These 5 street art spots in Belfast made our brains feel things!
When’s the last time you actually went outside and, you know, touched grass? As someone who works at home and paints indoors as a hobby, getting some sun and fresh air isn’t exactly a regular thing. Perhaps that’s why I sometimes feel that I’m stuck.
Then I hit a creative wall with a work project—my brain was running on empty. So I texted a few pals and asked them to help me shake things up a bit to refill our creative juices.
We ended up deciding that a walking tour around the city might do the trick. Honestly? We think it’s the best idea ever, besides visiting art galleries. Here are some of the most vibrant, eye-catching street art pieces in Belfast we’ve seen. Take a look!
Where can you see art outside in Belfast?
There are a bunch of spots where you can see art outside in Belfast! You can go on an artsy walking tour and explore notable pieces, such as ‘You Can Go Anywhere’, FORZAN, and The Son of Protagoras.
You Can Go Anywhere
– Media credit: sapphirelunatravels
Location: Enfield St
‘You Can Go Anywhere’ is one of the best street art pieces to see in Belfast. It’s a contemporary piece created by UK-based muralist Dan Kitchener (or DANK), ]mainly known for his neon artworks of urban scenes.
We think this art piece speaks well to those who like feeling a touch of nostalgia. For one, Kitchener’s signature style is all about rain-drenched city streets with neon lights—it’s like taking Tokyo’s cityscape and nightlife to Belfast!
What’s more, the surrounding area includes several fun bars, live music venues, and hip cafes (best cafes to work in Belfast). We think it’s nice to chill here after looking at the artwork at sunset.
| Pro tips: If you want to combine ‘You Can Go Anywhere’ with something active, we recommend booking a walking tour (like Seedhead Arts), which typically includes this mural. The guides could provide you with more backstories too! We think it’s best to use a wide-angle lens to capture this street art’s beauty and do it justice—it’s too large and packed with details! |
FORZAN
– Media credit: sapphirelunatravels
Address: Gresham St
FORZAN is another colourful street artwork in the city, showing a young woman and a parrot overlooking or facing the city.
Forzan in Spanish means ‘to force or to empower’. But in this context, it speaks of empowering women. Moreover, the parrot adds colour and symbolism here, showing the wisdom and power of voice in Colombian or wider South American culture.
We bet this is a fantastic place to bring an important woman in your life—your wife, mother, significant other, or your best friend!
| Handy hacks: Need a faster way to get to FORZAN? You can access the mural by walking through the Cathedral Quarter. This is only a short stroll from The MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre). We recommend visiting during a quiet hour to capture the best photos! Be strategic and go here around early mornings or late weekday afternoons to experience the least foot traffic and distractions. |
The Son of Protagoras
– Media credit: sapphirelunatravels
Address: 27-29 Gordon St
Looking for something thought-provoking? We believe The Son of Protagoras is one of the city’s best masterpieces for that. It’s painted by a French artist called MTO, showcasing a boy clutching a dove struck by two arrows.
Basically, this piece is a commentary on the significant divide between the Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland. The boy is a symbol of peace, and the arrows that struck the dove represent the two opposing religions.
| Cool idea: Need to amp up your creative project? We suggest using The Son of Protagoras as a cinematic backdrop for your photos or videos! Just remember to be respectful of parked cars around. |
Newen Tribute
– Media credit: sapphirelunatravels
Address: Winetavern St
Newen Tribute is a mural in Belfast to check out if you’re all about vivid colours and striking shapes. This is painted by Visual, a Colombian artist, to feature indigenous South American cultures.
You’ll see a captivating portrait of a native woman with a strong and unapologetic gaze. For us, this conveys power, defiance, and dignity.
And since this Belfast street art is close to murals like FORZAN, we believe you can even build your own international-themed walking tour to be more efficient!
| Photography advice: We recommend using high-saturation mode when taking photos of Newen Tribute or using it as a background! This way, the mural’s vibrant reds, oranges, and blues can pop even more. |
Keep Her Lit
– Media credit: sapphirelunatravels
Address: Union Street
Want to be edgy with your photos? How about a mural of a heart? No, not the typical shape, but your actual organ. The ‘Keep Her Lit’ street art offers a steampunk element to it that we think you might appreciate.
Aside from the heart, it’s also fitted with a pressure clock with pipes and chains around it. If you’re a fan of that kind of aesthetic, why not dress in your dark clothes and wear black eyeliner to complete the vibe?
| Insider scoop: We say visit Keep Her Lit after dark for the best ambience! In our opinion, this street art takes on a new look at night, especially when the soft orange glow of nearby streetlamps reaches it. Feels more intimate too—great for dates, we say. |