Amsterdam’s street art scene offers visitors a captivating alternative to its world-renowned museums. Beyond the iconic canals and historic architecture lies an evolving urban canvas where walls breathe with stories, cultural commentary, and bold artistic expression. This curated guide takes you through exceptional murals that showcase Amsterdam’s diverse artistic landscape, connecting you with authentic local experiences and the city’s creative pulse.
From monumental works at the former shipyard district to hidden gems tucked away in historic neighborhoods, these murals provide a unique lens through which to experience Amsterdam’s cultural identity. Each artwork represents aesthetic beauty and connections to local history, social commentary, and the city’s progressive values.
NDSM Wharf: Amsterdam’s Street Art Epicenter
1. Eduardo Kobra’s “Let Me Be Myself” Anne Frank Mural
- Artist: Eduardo Kobra (Brazil)
- Location: NDSM-Plein 1, entrance to STRAAT Museum
- How to Get There: Take the free F4 ferry from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station to NDSM wharf (15-minute journey)
Dominating the entrance to the STRAAT Museum, this monumental 240m² mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra has become one of Amsterdam’s most photographed street art pieces. The portrait of Anne Frank, executed in Kobra’s signature kaleidoscopic style with vibrant geometric patterns, creates a powerful tribute that connects Amsterdam’s complex history with its progressive present.
The mural’s title, “Let Me Be Myself,” speaks to Anne Frank’s enduring legacy and the importance of respecting individual identity—themes that resonate deeply with Amsterdam’s values of acceptance and freedom. The extraordinary scale and prominent location make this an essential starting point for exploring the city’s urban art landscape.
Local Insight: Visit in the morning light for the most vivid color experience when the rising sun illuminates the prismatic patterns. This area transforms throughout the day as light conditions shift, offering different perspectives on this remarkable artwork.
2. The London Police’s Jordaan Mural
- Artist: The London Police (UK)
- Location: Prinsengracht (near the corner where it meets another canal), Jordaan district
- How to Get There: From Centraal Station, take tram line 2 to Koningsplein stop, then walk to Prinsengracht
This massive mural by the English duo The London Police has become integral to the charming Jordaan neighborhood. Featuring their iconic black-and-white “LADS” characters—round-faced figures with a distinct cartoonish style—this corner artwork perfectly demonstrates how contemporary street art can complement historic architecture rather than compete with it.
The London Police began adorning Amsterdam’s walls in 1998, making them pioneers in the city’s street art evolution. Their playful, slightly absurd compositions bring unexpected joy to passersby, with the “LADS” engaging in whimsical scenarios against detailed cityscapes.
Cultural Context: The Jordaan district, once a working-class neighborhood that has transformed into one of Amsterdam’s most beloved areas, provides the perfect backdrop for this artwork. The juxtaposition of centuries-old canal houses with contemporary street art represents Amsterdam’s unique ability to honor tradition while embracing innovation.
3. STRAAT Museum Collection
- Location: NDSM-Plein 1, NDSM Wharf
- How to Get There: Take the free F4 ferry from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station
While technically indoors, the STRAAT Museum represents the pinnacle of Amsterdam’s commitment to street art preservation and celebration. Housed in an 8,000m² former shipyard warehouse, this impressive collection features over 150 large-scale murals by more than 130 international artists.
The museum bridges the gap between street art’s outsider origins and institutional recognition without sacrificing authenticity. Here, visitors can witness massive works that would be impossible to create in typical outdoor settings while learning about artists’ backgrounds and techniques through interactive displays.
Why It Matters: For visitors with limited time, STRAAT provides a concentrated experience of global urban art movements while honoring Dutch contributions to this worldwide phenomenon. The industrial setting mirrors the environment where much street art originated, maintaining an essential connection to the art form’s roots.
