Street Art Tour Poblenou
Through Poblenou, Barcelona’s Creative HeartUpdated January 2025
By Rebecca, Becci Abroad
Welcome to Poblenou, one of the most exciting and fast-evolving neighborhoods in Barcelona—a true canvas of urban creativity. While most tourists flock to the Gothic Quarter or El Raval, those in search of something more authentic and off-the-beaten-path will fall in love with Poblenou's massive murals, gritty backstreets, and vibrant artistic energy.
Why Explore Street Art in Poblenou?
Once the industrial engine of Barcelona, Poblenou has undergone a radical transformation over the past few decades. Warehouses, textile mills, and forgotten lots are now home to art studios, creative collectives, and some of the city’s most impressive street art. Unlike the compact and touristic alleys of the old town, here, murals span entire facades, abandoned factories become open-air galleries, and community spaces like La Escocesa pulse with artist-led innovation.
Still undergoing heavy urban redevelopment, Poblenou is changing quickly. This is a place where a beloved mural might vanish overnight—replaced by a high-rise or a tech startup. That’s what makes it so compelling. Every walk through Poblenou offers a chance to witness something fleeting and raw.
Planning Your Visit: What to Know Before You Go
📍 Where Is Poblenou?
Poblenou lies in northeastern Barcelona, stretching from Avinguda Diagonal down to the Mediterranean coast, between Bogatell Beach and Mar Bella. Its name means “New Village” in Catalan.
🕰 A Brief History
In the early 20th century, Poblenou thrived as an industrial powerhouse. By the 1960s, many factories closed, and the area fell into decline. After the 1992 Olympics, changes began—but it was the city’s Project 22@ initiative in 2000 that reshaped Poblenou into a hub for innovation, tech, and art.
Today, Poblenou is an eclectic mix of old industrial charm, street art masterpieces, tech campuses, and hip cafés. It’s also home to some of the best legal and unofficial murals in all of Barcelona.
🚶♀️ How to Explore Street Art in Poblenou
👟 On Foot
Perfect for a relaxed exploration, Poblenou’s quiet streets and pedestrian paths make walking ideal—especially if you love stopping to photograph hidden gems.
🚲 By Bike
Cover more ground with a rental bike or join a guided bike street art tour. Many murals are spread out, so cycling helps you reach more spots in less time.
🚇 By Metro or Bus
The L4 metro line (stops: Poblenou, Selva de Mar, Llacuna) and various bus lines connect you easily. But you might miss spontaneous discoveries on foot!
🎨 Guided Tours
Guided street art tours, especially by bike, are highly recommended for background stories, artist insights, and finding lesser-known murals. If your timing allows, consider tours by Cool Tours Spain, Barcelona Street Style, or Street Art Barcelona.
🗺 Featured Stops: Street Art Hotspots in Poblenou
1. Wallspot Western Town
📍 Carrer d’Espronceda & Carrer del Marroc
This iconic open-air gallery covers multiple walls across from Parc del Centre del Poblenou. Created under the Wallspot initiative (which ended in 2024), it features everything from giant cartoon birds to a striking mural of Gandhi and a powerful dog-themed mural reading: Adopta, no compres (“Adopt, don’t buy”)—supporting Adopta Love Animals BCN.
2. NauArt Art Center
📍 Just beside Wallspot Western Town
Galería NauArt doubles as a studio and exhibition space. The outer walls are bursting with surreal murals—watch for the Pablo Picasso garage door portrait, colorful watch-face characters, and large painted bodies reclining across concrete walls.
3. Big Blue Face
📍 Carrer de Pere IV 325
Turn into an alley near Pere IV to spot a mysterious blue head watching over the district. Painted on the old tower of an industrial building, its origins remain unclear—but it adds a ghostly charm to the landscape.
4. La Escocesa Art Center
📍 Carrer de Pere IV 345
La Escocesa is a must-visit. Originally a 19th-century chemical factory, this space has evolved into one of the most important self-managed creative centers in Barcelona. Don’t miss the mosaic wall at the entrance, the tower murals, and the expansive multicolor mural on the rear wall. Entry is irregular—sometimes closed, sometimes wide open. If you find the doors open, step inside and explore!
5. Roses & Birds Mural
📍 Carrer de la Selva de Mar 94
Created by Curtis Hylton and Tim Marsh, this 2024 mural shows two ethereal birds with rose-shaped bodies. Set against a rustic backdrop, it's both delicate and bold.
6. Passatge Morenes
📍 Off Carrer de la Selva de Mar
A true hidden gem! This alley boasts an entire wall of continuous murals created by different artists to honor the local community’s resistance to gentrification. Tim Marsh’s dogs, gazing soulfully across the passage, are especially touching.
7. Turtle by Tim Marsh
📍 Carrer de Cristobal de Moura 105
A whimsical turtle floats upward with balloon-like patterns—a classic Tim Marsh geometric piece at the entrance to Cooperative La Bonita.
8. Seal by Tim Marsh
📍 Carrer del Treball 109
Just a block away, you’ll find a colorful seal painted on a black gate. The geometry and palette connect it to Marsh’s signature style.
9. “Tatiana” and Nearby Murals
📍 Carrer Treball & Cristobal de Moura
On the corner, several vivid murals cluster together. Most notable is “Tatiana,” a striking geometric portrait by Tim Marsh. Other murals here are artistically diverse but often uncredited.
10. Carrer Treball & Carrer de Veneçuela
📍 Further down Carrer Treball
Another hidden mural tucked behind a wall near an old parking lot. Though faded, it adds a nostalgic layer to Poblenou’s ever-changing aesthetic.
💡 Tips for Street Art Hunters
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📱 Use the Street Art Cities App to track murals (and check if they still exist).
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📸 Visit early in the day for the best light and fewer pedestrians.
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📆 Consider visiting during events like Barcelona Gallery Weekend or SWAB Art Fair for deeper art immersion.
🎨 Is Poblenou Worth Visiting for Street Art?
Absolutely. Poblenou is where history, art, and transformation intersect. It’s a living gallery that breathes with every brushstroke and evolves with every demolition or renovation. If you're an art lover, urban explorer, or just want to see a different side of Barcelona—Poblenou will inspire you.
🧭 Popular Street Art Tours in Barcelona
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Poblenou Street Art Bike Tour – Cool Tours Spain
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Street Art Tour by Bamboo Bike
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Raval & Gothic Quarter Street Art Walk
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Studio Visit + Street Art Walk – Get behind-the-scenes insights
✍️ About the Author
Rebecca, founder of Becci Abroad, is a global traveler and longtime expat passionate about uncovering the local spirit of cities through art, culture, and street life. She’s lived in Argentina, Spain, Cuba, and Sweden—and brings a human, hands-on perspective to every guide she creates.
