A Street-Art Guide to Croatia’s Best Murals and Graffiti

Croatia may be known for its picturesque coastline and Medieval walled towns, but the country also has a lot going on when it comes to street art. From mural festivals to galleries, urban culture lovers are in for a treat! So, pick a vacation rental, pack your bags, and step off the beaten path to explore Croatia’s thriving street art scene:

Zagreb

From mural projects initiated by the Street Art Museum to ‘pimped out’ water pumps, the Croatian capital is filled with urban art. Look out for OKO’s surreal work across the city (e.g. on Branimirova Street or at the Museum of Contemporary Art), Miron Milic’s ‘City Waterfall’, French artist Julien de Casabianca’s mural at Dolac Market, Etien’s 3D turtle, or his iconic whale in the Gradec district. Be sure to stop by the Art Park (open June to September), the Student Center, and finally Lapo Lapo—Zagreb’s first street art gallery—for more works by budding and prominent Croatian artists.

Sisak

An hour south of Zagreb, this historic town, which is making itself known as Croatia’s mural capital, will surprise you and blow your mind in equal measure. Discover impressive street art façades created by some of the best Croatian and world muralists as part of the Re:Think Sisak festival, including Mexican artist Farid Rueda’s colorful Totem mural, Zagreb-based Lonac’s jaw-dropping piece titled ‘Off You Go’, or the thought-provoking ‘Escape To Neverland,’ by Bambsy/Robin Abramovic (located near the town’s former World War II concentration camp for children.)

Rijeka

Awarded the title of European Capital of Culture 2020, the seaside town holds many street art gems. Scour the city for homegrown graffiti artist Mosk’s pieces, and check out Lonac’s incredible ‘Nitpicking (it runs in the family),’ which depicts his father putting together a sailboat model, Spanish artist Sebas Velasco’s ‘Explorare Necesse Est’ dedicated to Rijeka’s industrial heritage, or Pejac’s tribute to René Magritte, ‘Camouflage’. Other noteworthy pieces include Galician artist Isaac Cordal’s miniature sculptures strategically placed around the city.

Vodnjan

Often overlooked by tourists, this tranquil medieval town on the Istrian Peninsula should definitely be on your radar when hunting for street art. Keep your eyes wide open as you stroll around its narrow streets: You’ll stumble across colorful murals and intriguing street art at every corner, created by artists from around the world as part of the Boombarstick festival. This annual urban arts event aims at revitalizing the local community and shine a new light on this picturesque town. All in all, Vodnjan’s street art is sure to amaze you.

Brač Island

Every summer, the island hosts an international street art festival, which brings together graffiti artists, DJs, and urban culture lovers for three days in the town of Bol. The result? A rich program of performances, creative workshops, and vibrant artwork adorning the town’s walls. Look out for amazing murals by Croatian artists Chez 186, Lunar, Mosk, Sarme, Casino, Royal, and Senkone. The festival also features contributions from visiting guests such as, Flying Fortress (Germany), Artez (Serbia), Velvet (France), and Zoer (Italy).