10 CITIES WITH AMAZING GRAFFITI

There is probably no one in the world that wouldn't have tried to create a graffiti, at least on the back side of a public toilet door. While in most places graffiti is an illegal activity some cities are thinking more forward and see it as a manifestation of art, but in some of the places even if it's illegal they keep appearing on the walls  and houses as a resistance against some sort of political situation, and after a while they become the part and charm of the city until they are inseparable from the it's personality.
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Here are 10 cities that are priding themselves with some of the most original, painful, political messages or colourful graffiti in the world. 

10) ​BELFAST - NORTHERN IRELAND

Belfast has arguably the most political graffiti in Europe perhaps in the whole world. This troubled little big city is home to almost 2000 murals that are reminding the citizens and visitors about the acts of intense violence that were going on in Northern Ireland for three decades. The most well-known is the Peace Wall that was separating Protestants and Catholics apart during the conflict and according to recent agreement some of the walls are going to be taken down in an attempt to unite the city. 
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09) BERLIN - GERMANY

The Berlin wall, once the symbol of separation and hostility is today a colourful reminder of the Cold War, with graffiti depicting historical and political changes in the country. While the West Side of the wall was painted long time ago the Eastern side, today known as East Side Gallery, which was untouched until 1984 is now the largest open air gallery in the world featuring 106 paintings from famous international artists.
But Berlin doesn't stop just there, it operates on a much larger scale to make your city walks more enjoyable, you will see street art and graffiti appearing on every corner and decorating houses in a unique style.
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08) PENANG - MALAYSIA

​Georgetown on Penang island in Malaysia is somewhat peculiar in combining paintings and actual artefacts as one picture. A Lithuanian artist called Ernest Zacharevic was commissioned to create these wall paintings in 2012 that are fading away very fast. In fact some of them have already disappeared. There is no need to panic as there are new and new wall arts are emerging every year on the streets of this city. You can get a map at the place of your accommodation however just by strolling the streets and keeping your eyes open you will find even more graffities that are not on the map yet, simply because they cannot updated them as quickly as the graffiti keep appearing. 
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07) VALPARAISO - CHILE

When in Chile head to the capital of graffiti of Valparaiso, this place surprises its visitors on every turn and every corner with a colourful picture created by groups of artists that they travel here from all over the world to leave their legacy on the walls and buildings of Valparaiso. There are however a lots of local artists taking their fair share to give life to the gray walls, while preserving the culture and traditions of the city, all this within the project of 'Valparaiso in Colours'. Behind every single painting there is a well researched story or a deep meaning. 
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06) BOGOTA - COLOMBIA

Bogota, with its irregular blocks and twisted alleys is home to over 8000 active street artists who are contributing to the colourful look of the city. They can do so happily and legally since 2011 when such art was recognised by the city leaders after the citizens got upset by the police tragically killing a 16 year old street artist. 
Walking the streets with organised tours led by local artists have become one of today's major attraction of the city. 
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05) MEXICO CITY - MEXICO

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​Why art lovers and artists are heading to Mexico City? To see the house of Frida Khalo? Correct! but not only! This huge metropolis in the recent years has become a hotspot for talented artists. Many spectacular graffiti entered the streets making your city strolls even more enjoyable and the wall art movement is expanding with a rapid pace with backpacking street artists stopping by while travelling the continent and leaving their marks here.
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04) LISBON - PORTUGAL

Many fellow travellers will agree with me that exploring a city via its street art may be the best way to explore a city. It is especially true for Lisbon, a city that offers into-the-face art painted on buildings to make them look less shabby and at the same time tiny hidden corners where you have to walk by many times in order to spot the masterpiece. The city council made great efforts to help local street artist to decorate the more rundown areas and so Lisbon has become the most colourful among the European capitals.  

03) BUENOS AIRES - ARGENTINA

The capital of Argentina recently brought in a law that helps to maintain street art as a legal activity with many local authorities encouraging urban artists to paint the city's walls. Since then artists from all over the world travel to Buenos Aires to cooperate with the locals and create something special, so they can promote their work in the rest of their journey. The most popular areas are Villa Crespo, Palermo, La Boca, Colegiales, Congreso, Barracas and Montserrat, but random art will surprise you while walking the streets. 
It is always worth to go for some organised tours as the guides know lots of interesting stories or political inception that hides behind a piece of art. 
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02) SAO PAOLO - BRAZIL

Sao Paolo used to host the biggest graffiti collection of South America until a very sad day not long time ago when the mayor decided to paint over them and make them disappear in an attempt to clean up the city. His act only evoked that more and more citizens are defending the street art that belongs to the day-by-day life of the locals. 
The incrypted language of graffiti has never been more popular then now in this politically challanged country and especially in Sao Paolo. And it is true that the walls of the city are so colourful and gorgeous like no other of the Latin world, some of them are really brilliant and impressive. 
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01) MELBOURNE - AUSTRALIA

The Aussies really know how to make a place even more special. Melbourne as the capital of stencil art work gets the well-deserved first place in this ranking. Apart from the most popular streets that are covered on every inch with graffiti like Hosier Lane, Finaly Avenue, Union Lane you can head to Caledonian Lane or ACDC Lane, that are a little less known, meaning less tourist so you can snap your new Instagram profile picture, will not let you down. The tradition of graffiti is in full stream since the 1990's and the locals are taking around their guests with a great pride to show off with this open air museum. 
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