A Tale of New Cities

Bright murals, strikingly intricate stencil designs and eye-catching political comment pieces – inserted between historic buildings like colourful bookmarks in the pages of time – the streets of Europe pulse with dynamic street art.

Words: TERRI DUNBAR-CURRAN

Respirator mask firmly in place , the artist casts a critical eye over her work and in a sweeping motion, adds another layer of colour to the large scale mural that is transforming an otherwise non-descript street. Stencils, paint cans and rolls of tape litter the tarmac around her as she leans in close, fluidly adding depth with extra shading here, a burst of metallic there. The final touch, her signature.

Unlike decades gone by, her creative process is bold, each stroke carefully planned, accompanied not by the wail of police sirens and an urgency to disappear into the shadows, but rather by a slow stream of admirers who know her works from social media and cities around the world.

Street art, with its complex origins, is in a state of permanent flux. The relationship between cities and street artists is an intricate one, particularly in Europe where there’s a clear intersection between urban life and the growth of the art form. Street art reflects cultural, political and social changes. An urban adventure centred on getting to know the street art can be an excellent way to dig beneath the surface and discover the true character of a city.

European street art through the 20th century has often been linked to political movements and youth culture. From hastily sprayed tags, to intricately designed murals, every layer of paint has a story to tell. This kind of public art emerged as a real cultural force and while there has been some influence from America and hip-hop culture, it has retained and developed its own unique identity, simultaneously being shaped by and shaping the cities where it continues to be created.

Urban canvases

Street art is anything but static, the scene is constantly changing, the art of a city today will have completely changed years, if not months from now.

Irish street art, unsurprisingly reflects the country’s unique political history and complex cultural identity. In Dublin’s Temple Bar and Smithfield areas, work by artists like Maser and the anonymous collective Subset encourage passers-by to engage, whether with the former’s bright geometric creations or the latter’s social commentary. The bohemian vibe of Galway is strongly reflected in its street art, and you’ll often find socially and politically charged works among more humorous murals here.

In Northern Ireland, no visit to Belfast is complete without taking time to view and understand the murals, particularly in West Belfast, that tell the stories of the Troubles and conflict that has shaped the city and surrounds. Among these political murals, there are more contemporary works to discover. There is a bright, large-scale work by Colombian artist Sancho, Forzan, to be found on Gresham Street, and Manchester-based Nomad Clan’s beautiful Still Waters on Hill Street, next to one of the city’s most popular pubs, The Dirty Onion. Head over to Castle Street and you’ll find The Golden Hares of Rathlin Island, by Birmingham-based artist Annatomix.

The street art in Prague has its origins in the Communist era when unauthorised art was seen as an act of defiance and many artists chose to use graffiti as a subtle, yet very public, form of protest. One of the most prominent sites in Prague City is the John Lennon Wall which has been filled with Lennon-inspired graffiti since the musician’s assassination in 1980. While the original portrait of Lennon is buried beneath decades of paint, the wall continues to evolve as a place for the message of love and peace to be shared.

Over in Vienna, the blend of the old and the new, makes this European city an important, if surprising, destination for street art enthusiasts. Head to the Donaukanal where both Viennese and international artists have brought their creative flair to the river-side walls and buildings. A street art trail through Gürtel takes you to various large-scale works.

You’ll find socially charged, raw works across Budapest, with some of the highlights being found in the Jewish Quarter (District VII), Erzsébetváros. Along with graffiti and murals, there are other urban art pieces to discover here.

In Paris, go exploring and you’ll discover works by Invader, as well as stencil art for which the city is known. There’s been an evolution of the artform here, from gritty urban expression to being included in exclusive gallery exhibitions. Visit the remarkable Fluctuart on the banks of the Seine River, a floating art gallery specifically dedicated to urban art. Mounted on the railings of the Quartier Jeune, Place du Louvre, there is a series of 24 works by Parisian street artist Jo Di Bona, Les Visages des Jeux, symbolising the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With each portrait, he celebrates human diversity. And make time to stop in at The Petit Palais Museum which features work by renowned street artists, the classical architecture of the building creating a wonderful juxtaposition with the vibrant urban art.

