The Street art in Berlin: tours and ideas of course

Traveling to Germany? So don’t miss discovering street art in Berlin, a must-see for a stay in the German capital.

Berlin is one of Europe’s most artistic capitals. Urban art is then essential in this cultural, contemporary and dynamic city. Present at every corner of the street, street art in Berlin is found in all its neighbourhoods. Famous worldwide because of the frescoes on the vestiges of the Berlin Wall, you should not be content with this facade! Take the time to lose yourself in Berlin’s neighbourhoods and admire all forms of street art. Are you ready for an alternative visit to the German capital? We give you in this article all our ideas of visits and routes to discover the Street art in Berlin!

The Street Art in Berlin in a few words

Street Art in Berlin is more an art of living than an artistic approach. People even see it as a true tradition. After all, the sadly famous Berlin Wall, a cold and grey concrete facade, was a real white canvas for many artists. Some have only filed a graff or wild tag there, others have drawn enticing frescoes, spikes in size XXL. l East Side Gallery is a wonderful testimony of this time.

Thanks to this history, but also to the inherent artistic culture of Berlin, this artistic practice is widely tolerated. The German capital thus attracts local artists, but also many others who come from elsewhere, to express themselves, strengthen their legend and make a name! In short, to discover the Street art in Berlin, you will have to walk. Because, this alternative art is absolutely everywhere, at the turn of a street, in every neighborhood, for the greatest pleasure of amateur and amateur!

East Side Gallery

We were just talking about it: the East Side Gallery is a must-see on Street Art in Berlin! Behind this name, simply hides the longest section of the wall still standing. A length of 1.3 kilometre, it has become one of the world’s largest open-air permanent art galleries! It consists of 118 paintings by artists from 21 different countries. Located on the east side of the Berlin Wall, you will find it along the Mühlenstraße, in the Friedrichshain district.

The first work was carried out by Christine Mac Lean in December 1989, immediately after the fall of the wall. Many others followed just after, performed by artists like Jürgen Grosse alias INDIANO, Kasra Alavi, Kani Alavi, Jim Avignon and Thierry Noir. This hundred works are globally bearing pacifist messages and friendship among peoples. Among the most emblematic and famous, we find the "Baiser of Friendship" between Erich Honecker and Léonid Brejnev . This work is accompanied by a popular slogan at the end of the Cold War: “More wars. Finish the walls. A united world."

You will have understood that if you want to discover the Street art in Berlin, this place is truly a must. It should even be the starting point for your visits on this topic!

In the Friedrichshain district

This urban and living area is just a short walk from the East Side Gallery. With its social-realist architecture and its popular republic atmosphere, Freidrichshain represents the former East Berlin. It is also one of the most emblematic districts of the German capital, with its artistic atmosphere, its musical scene and its alternative places. This district is also well known for its many and surprising works of Street art in Berlin.

You will find most of the works made in the stencil, posters and tags. However, and as many other areas of Berlin, the Friedrichshain district is frequently subject to change. Street art frescoes tend to disappear quite quickly.

Don’t be surprised if some of the works you were waiting for are no longer present at the expected place. This is also what makes the beauty of this art: its ephemeral character. Rather than works, we recommend you to visit the following streets, rich in urban art: Samariterstraße, Rigaer Straße, Liebigstraße, Mainzer Straße or Niederbarnimstraße.

In the Kreuzberg district

Kreuzberg is a very popular neighborhood where street art is obviously omnipresent. If you like tags and beautiful murals, then you will be seduced by this place. There are almost every corner of the street!

Among the most famous urban works in the neighbourhood are those of Italian artist Blu, whose frescoes denounce war, violence, greed, pollution or modern slavery. You will find the most famous on a facade of a building next to the Oberbaumsbrücke. Unfortunately, and if you are a fan of the artist, you must know that his other two successes near the squat of the Curvy-Brache were removed by the artist!

As for Friedrichshain, works can disappear very quickly. Enjoy this discovery of Street art in Berlin as an opportunity to get lost in the neighborhood. Scrub every building, wander into the alleys and you will surely have some very nice surprises!

In the district of Schoeneberg

The Schöneberg district is the quiet neighbour of Kreuzberg. If you like Street art, you should not miss visiting this charming district of the German capital. Schöneberg is known as a popular and multicultural neighbourhood, with great ethnic diversity. Amateurs and art lovers will appreciate its contemporary art galleries, hidden in some buildings. But they will be especially surprised by the many street art works hidden from here.

We have no major frescoes to recommend here. Just take the opportunity to visit Schöneberg, stroll through its streets and let yourself be surprised. On the way, you can discover some vintage shops, stop in a bar or a charming café. But above all, enjoy it to ask the locals where the most beautiful works of urban art are found.

In the Mitte district

Mitte is the historic heart of Berlin. You will find several of the famous tourist attractions of the city, such as the island at the Museums, the Porte de Brandenburg or Checkpoint Charlie. Like every Berlin neighborhood, it houses some street art works. You will find famous frescoes in three streets of Mitte: Alte Schönhauser Straße, Schönhauser Allee and Rosenthaler Straße.

In the latter, you can admire works of street art from international artists such as Banksy, The London Police or El Bocho . Local artists also left their prints in this historic quarter. You can admire other urban art works in Haus Schwarzenberg. This art gallery presents some frescoes of local and international artists. It also hosts numerous events around Street art in Berlin. We warmly recommend you to visit this place during your stay!

In the Prenzlauer Berg district

To finish your street art tour in Berlin, take the north direction to reach Prenzlauer Berg. This village in the city is one of the most charming and quiet places in the capital. With its tree-planned squares and families, it could be believed that urban art could not develop.

It is fortunately false! There you will find several hidden street art spits from there. In Kastanienallee street, you can admire some works by El Bocho, Alias and Alice Pasquini. However, we must warn you: you will not find or few gigantic frescoes. In this neighborhood, they are mostly small pieces you will find, collages or pokers, hidden tags. So don’t hesitate to search and sometimes slip into alleys or buildings. You will sometimes fall on real small open-air galleries!

During or after your visit to the Street art in Berlin, do not hesitate to take a tour of the Kulturbrauerei Cultural Centre. We also recommend that you visit the Mauerpark chip market that is held every Sunday. With luck, a few inhabitants will be able to advise you of the beautiful and hidden urban art works. The key to discovering beautiful frescoes is sometimes to simply ask the kind passing through!