a travel blog by renata green
In the first part about the best street art in Antwerp, I introduced the brand-new murals around the Zomerfabriek in Antwerp’s Berchem district. Well, that’s certainly not all the city has to offer in terms of urban art. You’ll stumble across amazing murals not only all around the city center. The northeastern suburb of Merksem, in particular, is a fantastic open-air gallery showcasing some of the best street art in Antwerp.
Anyone entering the area around Zomerfabriek in Antwerp’s Berchem district immediately feels its unique vibe. Where the old Nieuw-Zurenborg gasworks burned tons of coal until the mid-20th century, the blaze of top-notch urban subculture now glows brightly. I was lucky enough to visit Antwerp in early summer as the annual Meeting of Styles festival takes place. Hence, I saw the new works almost before the paint had even dried. Therefore, I can present you with the best street art currently adorning the walls of the Zomerfabriek.
And let me tell you: these murals are fresh in every sense of the word!
The number of amazing murals in Rotterdam is so overwhelming that it was simply impossible to squeeze it all into one single post. Therefore, after having guided you through the best street art that you’ll find in the northern part of the city in my post Best Street Art in ROTTERDAM, Part 1: North of the Nieuwe Maas, here comes what Rotterdam has to offer in the calmer, more residential neighborhoods south of the Nieuwe Maas River.
I’m a street art truffle hound. My trained nose lured me to Rotterdam to see its amazing murals. To be honest, before my visit, I had no idea what an impressive city awaited me. And although Rotterdam repeatedly tried to distract me from my street art mission with breathtaking buildings, incredible sculptures, and its multicultural vibe, I stayed true to my task.
Therefore, in this post, I can introduce you to the best street art in Rotterdam. Due to the headspinning abundance of outstanding murals, I’ll focus on the works north of the Nieuwe Maas River. Then, in a second part, I’ll introduce you to the murals that beautify the residential neighborhoods in the southern part of the city.
Of course, I’ve also put into writing what else there is to discover in this all-too-often overlooked city. My post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands is a complete guide to this fantastic city.
But now, with no further ado, let’s get to the murals in the so-called Chinatown, the Witte de Withkwartier, and beyond.
This Way to the Whole Story ->I always try to book the cheapest flights. This often involves at least one layover, frequently lasting several hours. Hence, my many long layovers in major hub cities like Paris, London, Lisbon, and others have inspired my series 24 Hours in…. There, I offer fellow travellers suggestions on how to transform those unproductive hours into a mini-vacation.
Now, Basel’s airport isn’t one of the most frequented hubs. Nevertheless, due to the city’s location at the tripoint of Germany, France, and Switzerland in the heart of Europe, it often lies on the globetrotter’s route, especially if you travel by train or long-distance bus across the continent. And also my road trip through Europe brought me back to Basel – and enabled me to put together this 24-hour itinerary for this often underrated and overlooked art hub.
This Way to the Whole Story ->Every summer, the grounds of the historic Carlshütte iron foundry in the village of Büdelsdorf in northern Germany host one of the largest exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe. Around 200 artists from all over the world present their works in an impressive industrial setting. As in previous years, I’ll tell you everything you need to know for your visit to NordArt in 2026.
Nestled between Alpine panoramas and a vibrant urban pulse, Zurich surprises with an unexpected blend. Switzerland’s largest city is not only a financial center. It is also a place where ideas have always converged and new things were born. Emigrants, artists, and thinkers have left their mark here, a legacy that is still palpable today.
At the same time, Zurich boasts not only financial prosperity but also abundant natural wealth that is definitely not to miss. Lake Zurich shimmers in the heart of the city, and the Alps seem almost within reach. Between trendy neighborhoods, historic alleyways, and creative spaces, a city unfolds that is open, lively, and surprisingly progressive.
Basel is one of those cities that feels like it should be bigger than it is. Not in size – but in presence. Sitting right where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet, it exists in a constant cultural overlap: Swiss precision, French flair, and German structure all blending into something unexpectedly creative. Even if you spend just a weekend in Basel, you’ll quickly realize how much there is you simply shouldn’t miss – and in this post, I’m showing you the best of the best.
The Biennale di Arte, one of the world’s most important art events, takes place every two years. Although Venice is certainly a place worth visiting even when nothing special is on, my post on how to visit the city during the Biennale 2026 will make your trip even more memorable.