City Center: Hidden Artistic Treasures
4. “BOOM” at Vrankrijk on Spuistraat
- Location: Spuistraat 216, in one of Amsterdam’s few remaining squat buildings
- How to Get There: Easily walkable from Dam Square, take tram to Spui or Martelaarsgracht stops
This massive pop art-inspired mural dominates the façade of Vrankrijk, a cultural center with deep roots in Amsterdam’s alternative scene. The vibrant, comic-book-style “BOOM” lettering serves as both an artistic statement and political commentary, representing the explosive energy of countercultural movements in the face of gentrification.
This mural is a rare surviving example of Amsterdam’s once-abundant squat art scene, which flourished along Spuistraat in previous decades. The building carries historical significance as a long-standing autonomous zone within the increasingly commercialized city center.
Cultural Context: For visitors interested in Amsterdam’s political history and alternative cultural spaces, this mural provides context for understanding how street art often functions as visual resistance against urban development that threatens creative communities. The artwork’s continued presence represents the persistence of Amsterdam’s radical traditions despite significant changes in the surrounding neighborhood.
5. Keith Haring’s Amsterdam West Mural
- Artist: Keith Haring (USA)
- Location: Food Center in Amsterdam West
- How to Get There: Take tram lines 12 or 14 to Jan van Galenstraat
Legendary American artist Keith Haring created this remarkable mural during his 1986 visit to Amsterdam for a solo exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum. After decades hidden behind weatherboarding, this monumental piece was meticulously restored in 2018, returning a significant cultural treasure to public view.
Haring created this freehand mural with a brush and white paint on a brick wall. It depicts his distinctive flowing line work as a sea monster with a figure on its back. The mural exemplifies his playful yet profound imagery, making him one of history’s most influential street artists.
Local Insight: Look for Haring’s incorporation of Amsterdam’s three Andreas crosses symbol next to his signature. This connects his global artistic language to the city’s context—a thoughtful nod to his host location that many visitors miss.
6. Telmo Miel’s Dutch Masters-Inspired Mural
- Artist: Telmo Miel (Netherlands)
- Location: Near Dam Square in Amsterdam’s city center
- How to Get There: Short walk from Dam Square, accessible via multiple tram lines
This small but extraordinary mural created by the Dutch duo Telmo Miel showcases their remarkable photorealistic style achieved entirely with spray paint. The artists, known for their seamless collaborative process, create hyperrealistic images that integrate subtle surrealism with classical Dutch painting techniques.
What distinguishes this mural is its direct visual dialogue with the Dutch Golden Age painting tradition, creating a bridge between contemporary street art and Amsterdam’s prestigious art history. The meticulous attention to light, shadow, and anatomical detail demonstrates how street art has evolved technically to rival traditional fine art approaches.
Cultural Significance: The mural’s location in the historic center directly converses with the nearby museums housing works by Rembrandt and Vermeer, encouraging viewers to reconsider preconceptions about artistic hierarchies and the legitimacy of street art as a serious art form.
See Related: Photogenic Spots in Amsterdam: Where to Capture the Perfect Picture
Amsterdam Oost: Urban Art Renaissance
7. Studio Giftig’s “Floating Woman”
- Artist: Studio Giftig (Kaspar van Leek and Niels van Swaemen, Netherlands)
- Location: Platanenweg 2III, Amsterdam Oost
- How to Get There: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to Wibautstraat station
Created for the “If Walls Could Speak” festival in 2019, this breathtaking mural depicts a barefooted woman floating against a lavender-and-turquoise background, with pigeons emerging from her flowing garments. The extraordinary technical achievement lies in its photographic quality—meticulously rendered details and subtle color gradations that seem impossible to achieve with spray cans.
The floating woman represents transcendence and freedom, while integrating with pigeons creates a visual metaphor for Amsterdam’s blend of urban environment and natural elements. The placement in Amsterdam Oost, an area undergoing rapid development, adds another layer of meaning, suggesting the neighborhood’s transformation and flight toward a new identity.
Photography Tip: This mural offers exceptional opportunities for dramatic images, particularly in the morning light when the colors appear most vibrant against the surrounding architecture. The interplay of light throughout the day transforms the viewing experience.
