Amsterdam Street Art - The 6 Best Places to Find Cool Urban Art

How do you combine urban exploration with art appreciation? By hunting down some street art. Amsterdam is peppered with murals that tell a fascinating story of the city’s culture and politics. Where did it all begin? Many trace the origins of modern street art to New York City’s graffiti phenomenon in the 1970s and ’80s. Through its association with punk and then hip-hop music, urban art soon made its way to Europe, with Amsterdam’s own street artists putting their own spin on this rebellious genre with themes of social justice and activism.

But as with all street art, it comes and goes, with streets like Spuistraat and adjacent Wijdesteeg, once famed for their murals, now redeveloped. Today, urban artists from all over the world come to Amsterdam to leave their mark on its walls, creating everything from gigantic photorealistic murals to quirky cartoon animals and people. So put on a pair of comfy shoes, grab your camera, and discover the best locations for street art during your stay in Amsterdam.

Once abandoned, the vast warehouses of this former industrial space in Amsterdam-Noord have been given a new lease of life as a cultural hub, housing cafes and artists’ studios as well as hosting festivals, exhibitions and performances. As you stroll among the high-roofed buildings, look out for murals by big-name international artists like American Shepard Fairey, known for his pop art-like idealised images. But the indisputable draw here is the STRAAT museum, an exceptionally well-curated space for street art and graffiti featuring over 160 works by almost as many artists from around the world, including Dutch artist Frankey’s Donkey Kong installations. After gazing at the poignant portrait of WWII-diarist Anne Frank by the entrance, take some time to read the info panels telling the stories behind each exhibit. If you’re lucky, you might even see some graffiti artists in action.     

STRAAT: NDSM-Plein 1, 1033 WC Amsterdam. Open Monday noon to 6pm, Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 6pm. Take the F4 ferry from Amsterdam Centraal to NSDM wharf.

If you’re wondering "Where can I see Banksy art in Amsterdam?", look no further. Standing for modern and contemporary, this small but fascinating art space in the Museumplein area in southwest Amsterdam showcases sculptures, installations and urban art. Among its illustrious alumni are the likes of Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Hajime Sorayama – and of course, anonymous British street artist Banksy. As you contemplate his iconic stencilled style in pieces like Girl With Balloon and Laugh Now, diverse themes such as hope, rebellion and exploitation start to emerge. Don’t forget to check out the other urban artists here, including Invader, known for his mosaic murals hidden in plain sight in major cities around the world, and Stik, whose simple black-and-white figures are a commentary on issues such as social injustice and workers’ rights. 

Honthorststraat 20, 1071 DE Amsterdam. Open Monday-Thursday 9am to 8pm, Friday-Sunday 9am to 9pm. Museumplein tram stop.

In May 2019, creative organisation Amsterdam Street Art (ASA) curated the If Walls Could Speak festival on Platanenweg street in the eastern quarter of the city. Themed Amsterdam for Everybody, the outdoor gallery of 5-storey-high murals by Dutch and international artists is both photo-worthy and thought-provoking. Look out for Dutch duo Studio Giftig’s floating woman against a dreamy lavender-and-turquoise background, with pigeons representing both freedom and Amsterdam itself. Also notable are German artist HERA’s child communicating with oft-fearsome mythical creatures, calling for patience and compassion in disputes, and Leon Keer’s 3D painting of nostalgic toys, reminding us all to stay true to our inner child.

Platanenweg, 1091 KS Amsterdam. Wibautstraat Metro.

Stylish yet accessible, this contemporary art gallery in charming Zaandam on Amsterdam’s northwest edge is known for its meticulously curated exhibitions. Big names in street art here include Blade, Elle and Banksy, sitting alongside equally celebrated contemporary artists like Takeru Amano and Jade van der Mark. Owners Isabelle Vroom and Olivier Varossieau are also constantly on the lookout for talented up-and-coming artists to collaborate with, so you never know what you’ll find when you pop into this bright, airy space.

Vroom & Varossieau, Draaibank 10, 1505 RN Zaandam. Contact the gallery on +31 6 5021 5435 or gallery@vroomandvarossieau.com for opening hours. Ferry from Amsterdam Hempontplein to Zaandam, then a 15-minute walk.

This long road bridge connecting north and east Amsterdam is propped up by concrete pillars featuring a constantly evolving display of urban art. Some say this is one of the few places where public graffiti is legal, although it’s unclear whether that’s true or not. What’s certain is that these pillars – stretching from the northern tip of Flevopark through to the far bank of the IJ River – are a popular spot for bored kids with spray cans and talented street artists alike, so you never know what you might find here at the so-called Hall of Fame.

Schellingwouderbrug, Zuiderzeeweg, Buiten-IJ. Tramlines 7 or 14.

If you happen to be in the Jordaan district, take a detour down Prinsengracht. On the west bank of the canal, where two rows of buildings meet on a corner, you’ll find a massive mural by The London Police (the same duo responsible for the electricity boxes we mentioned earlier). It’s in their signature style, with the monochromatic, bubble-like faces by one of the artists blending with the urban sketching of the other, against a grey-blue background. One of their first large-scale murals, this piece of street art is considered among Amsterdam’s most iconic.

Prinsengracht 70, 1015 DX Amsterdam. Central Station Metro.

Amsterdam’s street art is as colourful and diverse as the city itself, sometimes a simple expression of creativity, and other times conveying deeper messages about the world we live in. Either way, part of the appeal of urban art is never knowing what you might find around the next corner, so we hope you have fun exploring!