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Street Art in Valparaiso

February 3, 2013 by Arianwen Morris 12 Comments

Valparaiso, and the nearby beach resort of Vina del Mar, are just a couple of hours on a bus from Santiago, and they’re well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

I stayed in Valparaiso because it’s cheaper, and you can easily visit Vina del Mar on a day trip by bus, or even on foot.

Street Art in Valparaiso - Valpo

The main thing that struck me about the city was the variety of different building styles, painted in a multitude of colours and decorated with graffiti. While graffiti has a bad name in most cities around the world, being painted over or scrubbed off the sides of buildings, in Valpo (as it’s affectionately known), they embrace it, and it really is fascinating.

You can spend at least a day getting lost among the mish-mash of streets, funiculars, steps and passageways, admiring the streer art of Valparaiso. Here’s a selection of some of the best architecture and artwork I saw.

–

Graffiti doesn’t have to be vandalism

Graffiti doesn't have to be vandalism - Steps

In any other city, this would be a ‘dodgy alleyway’

Graffiti doesn't have to be vandalism - Face house

Why stop at painting the house bright red?

Graffiti doesn't have to be vandalism - painted steps

As if the houses aren’t colourful enough, they’ve gone and painted the steps too!

Graffiti doesn't have to be vandalism - boats

Even the boats are multicoloured

Graffiti doesn't have to be vandalism - city

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if all cities were this bright?

Graffiti doesn't have to be vandalism - moon face

I think there’s one little patch they couldn’t quite reach…

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Comments

  1. Mads says

    February 3, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Love this! Am tempted to paint a mural on the front of my place…

    Reply
    • Arianwen Morris says

      February 4, 2013 at 10:19 pm

      I know! Me too! Although I know some people in my block would have things to say about it. I want to do some graffiti in our lounge :)

      Reply
  2. Becki | Backpacker Becki says

    February 3, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Amazing!! There is nothing better than street art! One of my most favourite sights to see :)
    Becki | Backpacker Becki recently posted..Discovering Berlin’s Secret UndergroundMy Profile

    Reply
    • Arianwen Morris says

      February 4, 2013 at 10:21 pm

      I know. It’s a shame it’s often in dodgy areas where I don’t dare get my camera out!

      Reply
  3. Les Petits Pas de Juls says

    February 3, 2013 at 7:13 pm

    I loved Valpo, with this artsy feeling and paintings everywhere! It gets you in a pretty good mood! I myself wrote something about it here (http://lespetitspasdejuls.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/arte-callejero-en-valparaiso-la-hermosa/) and have such great memory of the place.

    Makes you want to paint, doesn’t it?
    Les Petits Pas de Juls recently posted..Photo Series of the Month : a Janzu sessionMy Profile

    Reply
    • Arianwen Morris says

      February 4, 2013 at 10:22 pm

      I’d love to be able to paint, but it would be a disaster if I attempted street art!

      Reply
  4. Shaun says

    February 4, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    What’s up with the Canadian flags on the boats?

    The artwork on the red house is pretty impressive.

    Reply
    • Arianwen Morris says

      February 4, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      Haha. I’m not sure. Maybe they just love Canada…

      Reply
  5. Bogside Artists says

    October 16, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    And vandalism isn’t always against graffiti.
    What we have to do is support the cause of freedom of expression and you do that by backing and helping targeted artists like us. You can find out more from http://www.bogsideartists.com

    Reply
    • Arianwen Morris says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:10 am

      Interesting site. Thanks for the link!

      Reply
  6. Your Ultimate Guide To Boating says

    October 27, 2016 at 11:52 pm

    Great post.
    Your Ultimate Guide To Boating recently posted..Your Ultimate Guide To BoatingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Arianwen Morris says

      October 28, 2016 at 11:25 am

      Thanks! I really enjoyed exploring Valparaiso!

      Reply

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