7 Striking Street Art Pieces Capturing New York’s Spirit
Content warning: Which one is your favorite?
New York City has long been a canvas for street artists, turning walls, rooftops, and abandoned buildings into works of art.
From tributes to pop culture icons to powerful social statements, these 7 murals reflect the energy, resilience, and creativity of the city.
More: 10 Best Street Art Capitals for 2025
The Skull Building – Brooklyn, New York
A crumbling industrial building transformed into a haunting skull, with plants growing from its “eyes” and “mouth.” This piece is a stunning example of site-specific street art that merges decay with creativity, making the most of the structure’s existing features.
Kermit the Frog by Jamie Hef – Brooklyn, New York
A playful mural of Kermit the Frog, sitting atop a milk crate, spray can in hand, as if caught mid-tagging. The blend of childhood nostalgia and graffiti culture makes this piece a fun and unexpected addition to NYC’s street art scene.
King Kong by Carlos Alberto GH – New Rochelle, New York
King Kong cradling a tiny human in his massive hand, set against the city skyline. The scale of the piece and the incredible detail create a cinematic effect that draws passersby into a surreal moment.
The Brave of 9/11 by Eduardo Kobra – Manhattan, New York
A tribute to the firefighters of 9/11, painted in Kobra’s signature geometric, colorful style. The kneeling firefighter, framed by the American flag, is a powerful memory of sacrifice and resilience in the face of tragedy.
Flower Mural by OG Millie and Floratorium – New York City
A stunning portrait of a woman with a crown of real flowers cascading down from the top of the wall. This interactive blend of painted and organic elements brings a fresh, spring-like energy to NYC’s streets.
More photos!: Flower mural by OGMillie and Floratorium in New York
Hammer Boy by Banksy – New York City
A classic Banksy stencil of a child swinging a hammer, placed perfectly beneath a fire hydrant alarm bell. This clever use of urban elements to create a whimsical illusion is typical of Banksy’s ability to make the city part of his art.
More by Banksy!: 24 artworks by Banksy: Who Is The Visionary of Street Art?
Interactive Street Art Pipe Mural by Tom Bob – New York, USA
Tom Bob is known for turning ordinary urban objects into playful street art, and this piece is no exception. He transformed a dull pipe installation into a cartoonish face biting down on a red bar, bringing humor and character to an otherwise overlooked spot.
More by Tom Bob!: 33 Cute Street Art Pieces by Creative Genius Tom Bob That Will Make You Smile
More: Street Art Around the World: 5 Amazing Hotspots You Need to Visit
Which one is your favorite?
10 Best Street Art Capitals for 2025
A new study from travel company Slingo ranks the statistically most popular cities for street art in 2025, based on social media engagement, Google searches, and the number of documented murals and graffiti artworks.
While popularity does not necessarily equate to artistic quality, these rankings reflect where street art is generating the most attention and interaction globally.10.
About: Flowers for West Town by Ouizi in Chicago
Chicago, USA
Chicago’s street art scene is a dynamic mix of large-scale murals and underground graffiti culture. With 82 recorded murals, the city features must-see pieces like Greetings From Chicago by Victor Ving & Lisa Beggs, Muddy Waters by Eduardo Kobra, and Robin Williams outside Concord Music Hall. The city’s Pilsen neighborhood and Wabash Arts Corridor are key hotspots for mural lovers.
- 264,000 Instagram posts about graffiti
- 93,900 Instagram posts about street art
- 8,640 Google searches for Chicago street art (Jan 2024 – Jan 2025)
- 21% increase in searches for street art in Chicago compared to the previous year
9.
About: Statue Of Biggest Cat In The World? – By BORDALO II in Lisboa, Portugal (6 photos)
Lisbon, Portugal
Once heavily restricted, street art in Lisbon is now a defining part of its cultural identity. The Portuguese capital has 749 murals scattered throughout neighborhoods like Bairro Alto and the Amoreiras Wall of Fame, showcasing both local and international talent.
- 77,200 Instagram posts related to Lisbon street art
- 24,900 Google searches for Lisbon street art
- 31% increase in interest in Lisbon street art since 2023
8.
About: 6 pics: Darth Fisher (by Frankey in Amsterdam)
By Sydney Waerts, in Amsterdam for Muren van West. Photo by Marieke Weijsman.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s street art culture is thriving, with 237 recorded murals and dedicated spaces like STRAAT Museum in a former shipyard. The city balances its artistic heritage with a vibrant urban art scene, with key works found in NDSM Wharf and Spuistraat.
- 80,000 Instagram posts about Amsterdam street art
- 64,500 Instagram posts about Amsterdam graffiti
- 14,300 Google searches for Amsterdam street art in the past year
7.
