Selfies and Insta-friendly images are all the rage in the digital age. But for true art, why not take in the urban street art galleries where masterpieces are on every corner! Here, The Wise Traveller gets its groove on to highlight the cities with the best and most diverse art around the world.
Valparasio, Chile
For starters, the streets of this vibrant port city offer several eye-opening works from a collective of street artists. Large canvases can be seen on Elias Street, perched on Cerro Alegre Hill.
Hundreds of artists, both local and international, have created masterpieces on buildings, concrete fences and steppes of the hills. Valparaíso's skyline is covered with fascinating and evocative art treasures.
Colombia
On the streets of Bogota, the thumping South American capital, it would be best to buy a ticket for the Bogota Graffiti tour - the "golden ticket" that pairs street art enthusiasts with visitors keen to discover the stories, dreams and movements behind Colombia's most populated city.
On this tour, you'll consider the influence of hip hop on the capital's art scene, an influence that has been present since the 1980s. The tour will also guide you through the capital's industrial areas, which provide a striking backdrop for the art on display. Everything changes when you reach La Candelaria, where you'll be transported back in time to the colonial era, the neighbourhood's architecture a sharp contrast to the modern artistic techniques on display.
If you're keen for even greater immersion in the city's cultural and artistic life, head to SurFest, a Bogotá street festival held in the south of the city, in Ciudad Bolívar.
In Medellin, accompanied by the sounds and strains of urban music and the city's mountainous backdrop, Comuna 13 district offers impactful street art. The people, music and style of this part of the city fuse into a fantastic setting for experiencing Colombia's graffiti art scene.
For a different, yet equally spectacular setting, head to Killart where standout street artists, including Joyce Obregon, Linda Montoya and Norella Magdaniel, have all exhibited.
Turkiye
Istanbul's street art is on another level. One of the best places to see creative minds in action is Kadikoy Quarter, where murals pop out from the street. While Osmanaga and Rasimpasa districts give you a taste, the best area is on the narrow streets of Yeldeğirmeni.
Valencia, Spain
In the heart of the nation's street art capital, Valencia has many thought-provoking murals.
These complex paintings feature acclaimed artists such as Akimbo, Escif, and Stillo Noir, with many adorning buildings in the Cabanyal, El Carmen, and Ruzafa districts. While looking out for David de Limón's famous ninjas, peek at Dridali's life-like portraits.
Delhi, India
Delhi's rich tapestry is now renowned among the best in street art globally. Thanks to St+Art India, a non-profit project that commissions artists to paint buildings across cities, the city is now one of Asia's bastions of creativity.
There is a 968-metre artwork on Tihar Jail that reflects on inmates' isolation and a 45m-high mural of Mahatma Gandhi at the Delhi Police HQ to witness, as well as many more across the city, particularly in the Shahpur Jat district. Drop into Lodhi Colony, a residential neighbourhood that also doubles as an open-air gallery with more than 65 murals.
Berlin, Germany
The epicentre of European street art is in Berlin, given its huge political references and the presence of the Berlin Wall. In 1990, over 100 artists painted the Wall, with the 1.3km section of the East Side Gallery a must-see. However, there are many areas to discover where street art flourishes. From Friedrichshain to Kreuzberg, Urban Spree and Mitte, home of the TV Tower, it seems that street art permeates every corner.
Rome, Italy
International artists, including Garbtell and Pignetto, have left their mark on the city's street art scene, with the outskirts of Toe Marencia offering stunning views. San Lorenzo is an art district home to street art from Via dei Volsci to Via degli Enotri, and a collective wall along Via degli Ausoni.
Sydney, Australia
Strolling around Sydney offers a photographer's paradise of iconic landmarks such as the Opera House, but away from the main centre and tucked-away, there are art installations that are just as jaw-dropping.
'Forgotten Songs', a canopy of delicate bird cages suspended above Angel Place, is a permanent art installation in the city. It commemorates a melancholy facet of our history — the songs of 50 birds once heard in Central Sydney, before they were gradually forced out by European settlement.
Elsewhere, take in the Andrew Aiken and Juilee Pryor-inspired 'I Have a Dream' mural in Newtown's King Street, a bohemian precinct. Other locations include Ashfield and Balmain, where artists have taken on major commissions.
Łódź, Poland
This small Polish city has an abundance of large murals that stretch as high as 10 stories on the sides of buildings. The murals were commissioned to reinvigorate the city scene with an injection of culture, aiming to attract tourists flocking to the city to view the artworks. Many works are inspired by Polish folklore, capturing scenes and characters familiar to locals.
Philadelphia, USA
While there are many cities and towns across the US with street murals, the best is in Philadelphia. For the second year in a row, USA Today readers voted the city as having the best street art in the country.
The city has over 4,000 murals, with the ongoing work of Mural Arts Philadelphia as a driving force behind its repeated victories in the publication's annual 10 Best Readers' Choice awards.
On a smaller scale, Vermillion, in southeast South Dakota and home to the University of South Dakota, is one of the best places to view some stunning murals. Vermillion's streets are filled with sculptures and massive murals, part of the ongoing Vermillion Community Mural Project.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
