The Tailor-Made Guide to The Street Art Murals of Bilbao
- Barry Pickard
- 19 hours ago
- 7 min read

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless of this, please be advised that all opinions expressed in this blog post are genuine and authentically my own.
Author: Barry Pickard
Contents
Have you ever wandered through a city and felt like the walls themselves were speaking to you, each mural and splash of colour telling its own story? That’s exactly what happened to me in Bilbao, particularly in the Bilbao La Vieja neighbourhood. Picture this: the faint hum of traffic mixing with lively chatter from nearby cafes, the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through narrow streets, and towering murals that transform the urban landscape into an open-air gallery. It’s like walking through a vibrant, ever-changing museum where creativity knows no bounds.

If you’re an independent traveller searching for the hidden gems that truly capture a city's soul, you’ve come to the right place. As someone who’s spent hours exploring this great street art city, I’m here to guide you through the most striking murals and the stories behind them, all based on my personal experience.
Join me on a journey through the colourful heart of Bilbao and let’s dive into the incredible street art scene of Bilbao La Vieja. You won’t regret it.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting the street art murals of Bilbao appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating Bilbao’s street art or indeed, a general tour of this city or the Basque Country.
Blv-Art Festival
The Bilbao La Vieja area, is a vibrant hub for street art and murals. This neighbourhood has transformed into an open-air gallery, showcasing the very best of street art by both local and international artists. The murals here vary in style and theme, reflecting the cultural diversity and creativity of the area.

Throughout the area, street art of all sizes transforms the urban landscape into a vibrant gallery, with the Blv-Art Festival showcasing the most captivating creations. This street art festival plays a significant role in promoting and celebrating the art scene in Bilbao La Vieja. Established in 2007, this festival was designed to revitalize the neighbourhood through culture and creativity. It features a wide range of artistic expressions, including street murals, performances, music, and installations. The festival not only highlights innovative art but also fosters a sense of community by involving local artists and residents. Over the years, it has become a cultural cornerstone, attracting visitors and showcasing Bilbao La Vieja as a dynamic and artistic district.
To compliment the arwork generated during the Blv-Art Festival, there is an increasing amount of street art appearing to compliment the large murals. It seems that there is something to catch your eye around every corner.
The Street Art Murals of Bilbao - Blv-Art Festival

Artist: Aryz
Mural Name: “El Fin Justificado”
Address: Urazurrutia Kalea, 58, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Aryz, a renowned street artist from Barcelona, created the mural in 2014. This artwork reflects Aryz's distinctive style, which often features skeletons and minimalistic imagery using limited colors.
The mural explores themes of human evolution and poses the question of whether the end (evolution) is justified. Aryz faced challenges during the creation process, as some local residents were not fond of the imagery

Artist: Michael Grudziecki
Mural Name: “Sea Forts”
Address: Iturburu Kalea, 7, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Michael Grudziecki, a talented artist from Poland, created this urban street art in 2013. The mural is inspired by Grudziecki's series of paintings titled "Sea Forts," which feature surreal and meticulously composed imagery. His work often combines elements of scenography, with careful attention to detail, lighting, and composition.

Artist: Jose Ramon Banales Urkullu
Mural Name: ?
Address: Iturburu Kalea, 2, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Jose Ramon Banales Urkullu, one of Bilbao’s most famous street artists, is celebrated for his contributions to muralism and urban art in Bilbao. His works often reflect themes of local culture, history, and identity, adding depth and character to the city's artistic scene

Artist: Jose Ramon Banales Urkullu
Mural Name: ?
Address: Urazurrutia Kalea, 9, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
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Artist: Sixe Paredes
Mural Name: “Futurismo Primitivo”
Address: Bilbo Zaharra Kalea, 29, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Sixe Paredes, a Barcelona-based artist, created this street art mural in 2012. This vibrant piece reflects Sixe Paredes' signature style, blending elements of futurism and primitivism. His work often incorporates bold colours, geometric patterns, and symbolic imagery, creating a striking visual narrative. This mural is a prime example of his ability to merge contemporary and traditional influences.

