If you follow my Instagram, you can’t have failed to notice that I’m a fan of street art. While most people walk past the scribbles and the sprays, oblivious to the colourful creations across the walls of the cities, I often stop and snap a pic.
It’s more than just graffiti to me – it’s about talent, passion and, for the most-part, risk. Street artists will go to great lengths to bring colour and personality to areas that are seemingly grey and boring. In some areas street art is ubiquitous, but others it’s a surprise – light at the end of a tunnel.
My interest in the art form stems back to a street art walking tour I went on in 2014, around London’s east end. We saw some great pieces, both unsanctioned (aka illegal) and commissioned, from the likes of Banksy, Roa and Phlegm.
Since then, I’ve always been on the hunt for street art, wherever I go. Throughout my travels I’ve seen some amazing pieces, in New York, Oslo, Brussels and Bogota. Some of my favourite artists include Roa (who climbed to the top of the favourites list after I found a piece of his early work in Ghent), Stik, Exit Enter and Barcelona’s own Pez – whos work is in the photo at the top of this post.
On our recent trip to Barcelona I saw loads of magnificent murals and colourful characters painted, stencilled and sprayed across walls, doors and railings. Here are some of my favourites (including a piece by the Belgian artist who paints crayons everywhere – I don’t know his name, so if anyone has an idea, please comment below):
I definitely want to get back to Barcelona, maybe even later this year – there was so much that I didn’t get to see in this amazing city. And I’ve since found out that there are quite a few street art walking tours that you can do there. I’ll definitely be booking myself on one of these when I go back.
Such amazing pictures! I love Barcelona and can’t wait to go back later this year. x
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Thanks so much Lily! Yeah, me too – really want to get back there! X
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I had no idea there was so much street art in Barcelona but some of these images are beautiful x
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Aren’t they just? I love all the colours, so bright and vivid! x
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Street art is v popular and this is a fab article :)x
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It is definitely growing in popularity Melanie, you’re right! It’s popping up everywhere now x
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Deffo, I see it everytime I am out and about 🙂 x
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The street art in Barcelona is quite striking. I would imagine this art shows up in many a Instagram post and is quite poplular x
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I think you’re probably right Sarah – I know I shared plenty of it on my Instagram when I was there haha! xx
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Wow the street art is beautiful in Barcelona x
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Isn’t it?! I love it, so colourful 🙂 x
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Wow that is some street art, amazing! I want to go visit!
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Go if you get the chance Harriet – you won’t be disappointed, I guarantee x
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What a fab post. I love street art and now I need to visit Barcelona to see it for myself!
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I cannot recommend Barcelona enough as a city to visit for a short weekend away – there’s so much to see and do there, not just the street art! x
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Great post, my husband is a huge fan of street art and it is rubbing off on me as well x
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Really? That’s great to hear 🙂 where have you found your favourite pieces so far? Any recommendations? x
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Lovely photos 🙂 I didn’t realise there was so much street art in Barcelona.
I moved to Sheffield last year and there’s loads of street art here- I bet I still haven’t found it all!
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Ahhh really – one of my favourite artists is actually from Sheffield (Phlegm), I wonder if you’ve seen any of his work? I’ve never been to the city myself, but I found a piece of his in Oslo once! x
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I love how street art seems to be cropping up nationwide and I live for it. I am a big fan of street art as anyone knows looking at my blog x
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Yes, I love all the pics on your blog and Insta feed Ana – the colours of the street art in Shoreditch really makes your fashion posts really stand out against other bloggers x
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Aw thank you so much you have great photos as well. Where are you off too next, anywhere exciting? Hope you have a good week ahead x
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Thanks hun! I’ve just got back from Mexico, as you know – so much street art there, it was amazing! Next I’m off to Jordan – I don’t expect to find much street art there, if any, but maybe I’ll be surprised 🙂 xx
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I’m the same i love street art and feel it brightens up a place. I liked some i’ve found across Glasgow recently. I don’t know much about street artists though and have only know of Banksy. Barcelona is place i’d love to visit too x
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Yes, I found some great pieces on Ingram Street in Glasgow once – I always seem to just stumble into them, rather than going out searching for them specifically x
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I love street art, it is always so vibrant and beautiful. I’ve never been to Barcelona but it is on my travel bucket list, I’ll have to add seeing the street art to the reasons why I want to go!
