Cities With the Most Beautiful Street Art

Street art breathes life and creativity into urban environments. It reflects the unique cultural heartbeat of the city it graces, and it can influence passersby to stop, reflect, and absorb the unexpected beauty. If you love street art, we recommend visiting the following cities, known for having some of the most beautiful murals and creative elements all over.

Valparaíso

If you love sprawling murals in vibrant colors, Valparaíso is the destination for you. This city is practically covered in street art, from abstract splashes of color to deeply political messages, that decorates buildings, stairways, and alleys. Every turn here feels like you’re stepping into an art gallery without doors. Don’t miss the Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción neighborhoods for some of the richest displays of creativity.

Berlin

Berlin’s turbulent history has inspired layers of artistic expression, most famously on the remains of the Berlin Wall. The East Side Gallery is the crown jewel, showcasing over 1.3 kilometers of politically charged murals. Beyond this iconic stretch, trendy neighborhoods like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain also feature endless graffiti and stencil art by locals and internationally acclaimed street artists alike.

Buenos Aires

Every corner of this Argentinian capital feels alive with wild, colorful designs. Neighborhoods like Palermo and La Boca are practically exploding with murals that range from hyper-realistic portraits to surrealist dreamscapes. The local government’s support for street art means artists here have free rein to transform walls into living canvases, creating a city filled with personality.

Montreal

Montreal’s street art scene is thriving, especially in areas like Plateau Mont-Royal. The city hosts the MURAL Festival every year, a celebration that attracts global artists who leave behind massive, jaw-dropping murals for locals and visitors to enjoy. Keep an eye out for the work of local legends like Kevin Ledo, whose pieces mix stunning detail with thoughtful storytelling.

Tokyo

While Tokyo might not seem like the obvious choice for street art due to strict anti-graffiti regulations, the beauty isn’t in murals. Rather, it’s under your feet! The manhole cover art of Japan is one of the most unique forms of street art in the world. If you travel to Tokyo and other places in Japan, you can become a part-time “manholer,” a term for people who log the country’s artistic manhole covers like some people log birds. Plus, murals and graffiti do exist in Tokyo, making it an artistic surprise when you find one.

New York

No street art list is complete without mentioning New York. This global cultural hub has been at the forefront of graffiti and murals since the 1970s. Bushwick in Brooklyn is a standout neighborhood because of the famous Bushwick Collective that curates large-scale pieces from artists around the world. From politically charged works to nostalgic creations, New York’s street art is as dynamic and diverse as the city itself.

Street art is a powerful way for cities to express their cultures, histories, and personalities. Each of the cities we mentioned above has some of the most beautiful street art offering a unique window into its local community through kaleidoscopic walls or decorated streets. Which one will you visit first?