Street Art in Barcelona -The Weird, Wonderful, and Effortlessly Cool Born District

During my time in Barcelona I spent a number of my days off going out to explore parts of the city that I’d never set foot in before. Sometimes this failed miserably as I stumbled into residential territory that only had row upon row of apartment blocks, but on other occasions I came across hidden treasures that made me fall in love with Barcelona even more. My day out in the Born district was just such an occasions.

My roommate and I left our apartment, cameras in hand, ready to discover this area that had so much hype surrounding it. Why was everyone going on about the Born district, what makes it so special? Situated next to El Gotic, by far the most popular district in the city, it’s got a lot of competition but the second we stepped into its borders we were hooked.

Born just has something unassuming and cool about it, something tantamount to that good-looking kid in school that just doesn’t even have to try because he or she just oozes hipster in a non-arrogant way. The people seem laid back in a classic Barcelona manner, but also give off an air of self-confidence, knowing that they live in the best neighbourhood but don’t really have to shout about it.

Half the reason I love the district so much is because Born is absolutely plastered with street art. It is a notoriously fashionable neighbourhood filled with little boutiques and exceptionally well-dressed locals, but the walls of the streets are also doing their part. Around every corner you’ll find graphics old and new covering every surface; from walls to apartment doors; shutters to windows; graffiti tags to political statements; classical art to just downright weird.

Below are a few shots I took during my day out in Born, and these are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what you can find there.

I really liked the multiple lines used on this guys face to create depth and shading

Pieces that catch my eye through a sea of graffiti tags are also among my favourites

As a lover of tea, and a redhead myself, you can see why I took a photo of this one

If Elvis were a bee, what would he look like? Ah yep, okay, that’s it.

I really loved both of these pieces – the metro map in the sunglasses and who doesn’t love a money in a hat throwing up gang signs?

Three wise monkeys

There were quite a few sections that had touches from different artists all layered on top of each other. This door in a particularly boob-y one. Yes, that is a running boob, and it can be found all over the Born district!

I really like all the lines in this boxer, and the use of greens and blues in the colouring

Zebra

Sweet stencil work

Just one of many examples of defacing government property…

This was a huge pieces filled with faces, and my favourite in the district

A close second favourite and I wish this was my front door

‘Art is shit’ – ‘God is dead’ – interesting additions to this girl holding the world