Street art uniquely beautifies urban landscapes by holding on to and illuminating a city’s soul. Areas once abandoned, forgotten, decaying, or destroyed can be revitalized with these stroll-worthy scenes, often telling cultural stories with murals worth a thousand words.
Whether you love it, hate it, or live in a city that paints over it, graffiti profoundly explores the intersection of art, society, and community. These days, street art is a means of reclaiming public space, transforming a bustling city into an outdoor art gallery with a pulse. And it’s totally free to explore.
If you’re traveling with street art in mind, these decorated cities are globally celebrated must-strolls.
Melbourne
Melbourne is widely considered Australia’s counter-culture capital. So if you’re looking for street art, this is the place to be. Legal in the city, artists can become fully immersed in their creative process.
From alleys completely cloaked in graffiti to cracks and crevices cleverly adorned, there’s no shortage of spectacular art to see. The most well-traveled street art enthusiasts often say there’s no place quite like it. For the fullest street art experience, go to the Melbourne Central Business District and the Fitzroy area.
Valencia
Valencia is Spain’s street art capital, and it’s easy to see why. The city is swirling in colorful, complex, and thought-provoking murals everywhere you turn. Beloved local street artist, Xemayo, created the stunning work pictured above.
Some creations are cleverly tucked into the surroundings, so keep those eyes peeled. In Valencia, cool street art often pops up where you least expect it. For an endlessly art-filled stroll, trot over to the eclectic El Carmen.
New York City
New York City is not just the city that never sleeps; it’s a city that’s constantly changing. While Queens used to be the heart of NYC’s street art, Bushwick has taken the crown in recent years. From shoutouts in Vogue to international ‘best of’ lists, this understated and eclectic Brooklyn neighborhood continues to garner global acclaim for its rotating murals. And they’re pretty amazing. That’s why tour groups are brought here for murals and murals alone.
Before I moved to Bushwick, I had heard about its incredibly diverse street art scene. But most days, I still couldn’t believe my eyes. Nearby Williamsburg was initially an artists’ hub, but rent kept spiking and artists gradually migrated to Bushwick. Like Williamsburg, Bushwick has its colorful warehouses and cool coffee shops, all covered in unique street art. Also of note, Bushwick is often praised for having the most eclectic food scene in Brooklyn. So while you’re walking around taking in the view, tour group or not, grab a world-class bite.
Cape Town
Cape Town’s elaborate and historically significant street art scene began flourishing in the 80s. Today, urban murals remain one of the key ways locals of this South African city make their voices heard. If you want to start your tour at the heart of it, go to Cape Flats.
People of color were once forced to move to Cape Flats following the Group Areas Act. According to Culture Trip, “at that time, graffiti gave people a platform to express their outrage over the oppressive laws and discrimination against people of color in apartheid South Africa.”
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is famed for its expansive, eclectic, and cinematic street art scene. And it’s everywhere. So no matter where you venture, street art is ever present and constantly evolving around Tinsel Town.
Also, the once-neglected downtown is entering a renaissance period with the help of massive and intricate murals. Hop on the LA Arts District and Mural Tour and explore a lesser talked about, but just as quintessential, side of the city of Angels.
Berlin
Berlin has been a global destination for street art since the early 80s. Many call it “The Graffiti Mecca.” For one thing, there’s no forgetting the murals that covered the west side of the Berlin Wall, and the pieces left behind.
Holding onto a rebellious spirit, graffiti continues to be regarded as an act of freedom in Berlin by its artists, but the art itself just gets more well-crafted. These are six districts in Berlin boasting the most masterful street art and graffiti, per Wayfaring Views.
Lisbon
The ever-so-picturesque Portuguese capital has taken its street art to the next level in some very imaginative ways. Block by block, you’ll stumble upon masterful murals by local and international artistic geniuses. But there’s something extra special about this city’s street art worth noting.
Turning trash into imaginative treasures, the street artists of Lisbon have adorned their homes with unique urban sculptures created from garbage and repurposed materials.
Paris
The street art scene in Paris has deep and winding roots, dating back to the avant-garde period in the 1960s. Today, there’s even more to marvel at. Paris is well known for influencing some of the biggest street art meccas around the globe, including the Big Apple. Unsurprisingly, it’s an awe-inspiring walkabout for any art lover.
Like most graffiti-covered cities, the line between legal and illegal street art remains blurred. Today, beautiful murals are becoming legally commissioned more than ever. There are plenty of places to see them, but the 13th Arrondissement and the Belleville are the hottest spots with the most established concentration of street art.
Mexico City
Mexico City has much to offer, including stunning street art and great food. Interweaving the city’s history and lasting traditions with modern concepts, it’s a hodgepodge of culturally rich sentiments and artistic styles.
If you want to explore street art, start in La Romita. Then head to Plaza Luis Cabrera, where artists routinely paint fresh murals over old ones. The street art scene is constantly changing, so what you’ll see on your trip may very well be once in a lifetime.
Rome
From incredible architecture to world-renowned pizza, there are endless reasons to visit Rome. No matter why you venture to this ancient city, be sure to make exploring this bustling and sometimes hidden street art scene a must.
Once you stumble upon the street art of Rome, you might be surprised, and definitely moved, by what the artists have dreamed up and how masterfully they’ve used each space. You’ll likely leave with a newfound appreciation for “the Eternal City.”
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Delhi
Thanks in massive part to St+Art India, the global buzz surrounding Delhi’s budding street art scene is growing as we speak. Founded in 2014, the forward-thinking non-profit recruited acclaimed artists from around the world to work with local artists and revitalize urban areas. They were commissioned to vibrantly paint the walls of various Indian cities for their residents to enjoy and contemplate. That said, residents have been taking street art into their own hands for decades.
In New Delhi, Khirki Village was among the first areas opened up to street artists. You’ll find the Lodhi Art District nearby, which remains a major cultural hub for India. Dehli’s captivating murals are striking, frequently depicting social issues, environmental issues, and the experiences of marginalized communities.
London
Yes, London is home to Banksy’s world-famous street art, but there’s so much more to see than that. Talented artists keep flocking from far and wide to paint the inner workings of their minds on the city’s famed walls.
Head to the always artsy East End of London to ogle the most magical murals ever rounded up in one area.
Atlanta
Atlanta continues to be prime real estate for public art. From permanent installations to rotating commissions, murals are everywhere. Still, I highly recommend strolling through Old Fourth Ward, Little Five Points, and Cabbage Town.
If you’re short on time, visit the Atlanta BeltLine. It’s one of the country’s most expansive urban green spaces. It’s filled with a plethora of unbelievable murals, sculptures, and artsy gardens.
Melaka (Malacca), Malaysia
The vibrant and abstract murals of Malacca have a distinctive charm. Many of them are adorned with real-life objects that have been embedded in them. If you’re not sure where to start strolling, go to the Lonong Seni Art House.
However, you won’t have to limit your street art stroll to one place. The most exciting way to see all that Malacca has to offer is to wander the city without a destination in mind.
Montreal
Montreal is famous for its food, friendly locals, and thriving art scene. The skyline is covered in everything from cartoons to eye-catching indigenous imagery. Take it from me; there’s no shortage of cutting-edge creations to gawk at here. But there are better times to go than others.
During the summer, Montreal hosts The MURAL Festival. Held in the Plateau neighborhood, this major art event is worth a visit. Adding to its prowess, Montreal street art has been created, encouraged, and continuously cultivated for over 60 years. In fact, Montreal put money aside for the redevelopment of public spaces, and namely, street art. As of now, over 4,000 astonishing murals have been created.
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