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Yes, there is definitely plenty of colourful pieces in Barcelona! What are your other reasons for wanting to go? The Sagrada Famillia should be on the list too, if it isn’t already 😉 x
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I totally agree I think graffiti is fantastic creative artwork and it’s so nice that you found these in Barcelona x
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Nice to find another person who views street art as “art” rather than just vandalism 🙂 Where have you found the best pieces Rhian? x
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I really enjoyed this!! Some great street art there! So colourful. Barcelona rocks
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It’s a great city isn’t it Donna! x
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I love the street art. How amazing! I enjoyed looking at all this. You should see London street arts. xx
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Yes, I used to live in London – Brick Lane is one of my favourite areas for street art x
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Wow the street art looks great in Barcelona, great photos!
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Thanks Jemma! x
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Some of these are truly amazing! Though the dog one I actually found a bit…well…disgusting. lol But art wise it was ofc really well done!
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Yes, it’s a bit vulgar, but some art is like that – don’t ever go to a Damien Hirst art exhibition!! X
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Wow some of these are amazing! My favourite has to be the tiger style wall with the blue eyes. Stunning! x
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It’s beautiful isn’t it Tanya 🙂 x
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Wow it does look great doesn’t it. There is loads in London just not where I live. love the tiger.
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I used to find street art all the time when I lived in London, though now I’m in Reading there’s hardly any (and the stuff I do see is more graffiti than art, unfortunately). There are plenty of other cities that have impressive street art scenes though Melanie – Oslo’s is very different to other places I’ve been, so work a look x
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I LOVE street art! I love the street art in Brighton….have you ever been? x
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Hey Leah, yes I’ve been to Brighton a few times, but never really seen much – maybe I’m looking in the wrong places…??? X
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I love street art too. I find it so pretty.
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It really brightens up grey, dreary cities, doesn’t it? x
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Street art is definitely a much under-rated form of art. Some of the art around London really makes you stop and look twice – looks like Barcelona has some very talented artists too!
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I know what you mean Emma – some of the pieces I’ve seen have been so impressive, I just can’t believe they’ve been drawn/painted by someone’s own hands! x
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I do love it when people come across some amazing street art x
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It’s fab isn’t it – always makes things seem brighter and more colourful! x
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We love the street art in Belfast but it’s not a patch on Barcelona. Great photos x
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I haven’t been to Belfast since 2008, but I never noticed any when I was there unfortunately 😦 I’m definitely due a trip back there, so will have to check it out on my return! x
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Wow the street art in Barcelona is beautiful! I love how it combines such bright pops of colour. My favourite is the pop art style though, now thats really cool! xxx
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I love “pop art” style street art too – it’s so vivid and bright, a contrast to the grey concrete of the cities x
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Art is defined as the expression and application of one’s creativity, typically in the form of something visual.
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That’s true!
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they are certainly very talented as I struggle to draw anything let alone freehand with spray paint they brighten up dull places for sure
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I know what you mean – there’s no way I could every do something this creative myself! I’s so impressive isn’t it! x
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Oh wow, I never knew Barcelona had such a thriving Street Art scene! The photos look great, especially the Pop Art ones. I’m a big fan of that style of Art!
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Yeah, the city is covered in colourful street art, I love it 🙂 x
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Barcelona is such a cool city! I totally agree about street art. It really takes a ton of time and talent to create these pieces. So awesome to see; even better in person I bet!
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Next time you’re in Barcelona, see whether you can scout some out Megan – I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed 😛 x
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Talent, passion and risk – I love that! I adore street art. It never fails to amaze me how detailed some of them are. I’ve never been to Barcelona but it’s on my to-do list! 😍 xx
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You should definitely make a trip to Barcelona, it’s a beautiful city 🙂 x
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Even I love street art, it’s like the bright colors falling all around you, fantasizing and imagining the best out of it, Seriously, The doodles are always so amazing. I love to explore these kinds always.
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I agree Neha – some of the pieces of art are simply breathtaking! x
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The graffitis are simply lovely. I really respect those who draw such beauties.
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Me too – it shows massive amounts of talent and passion to create such phenomenal pieces of art! x
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I’ve been thinking about visiting Barcelona for a really long time now, but I just haven’t had the opportunity! I feel so bad about it, the place looks amazing! The street art has been well captured by you, good work!
