Urban landscapes around the world are canvases for street artists who transform ordinary city walls into extraordinary masterpieces. We decided to investigate which cities around the world and in the UK are the best street art hotspots.

By analysing each destination’s street art, from their number of murals to Instagram popularity, our research uncovers surprising cities leading the charge in urban creativity. And it’s not just its visual impact that street art is known for — it plays a unique role in shaping and reflect a community’s identity, and can even influence property prices. 

From Bristol and Belfast to Athens and Papeete, read on to discover some of the most vibrant street art scenes in the world.

UK Street Art Hotspots

Top 10 UK cities with the most street art per square mile

Drawing on data from Street Art Cities, we identify the top 10 UK cities with the most street art, relative to its size.

Below are the UK locations with the highest concentration of street art, making them the most likely places to encounter creative expressions and murals while exploring these cities.

City	Region	No. of artworks	Artworks per square mile
Portsmouth	South East, England	123	7.9
Belfast	Northern Ireland	348	6.8
Nottingham	East Midlands, England	187	6.5
Bristol	South West, England	244	5.7
Plymouth	South West, England	155	5.0
Manchester	North West, England	201	4.5
Worcester	West Midlands, England	40	3.1
Southend-on-Sea	East, England	41	2.5
Leicester	East Midlands, England	57	2.0
Aberdeen	Scotland	84	1.2

Top 10 most Instagrammable street art cities in the UK

It’s not just a location’s street art density that makes it an inspiring place to be. Using hashtag data from Instagram and comparing it to each city’s population, we uncovered the top 10 UK cities where street art is most celebrated online.

We looked at the average number of Instagram posts across two specific hashtags:

• #[city]streetart
• #streetart[city]

These are the UK cities with the most Instagram posts dedicated to its local street art, relative to their population.

City	Region	Instagram Posts (Avg.)	Instagram Posts per 1,000 people
Bristol	South West, England	81,033	168
Brighton	South East, England	33,472	120
London	London, England	579,937	65
Manchester	North West, England	30,024	51
Glasgow	Scotland	20,893	34
Sheffield	Yorkshire and the Humber	19,182	33
Belfast	Northern Ireland	9,872	29
Aberdeen	Scotland	6,048	27
Liverpool	North West, England	8,273	16
Dundee	Scotland	1,860	13

A closer look at some of the street art capitals of the UK

Portsmouth

Portsmouth’s street art scene may come as a shock to some, but it is rapidly growing in popularity, bringing a fresh creative wave to the city’s historic streets. The Hotwalls Studios in Old Portsmouth provide a platform for local artists to showcase their work, while the walls around Albert Road are increasingly filled with murals that reflect the city’s coastal charm and rich naval history. The “We Shine Portsmouth” festival has also started to transform parts of the city with contemporary street art, offering a glimpse into its emerging role as a destination for urban art enthusiasts.

Editor’s Pick: Phone Your Mum by My Dog Sighs – Portsmouth

The Phone Your Mum mural by My Dog Sighs, painted on the side wall of the Southsea Cycles shop, is a captivating piece of street art that combines emotion and a simple yet poignant message. Featuring the artist’s signature style, the artwork’s striking primary colours immediately draw the eye, while its heartfelt message resonates with anyone who passes by. The mural is a visual delight and a gentle reminder of the importance of staying connected with those who matter most.

Belfast

Belfast has a rich street art scene deeply entwined with its history and culture, particularly in the Cathedral Quarter, where vibrant murals are part of the city’s fabric. The Falls Road area is renowned for its politically-charged artworks that capture the complexities of Northern Ireland’s past, while the nearby Peace Walls have become an evolving gallery of expression and dialogue.

Editors Pick: Keep Her Lit by ADW – Belfast

‘Keep ‘Er Lit’ is an Irish colloquialism which means keep going, most commonly used when drinking or driving a tractor (although not at the same time…). ADW is an Irish street artist with a distinctive style and we’re fans of how he combines humour, irony, and vibrant visuals to challenge viewers and spark conversations.

Bristol

Bristol, the birthplace of Banksy, is often considered the street art capital of the UK, with a vibrant scene that thrives across the city. Stokes Croft, known as the city’s cultural quarter, is a hotspot for murals and graffiti, with every wall, shutter, and alleyway serving as a canvas for creative expression. Nelson Street is another key area, featuring towering murals from the iconic “See No Evil” festival, which brought international artists together to transform the cityscape.