About: By Dr Love at Upfest – In Bristol, England
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Banksy in Bristol, England.
Bristol, England
Home to Banksy, Bristol has a well-established street art culture with 11 Banksy pieces still visible and a total of 254 murals. The city hosts the renowned Upfest, Europe’s largest street art festival, attracting artists from around the world.
- 119,000 Instagram posts about graffiti
- 104,000 Instagram posts about street art
- 11,500 Google searches for Bristol street art in 2024
- Bristol’s street art popularity has grown by 29% in the past year
6.
By Juandres Vera in Barcelona Spain
About: 14 Surreal Graffiti Artworks by DavidL: From Cookie Monster to Zombie Homer
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s colorful murals and stencil art contribute to its reputation as a creative hub. With 309 recorded artworks in areas like El Raval and the Three Chimneys Urban Park, the city offers a mix of official murals and raw, uncommissioned graffiti.
- 227,000 Instagram posts about street art
- 25,100 Google searches for Barcelona street art
- 16% rise in Barcelona street art searches compared to 2023
5.
About: Plastic Jesus in Los Angeles (6 photos)
About: Ever feel like you can’t breathe? By Speker in Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, USA
With 2,277 documented street artworks, Los Angeles is one of the largest outdoor art galleries in the world. From the Venice Art Walls to the murals of the Downtown Arts District, LA’s diverse street art scene reflects its multicultural identity.
- 472,000 Instagram posts about graffiti and street art combined
- 32,500 Google searches for Los Angeles street art in 2024
- 24% increase in social media engagement with LA street art in the past year
4.
About: Mural by Isakov in Berlin, Germany
About: “The Wrong Amazon Is Burning” on the Amazon Tower in Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s street art legacy is deeply tied to its political history, with the Berlin Wall’s East Side Gallery being one of the most famous graffiti sites worldwide. The city’s evolving urban art scene extends across Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Mitte.
- 58,800 Google searches for Berlin street art (Jan 2024 – Jan 2025)
- 26% growth in street art-related searches in Berlin in the past year
3.
About: By Kitt Benett in Melbourne, Australia
About: Male Fairy Wren by Geoffrey Carran Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne’s laneways are internationally known for their ever-changing street art. The city remains one of the most searched-for street art destinations, with Hosier Lane being its most iconic location.
- 153,291 social media posts about Melbourne street art
- 74,160 Google searches for Melbourne graffiti and street art
- 38% increase in Melbourne street art Google searches year-over-year
- Highest number of Google searches related to street art tours globally
2.
About: Street (sign) Artist CLET – In Paris and Bretagne, France (9 photos)
About: 33 Murals That Turn Walls Into Wonders: Seth’s Street Art Will Blow Your Mind
Paris, France
With 1,065 recorded street artworks, Paris boasts iconic spots like Street Art Avenue in Saint-Denis and work from artists like Invader and Miss.Tic (R.I.P.).
- 595,000 Instagram posts related to Paris street art
- 58,900 Google searches for Paris street art in 2024
- Paris street art searches grew by 22% in the past year
1.
About: Banksy’s New Street Art in London: Unmasking the Zoo of Modern Society (9 Photos)
About: 3D Pearls on the Deptford landmark in London, UK
London, England
London leads the rankings as the world’s best city for street art, with 472 documented murals and a rich history of urban art across Camden, Shoreditch, and Brick Lane. A new Banksy piece appeared in March 2024, adding to the city’s growing collection.
- 639,000 Instagram posts about London graffiti
- 3,764 TikTok posts using #londongraffiti
- 84,300 Google searches for London street art in 2024
- London saw a 19% increase in searches related to graffiti and murals
The findings reflect a growing public interest in street art, with cities investing more in legal mural spaces, guided tours, and cultural events centered around urban art.
While some argue that mainstream recognition dilutes graffiti’s rebellious roots, others see it as a way to preserve and promote an art form that has long been dismissed as mere vandalism.The rankings also raise questions about gentrification, as neighborhoods once defined by their underground art scenes become curated tourist attractions. Rising property values often follow increased interest in street art, attracting developers and wealthier residents while pushing out the original communities that helped foster these creative spaces. As murals draw in visitors and businesses capitalize on the area’s newfound appeal, the very people who contributed to its artistic identity are often priced out. Who truly benefits from street art’s growing popularity?
In the end, the debate over street art’s role in urban life continues—but one thing is clear: it’s not going anywhere.
More: What Is Street Art?
Which city is your favorite?
Graffi-Tourism
Explore the world's top graffiti cities! See where street art thrives, discover Banksy's most famous works, and uncover the best urban art hotspots today.Slingo