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Thanks Medha, I appreciate that comment 🙂 if you manage to get to Barcelona, you’ll have a fabulous time, I guarantee x
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Whoa! It’s really colourful! It is truly interesting to record street art in different cities all over the world. I do the same in my blog ❤
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Looks like we share the same passions Justine 🙂 Where have you found the best pieces? x
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Barcelona is so perfect!! You snapped some great shots, love it!
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Thanks Halley – it’s an amazing European city, probably my favourite that I’ve visited (so far, anyway) x
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Street art to me was usually seen as vandalism but as I have grown in life I have come to see it as something creative. Some pieces are outright hilarious and creative when you look at them. Another post I read somewhere had some very interesting pieces that were humorous to look at and really blended with the scenery.
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I appreciate that street art isn’t for everyone – some do see it as vandalism, though I think it’s important to be mindful that some pieces have been commissioned by the area’s local authorities 🙂 I love that you have learnt to like street art and your view has changed as you’ve grown in life 🙂 x
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Love this, and love street art! Done well, it provides so much color and life to a spot that would just be functional and rather bland otherwise. Thanks for sharing the pictures. ❤ Happy Travels.
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I couldn’t agree more Meg – some of the commissioned murals are absolutely stunning! Brussels is another great place for street art, and Oslo’s street art scene is a little lesser known, but with a massive art college in the middle of the city, it’s understandable why there would be so many interesting pieces around! x
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Wow great pictures. I have not seen this side of Barcelona and I have been 3 times!
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I think street art is one of those things: if you’re a fan, you find it, you notice it. If you’re not really a fan, sometimes you’ll just pass right by it and not even notice (it is graffiti to most, after all). Maybe next time you go to Barcelona you could seek it out a bit, you might find something you like 🙂
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I’m also a big fan of taking snaps of street art. Great finds!
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Thanks Stephanie – there’s definitely something captivating about street art isn’t there? WHere have been your best finds? x
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I love walking around cities with great street art. Must admit though I’ve never thought of Barcelona when I think of street art but it was many years ago I visited. May have to go back
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You definitely should Claire – the street art scene in a city changes very quickly, these pieces might not even be there any more 🤔 x
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I do love street art but had no idea Barcelona had such fantastic street art – granted it’s s been a long time since I’ve been there!
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Ahhh when was the last time you went Talya? You should go back soon, it’s such a vibrant, buzzing city x
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I haven’t been to Barcelona but would love to go. These street art images are fab – I love the white tiger 🙂 x
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He’s a beaut isn’t he 🙂 Barcelona is a really cool city – I’d love to go back there, as soon as I’ve done my 30 before 30 challenge! x
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I do love street art – not the silly tags that people do but proper art. It is so pretty
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I agree – the tags and sprays that people do aren’t proper “art”. The big murals, cartoons, little creative bits, they’re real art and show so much talent 🙂 x
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It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go to – even moreso now! Beautiful pictures 🙂
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Thanks Grant! I hope you get there one day 🙂 x
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That looks amazing there is no street art really where we are so I would love to visit somewhere vibrant with colours!
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Head to the cities Debs, most big cities have plenty x
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Great shots! I’m definitely guilty of not really stopping to take notice of the amazing art on our streets. I live in london so Shoreditch is a real Mecca for graffiti as you said. Thanks for sharing xx
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Oh wow, you’re in the best place for street art in London Lou, without a doubt! So jealous x
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I never used to be a fan o street art, but of lately it has peaked my interest. London towns such as Camden and Shoreditch are thriving with such great work from these fab artists. If ever in london I certainly recommend checking it out, I too if in Barcelona.
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Yeah, I love Camden and Shoreditch – they’re great for street art. I once went on a street art tour in Shoreditch actually x
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I love hunting street art too, always exciting and unusual. I have never seen Barcelona posted in such way, I think I missed a lot of charm. Makes me want to come back!
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It has been a few years since I visited Barcelona and I remember admiring all the art work. I think a revisit is in order
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I’ve never been to Barcelona. The art there is real art, i think when graffiti is done right, it’s not vandalism
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i just love the stree art in Barcelona – there are some really fantastic pieces there – kind regards Pati Robins
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