When one mentions Berlin, it conjures images of art and the artistic atmosphere of the city and graffiti is an important part of this city’s ‘psyche.’ Free street art tours are a great way to discover the urban art form on the city streets, and it has some of the best on the globe. In this blog post, we take a peek into the importance of graffiti in Berlin and help you to get the most of it through a free walking tour.

Graffiti in Berlin: The Evolution of It

Graffiti in Berlin has its currency back to the 1970s, when it became the expression of political dissent during the city’s division. All this served as a canvas for artists to tell their frustrations and desires about their political lives. Graffiti today refers to social commentary, cultural diversity and freedom of expression, and has taken on the form of a multifaceted art form.

Berlin Graffiti Symbols and Styles

Most graffiti in Berlin has a meaning that you will find only in Berlin. Here are a few notable examples:

Tags: simple signatures (usually an artist’s name, or a stylized symbol) called tags. Graffiti is these, the most basic form, that you can see all over the city.

Bombing: Bombing is the act of covering large areas with graffiti that tends to involve quick and repetitive tags or throw ups (simple, bubble like letters).

Murals: Murals are a highly talented and creative art works. Berlin has many political, historical, or cultural murals.

Stencils: Stenciling is using pre cut templates (stencils) to make intricate designs quickly. Banksy helped popularise this technique and you’ll find stencil art all over the city.

Why Take a Free Walking Tour

An amazing opportunity to visit Berlin’s graffiti scenes with a free walking tour of the city’s street art culture. Here are a few reasons why you should consider joining one:

Insider Knowledge: Valuable insights into the graffiti you find will be provided by knowledgeable guides about their history, meaning and significance.

Holistic Experience: If you want to explore beyond the beaten tourist track, walking tours take you to hidden gems and lesser known neighbourhoods, where you will see graffiti flowering.

Support Local Artists: Local artists often work with many tours, sharing their stories and experiences giving a view of the rich street art scene.

Connections with Like-minded Individuals: Walking tour has become attractive to those who have the same passion about art, and it will be a good opportunity to chat and interact with others who also enjoy art.

Enjoying a Free Walking Tour

To make the most of your Berlin graffiti walking tour, keep the following tips in mind:

Dress Comfortably: As the tour can last about several hours walking, wear suitable shoes and dressing suitably for the weather.

Bring a Camera: Document the beautiful street that it sits in. Remember to respect the work of the artists and before photographing private or protected property, you will need permission.

Ask Questions: Talk to your guide and ask them about the artworks, artists, and some of the bigger stories of Berlin and graffiti culture, engaging with the guide.

Stay Open-Minded: Graffiti is an ever growing art form that changes all the time, so be open to styles and interpretations all over the place and don’t discard anything. Enjoy what Berlin’s street art scene has to offer from one point of view.

Support Artists: When you see a piece that inspires you, go buy the artists prints or merchandise.

Conclusion

Visiting Berlin graffiti is an opportunity to discover the city through the eyes of free walking Berlin graffiti tour. Apart from enjoying the immense artistry of the artists, the experience will also teach you so much about Berlin’s past, culture and socio political climate. When approaching graffiti remember, take an open mind and respect the artists and the community that it lives in.