Do you judge a city by its art scene? Admit it. It's an amazing way to assess a city's cool factor. But don't judge a book by its cover. You'll often find the artiest cities are the ones you'd least expect to be. Look beyond their generic city centres and well known art galleries to discover some of the best underground art scenes in the world.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia's capital city is small and cosy. Its architectural beauty is complemented greatly by Ljubljanica river flowing through the city centre, and the city's location in a deep green valley.
The attractions any guide book will tell you to visit are Ljubljana Castle, Tivoli Park, the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, and the National Gallery. But a mere 10 minute walk outside the city centre you'll find Metelkova, an artist's dream, officially called an "autonomous cultural centre". Nestled in the old army barracks you'll find artists' studios, bars, cultural offices, and galleries. Nearby is the MSUM Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova. Keen artists can apply for residencies.
In the city centre, visit Bi-Ko-Fe bar and cafe to get talking to some of the city's hippest residents.
Riga, Latvia
The Baltics have always boasted a lively art scene, that's only been encouraged by the hard-hitting economic crisis as people have been forced to be creative to make a living. Riga is now the epitome of cool. Various of its old industrial quarters have undergone major changes to become centres of art and culture.
The first of these areas was the old port of Andrejsala now home to an artists' hostel, three museums, and events space. Another is Spikeri, a series of old warehouses near the city's central market. These are now a hive of activity boasting one of the city's top restaurants, Kitchen, a concert hall, a doll museum, and KIM museum of contemporary art.
Other cultural quarters are Miera Street Republic (Miera Ielas Republika) with cafes, vintage and lifestyle shops galore, Tabakas Fabrika, an old tobacco factory, and VEF, an old factory just a short tram ride away from the city centre.
Bristol, UK
Most people have heard of Banksy and Massive Attack but how many of you know they hail from Bristol? The city has long been associated with an underground scene with a particular focus on trip hop, graffiti art, and drum and bass. Nowadays, the scene lives on.
Montpelier is a lively area to the city's north where famished art lovers can visit the numerous organic and vegetarian eateries lining Picton Street. The area gathers many creative minds.
The city's old Tobacco Factory is also well worth a visit. It's now been transformed into a creative working space complete with its own animation and performing arts schools and a theatre.
Book a stay at a hotel in Bristol city because you'll need more than a day to explore all there is to see and do here.
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