When I think about European street art Berlin, London, and Barcelona are the cities that first come to my mind. So I asked top travel bloggers where their favourite street art was located, and I was surprised by some of the results. So many sent images that this is a multipart article, starting with European street art.
What is street art? Some see a fine line between it and graffiti, while others see them as one and the same. The distinction is often desire and location. Street art is colourful, thought out, welcomed, and these days, often commissioned. Graffiti, on the other hand, is generally unwanted.
For me, it took a while, it wasn’t something I immediately enjoyed, but now I love it. The more colourful, unusual, and emotion-packed the design, the more I smile.
Enjoy these images from several of my favourite travel bloggers. Some added descriptions; others left it up to the readers to interpret:
European street art in the United Kingdom
London
The first photo, taken in East London, was contributed by Stefania Guglielmi of Every Steph – Green & Glamourous Travel and Lifestyle. See more at: Unseen Tours: exploring London with the homeless.
The second image is from Shoreditch, London the hipster area, that used to be a little down and out, but is an area full of amazing street art. Contributed by Paula McInerney of Contented Traveller. See more at: Shoreditch, London – a working example of regeneration in a city.
Bristol
“Bristol, UK, is one of my favorite cities for street art. There’s a lot of famous artists’ work you can see on the streets there, but some of my favorites are the lesser-known pieces that can be found in the Stokes Croft area, where art is always in flux and might be painted over within a day or two. That’s where we found this awesome raccoon.” Photo and caption contributed by Laura Lynch of Savoured Journeys. See more at: Touring Bristol’s Street Art with the Experts.
European street art in Germany
Berlin
The first image, located only 100m from the East Side Gallery, “Suspended”, the gorgeous artwork by the famous Alice Pasquini, has become one of the most iconic pieces of graffiti in Germany, and a must-see when looking for things to do in Berlin. Photo contributed by Alesha Bradford of NOMADasaurus.
The second street art is by Os Gemeos. Berlin’s street art offers unique insight into the city’s culture, past and present. Photo contributed by Taylor and Daniel of Travel Outlandish. See more at: The Experiential Travel – List [Part III]: Europe
Dresden
Street art in the “student district” of Dresden.Photo contributed by Anda Galffy of Travel Notes and Beyond. See more at The Singing Drain Pipes of Kunsthofpassage.
European street art in Greece
Athens
This piece is titled ‘All Dogs go to Heaven’, and features Loukanikos, one of Athens’s ‘protest dogs’ – strays that “adopted” the people protesting government austerity measures. Loukanikos had passed away just a few weeks before this was painted, and as we were watching, a group of Athens police gathered to take their picture with the mural, in memory of the beloved mascot. Photo contributed by Sean and Jen of Venturists. See more at: Athens Greece Street Art.
European street art in The Netherlands
Amsterdam
Sometimes “street art” isn’t on the street. In Amsterdam, street art can be at canal level. Photo contributed b: Lance and Laura Longwell of Travel Addicts. See more at: 15 Fun Things to Do in Amsterdam
Italy
Milan
In the district of Lambrate, on the railway wall in Piazza Monte Titano, is a work by Blu, one of the world’s best street artists and famous for criticising capitalism in his works. Photo contributed by Margherita Ragg of The Crowded Planet. See more at: Milan Street Art
Thinking about becoming a street artist?
Often larger than life, creating street art takes a certain set of skills. If you’re thinking about becoming a street artist, this “cookbook” might be useful: Street Art Cookbook: Street Art Cookbook: A Guide to Techniques and Materials.
Two Wild Wanderers
Absolutely cannot wait to visit Dresden, but didn’t think in a million years it would have any street art to speak of (not sure why, just assumed, wrongly!) A really great collection of pieces here, can’t get enough of street art and Europe is great for it!
Lisa @ LTTL
What a great post. I wish I would have known about these while we were living in Europe, it would have been fun to visit a few of them. Thanks for sharing this, you know my love of street art.
Paula Morgan
I love the one by Fintan Mcgee in Shoreditch – There is lots of his work near my home and I really love his style. Hope to get to Berlin one day to see all the great stuff there too!
Rhonda Albom
Berlin’s street art is pretty amazing, so is Melbourne’s and that city would be closer to you.
indah nuria
Oh y Rhonda..I am a huge faaaan! Everything looks great. And I should have joined your post as New York City is filled with so many fantastic street arts!
