Street art shows the different personalities of the cities (Kristen Thoennes)
Do you ever wish you were an artist? There have been times in my life when I wish I could paint a beautiful landscape or sculpt an interesting design. But I have not honed those skills, so instead I have the pleasure of enjoying other people’s creations by visiting museums when we travel.
There are fantastic art museums all over Europe, but one of my favorite ways to consume art is through street art and graffiti. There is something about art that is available to everyone and in unexpected places that really appeals to me.
Let’s explore some of my favorite places for viewing street art!
Check whatever town you are visiting to see if there are special street art or graffiti themed tours. (Kristen Thoennes)
Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is where my appreciation for street art came to life. We booked the Sofia Graffiti Tour where we learned about all things street art. I loved it!
Glasgow, Scotland
Even if you only have one day in Glasgow like I did, you can spot a plethora of amazing street art. Explore the Glasgow Mural Trail to discover your favorites.
.jpg/alternates/LANDSCAPE_910/Belfast%20photo%20credit%20CT%204.jpg)
Keep your eyes open to discover the free art of the world around you. (Kristen Thoennes)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast has a gritty history which I’ve come to learn means the street art will be on point! It did not disappoint. We took a street art tour that had an interesting twist—art related to The Troubles. The Troubles was a period of history with a lot of religious and politically motivated violence. Each side created murals honoring their side and mourning those who were killed. Since the Good Friday Agreement, Belfast has encouraged street art that brings the community together to create a new legacy for the city.
French Riviera
On a recent trip to Antibes and Cannes, I was surprised by how much street art we saw. Check out this list for a self-guided tour of the art in Antibes. Cannes, being the home of the International Film Festival, featured many murals dedicated to the film industry. Which famous actors will you find adorning the facades?
Belgrade, Serbia
Like Belfast, Belgrade has a tumultuous history that lends itself to fantastic street art! We did a street art walking tour with Street Art Belgrade to see a selection with an informative guide.
Other cities that are known for amazing street art:
Paris, especially the Montmartre area
Berlin, Germany
London, England
Almost every European city we’ve visited while stationed in Germany, has offered at least some street art and graffiti to admire while trapsing about. Keep your eyes open to discover the open-air art museum in the next city you visit!
Almost every European city we’ve visited has offered at least some street art and graffiti to admire while trapsing about. (Kristen Thoennes)
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of Defense.
