is one of my favourite street art cities in the world! They’re so prolific, you can even join a street art tour. Read more about the street art in Valparaiso.
Montpellier, France
Montpellier is situated in the Occitanie region in southern France. The old town and the surrounding neighbourhoods such as Verdanson, Saint Roch and Rondelet are home to a large variety of street art: from large in trompe l’oeil murals to portraits and many types of fish! Read more about things to do in Montpellier and street art in Montpellier.
Bayreuth, Germany
Bayreuth is pretty new to the street art scene but is already making a name for itself. The city commissioned five pieces by artists from around the world, and this has inspired the addition of more pieces, especially around the Liebesbier brewery. Read more about Bayreuth in my Franconia travel guide.
I love how dominant street art has become over the years. I love wandering a new destination and being mesmerized by the street art. I actually hadn’t even realized what a huge street art scene had exploded at home here in Vancouver until I was given more time to explore around home because of this all happening. It’s incredible!
Hi Nikola,
I absolutely loved the street art in Belfast! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed my post.
Cheers,
Keith
I love street art! I was excited to see the mutual from the peace walls of Belfast included. There are so many there it’s had to pick just one 🙂 Nikki
A city seen through travellers eyes are the best to experience, great blog post. I really loved it.
Amazing!
Beautiful post, It’s is too good! Thanks for sharing this article.I love how you captured the cities in this way. i really love street art and the street art is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photography!
Loving the beautiful street art of Leipzig, Germany. It’s is too good! Thanks for sharing this article with all I love to read best travel and lifestyle blog like yours.
Thank you Jenna for your comment! The monkeys is one of my favourites too (especially the message! Haha!). I’ve heard of the murals in Phoenix. I would love to visit one day.
Cheers,
Keith
Beautiful post, I love how you captured the cities in this way! All of them add such a beautiful message and splash of color to the culture of the city. I think my favorite is the one of the monkeys that says “If you pay peanuts you will get monkeys” 🙂
I used to live in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. and we had a few streets where every restaurant, bar, hotel, apartment complex, and every other type of building was completely covered top to bottom with huge murals and colorful patterns.
I’m a sucker for a good art district 🙂 Thanks for sharing your beautiful photography!
Noted! Thanks Sherry! 🙂
Lima Peru, especially Miraflores and Baranco areas. Wonderful
Hi Zenaida,
Ha! Great minds think alike. I went to Urban Nation when I was in Berlin last March (I still went even though ITB had been cancelled). I took the photo of the angels on the building across the road from Urban Nation.
Hope you’re well!
Hugs,
Keith
Hi Keith, next time you are in Berlin (ITB 2021?) you will have to go to the Mauerpark and the area around the Bülow train station, where the newish (2016) Urban Nation Museum is located (devoted to street art). My own appreciation of street art increased tremendously after I (adventurous 50+ lady) took a hands-on graffiti course in Berlin a couple of years ago.
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[…] Street art cities around the world […]
[…] star attraction on the East Side Gallery section of the Berlin Wall. Berlin is arguably one of the best street art cities in the […]
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your lovely comment. Georgetown definitely belongs on the list – the street art there is beautiful!
Cheers,
Keith
Keith,
I love street art also and try and capture as many photos of the art in every city I visit around the world. I am so glad you included Georgetown, Malaysia as it’s one of my favorite cities for street art also. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!
Mike Hinshaw
NomadicTexan