a travel blog by renata green
Although I’m a self-proclaimed street art truffle hound, Boulogne-sur-Mer was the first city I’d ever visited solely for its street art. And what can I say? It was absolutely worth it. During my stay, I discovered around 100 fantastic murals by about 80 artists, some of them world-famous. I featured roughly half of them in my post Best Street Art in BOULOGNE-SUR-MER – Part 1: North of Rue Faidherbe. And here comes now the other half, namely the works located south of Rue Faidherbe.
I’ll be honest with you: as a self-proclaimed street art truffle hound, it was the overwhelming number of amazing murals that initially drew me to the city. Although, once I was there, strolling along the harbor to the endless beach framing the rugged Atlantic, admiring the historic buildings in an old town up a high ridge, visiting farmers’ markets, and enjoying breaks in charming little coffee bars, also the rest of the city had completely won me over.
Nevertheless, as expected, it was the extraordinary street art in Boulogne-sur-Mer that made my three days in the city a colourful treasure hunt.
Street art is an integral part of Ghent’s cityscape, even if it doesn’t necessarily compete for attention with the medieval architecture. The scene ranges from spontaneous graffiti and tags to large-scale murals by internationally renowned artists. Some works are carefully commissioned, while others emerge from the city’s independent graffiti culture. The most famous example is Werregarenstraat, better known as Graffiti Street, whose walls are constantly being repainted and therefore never look the same for long. Beyond this famous alleyway, street art can be found woven into the cityscape in various neighborhoods.
In this post, I’m taking you to the best street art spots Ghent has to offer.
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 ->Gabled houses, wooden shoes, tulips – the list of cutesy clichés that everyone immediately associates with the Netherlands could go on and on. And then you get to Rotterdam, and the image is shattered.
Rotterdam isn’t a city that wins you over with Dutch stereotypes and postcard charm. It draws you in with its palpable energy and cosmopolitan vibe. Rotterdam is different from any other city in the Netherlands, and that’s exactly why it is absolutely worth visiting.
Martinique – doesn’t the name bear elegance and classiness but also exotism? Indeed, the French Caribbean Island of Martinique delights its visitors with golden beaches, turquoise waters, lush greenery in abundance, tropical vibes, and French savoir-vivre.
Undoubtedly, Martinique is a feast for all your senses.
In this comprehensive guide, I’m telling you which ten places – or more precisely: areas – not to miss during your visit to Martinique and how to get there even if you are exploring the island comfortably by public bus.
