Street Art In Porto, Portugal – Self-Guided Walking Tour (2024)

About Porto street art

The street art in Lisbon is more famous than the street art of Porto but the same can be said for many things. Despite being a traditional city, Porto has started to become trendy in the last few years. You know what that means?

Well, speciality coffee and vegan food… But also street art!

The first murals you’ll probably see in Porto are scenes from Portuguese history on blue and white azulejos (tiles). But I’m guessing these aren’t the funky graffiti murals you’re hoping for!

Despite the historical feel of the city centre, there are countless street art murals in Porto if you know where to look.

Who are the main Porto street artists?

Hazul Luzah is a self-taught artist with many pieces around Porto displaying colourful abstract patterns.

Mr. Dheo (also a Porto local) is known for his photorealism. His paintings of people are intimate and full of expression.

Costah – known for his art encompassing watercolour and fine lines, Costah has been spraypainting since the 90s. In recent years, he’s turned to tattoos. Getting inked by a famous street artist would be a cool travel story!

Youth One is an Angolan-born artist who started painting Porto’s streets in the ’90s. He’s the founder of graffiti shop, Dedicated Store Porto near Lapa station in Cedofeita.

GODMESS is another Porto street artist I discovered by seeing one of his murals and Googling him. There’s not much about him online but I’m aware he’s a key player in the street art scene of Portugal.

To discover Porto’s alternative side, look no further than Rua Miguel Bombarda, a quirky street choc-a-bloc with small contemporary galleries. The creativity extends to the streets where you’ll find several graffiti murals, a few of which I’ll mention later.

Nearby foodie suggestion – I’m always raving about Rota Do Chá. With a cosy feel and spacious garden, this is a lovely place to relax but the highlight is the sheer volume of teas from all around the world.

These steps lead down from Baixa (the city centre) to Ribeira, Porto’s waterfront district. While walking down Escadas do Codeçal, you’ll see several Porto graffiti murals.

Nearby foodie suggestion – stop for speciality coffee and a smoothie bowl at My Coffee Porto. It has the best views of any coffee shop in Porto (and I’d know because I’ve been to them all!).

So, now you know the top Porto street artists and the key areas for finding urban art. Next, I’ll share the most famous and impressive murals to work into your Porto itinerary.

This is 95% an opportunity to show off my photo gallery of Porto to anyone who will look…

Street art is ever-changing and pieces can be removed or replaced. Let me know any updates in the comments so I can keep this post up-to-date. Thanks!

The Perspéntico blue cat is easily of the coolest street art murals in Porto. Spanish artist, LIQUEN, created it a few years ago for the Verão é no Porto, a summer initiative to help characterise Porto.

Located down a tiny side street off Rua das Flores, it’s purposefully the same shade as the azulejos all over Porto.

If you’re strolling down Rua das Flores from Ribeira to São Bento, you can’t miss it on a side street to your right. If you’re walking in the other direction, you might well miss it so keep an eye out.

Address: Rua Afonso Martins Alho 123-115, Porto.

Keep your eyes peeled on Rua das Flores as there are other murals to be seen.

My favourite street art mural in Porto is the Half rabbit in Gaia. However, the artist Bordalo-II isn’t from Porto so I feel guilty saying it’s the one I prefer!

Most of Bordalo’s murals are in his hometown of Lisbon (I found them all during my recent trip) although there are plenty all around Europe. Like the others, his Porto mural exhibits the theme of nature and human wastefulness.

As you can see, the larger-than-life rabbit is made from colourful pieces of plastic waste.

Address: 42 Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes.

Nearby foodie suggestion – Mercado Beira-Rio is a covered food market serving world cuisine as well as Portuguese dishes and fruit & veggies.

Here and along nearby Rua das Flores, you’ll spot painted electricity boxes. The Frida Kahlo one above has the tag ‘East’ and the blue cosmic woman reads ‘DVE’ but I couldn’t find anything online about these artists.

In the summer months, you’d be smart to take this backstreet when walking between Praça da Liberdade and the Clérigos Tower. Not only is it a hub for Porto street art, but it’s much quieter than the main road.

Nearby foodie suggestion – Chama, an upmarket restaurant with a 10-course tasting dinner, and Cana Verde, a modest restaurant with affordable local dishes.

Don’t miss the Mira mural on a small square off Rua Nova da Alfândega, the main road running beside the Douro River.

The old lady (who represents Ribeira’s ageing population) looks incredibly lifelike although slightly disapproving… Maybe she’s worried the tourists will turn Porto into the next Lisbon!

The artist is Daniel Eime, a Portuguese painter who uses stencils and spray texture to create lifelike faces in black and white. He has an active Instagram so be sure to give him a follow.

Address: Largo de Artur Arcos.

This unusual piece of Porto street art is made from chipped-away white paintwork displaying the original wall beneath. The artist, Vhils from Lisbon, is known for chiselling his murals so the materials become part of the art.

This mural is on the side of Look At Porto, an old cinema which is now closed.

Address: Find it between Armazém and Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro de Miragaia.

Vhils’ style is so distinctive that when I visited Aveiro as a day trip from Porto, I immediately spotted a mural that must have been his.

Nearby attraction – Armazém vintage store, a real treasure trove of furniture, homeware, books and vehicles with a well-stocked bar onsite.

This crazy mural by Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos, is a strange one because it wasn’t commissioned by the city of Porto but Steak n Shake, an American-style burger and milkshake restaurant.

Although it’s not technically Porto street art (or at least not the spraypaint style I’m used to), this is one of the most colourful murals in the city made from 8,000 hand-painted tiles.

Address: Praça de Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 67.

Nearby foodie suggestion – Leitaria da Quinta do Paço, an old-school Porto bakery serving éclairs in every flavour imaginable.

Finally, if you find yourself in Bonfim, check out this colourful mural by GODMESS. It takes up a huge stretch of wall near Jardim do Campo 24 de Agosto.

Address: Campo 24 de Agosto 58-66, Porto.

Nearby foodie suggestion – many of the best vegan restaurants in Porto such as Vegana by Tentugal (vegan junk food) and Odete (a vegan bakery).