8. Julieta XLF’s “Wherever You Come From, Here You Are Welcome”
- Artist: Julieta XLF (Julia Silla, Spain)
- Location: Platanenweg 24HS, Amsterdam Oost
- How to Get There: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to Wibautstraat station
Spanish artist Julieta XLF contributed this enchanting mural to the “If Walls Could Speak” festival, featuring her signature “Niña” character. This whimsical female figure appears throughout her global body of work. The character embodies innocence and wisdom simultaneously, interacting with a large, colorful bird against a dreamy backdrop.
The mural’s title and message, “Wherever you come from, here you are welcome,” perfectly aligns with the festival’s theme of “Amsterdam for Everybody” and the city’s tradition of acceptance. XLF’s distinctive style combines folk art influences with contemporary illustration techniques, creating a playful contrast with the surrounding urban environment.
Family-Friendly Note: For families exploring Amsterdam’s street art with children, this approachable, imaginative piece provides an excellent entry point for discussions about public art and creative expression. The warm palette and organic forms have transformed an unremarkable wall into a neighborhood landmark.
9. Karel Appel Tribute by Sjem Bakkus and Ives One
- Artist: Sjem Bakkus & IVES.one (Netherlands)
- Location: Platanenweg 26I, Amsterdam Oost
- How to Get There: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to Wibautstraat station
This sophisticated multi-layered portrait honors Karel Appel, the internationally acclaimed Dutch painter and sculptor born in this neighborhood who helped found the influential CoBrA movement. Created by Amsterdam Street Art members Sjem Bakkus and IVES.one, the mural incorporates Appel’s distinctive expressionist style while maintaining the artists’ contemporary approach.
The title, “De appel valt niet ver van de boom” (The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree), cleverly plays on the artist’s surname while referencing artistic lineage and influence. The composition ingeniously splits Appel’s face over the wall’s length, integrating abstract shapes and vibrant colors characteristic of the CoBrA avant-garde movement.
Cultural Context: For art history enthusiasts, this mural provides a street-level introduction to the CoBrA movement’s importance in Dutch cultural history and its ongoing influence on contemporary artists. The location in Amsterdam Oost creates a geographical connection to Appel’s origins, reminding viewers of how artistic movements often emerge from specific urban contexts.
10. HERA’s “The Little Wizard Loves His Neighborhood”
- Artist: HERA of Herakut (Jasmin Siddiqui, Germany)
- Location: Platanenweg 48, Amsterdam Oost
- How to Get There: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to Wibautstraat station
German artist HERA, one half of the artistic duo Herakut, created this enchanting mural featuring a young boy nestled under a tree, gently interacting with a mythical creature. The accompanying text, “When it comes to settling disputes, compassion is more useful than magic,” conveys a powerful message about empathy and understanding.
What distinguishes this mural is its emotional depth and philosophical dimension, transforming a public wall into a space for reflection. The contrast between the meticulously rendered figure and the seemingly hurried, scratched calligraphy creates a tension that mirrors human experience—between our carefully composed external selves and our more chaotic interior thoughts.
Local Impact: The work’s location in a residential area ensures it becomes part of daily life rather than merely a tourist attraction. HERA’s work often delves into themes of childhood and human emotions, and this piece beautifully exemplifies her storytelling ability while promoting values of compassion that resonate with Amsterdam’s humanitarian traditions.
11. Leon Keer’s “In Case of Lost Childhood, Break Glass”
- Artist: Leon Keer (Netherlands)
- Location: Platanenweg 38II, Amsterdam Oost
- How to Get There: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to Wibautstraat station
Dutch artist Leon Keer, a master of 3D art and optical illusions, contributed this thought-provoking mural depicting a glass cabinet filled with nostalgic toys, with a hammer placed invitingly below. This playful yet poignant imagery serves as a reminder to reconnect with one’s childhood and embrace the freedom and joy that often get lost in adulthood.
