The alternative and avant-garde audience observes urban graffiti art as one of the most beautiful cultural approaches. Moreover, travellers focus their interests in visiting unique spots & locations during their trips. Isn’t that the best way to discover worldwide cities?
European, American and Australian capitals discovered few years ago the enormous touristic attraction related to street art & post-graffiti. Consequently, they have promoted festivals, open air events and indoor contemporary art fairs since then.
Apart from that, the local urban art communities occupy a leading role in developing continuous artworks. You shouldn’t miss the following places. For instance,
- Teufelsberg, Berlin (Germany)
- Lisboa’s cable car around the city center (Portugal)
- La Tabacalera, Madrid (Spain)
- 5 Pointz (New York, US) —already gone!
- Museum of graffiti, Miami, FL (United States)
- Hosier Lane, Melbourne (Australia)
The most famous urban graffiti art places in Europe
Firstly, let’s take a virtual guided visit around Europe. Taking into account that we are Spain based, we would like to start recommending those amazing urban graffiti art spots that you’ll find in our continent. From Germany to the Iberian Peninsula, the street art possibilities are incredible.
You should know that the next suggestions have been visited by our team members. In other words, we know what we are talking about. Let’s discover the best places!
1-. Where is the best street art in Germany?
Berlin is considered by many of us as the urban graffiti art capital in Europe. The presence of graffiti is linked to its history and it is still alive. For example, this former communication tower is a paradise for artists!
Teufelsberg is more than just an unfinished museum of urban art, it’s an offbeat spot to visit in the the city. It will take you approximately 20 minutes walking to get there from the nearest metro station, although you could rent a bike and pedal to get there.
On the other hand, don’t forget requesting to paint a wall in Teufelsberg if you are an amateur or professional artist visiting Germany. There are hundreds of artworks and the owners will appreciate your artistic contribution!
2-. Lisboa’s cable car (Portugal)
Later, you’ll find Lisbon listed in next position. It occupies the second spot in the table of best European urban graffiti art capital cities. You’ll find painted walls in mostly all buildings, including those in the city center.
Not only art might be seen in the streets, but also in the famous Lisbon’s cable cars. Have you ever visited Bairro Alto using the elevator? Even Though some people may observe it as an illegal action, there is beauty in it. Don’t you think so?
Who are the most famous Portuguese artists?
- Bordalo II, renowned because of his 3D street art decorations,
- Vhils, Lisbon artists who carves walls,
- Odeith, representing incredible visual illustrations.
3-. What is Madrid’s La Tabacalera like?
La Tabacalera is another urban graffiti art mecca in Spain. Anybody who is interested in visiting a contemporary art center in town should visit it. This former tobacco factory from the XIX century is now completely taken by art.
This 16,000 sq. meters building is located right in the city center. Moreover, the local street art community in town will surprise you! Why? Graffiti writers have painted its walls completely. Walking over its tunnels and galleries will take you over an hour.
If Reina Sofia is the national modern art museum, this avant-garde spot could be considered as Madrid’s brut art house. Make sure you check the workshops and events that are currently on display before planning a visit to La Tabacalera.
Other relevant urban graffiti art spots around the world
Thanks to a very active travelling life, some of Cooltourspain’s team members have visited several places around the world. For example, United States and Australia. These locations are quite relevant for the urban graffiti art movement, becoming pioneers on the field.
Once you experience something that you like, you definitely spread the word. That’s what happened to us a while back. Are you also interested in graffiti? Do you think that the following spots are worth mentioning in for a worldwide street art guide?
We do think so!
4-. 5 Pointz building in New York
This was a legendary graffiti venue in Queens, New York. It occupied 200,000 sq. foot, and its name stood for “5 boroughs coming together as one“. However, it disappeared because of gentrification.
Similarly to what happens in other worldwide capital cities, new trends are taking over almost abandoned locations. That was what happened to this important graffiti mecca in 2014. The local community fought to preserve this spot, but failed at registering it as a historical location.
5 Pointz’s original idea was to convert the building into a graffiti museum that would preserve murals, throw-ups and tags created over 20 years. At last, the building’s owner decided to build residential towers in the place where the old factory was.
5-. Museum of urban graffiti art in Miami, FL (United States)
The Museum of Graffiti was formed to preserve the movement’s history and celebrate its emergence in design, fashion, advertising, and galleries. It features an indoor exhibition space, eleven exterior murals and a fine art gallery.
This venue exhibits wall writings from 1960s and 1970s onwards. GM curators focus on writers who performed illegally in the subway. Currently, they give exposure to their creations as part of contemporary art.
It is located in Wynwood district. Thus their proximity to the most famous street art walls in Miami.
6-. Hosier Lane, Melbourne (Australia)
This street might be considered as one of the most famous graffiti related open air venues around the world. It appeared in 1996 when Melbourne’s city council allowed Andy Mac to run this project entitled City Lights.
Since then, according to local authorities over 5,000 people could walk through them. Hosier Lane is located between two CBD sites, both down busy laneways.
It redefines and challenges the idea of what an art gallery is and how public space can be utilised. At the same time, introducing international and local street artists to the wider populace.
Cooltourspain’s opinion about the urban graffiti art
We believe that urban graffiti art has an important key role in the society. It helps spread color in the cities, but at the same time creates a controversy among viewers.
We love it, and you should make sure to understand how it compares to street art.
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