Rhonda Albom
I am doing a series, it is regional. America’s are coming next so please contribute.
Brian
Cool article! I have found amazing street art in cities like Madrid, Zaragoza, Cardiff, Glasgow and Vienna. I love to hunt for street art whenever I visit a new city.
Rhonda Albom
I don’t remember street art in Zaragoza, just that amazing catherdral.
ladyfi
I love the grittiness of the street art. Nice shots.
Rhonda Albom
I am glad to have so many bloggers contribute such amazing art.
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope)
I live near Bristol and its an artsy city! So many beautiful grafitti and Banksy is from there so his works are all over the place too!
Rhonda Albom
There are so many talented street artists out there.
Deb Nance
I love the last one especially!
Rhonda Albom
I like the incredible detail in the last one.
Bill
Great murals and being British I love the ones from the UK best though the one from Athens is really good, just wish I could see them myself
Rhonda Albom
I like them all:)
Taylor
Love it! Street art is such an awesome way to get a sense of a city’s challenges and triumphs, and is definitely one of our favorite ways to explore. Can’t wait to get to Europe to see some of these. Thanks for having us!
stephanie@stephsjoy
Some fabulous street art there! My favourite is suspended.
Alissa Apel
I love the one with glasses, and the space one. How cool! I like street art like this.
Joyce Lansky
I love the art!
Rhonda Albom
Me too 🙂
Patrick Weseman
I love street art. Don’t like the gang stuff but I love murals on walls that are done by local artists.
Rhonda Albom
Same. I am a huge fan of murals, and as a bonus it seems to keep graffiti down.
Teresa Kindred
I love the dog! Street art is cool. I’m too far out in the country to see anything like that.
Rhonda Albom
Glad I can share it with you.
klara
these are some wonderful examples of street art. unlike some vandalism on the walls, a mural like the ones above can always make my day and I think they enrich the city.
Rhonda Albom
Agreed. I am not a fan of vandalism or graffiti.
Anda
What a great idea for post, Rhonda, and what a great collection of beautiful street art. I especially like the one from London and the one from Berlin.
Paula McInerney
Thanks Rhonda, turned out so well. Thanks for including us.
Rhonda Albom
Thank Paula, there are a few more to come in the series.
Kristin Aquariann
Awesome art! We don’t have much street art in my area, but I am looking forward to the city adding a mural on the water tower.
Rhonda Albom
We have lots of street art in Auckland. I didn’t always like it, but now I love it.
Photo cache
Oh yes, I love mural/graffiti/street arts. I am digging this post.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Unbelievable Rhonda. Amazing. Around here if someone was to draw something on the walls, they would be arrested. I think pictures like you’ve shown means some feelings about the place. Don’t you agree? See ya my friend.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
Agree. I love street art. Sad that it’s not allowed where you live.
Jeanna
RIP, Loukanikos. Very cool tribute to a protest dog. Funny, I had a series of Protest Dog photos when things were really hopping around here in 2011—we were trying to oust our odious governor. I love the inclusion and generosity in your posts, Rhonda, and this is a great example. These photos are poppin’ and carry a visceral feeling from the artist to the structure to the web page. I was particularly moved by the art from Milan. The Shoreditch art reminds me of a Babe Ruth lp I used to listen to in college. It features ball players in space with sharks as bases.
stevebethere
Oh my these are brilliant their all so good I can’t even pick a favourite 🙂
Have an artistictastic day Rhonda 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I can’t pick a favorite either.
Lexa Cain
I love some street art, but not usually political stuff. (Too much of that on the news already.) I like the ones that are optical illusions where the art is on sidewalks. Like lava-filled pits that people are afraid to walk over. lol Thanks for all the pics from around the world!
Rhonda Albom
I have never seen a lava filled pit on the sidewalk but would love to see that type of street art.
Rajesh
Beautiful street art. vERY ATTRACTIVE.
Rhonda Albom
There are some travel bloggers out there with a great eye for capturing the beauty.
L. Diane Wolfe
The knife fight in space is just really odd.
Rhonda Albom
Many of the are odd if you really look at the details.
Barbara Radisavljevic
I like the last two best. I guess California isn’t the only place with traffic jams.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – even Auckland gets traffic jams.
Comedy Plus
This kind of street art is fabulous. Around here mostly gang stuff and I’m not partial to that or the gangs.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I am not generally fond of gang stuff either.