Travel the World to See this Incredible Street Art

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The world is full of incredible artists, and I don’t just mean the ones that you find in galleries and museums. Liking any type of art depends so much on your own tastes that it’s impossible to create a definitive list of the best or worst art, but we’re going to try!
Street art is becoming a more mainstream vehicle for people to showcase their talent all over the world, and it offers and ever-changing canvas for these talented people to work on.
Here are some of the best places for street art all over the world.

Melbourne - Australia

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The Australian home of hipster beards and great coffee, there are streets and alleyways like Hosier Lane dedicated to art in Melbourne.
The art in these dedicated streets doesn’t get washed off, instead the next batch of artists come through and cover it with their pieces, so you get some incredible clashes of art styles. You can even take street art walking tours through the city to make sure you see all the best bits.

London - England

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The home of world-renowned artist Banksy, London is bursting with thought-provoking and colorful art if you know where to look.
Areas like Shoreditch and Brick Lane are at the centre of the London street art scene, where it isn’t uncommon to find spray painted walls next to high end, boutique shops.

Berlin - Germany

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The Berlin Wall used to be the perfect canvas for artists to spray their politically charged work, but the street art scene in Berlin goes far beyond that.
Berlin has embraced its history and its future in street art, meaning that it’s easy to find some magnificent pieces and get lost in the beautiful city.
The remaining parts of the wall are still absolutely covered in art just like when the whole thing was standing, so you could even get a bit of a history lesson at the same time!

Los Angeles - USA

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The ban on public murals in LA was recently lifted, and you can see the creativity in the city absolutely thriving as a result.
The Arts district is the best place to spot the best street art, but it’s all over LA, so put on your walking shoes and spend a day getting to know the ins and outs of the magnificent LA scene.

Lodz – Poland

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Probably a lesser known entry on the list, Lodz has become a must-see location for street art since the Urban Forms Foundation decided to improve the international image of Lodz through art.
With over 40 massive murals created by artists from not only Poland, but all over the world. There are also countless smaller pieces that are no less incredible and are slightly less in your face!

Christchurch – New Zealand

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After being devastated by an earthquake back in 2011, Christchurch a blank canvas just waiting to be built back up from the rubble.
The mixture of modern architecture coupled with the magnificent street art is making Christchurch look like one of the most modern and progressive cities in the world, and with new buildings going up all the time, more art is inevitable.

Montreal - Canada

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The best time to visit Montreal for street art is in June, which is when the Mural Festival runs for 11 days. Artists come from all over the world to throw some incredible pieces up all over the walls of Montreal.
If you can’t get to Montreal in June though then don’t stress, there is still plenty of art on display all year round, even in the depths of winter!
Saint-Laurent Boulevard is an absolute must visit if you find yourself here.

Valparaiso – Chile

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Street art is unfortunately illegal in some places, but in Valparaiso it isn’t just legal, it’s encouraged.
You can either wander the streets by yourself or be part of an organised (and free) tour. Whichever option you choose there is no way that you’ll be able to see it all of the art in Valparaiso, as it is on literally almost every corner.

Istanbul – Turkey

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Usually associated with traditional Byzantine architecture, a recent boom in the modern art scene in Istanbul has quickly become one of the best in the world.
Kadikoy is the epicenter of the street art scene in Istanbul, but they can be found all over the city. Searching for these pieces of artistic expression all over the city can be a great way to explore the less touristy parts.

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

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Renowned for its colourful and vibrant streets, there is more to Rio de Janeiro than just random splashes of colour though.
Some of the best street art is found in the favelas, but only go there if you know a local or have a guide as they can be very dangerous. It’s worth doing this to see some of the world’s best street art though!

Barcelona - Spain

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The efficient removal of street art is both a blessing and a curse for Barcelona, as it allows the city to be a fluid, ever changing canvas, but also removes some of the best pieces too soon.
The best time to see the art here is in the evenings after the shops close. The roller security doors are often used by artists to make their art more permanent, but they can’t be seen when shops are open.

New York - USA

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A concrete jungle with no specific style, the variation is artists and style to be found in New York is absolutely mind-blowing.
There are galleries dedicated to street art if the streets fail you, but there is so much to see in such a large area that you’re sure to find some pieces that stay with you forever.

Cape Town – South Africa

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Originally used as a vehicle for political beliefs during Apartheid, the street art scene in Cape Town has held onto its activist roots.
Most of the art here has some form of a political message and really points to the power of the human spirit to fight for what you believe in. A must see for those with well-defined political beliefs. They really make you think.

Buenos Aires - Argentina

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You’ll never fail to find huge, wall covering murals in the Argentine capital, especially in areas like Palermo, San Telmo and Colegiales.
Street art is ingrained in the history of Buenos Aires, and walking tours are available to get the full experience of its majesty. With pieces that cover everything from lighthearted satire to deep political messages, Buenos Aires is a city with incredible character.

Lisbon – Portugal

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With the Lisbon City Council taking an active role in promoting the city’s street art scene, this capital city is packed with colour and art that not many cities can compare to.
With murals painted by both internationally acclaimed artists as well as incredibly talented locals, Lisbon is a historic city that’s being vaulted into the modern age of art.

Sources

Hostel World - 9 of the best cities in the world for street art
International Traveller - THESE are the world’s best cities for street art
Afar - The World’s Best Cities for Street Art