The anamorphic effect only fully works when viewed from a specific angle, creating an interactive experience that rewards the exploration of different viewpoints. Keer’s skillful use of perspective creates a captivating three-dimensional illusion, making the toys appear to leap out from the wall and inviting viewers to reflect on the importance of playfulness and imagination.
Interactive Tip: For social media enthusiasts, this mural offers exceptional opportunities to create surprising visual content showcasing the optical illusion effect. Try viewing from different angles to see how the perspective changes.
Outer Districts and Special Locations
12. Case Maclaim’s “Carrying Belongings”
- Artist: Case Maclaim (Andreas von Chrzanowski, Germany)
- Location: Olmenweg 10, Amsterdam Oost
- How to Get There: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to Wibautstraat station
German artist Case Maclaim, known for his impressive photorealistic murals, contributed “Carrying Belongings” to the “If Walls Could Speak” festival. This striking artwork depicts a multitude of hands, seemingly disembodied, carrying an assortment of boxes and personal items across the building’s façade.
The overlapping hands are a signature element in Case Maclaim’s work, often symbolizing unity and collective strength. The combination of surrealism and hyperrealism creates a visually arresting piece that invites viewers to contemplate themes of migration, community, and the burdens and joys we carry through life.
Artistic Context: Case Maclaim’s extraordinary technical mastery of aerosol paint achieves effects with spray cans that seem impossible given the medium’s inherent limitations. Despite the mural’s absence of faces, its emotional resonance demonstrates how hands alone can convey complex human experiences.
13. “Wake Me Up When I’m Famous” in De Pijp
- Artist: Rinus van Hall & Jurriaan van Hall (Netherlands)
- Location: Frans Halsstraat 64, De Pijp neighborhood
- How to Get There: From Amsterdam Centraal Station, take tram line 12 to Marie Heinekenplein
This unassuming yet incredibly popular mural in the trendy De Pijp district has become a global phenomenon, attracting visitors eager to capture a photo with its simple message, “Wake Me Up When I’m Famous.” Created in 2013 by artists Rinus and Jurriaan van Hall as part of their “Wall Gallery” project, this text-based mural initially featured different slogans. Still, this particular phrase resonated deeply with visitors.
While the mural’s design is straightforward, its cultural impact is undeniable, reflecting a desire for recognition with a touch of playful irony. The location in De Pijp—a neighborhood that has undergone significant gentrification and become a hub for young creatives and social media influencers—adds contextual irony to the fame-focused message.
Social Media Moment: Often sporting a bench in front, this wall creates the perfect photo opportunity. The simple black-and-white aesthetic ensures maximum legibility and impact making it highly photographable and shareable online.
14. “Het wapen verbroederd” (The Coat of Arms Fraternizes)
- Artist: KASH & CHUCK (Netherlands)
- Location: Olmenweg 10, Amsterdam Oost
- How to Get There: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to Wibautstraat station
Dutch graffiti artists KASH & CHUCK created this culturally significant mural that reinterprets Amsterdam’s coat of arms with contemporary stylistic elements. The title, “Het wapen verbroederd,” suggests the unifying potential of shared symbols.
This mural demonstrates how street artists can meaningfully engage with civic iconography, creating works that honor and reimagine local heritage. The artists’ graffiti backgrounds inform their technical approach with dynamic letterforms and spray techniques that connect traditional heraldic imagery to contemporary urban art practices.
Historical Context: The three crosses in Amsterdam’s traditional coat of arms refer to the three medieval dangers the city faced—fire, floods, and the Black Death—but in this reinterpretation, they take on a new meaning related to community solidarity and inclusion.
15. Zed1’s Narrative Mural near Roest
- Artist: Zed1 (Italy)
- Location: Near the creative venue Roest in eastern Amsterdam
- How to Get There: Take tram 14 to Pontanusstraat
Italian artist Zed1 created this remarkable mural near the creative venue Roest, showcasing his distinctive narrative style featuring fantastical characters in allegorical situations. Zed1 is known internationally for his dreamlike imagery and fable-like storytelling approach to street art.