Editors Pick: The Mild Mild West by Banksy – Bristol

The Mild Mild West, one of Banksy’s earliest known pieces, emerged in the late ’90s and still occupies its original spot on the side of a residential building adjacent to Hamilton House on Stokes Croft in Bristol. It is particularly interesting because it captures the spirit of resistance and rebellion that defines both Banksy’s work and the Stokes Croft area.

Brighton

Brighton’s street art scene mirrors its bohemian vibe, offering a colourful array of murals that reflect the city’s creative energy. The North Laine area, particularly around Kensington Gardens, is a focal point for street art, where you’ll find walls adorned with a mix of political, whimsical, and abstract pieces. The nearby Kemptown district also boasts striking artworks that add to the city’s unique character.

Editors Pick: The Prince Albert Mural by various artists – Brighton

We love the Prince Albert Mural in Brighton for its vibrant celebration of music and culture, featuring striking portraits of iconic musicians like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, and Jimi Hendrix. Located on the side of the Prince Albert pub, the mural embodies the city’s creative spirit and love for artistic expression. Its bold colours and lively depictions add character to the streets of Brighton, making it a beloved landmark for locals and visitors alike.

How street art impacts property prices in the UK

With great street art being so well-loved in the UK, we were curious to find out whether it influences how desirable it makes a city to live in.

By comparing the average property prices against the number of street art murals across different UK cities, we found a moderate positive correlation (0.35) between higher numbers of street art murals and higher property prices.

The cities closest to this overall trend are:

• Leeds
• Leicester
• Birmingham
• Portsmouth
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Manchester
• Plymouth
• Worcester
• Sheffield
• Bristol
• Liverpool

While other factors — not limited to healthcare facilities, employment opportunities and transport options — undoubtedly play more significant roles in influencing house prices, this trend underlines how important the local culture and arts scene is to prospective buyers. We spoke to property valuation experts to find out more:

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Worldwide Street Art Hotspots

Top 10 Worldwide Capital Cities with the most street art per square kilometre

Once again turning to Street Art Cities to find out how many murals are in each place, we identify the top 10 global capital cities with the highest concentration of street art.

If you’re planning a trip to soak in the local street art scene, make these international destinations your top choices — they’re where you’re most likely to find street art while exploring their neighbourhoods.  

City	Country	No. of artworks	Artworks per km2
Athens	Greece	530	13.6
Brussels	Belgium	433	13.3
Papeete	French Polynesia	183	10.5
Lisbon	Portugal	714	7.1
Paris	France	688	6.5
Minsk	Belarus	626	1.5
Singapore	Singapore	26	1.46
Copenhagen	Denmark	253	1.41
Amsterdam	Netherlands	299	1.36
Vienna	Austria	432	1.0

Top 10 Worldwide Capital Cities with the Most Instagrammable Street Art

We discovered the Top 10 capital cities by analysing the popularity of street art in these cities based on social media engagement. To do this, we collected data on the average number of posts using two key hashtags: #[city]streetart and #streetart[city], which capture the visibility and popularity of street art within each city.

We then averaged these hashtag counts to gauge the overall presence of street art in each location. To ensure a fair comparison across different-sized cities, we compared it to the population of each city, allowing us to identify the capitals where street art garners the most attention relative to the amount of people who live there.

City	Country	Instagram Posts (Avg.)	Instagram Posts per 1,000 people
Paris	France	922,482	431
Lisbon	Portugal	75,347	148
Brussels	Belgium	21,712	116
Berlin	Germany	310,851	85
Amsterdam	Netherlands	64,383	71
London	United Kingdom	579,937	64
Athens	Greece	34,607	54
Reykjavík	Iceland	6,337	48
Dublin	Ireland	24,088	41
Stockholm	Sweden	29,856	31

A closer look at some of the capitals

Athens, Greece

The city’s urban landscape is adorned with a mix of politically-charged graffiti, vibrant murals, and avant-garde pieces by both local and international artists. The best areas to explore street art in Athens include the neighbourhood of Exarcheia, known for provocative artwork that often tackles themes of resistance and social justice. Psirri and the Gazi district are other hotspots worth visiting and capture the creative pulse of Athens.

🗺️ Book a street art tour with Alternative Athens.

Editors Pick: Loukanikos by Billy Gee, Alex Marinez and N_Grams – Athens

Loukanikos gained international fame as the dog who accompanied all the anti-austerity protests on the streets of Athens.

Paris, France

Paris’s street art scene is vibrant and diverse, particularly in neighbourhoods like Belleville, Oberkampf and Le Marais. The city is a canvas for renowned artists such as Invader and JR, whose works can be found adorning walls throughout the city.

