Barcelona is a city renowned for its architecture, which includes the stunning Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the charming La Rambla, and the delicate Palau de la Música Catalana. But what you might find while you explore its magnificent buildings and wide boulevards is something entirely unexpected: some of Europe’s most vibrant street art scenes.

From stencilled characters to graffiti murals that are as large as entire city blocks, Barcelona is home to an eclectic group of street artists who aren’t afraid to take risks with their work.

Although street art has been a popular medium in many cities around the world, it’s only recently that Barcelona has become known for its graffiti and street art. “Barcelona is experiencing a very particular moment of convergence between artistic practice and social interaction,” says Javier Poveda, curator of UrbanArtatla.

“The city is undergoing a transformation as it becomes increasingly cosmopolitan and international. This new way of blending public life and artistic creation has increased the number of attractions for artists.”

The city’s urban landscape is filled with countless examples of street art, but there are a few that stand head-and-shoulders above the rest. From stencilled characters to graffiti murals that are as large as entire city blocks, Barcelona is home to an eclectic group of street artists who aren’t afraid to take risks with their work. These are just some of the best examples of street art in Barcelona.

  1. A Muralled Street

This mural was created by artist Felipe Pantone and uses a sidewalk as canvas so that pedestrians can see the piece from both directions. The mural has become so iconic that it’s now featured on a series of postcards produced by Street Art Barcelona, an organization that promotes street art in the city. Apart from this, you can also choose Grand Canyon Tour.

  1. Geometric Artwork in an Industrial Landscape

This stencilled mural is a way to bring life to an otherwise industrial landscape along the waterfront on Barcelona’s Carrer de la Palla. It features geometric shapes that seemingly ripple and flow with each wave that passes through the city’s shipping ports.

  1. A Muralled Street Sign

As you walk down one of the city’s many street signs, this mural by artist Justo Capilla breaks up the monotony of a typically nondescript sign with bright colours and a playful design. The piece also plays off of the Barcelona street signs’ verticality, which can make it easy to mistake the word “vermell” for “Mona Lisa.”

  1. A Muraled Railway Heritage Building

This mural helped transform an old building into a tourist destination that showcases some of Europe’s most iconic transportation systems. The building was originally constructed in 1913 to house a railway depot, and it’s now been transformed into a public space that showcases the history of public transport in Barcelona. You can also consider Alcatraz Tour for your next trip.

  1. A Muralled Side Street

This mural by artist Jofre sheds light on the most important things in life: food, friends and art. The imagery is rendered in a cartoonish style that’s reminiscent of street art from New York City’s subway system as part of an effort to bring life to this otherwise boring side street. The mural was also part of a collaboration between Street Art Barcelona and the Walls Arts Project, which brings together artists from around the world to create murals all over Europe.

  1. A Muralled Street

Measuring over 5,000 square meters, this mural by the artist Okuda San Miguel is the largest street art project in Barcelona and can be seen up close on Avenida Meridiana. The piece took one month to complete and features a design that’s inspired in part by Greek architecture but with a modern twist.

  1. A Muralled Street Sign Overdosed with Flowers

It’s not uncommon for street art to add a dose of whimsy or humor to this otherwise mundane part of the urban landscape, but this piece by the Decorilla collective perfectly balances graphic elements with floral elements.

  1. A Muralled Street Sign

This mural takes the concept of an original street sign and adds a touch of whimsy to turn a bland element of the urban landscape into something that’s truly unique. The piece was created by artist Felipe Pantone and is one of many street art pieces featured on this block that runs parallel to Carrer del Rec.

  1. A Muralled Airport

In addition to graffiti murals, Barcelona is also known for its street art in transit hubs like this mural by the artist Okuda San Miguel, who’s been commissioned to create a series of pieces that celebrate the city’s love of travel. This particular mural can be seen at Barcelona’s El Prat airport, but some of his other pieces are located all over the city, including in Gràcia.

  1. A Muralled Street Sign in Gràcia

Here’s another great example of street art transforming a mundane part of the urban landscape into something that really stands out from the rest. The piece helps bring life to a street sign in the Gràcia neighborhood and was created by the Spanish artist Dabro.

But art aficionados aren’t the only ones who appreciate Barcelona’s street art. The local municipality has also developed an art policy to encourage the spread of street art on city walls. Although street artists are technically breaking the law by painting on public property, the municipality has chosen not to enforce these laws.

Instead, the city’s government sponsors and funds an annual Street Art Festival , which invites international street artists to spray paint a different neighbourhood in Barcelona each year. The festival is held in September, so you’ll have just enough time to make it there before summer ends!

Many formerly taboo areas have turned into open-air galleries for spray paint and stencils, including industrial areas and unfinished neighbourhoods that were once off limits to artists.

The best way to discover what lies in store for you is to get into the game yourself by visiting streets that have been given over to street art. “Urban Art is a big part of our city life,” says Poveda. “We encourage artists to make the most of this great opportunity and create a better city.

Ref: https://www.londontime.co/10-things-you-wouldnt-expect-to-find-in-barcelona/