20 Most Awesome Street Art Cities on Instagram

What is it that you travel for?

You could be one of those travelers who favor mountain vistas and azure lagoons. Maybe you go for high-altitude homestays and to see the world’s icons? You could be out to capture the best landscape shots or a glimpse at endangered wildlife. Hell, perhaps you even travel for whiter pillow cases and hotel pool access.

Then again, you could be one of those with a complicated love of cities. You trek to famous summits and wake up for sunrise views, but ultimately, you long for the the disorder of a good city. You’re forgiving of imperfections, and you know exactly how to experience the best (and the worst) of a culture in an instant. Are you excited by noodle stalls, sprawling markets, traffic, noisy crowds, worn architecture, street art, and all the other urban signatures?

I definitely am. And I said “best street art” in the title, so if you’re reading this, I’d reckon some of that mess is for you, too.

With a taste for upheaval, photographers of urban life may never achieve the Instagram fame of those who spend their days roaming fjords and lounging on beaches. But they are out there. If you look hard enough, Instagram is filled with lovers of asymmetry, appreciators of grunge, and urban journalists. There is life beyond the flat lay! We’ve gathered a collection of the best street art around the world, curated by some pretty awesome street photographers and artists (and a maybe a few of ours, too). Let’s go!

the world’s 20 best street art cities as told by Instagram

1. San Francisco, California, USA

Man of the Mission #streetsofsf. Art by @zioziegler.

A photo posted by once we’re young travel (@oncewereyoung) on Jun 4, 2015 at 2:16pm PDT

2. Wellington, New Zealand

a wall along cable street, in #WellingtonNZ designed to bring awareness to shark finning and why it’s a horrid practice. #sharkwall #travel #travelgram #newzealand #stopsharkfinning

A photo posted by sarah (@paperinkpassports) on Nov 22, 2015 at 6:09pm PST

3. Tel Aviv, Israel

I just love the crazy street art in Tel Aviv #israel #visitisrael walking through the streets of Jaffa, I saw a ton of really cool street art. #yahootravelexplorers

A photo posted by Dr. Cacinda Maloney (@pointsandtravel) on Oct 27, 2015 at 8:39am PDT

4. Valparaiso, Chile

Staircases in Valparaiso, Chile – an art lovers dream 🎨

A photo posted by Simone & Dan ✈️ (@theaussieflashpacker) on Sep 21, 2014 at 12:18am PDT

5. Penang, Malaysia

Morning Instagrammers! 👋🏼 something for the weekend – hunting for #streetart in Penang, up #ontheblog today #malaysia #penang #travelgram #graffiti #citygram #art #visitmalaysia #markinggeorgetown #artwalk #instagood #blogger #IGtravel #ig_shutterbugs_city @mypenangpgt

A photo posted by Clare//the Wayfarer Diaries (@thewayfarerdiaries) on May 23, 2015 at 2:22am PDT

6. Los Angeles, California, USA

Another installment of LA art #highlandparkla #graffiti

A photo posted by Sadie Redinger (@eclectic_trekker) on Jun 19, 2014 at 10:09pm PDT

7. Berlin, Germany

Leipzig’s district Plagwitz is often compared to Berlin’s charm of the Nineties and I can confirm I felt this vibe as well. #thisisleipzig

A photo posted by Michael Schulz | Berlin (@berlinstagram) on Oct 6, 2015 at 2:25pm PDT

8. São Paulo, Brazil

#saopaolo #saopaulo #saopaulocity #brazil #brasil #rsa_streetview #photooftheday #rsa_graffiti #walking #binta2walkingseries #graffiti #graffiti_aroundtheworld #graffitibrasil #colors #color #pink #woman #face #hand #instabrasil #igbrasil #instasaopaulo #instabrasil #streetart #urbanart #urban #art #streetphotography #streetsofsaopaulo #streetphotographers

A photo posted by Aurore Maréchal (@binta2) on Jan 7, 2016 at 4:14am PST

9. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Did you know famed author Kurt Vonnegut was born and raised in Indianapolis? I didn’t until I moved here! If you’re signed up to the Let’s Love Local mailing list, be sure to check you inbox later today to see if you won the monthly giveaway (the prize is Vonnegut-related)!

A photo posted by Polly (@letslovelocal) on Nov 30, 2015 at 8:51am PST

10. Seoul, Korea

Seoul street art. 🎈🎨

A photo posted by Laura 로라 (@willfulandwildhearted) on Sep 18, 2015 at 7:43am PDT

11. Cieszyn, Poland:

Backstreets of Cieszyn, Poland – the best stop between Cracow and Prague and my all time favourite place (also you can find the best hostel ever there – @3bros_hostel_cieszyn – kind of my second home!)

A photo posted by kami (@kamischka) on Dec 6, 2015 at 10:20am PST

12. London, England

Kings cross. #london #england #swing #explore

A photo posted by Lizzie Jones (@fromeuropeandbeyond) on Jan 4, 2015 at 5:33am PST

13. Melbourne, Australia

#streetart #Melbourne #victoria #Australia #visitmelbourne #visitvictoria #visitaustralia #melbonpix #auslife #wanderaus #ig_Australia #travel #travelgram

A photo posted by Kat Redmond (@kat_redmond) on Dec 19, 2015 at 1:21am PST

14. Buenos Aires, Argentina

#buenosairesciudad #palermo #arteurbano #artecallejero #streetart #streetartfiles #streetarteverywhere #streetartbuenosaires #urbanart #urbanexploration #hombre

A photo posted by claudia (@claudiadepaseo) on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:42pm PST

15. Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain. Have you ever taken a picture that you love to look at, but that just doesn’t have a good story behind it? Here’s mine.

A photo posted by once we’re young travel (@oncewereyoung) on Jul 24, 2015 at 8:17am PDT

16. New York City, New York, USA

So happy to do an independent project in NYC on Second Avenue and 1st Street #eastvillage. We love #nyc !!! To the golden era #oldschool #mural #hiphop – Respect to everyone that has made and continues to keep the real Hiphop alive ! Thanks to @yanouaknine @alizezanyc @jr @dozegreen @marthacoopergram @morbros and our crew 🙏✨#osgemeos Projeto Independente em NYC. Dedicado a todos que fizeram parte e continuam mantendo a cultura #hiphop viva.

A photo posted by osgemeos (@osgemeos) on Aug 15, 2015 at 4:45pm PDT

17. Bogotá, Colombia

We like street art, yes we do. Featuring our favorite street art cities in tomorrow’s blog post, and #Bogotá made the cut. Any guesses which other cities will be on the list?

A photo posted by once we’re young travel (@oncewereyoung) on Jan 27, 2016 at 5:11pm PST

18. Cape Town, South Africa

#capetownstreetart #streetart #graffiti #art #africa #southafrica #capetown #woodstock #faith47 #iphone #iphone4s #iphone5

A photo posted by Cape Town Street Art (@capetownstreetart) on Dec 28, 2013 at 9:34pm PST

19. Tokyo, Japan

And everywhere they go, they seem to find a @zioziegler. Unsuspecting #Tokyo has some pretty great street art. Our list of favorite street art cities is up! Find out what other cities made the list (Link in Bio)!

A photo posted by once we’re young travel (@oncewereyoung) on Jan 28, 2016 at 10:41am PST

20. Cairo, Egypt

Boy with Sandwich | Downtown Cairo, Egypt

A photo posted by bethibrahim (@bethibrahim) on Mar 14, 2015 at 7:56am PDT

Can’t get enough street art? Give a look to the 12 Best Street Art Cities in Europe from Eternal Arrival.

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Which cities did we miss? Share the best street art cities in the comments below!