Barcelona is home to a thriving street art scene.
If you know where to look, you'll notice that the city is full of hidden art.
Barcelona's artists express their emotions by decorating the city with an extra touch of color.
Today, I'm going to tell you all about the most important places in the city.
Street art in Barcelona: article summary
Street art in Barcelona: Poble Nou
You can't go wrong with the Poble Nou. Some of the most attractive urban art sites are located in this part of the city. The Poble Nou district was once the industrial heart of Barcelona.
Today, old factories and industrial relics have become the ideal canvas for artists. There's always something to see. However, be prepared to let this expressive art wash over you!
La Escocesa
Looking for a creative space? La Escocesa is a self-managed creative space worth visiting. Today, the former factory is a cultural center housing 21 workshops. These affordable spaces support the creative development of local and international artists.
Artists are selected through a competition. After a few years, they are replaced by other artists. Normally, the site is closed to the public. However, if you go there during the exhibitions or the Festival de Murales, you'll be able to discover all the creations!
Carrer de la Selva de Mar
If you're interested in street art, then a stroll down this street will surely be an enjoyable experience for you. There are no boring murals here, that's for sure.
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of Barcelona (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
"Panorama" by Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada
The mural named Panorama is a hyper-realistic portrait that highlights some of Barcelona's residents. This large-scale portrait depicts ten different women from the Poble Nou district. It's a beautiful tribute to these women who are part of the local community.
"Crisa's "Closing the Circle
This mural, entitled "Closing the Circle", is located at the bend of a Barcelona Street. It represents the struggle between the green, natural landscape and the grey, human structures in which humanity is trying to find its own place.
Italian artist Crisa has symbolized this through the unstable wooden structure and the plants that invade it, causing the butterflies to flee.
Street art in Barcelona: the Raval
Wonderful works of art, that's what you'll find in this neighborhood with probably the largest collection of street art in Barcelona. For this reason, the district is sometimes referred to as the nerve center of street art.
Fresco by Keith Haring
We all know Keith Haring, the famous American artist. To discover his work, go to the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA). This fresco, originally painted on an abandoned building in the Ravalis now on display on a new wall near the MACBA.
The mural's red paint reflects Haring's iconography, such as children, life, sex, death and his fight against AIDS. The work entitled "Todos Juntos Podemos Parar el SIDA" is an invitation to fight AIDS together.
"Ciutat Bella" tribute to Joan Miro by Sixo
The "Ciutat Bella" project, launched in 2014, honors Joan Miró and shows Barcelona's constant evolution. Sixe Paredes was the first artist to take part in this initiative. He created an abstract yet colorful mural that highlights the city's social and artistic potential.
At the same time, it also aimed to promote coexistence and civic values. The aim was to create art with meaning and significance for the community.
Conse's tribute to Makha Diop
This fresco by Catalan artist Conse is fairly recent. It attracts attention with its beautifully saturated colors and is well worth a visit. It pays tribute to Makha Diop, a local activist. known as the "sand painter who sadly passed away in 2020.
He was a talented artist who lived in the Ramblas and was a central figure in Barcelona's African community. This fresco is a fine tribute.
Street art in Barcelona: Poble Sec
After El Raval, Poble Sec is the place to be if you aspire to electrifying creativity. It's packed with outdoor spaces where various urban artists give their all.
Garden of the three chimneys
Les Jardins des Tres Xemeneies is a public park located in the district of Montjuïc. The garden exists on the site of a former power station, whose three imposing structures gave the garden its name.
Visitors can admire magnificent sculptures which were once industrial machines from that era. It's a pleasant place to relax and enjoy nature, while discovering remnants of the city's industrial history.
Other street art venues in Barcelona
Nau Bostik is a must for art and culture lovers. This cultural center located in the Sagrera district regularly hosts exhibitions, art festivals and vintage markets. It's also a favorite spot for leading street artists who leave their mark. So it's hard not to notice the wall art that adorn the walls of Nau Bostik.
It's important to note that street art is ephemeral. Despite this, Barcelona will always remain a must for street art fans.
Thank you!