A Tour Of Vienna's Street Art

Although Vienna has many beautiful classical and modern art galleries, much work can be seen for free by simply taking a stroll through the city’s streets. Marvel at murals and graffiti created by some of the best amateur and professional urban artists around with our guide to the best street art in Vienna

Street Art Passage

Leading up to Vienna’s crowded cluster of magnificent art venues at the Museumsquartier, this tunnel allows exhibition viewing from an informal perspective, in bold contrast to the quiet, white-walled galleries of the venues around the corner. French artist ‘Invader’, whose work is a permanent fixture of the passage, zaps vitality into the grey walls with his blue and black space invader tiles, giving a dizzying effect to passers-by. The Street Art Passage can be accessed from Breite G, and is open all hours.

Along the banks of the Donaukanal

The concrete walls aligning the Danube Canal are like one long blank canvas, inviting underground artists to make their mark. Among much generic scrawls and scribbles (including the now infamously unpopular ‘Puber’ who has etched his tag on to nearly every available surface of the 7th district), there is much vibrant work to be seen. Bridges and walkways are covered with splashes of colour, combining conservative architecture with an unconventional urban edge. For some of the best and most interesting works, try ambling along the stretch between Schwedenplatz and Schottenring.

The Calle Libre Festival

Started in 2015, The Calle Libre Festival has since taken place annually over 3 days during August. In the 7th district of Vienna, the event releases an underground world of modern art into the public realm, with aims to ‘encourage a dialogue between the public space and the public eye.’ The festival provides its audience with a chance to witness some of the finest contemporary street artists live in action, presenting a diverse programme designed to encourage art in a public sphere.

Inoperable

Founded by Nicholas Platzer in 2006, Inoperable is a project and exhibition space that helps facilitate the commissioning of art projects in cities around the world, specialising in the promotion of emerging artists from urban subcultures. Many of the murals seen around Vienna were created with the help of Inoperable, including the huge painting of a man holding a fish bowl, on Magdalenenstraße 20, entitled ‘Imperishable Relics’. Their website features details of all their latest commissions and where to find them.