The Banksy Effect: TUI Musement Reveals 10 Most Popular European Cities for Street Art Lovers

May 30, 2025

Tours & Activities

The artist «strikes» again: a new an unseen work of art sparks global interest
Analysis: Study based on Instagram posts
Themed experiences: Urban art tours are on the rise and offer a unique way to discover a destination

With the rise of street art, streets, squares, and walls have transformed into open-air galleries. The latest creation by Banksy is just another example of how this form of artistic expression has taken over urban landscapes.

(), a leader in tours and activities, has compiled a list of some of Europe's most popular cities for street art, based on the number of Instagram posts* related to this art form. The list highlights 10 colourful destinations where travellers can admire iconic murals, take part in graffiti workshops, and explore neighbourhoods revitalised by the street art movement.

: The City of Light, home to renowned artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh, has become a major destination for street art enthusiasts. From the massive murals decorating the facades of the 13th District to the famous graffiti and murals in the and Oberkampf neighbourhoods, Paris is an open-air museum. The central Le Marais area, housing the iconic Jef Aérosol piece ("Chuuuttt !!!"), is also a must-visit.

: Over the past few decades, national and international artists have left their mark in areas like Shoreditch, Camden, and Walthamstow. Additionally, Leake Street, the famous Banksy tunnel, attracts numerous visitors. For street art lovers, TUI Musement offers a , led by urban artists.

: The East Side Gallery, the longest outdoor gallery in the world, features works by 118 artists from 21 countries. Murals decorating the Berlin Wall, such as the famous "Brotherly Kiss" by Dimitri Vrubel, are some of the city's most iconic sights. Travelers craving more can take an urban art tour through the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain neighbourhoods or participate in a .

: Street art is prominent throughout the city, especially in the multicultural El Raval district, the Gothic Quarter, and the facades of the old factories in Poblenou. Fans of Banksy shouldn’t miss the dedicated exhibition at the , which delves into the techniques of this famous artist.

: The massive murals decorating the facades of Lyon make the French city a landmark for street art lovers. Le Mur des Canuts, one of the largest murals in Europe, is just one of the many works found in the Croix-Rousse district. Additionally, the neighbourhoods of Guillotière, Presqu'île, and offer a unique perspective on the city’s urban art scene.

: To see street art in this city, visit , an alternative neighbourhood filled with colourful murals and graffiti. Likewise, the iconic St. Pauli district attracts not only nightlife lovers but also street art fans, while the impressive outdoor gallery Walls Can Dance in Harburg displays 13 large murals.

: Allegedly the hometown of Banksy, Bristol is a key destination for admirers of his work. The Bedminster district, known for its street art festival, is a major hotspot, along with Stokes Croft and Nelson Street. First-time visitors to Bristol can take a .

: While the capital’s historical and artistic heritage is undeniable, with world-famous attractions like the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums, Rome also stands as a leader in street art. Murals in the neighbourhoods of Quadraro, Ostiense, San Lorenzo, Pigneto, and Tor Marancia are prime examples.

: Renowned artists like Os Gémeos, Blu, and Shepard Fairey have left their mark on Lisbon, transforming facades into true masterpieces. Street art is prevalent in many parts of the city, including Graça, Mouraria, Marvila, and LX Factory, which explains the large number of . Among the most famous murals is Fado Vadio, a tribute to traditional Portuguese music.

: To discover some of the best examples of urban art in Madrid, is highly recommended, where the walls of the old tobacco factory La Tabacalera showcase stunning murals. Malasaña, known for its alternative vibe, is also a must-see.

Notes for editors:

Images available here:

*Methodology: The ranking was based on European cities with more than 380,000 inhabitants. The number of posts for the two most popular street art-related hashtags for each city were added up: #streetartX and #Xstreetart. For example, for Madrid, the hashtags #streetartmadrid and #madridstreetart were analysed. Both the original city name, and its English translation, were included, selecting the most popular option. The analysis was conducted in May 2025.

Ranking – Number of Instagram Posts:

Paris: over 1,888,000

London: over 1,182,000

Berlin: over 633,000

Barcelona: over 430,000

Lyon: over 188,000

Hamburg: over 184,400

Bristol: over 165,600

Rome: over 163,800

Lisbon: over 154,200

Madrid: over 147,000

Related Links & Downloads

About TUI Musement 

TUI Musement is a global Tours & Activities business that combines a highly curated product portfolio, scalable digital platforms and in-destination service by local teams, to source, develop, distribute and deliver products in three categories:

Experiences: Excursions, activities & attraction tickets
Transfers: Between airports, hotels and ports
Tours: Multi-day itineraries encompassing hotels, experiences, guides and transportation

Available in all major beach and city destinations, products are sourced from leading travel businesses or developed in-house by TUI teams, including the TUI Collection, the flagship experiences portfolio of TUI Group, and National Geographic Day Tours, unique and immersive small group guided experiences. Products are distributed to customers, including the 20+ million TUI customers, through TUI websites and apps – such as the Tours & Activities dedicated TUI Musement app, as well as in-destination local teams and B2B partners, including some of the world's leading OTAs, tour operators, airlines, hotels, travel agencies and cruise lines. TUI Musement is one of the major growth areas of the TUI Group and employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide.

About TUI Group 

The TUI Group is one of the world's leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. 

TUI Group offers its 20 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 18 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe's leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with more than 130 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company. 

Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation. 

Maria Sierra

May 30, 2025