the street is our gallery

Street art has hugely grown in popularity over the decades, and what was once considered vandalism is now hailed as artistic genius by many. It can be found in any town or city, and some murals created by street artists have helped to revitalize an otherwise dreary area. For avid fans of this particular art form, traveling to locations that celebrate street art and are proud to have it incorporated into the culture of a city is a must. Here are 4 cities that offer some of the best street art that you must visit.

1. Berlin, Germany
Berlin has been a popular tourist hot spot for years, particularly with younger generations. It is rich in history and has been an inspiration to artists, musicians, writers, and many other creatives for decades. Alongside all this, Berlin has also produced some of the best street art in the world. Head down to Mariannenstrasse to discover what has been classed as the world’s largest stencil (the Cosmonaut) or why not visit the Corner of Oranienstrabe and Manteuffelstrabe to explore ROA’s art which features the theme of temporary nature of life. Of course, you can’t head to Berlin to see street art and not experience the top attraction: the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery. The wall, which sits on the banks of the River Spree, features more than 105 murals from artists from around the world and now stands as a memorial. It features a range of styles, with many offering striking looks, such as the “Fraternal Kiss” by Dmitri Vrubel and others portraying true emotion, such as “It Happened in November” by Kani Alavi.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
The flight to Argentina might be pretty long, so don’t forget to bring some entertainment to keep you occupied on your journey to Argentina. Either pack your kindle or play poker online to pass away the hours spent traveling from place to place. The long journey will be completely worth it, though when you see the street art that resides here.
There are a certain passion and allure that Buenos Aires has, which has enamored travelers from all over the world, and it’s certainly a great place to visit for art lovers. Seek out the ‘El Regreso de Quinquela’ by Alfredo Segatori. It is the longest mural in the world to have been painted by one artist and is a magnificent piece of street art. With such an iconic look to it, the piece, which is aiming to reach a Guinness World Record, includes portraits of real people with real stories.

3. Bristol, United Kingdom
In the south of England, in the UK, you will find the city of Bristol, famous for its maritime historical significance and home to the SS Great Britain, the first ocean liner. But this isn’t the only reason people enjoy a trip to this city, there is also a thriving arts scene, and it boasts some of the best murals in the UK, making it a place worth visiting for street art fans. What is so great about Bristol is that many of the most famous street murals were created by the infamous and anonymous street artist Banksy. His combination of dark humor and graffiti in a very distinctive stenciling technique expanded from the underground scene and can now be visibly seen on walls and buildings all over Bristol. However, what makes Banksy’s art so inspiring to artists from all over the world is the fact that he isn’t afraid to tackle sensitive or political issues.

4. Paris, France
The city of love might attract visitors for its romance, and art lovers will no doubt spend a day getting lost in the Louvre, but this is not the only place great masterpieces can be found. Paris has long been synonymous with the bohemian lifestyle, and that is still a point of pride with the city today. Wonderful works of street art can be found all around Paris, but some of the best districts include the 12th, 7th and 19th arrondissements.

If you’re interested in seeing the world’s best street art up close, make sure you’re next vacation includes a visit to at least one of these 4 cities.