The Streets of These Cities Are Some of the Best Art Galleries in the World
Political turbulence, history and tongue-in-cheek humor — art is a medium of expression for all aspects of human existence, and perhaps no form of art does a better job than street art.
Once sneered at as graffiti and vandalism, the poignant and pointed nature of street art resonates with the people who see it — ordinary people in the street — and has now been elevated to a respected and somewhat mysterious form of the craft.
These are more than just cities for a lot of graffiti; colorful murals are marveled at around the world and actively sought out by tourists. There are some cities that lend themselves more to the expression of street art than others though — here are the best cities for street art in the world.
Bogota, Colombia
A notorious history of drug cartels and violence has provided plenty of fodder for the city’s graffiti artists, and they are fighting Colombia’s negative reputation through nuanced and beautiful street art. The rich culture of the country shines through in the art splashed over the city’s walls, but it hasn’t been a smooth development.
In 2011, artist Diego Felipe Becerra was shot dead by police while painting in an underpass. Following the outcry over his death, street art was decriminalized in the city and gained a new reputation as a legitimate form of artistic and cultural expression. In recent years, street art has burgeoned and continues to be an outlet for many Colombians with something to say.
New York City, United States
Street art in New York City is a barometer of social and political currents in the wider United States. This city has a particularly close relationship with the street art medium, as it was the birthplace of graffiti “writing” in the 1960s.
Since then, the art you’ll see in the streets has evolved significantly, into some of the most elaborate, elegant and eye-catching works you’ll see anywhere in the world.
The gritty, illicit, underground element only adds to the intrigue of New York’s street art. Let yourself be seduced as much by the anonymous figures behind the art as by the art itself. The scene might be more contemporary and mainstream now, but getting drawn into the drama of illegal art is still half the fun.
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Berlin, Germany
A history of division has created an atmosphere of fierce expression in Berlin. Spray paint and paste-up posters adorn nearly every corner of the city, bringing grey walls and, most famously, fragments of THE wall, to life.
Berlin has been a hub of street art since graffiti first started getting attention as an expression of counterculture. For decades it has attracted both artists and people hungry to see their creations. The whole city is a canvas and if you’re into street art, it’s worth visiting for the murals alone.
Valparaiso, Chile
Cheerful Valparaiso is alive with vibrant street art. This city has long been home to writers, musicians and artists, and bohemian vibes are splashed and spray-painted all over the ramshackle walls. The bright murals here are often reflections of the city itself, with detailed images of colorful houses tumbling down steep hills toward the sea.
There is enormous talent on display here, so on a street art tour you’ll be treated to plenty of eye-candy and photo ops. Some of the displays seem to be as much about the simple act of creating something beautiful as about making a statement. If you’re searching for a city with pretty street art, this is the destination for you.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is a city bursting with culture — and art. Despite graffiti being illegal in this city, street art has thrived here and is now a major draw for visitors. The unique lane-ways — narrow streets crammed with tiny pubs, boutique cafes, thrift shops and record stores — are the perfect forum for street art.
Colorful graffiti adorns the brick lanes and is a constantly shifting reflection of Australian society.
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Bristol, United Kingdom
The quirky, off-beat city of Bristol is most famous as the birthplace and first stomping ground of Banksy, but there are many other artists worth seeking out in the Bristolian streets. As a city with a lot of graffiti, you won’t have to scour the streets for long before stumbling across cheeky or thought-provoking splashes of art on the walls.
Stokes Croft is the bohemian heart of Bristol and a center for subversive street art. The whole area resembles an open-air gallery, with graffiti adorning nearly every inch of wall space between the unusual shops and hipster pubs.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon has a wonderful street art scene thanks to support from the local council, and the presence of some exceptionally talented artists. Underdogs is an organized effort in Lisbon to allow contemporary urban artists greater freedom of expression, and the results have been glorious.
Large-scale street art projects around the city are successful in being both intelligent and visual, exciting tourists with their bold ambition. The artsy Bairro Alto is the best area for spotting street art, with plenty of back alleys to explore.
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Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sao Paulo’s urban sprawl is extensively decorated by graffiti. The tradition of scrawling over the city’s walls has been controversial, with artists combating attempts by local authorities to paint over their work in grey. The constant back and forth means street art can change on a daily basis, as works are erased and reincarnated over and over again.
Fortunately for fans, attempts to erase graffiti have so far been unsuccessful. Although the graffiti here can seem chaotic at times, it is also a passionate form of expression for inhabitants of the intensely urban city. Sao Paulo has little natural beauty, so in recent years it has been this powerful street art that has attracted visitors.
The murals painted onto high-rise buildings are particularly impressive.