Artists: Zoer and Velvet
Mural Name: “Spindle”
Address: Miribilla Kalea, 7, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Zoer and Velvet, French artists known for their innovative urban street art, created the mural “Spindle” in 2016. The mural pays homage to Dustin Shuler's sculpture “Spindle,” which featured eight American cars impaled on a stake. Shuler's original work, created in 1989, was destroyed in 2008 after years of debate about its significance. Zoer and Velvet's mural captures the essence of this iconic sculpture, blending surrealism and urban aesthetics.

Artist: Dk Muralismo
Mural Name: ?
Address: Miribilla Kalea, 7, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Dk Muralismo, a collective of artists based in Bilbao, has contributed to the vibrant street art scene in the city. They are known for their dynamic and thought-provoking works that often blend local culture with contemporary themes.

Artist: Ern Mon
Mural Name: ?
Address: Arechaga Kalea, 10, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Ern Mon, an artist from São Paulo, Brazil, completed this mural in 2015 as part of the closing of the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition at the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum.

Artist: Grip Face
Mural Name: “En el Punto de Mira”
Address: Plaza Corazon de Maria
Grip Face, a multidisciplinary artist from Spain, creates artwork which often combines surrealism, symbolism, and social commentary. Grip Face's street murals are known for their ability to provoke thought and engage viewers in meaningful dialogue about contemporary issues.
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Artists: Stinkfish and Juan Malk
Mural Name: “Nino Jama Masjid”
Address: Gorte Kalea, 24, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Stinkfish and Juan Malk, talented artists from Colombia, collaborated on the mural in 2014. Stinkfish is known for his colourful and expressive portraits, often inspired by found photographs, while Juan Malk brings his own distinctive touch to the collaboration.

Artist: Jeremias Pau Toledo
Mural Name: ?
Address: Gimnasio Kalea, 7, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Jeremias Pau Toledo, an artist from Alicante, Spain, created this mural in 2010.

Artist: SUSO33
Mural Name: ?
Address: Kontzezio Kalea, 13, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
SUSO33, a renowned urban artist from Madrid, created this mural in 2015. SUSO33 is celebrated for his transdisciplinary approach, blending street art with painting, performances, and video art.

Artist: Fermin Moreno Martin
Mural Name: ?
Address: Gorte Kalea, 19, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Fermin Moreno Martin, an artist from Bilbao, Spain, is known for his abstract and thought-provoking works that often explore themes of identity and urban life.

Artist: Dk Muralismo
Mural Name: ?
Address: Mena Kalea, 3, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Dk Muralismo created this street art mural in 2002 as part of a project supported by SURBISA, an organization dedicated to urban renewal and development.

Artist: Juanjo Novella
Mural Name: ?
Address: San Frantzisko Kalea, 40, Ibaiondo, 48003 Bilbao
Juanjo Novella, a renowned artist from Portugalete, at the mouth of the Nervión River, is celebrated for his contributions of inspirational street art, often working with industrial materials like corten steel. His works blend abstraction and figurative elements, inviting viewers to interpret and engage with his art on multiple levels.
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Conclusion
As you wrap up your journey through Bilbao’s colourful streets and striking murals, I hope this guide has inspired you to see the city through a new lens—one that celebrates creativity, culture, and community. The La Vieja district, with some of the best murals in the world, is more than just an artistic hotspot; it’s a testament to the transformative power of street art, breathing life into its walls and telling stories that resonate with locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re planning your own adventure or simply indulging in some armchair travel, let these murals remind you that art truly has the power to connect, provoke, and inspire.
Accommodation in Bilbao
When staying in Bilbao, I’d suggest looking at accommodation near the Abando or Casco Viejo districts. Most of the city’s attractions are in these areas and you will find that you can easily experience all these highlights on foot if you are based there.
For a touch of luxury, consider staying at the Vincci Consulado de Bilbao or the Goien Boutique Hotel. Meanwhile the Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao, Autograph Collection and the Hotel Ilunion San Mamés are popular mid-range options. However, if you are looking for a budget stay there are a number of hostels, such as the Latroupe La Granja and the Ganbara Hostel.
Related Blog Posts
If you would like more information on the attractions of the Basque Country and how to visit these locations, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Comment below and let us know what your favourite mural in Bilbao was.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting the street art murals of Bilbao appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating Bilbao’s street art or indeed, a general tour of this city or the Basque Country.
Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.
Street Art Map of Bilbao


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