Our Visitors from Unusual Destinations – Top 8
March 28, 2020
Top 5 memorable events that took place in Plovdiv
April 25, 2020
Due to the global pandemic, the time for traveling and admiring graffiti or street art definitely isn’t now. Neither most of the tours are operating, nor it is advisable to leave your home unless necessary. Although, when the time comes you must have a premade list. Thus, let us help you with that! To begin with, where can you wholesomely enjoy graffiti art? The answer is clear, wherever there is someone to help satisfy your artistic curiosity. For example, you could be staring at a piece of art and make incredible explorations; however, you might be missing the one thing only the natives can see. Therefore, the tours included in this post are not only known for their majestic street art and the significance that it brings to the public, but also for having experts that would help you see clearly.
Free Tours by Foot at Bushwick Collective
As claimed on their website, Bushwich is “NYC’s most prolific neighborhood for street art and graffiti”. Similarly to our creative district in Plovdiv– Kapana, Bushwick was transformed from a neglected area into a graffiti and street art attraction. It welcomes artists and admirers from all over the world. Unlike Kapana however, this neighborhood started its transformation motivated by a single person- Joseph Ficalora. His own tough life inspired him to make a change. Namely, to turn a criminal area into a street art hub by inviting hundreds of artists to participate in the making of an ever-changing street art gallery. Also, somehow involuntarily, but led by his guts, Joseph turned from an ordinary native into the curator of the Bushwick Collective. Join the Free Tours by Foot and look for their Graffiti and Street Art tours in Bushwick to learn more about this inspiring story.
Miami’s Best Graffiti Guide
On our next stop, we dive into another extremely popular neighborhood in the urban art community in the US. It’s Wynwood. If there is anyone who really understands the styles and messages of the murals it is an artist. In particular, there are two artists here who make it possible for you to explore Wynwood in many different ways. Pedro, known as AMOS in the world of graffiti art and Ryan the Wheelbarrow, a talented screen printing performance artist. You can actually take a ride on the backseat of a tandem bicycle ridden by Ryan himself, go for a Duo Adventure, or join a small group of up to 9 people. It doesn’t matter if you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a small group, there is something for you. Prices vary depending on what you choose, so visit Miami’s Best Graffiti Guide’s website for more information.
The Original Bogota Graffiti Tour
#1 from almost 400 tours in Bogota according to TripAdvisor, if you think about it for a moment, The Original Bogota Graffiti Tour is actually one of the best-rated graffiti tours worldwide. More specifically, the tour takes place in a historic graffiti art district in Columbia’s capital, namely La Candelaria. In contrast to the colorful environment, your guides will reveal the true colors of Bogota through an ephemeral art that reflects on the current political situation. So brace yourselves for some real talk! Lastly, the tour is free but donations are more than appreciated.
Buenos Aires Street Art Tours
Responsible for writing and publishing the first graffiti and urban art book in Argentina, Matt Fox- Tucker, an ex BBC journalist from England along with Guilherme Zauith, a photographer from Brazil founded the Buenos Aires Street Art organization. It “organized and curated some of the biggest murals” in the capital, as mentioned on their website. Moreover, it also runs walking urban art tours around the neighborhoods in the northwestern part of the city. Matt himself or his expert colleagues are guiding them. Furthermore, prices start from $20. Last but not least, since a portion of the funds received at the tour is used to support future mural projects, it feels good to know that you helped the urban art community develop.
Melbourne Street Tours
Known in the urban art world for its iconic Hosier Lane, AC/ DC lane, Centre Place and many more, Melbourne is definitely one of the world’s street art capitals. That doesn’t mean however that graffiti cannot be found there. Аctually, graffiti in Melbourne is almost as old as it is in New York. Аlthough, street art is what’s generally more accepted nowadays. Furthermore, it isn’t just Miami where you can be guided by artists. Melbourne Street Tours only hires active artists that are an essential part of the art community. Finally, guided by a master of the craft costs you $69 and it also includes a free visit to a gallery where you can enjoy a beer or a glass of wine while seeing some extraordinary artists being in their element.
Alternative London
London, a city both famous for street art and graffiti is nowadays more of a street art supporter, rather than a graffiti shelter. For instance, with punishments getting more severe, being a graffiti artist is off-putting for even the most dedicated in the craft. However, such boundaries offer new opportunities for street artists whose job is getting better received by the masses as each day passes.
So when did this war between street art and graffiti start in London? Undoubtedly, reading about the beef between Banksy and King Robbo would be a good start. However, now let’s get back to what we are here for. Clearly, our recommendation is Alternative London and more specifically their so-called- Street Art Tour and Spray Painting. As the name suggests, instead of only learning techniques, you might as well practice some of them in their purpose-built street art workshop. The price of this adventure is 45 pounds.
Alternative Berlin Tours
Last on our list is Berlin, or like a lot of people call it – Street Artist’s Mecca. We have all heard of the East Side Gallery. But how much do we know about the local German and foreign artists that have long been recognized as the symbol of freedom and rebellion? Clearly it is Street Art Workshop by Alternative Berlin Tours that would add value to your stay by answering those questions. Similar to the one in London, here you become a part of the graffiti world by crafting something too. Actually, to make things even more thematic, your workshop takes place in an abandoned former East German factory. The price is 25EU.
Bonus- Plovdiv Graffiti Tour
Plovdiv Graffiti Tour is the highlight on Sundays and Mondays in Plovdiv. It is a donation-based, entirely walking tour which is a part of the 365 Association. Moreover, it reveals different styles, discusses writers from the present and the past and it lasts around 2 hours. Further, our guides explain the differences between street art and graffiti, talk about the gentrification of Kapana, and finish with the story of the popular Sgraffito art in the historic Old Town of Plovdiv.
To conclude, no matter where you go, we recommend checking if there are these sorts of tours available there. Do so, especially if you are looking for a contrast to general history tours and you are craving something alternative. Finally, we are aware that lots of super high-quality tours and cities were missed in this compilation, but that leaves room for another blog post. So stay tuned!
Author: Free Plovdiv Tour Guide – Daniel Georgiev
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