What distinguishes Zed1’s work is its narrative depth and imaginative characters that blur the boundary between childlike wonder and adult social commentary. The artist’s technical approach combines illustrative precision with painterly textures, creating a unique aesthetic that stands apart from traditional graffiti and photorealistic mural styles.
Neighborhood Context: The mural’s location near Roest—a creative repurposing of industrial space—creates contextual resonance with the themes of transformation often present in Zed1’s work. The mural has become a local landmark in an area undergoing rapid development, serving as a creative anchor point amid changing urban landscapes.
See Related: Artsy Workshops to Try in Amsterdam: From Pottery to Printmaking
Exploring Beyond the List
Amsterdam’s street art scene extends far beyond these 15 highlights. The NDSM Wharf is a sprawling haven for urban art, with new pieces constantly appearing alongside established murals. Beyond the Anne Frank mural, visitors can discover countless other impressive artworks adorning this revitalized industrial area’s warehouses and shipping containers.
Historically, Spuistraat and Wijdesteeg in the city center were renowned for their high street art and graffiti concentration. While some art has been lost to urban development, keen eyes can still spot interesting pieces and remnants of the area’s vibrant past.
Seasonal Consideration: Amsterdam’s climate means outdoor art viewing is most comfortable from late spring through early autumn. However, winter visits offer the advantage of smaller crowds and dramatic lighting that can enhance the visual impact of many murals.
Cultural Impact: Street Art as Amsterdam’s Living Heritage
Amsterdam’s embrace of street art reflects the city’s core values of creative expression, cultural innovation, and inclusive public spaces. Unlike traditional monuments that remain static over time, these murals represent a living, evolving form of cultural heritage that actively engages with contemporary issues and artistic movements.
The “If Walls Could Speak” festival in Amsterdam Oost is a perfect example of how street art bridges communities, transforms neighborhoods and provides accessible cultural experiences outside traditional institutions. These murals have become integral to the identity of their respective neighborhoods, creating points of pride for residents while attracting visitors to areas they might otherwise miss.
For visitors seeking authentic connections with Amsterdam’s creative spirit, these murals offer insights into the city’s modern cultural identity, complementing the historical narratives in its museums and architecture.
Practical Information for Your Street Art Journey
Transportation Tips
Amsterdam’s compact size and excellent public transportation make exploring its street art relatively straightforward. The GVB public transport day pass (€9) offers unlimited travel on trams, buses, and metros, making it an economical choice for visiting multiple locations across the city.
For areas like NDSM Wharf, the free ferry service from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station provides transportation and an enjoyable experience, offering beautiful views of the city skyline during the journey.
Guided Tours
For those seeking deeper insights into Amsterdam’s street art scene, several specialized tours offer expert guidance:
- Amsterdam Street Art Tours: Led by local artists and enthusiasts with insider knowledge about the stories behind the murals
- Alternative Amsterdam: Combines street art exploration with insights into the city’s counterculture history
- Street Art Workshops: For visitors wanting to learn spray painting techniques in a legal setting
Responsible Tourism
Remember that many murals are in residential neighborhoods when exploring Amsterdam’s street art. Practice respectful tourism by:
- Keeping noise levels reasonable
- Avoiding blocking residents’ entrances when photographing
- Supporting local businesses in the neighborhoods you visit
- Respecting private property boundaries
See Related: Unveiling Amsterdam’s Hidden Gems: Neighborhoods for Truly Authentic Experiences
Amsterdam Through the Lens of Street Art
Amsterdam’s street art scene offers much more than aesthetic pleasure—it provides a lens through which to understand the city’s cultural evolution, neighborhood identities, and artistic innovations. The fifteen murals featured in this guide represent diverse artistic approaches united by extraordinary creative vision and technical execution.
What makes Amsterdam’s street art scene particularly special is its integration with the city’s existing character—artists respond to specific neighborhoods, historical contexts, and architectural features rather than imposing generic imagery. This site-specific quality ensures that experiencing these murals goes beyond visual appreciation to include deeper engagement with Amsterdam’s multifaceted identity.