🗺️ Book a street art tour with Street Art Tour Paris

Editors Pick: Chuuuttt!!! (Hush!) by Jef Aérosol – Paris

One of our favourite artworks in Paris is “Chuuuttt!!! (Hush!)” by Jef Aérosol, a striking stencil piece depicting a man silencing the viewer with his finger to his lips, located near the Centre Pompidou in the 4th arrondissement. This piece, like many others across Paris, captures the city’s blend of classic and modern aesthetics.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon’s street art scene is flourishing, with vibrant murals in neighbourhoods like Bairro Alto and the LX Factory. The Underdogs Gallery has played a significant role in promoting local and international artists, including Vhils and Bordalo II.

🗺️ Book a street art tour with Tuker Lisbon Tours

Editors Pick: Amália Rodrigues Portrait by Vhils – Lisbon

We love the Amália Rodrigues portrait by Vhils for its striking fusion of traditional and contemporary art techniques, which pays a heartfelt tribute to Portugal’s iconic fado singer. Vhils’ unique approach of chiselling into the wall to create a layered, textured image beautifully captures Amália Rodrigues’ expressive presence and enduring legacy.

Papeete, French Polynesia

Street art in Papeete offers a unique glimpse into the island’s cultural and artistic landscape. The city’s walls are adorned with colourful murals that reflect Polynesian traditions, local legends, and contemporary themes. Artists blend traditional motifs with modern techniques, creating works that celebrate the region’s natural beauty and rich heritage. Notable areas for street art in Papeete include the bustling market district and the waterfront, where art often incorporates elements of the surrounding tropical environment.

🗺️ Book a street art tour with Far & Away Adventures

Editors Pick: Résidence Paraita by Okuda – Papeete

We love the giant work created by the Spanish street artist Okuda as part of the Ono’u and OPH partnership for its dazzling fusion of vibrant colours and geometric patterns, which bring a dynamic and imaginative energy to the urban landscape.

London, United Kingdom

London is a global hub for street art and is ever-changing, with Brick Lane at its heart. The area is filled with colourful murals, striking graffiti, and thought-provoking pieces. As you wander down Brick Lane, you’ll find an array of street art around every corner, making it a must-visit destination for urban art enthusiasts.

🗺️ Book a street art tour with Shoreditch Street Art Tours.

Editors Pick: A Couple Holding Hands in the Street by Stik – London

One of our standout artworks is “A Couple Holding Hands in the Street” by the artist Stik, a piece that captures the area’s unique blend of creativity and community spirit. It was voted the UK’s 17th-favourite piece of art in a Guardian poll

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Tools and techniques for mastering street art style pieces

Feeling inspired to dive into the world of street art? It’s not just for the streets – it can also be brought to life at home on a canvas board. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, here are our top tips for creating your own street art-style pieces at home.

Stencilling

Stencilling is one of the most iconic forms of street art, popularised by artists like Banksy. This technique involves cutting out shapes or designs on a sturdy material (such as cardboard or acetate) and then applying paint through the cut-out areas onto your canvas. Stencils are great for creating sharp, defined shapes and repeating patterns. Take a look at our guide to find out how to use stencils and masks on a piece of art at home.

3D Lettering

Bring your words to life with dynamic 3D lettering techniques, perfect for adding depth and character to your street art canvases. Take a look at our guide on how to use different 3D lettering techniques. Each of these techniques can be adapted with paint, markers or pens, allowing for endless creative possibilities. Remember to mix and match these styles, experiment with colour combinations, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Remember, art is all about expressing your unique voice and style – have fun with it and let your creativity flow!

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How we did the research

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Sources

• Number of street art murals: Street Art Cities, July 2024
• Average property price: UK House Price Index, July 2024
• Instagram hashtag posts data, July 2024
• Population data from Wikipedia, July 2024
• Capital city sizes from Wikipedia, July 2024

Methodology

1. We measured the average number of Instagram posts with hashtags relevant to each of the 76 UK cities and 74 global capital cities included in the analysis (e.g. #[city]streetart, #streetart[city]), relative to its population.
2. When comparing street art murals to property price, data from 28 UK cities were included in the analysis. In A-Z order, they are: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Derby, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Kingston upon Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Sheffield, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Sunderland, Worcester.
3. The cities closest to the trend are based on their proximity to the overall correlation coefficient between those factors (0.35 across 28 UK cities)