London is synonymous with the works of elusive artist Banksy, with around a dozen murals currently dotted about. A walk through Shoreditch and along Brick Lane is a visual feast, as streets and buildings have been gradually enveloped by an eclectic kaleidoscope of stencils and graffiti.

In Lisbon, the rise of mural art, especially as the city began to form its post-dictatorship identity, has been largely used as a tool to effect social change. It has become a very important part of the city's urban identity. Don’t miss the Amoreiras Wall of Fame where artists are allowed to work legally, resulting in a truly eclectic display of skills and ideas. The historic neighbourhoods of Mouraria and Alfama invite you to discover smaller works referencing politics, music and design as you stroll the narrow streets.

Politics, protest and paint

Across Europe, street art has reflected protests, revolutions and political changes, and in so doing, it communicates national identity. With bold bands of colour, detailed portraits and stylised designs – history, tradition and modern life combine to create vibrant, poignant images. Ever-evolving snapshots of life.

From graffiti, to murals, artists have used public spaces to highlight social issues and challenge authority across the continent. Cities like Paris, Athens and Berlin have seen street art reflect historical struggles and express dissent towards authorities. And in more recent years, artists have used their works to make bold statements about environmental issues and economic inequality. As an artform that is so accessible and that has such a stark visual impact, it’s the perfect tool for encouraging conversation and change.

Over the decades, certain styles have emerged more prevalently across various countries and cities, as artists have fed off the creativity of one another, and the character of their urban surroundings. While London is known for its large-scale mural, stencils and wheatpasting, the walls of Paris are widely emblazoned with collages, stencils and more poetic, surrealist works. In Lisbon, the creativity leans into bright colours and patterns, often inspired by Portugal’s azulejos (traditional tiles).

Classical art themes weave their way through modern imagery in Rome’s murals, and Reykjavik’s highly-detailed large-scale murals have a heavy dose of folklore and nature captured in bright, fantastical designs. And Barcelona’s signature colourful Catalan aesthetic is very obviously reflected in its street art scene.

Grit to glam

In many urban redevelopment projects, street art has played a key role. Think London’s Shoreditch and Berlin’s Neukölln. This hasn’t come without challenges and some tension, however, the rise of street art festivals, events and collectives across Europe have gone some way to legitimising the art form. Among these is international festival SPOT, organised by The Arts Printing House, which is held annually in Vilnius, Lithuania, and the UK’s Upfest which offers attendees access to free workshops, live painting sessions and artist talks.

Thanks to events like these, and in no small part the rise of social media, Europe’s cities have become hubs for international artists, bringing with them devoted fans eager to see their latest works in person before a new artist claims the space after them.

From its early days as defiant protest to social commentary and pure creative expression, street art is increasingly being preserved and celebrated across Europe. Artists are splashing out in some of the less-explored urban spaces – with and without permission. The artform is a living and breathing reflection of urban life – and it is only to be expected that it will keep evolving alongside Europe’s cities and people.

Streets of Inspiration

Ready to discover Europe’s dynamic and constantly-evolving street art scene with us? Your travel designer can arrange a variety of private tours and experiences designed to inspire and intrigue.

Lisbon

Take a tour through Lisbon’s Alvalade, Marvila, Mouraria, and Intendente neighbourhoods, viewing some of the city’s most impressive artworks by local Portuguese and international artists.

Discover vibrant art pieces sprayed across shop shutters, down hidden alleyways and in markets across Madrid. Visit Calle de Miguel Servet and see the walls of Fabricas de Tabacos as you learn about the importance of street art in the city.

Madrid

Discover vibrant art pieces sprayed across shop shutters, down hidden alleyways and in markets across Madrid. Visit Calle de Miguel Servet and see the walls of Fabricas de Tabacos as you learn about the importance of street art in the city.

Ehrenfeld

A morning street art tour through Ehrenfeld in Germany, is the perfect way to ignite your interest in the artform before attending a graffiti workshop with a talented artist in the afternoon.

Athens

Set off with a private guide through the streets of Athens, uncovering some of the city’s artistic treasures that have appeared and developed over the past few decades. It’s an alternative way to get to know the heart of the city.

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