Brazil holds the Guinness World Record for the largest street art mural on the planet — a staggering achievement that hints at the country’s deep relationship with monumental public art. From São Paulo’s towering apartment blocks to Rio’s Olympic Boulevard, massive murals transform urban landscapes into open-air galleries where social commentary meets spectacular artistry.
Here are 17 giant murals that showcase Brazil’s most impressive large-scale street art across the nation.
Etnias by Eduardo Kobra, Rio de Janeiro
— Photo by dabldy
Eduardo Kobra’s “Etnias” stretches 32,300 square feet along Rio’s Olympic Boulevard, making it officially the world’s largest graffiti mural. The artwork depicts five indigenous faces representing different continents — a Tajapo boy from Brazil, a Mursi woman from Ethiopia, a Kayin woman from Thailand, a Supi man from Northern Europe, and a Huli man from Papua New Guinea.
Kobra worked 12 hours daily for two months to complete the piece before the 2016 Rio Olympics. The artist used 100 gallons of white paint, 400 gallons of colored paint, and 2,800 cans of spray paint.
Ayrton Senna tribute by Eduardo Kobra, São Paulo
This thirteen-story-high mural on Rua da Consolação depicts the legendary Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, focusing solely on his eyes. Created in 2015 on the eve of the Brazilian Grand Prix, the portrait required permission from Senna’s family and extensive research at the Ayrton Senna Institute.
Nothing more was needed — the look alone sums up everything he represented,” Kobra explained.
Os Gêmeos “The Foreigner,” São Paulo
— Photo by dabldy
The Brazilian twins painted “The Foreigner” in Vale de Anhangabaú, São Paulo, commissioned by SESC Brazil in 2009. Originally scheduled for a thirty-day display, public approval kept the massive mural visible until the building’s demolition in 2012. The piece showcased their signature yellow-skinned characters in their fantasy world called “Tritez.”
And honestly, standing beneath these painted giants feels like being in a fairy tale written by urban poets.
Oscar Niemeyer mural by Eduardo Kobra, São Paulo
This 52-meter-tall tribute to the famous Brazilian architect covers an entire building side on one of São Paulo’s busiest streets. Painted in 2013, the mural took 40 days to complete and honors Niemeyer’s legacy following his death at age 104 in 2012.
The kaleidoscopic portrait captures the visionary who helped design Brasília.
Vhils carved portrait wall, São Paulo
Portuguese artist Vhils created a stunning relief artwork using power drills and chisels, depicting multiple portraits collaged together as a tribute to Brazilian diversity. Hidden among tall buildings in a pink chain-link-fenced parking lot, the carved concrete wall resembles a massive etching plate from a distance.
The piece features six portraits of different people representing diversity in Brazil, created for the NaLata Festival in 2023.
Elza Soares memorial, São Paulo
— Photo by AngelaMacario
A giant portrait of Brazilian singer Elza Soares adorns Rua Consolação next to the fire station. The mural serves as a tribute to the late singer who died at age 91 in Rio de Janeiro. Originally created in 2020, the artwork suffered wear and was renovated by visual artist Felipe Cama in July 2023.
Okuda’s shamans mural, São Paulo
Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel painted an eye-catching mural featuring shamans and fortune-tellers for NaLata Festival in 2023. The piece creates fantasy worlds mixing vibrant colors, geometry, animals, people, and landscapes in Okuda’s signature style.
But this isn’t your typical geometric abstraction — it pulses with spiritual energy.
Felipe Pantone’s kinetic mural, São Paulo
Valencia-based artist Felipe Pantone created a large-scale mural on Avenida Brig. Faria Lima featuring his trademark kinetic optical illusions. The 2022 piece for NaLata Festival demonstrates Pantone’s mastery of creating movement through static geometric patterns.
Pichiavo’s classical fusion, São Paulo
Spanish artist Pichiavo painted a striking mural overlooking Largo da Batata square in 2021. Their work typically combines: • Classical sculpture references • Bold graffiti lettering • Mythological imagery • Contemporary urban aesthetics
The piece exemplifies their unique fusion of ancient and modern artistic traditions.
Shepard Fairey’s environmental justice mural, São Paulo
U.S. artist Shepard Fairey created “Carga Frágil” at Largo da Batata for NaLata in 2021. The left side depicts scales of justice with a flower, while the right shows a woman wearing a communist-style cap supporting equal rights. The piece advocates for environmental justice and Amazon rainforest protection.
Carla Duncan’s indigenous women, São Paulo
Brazilian artist Carla Duncan painted a beautiful mural featuring native women reading and lying in hammocks. Located at Rua Fernão Dias 467, the 2023 NaLata Festival piece celebrates indigenous culture and the peaceful pursuit of knowledge.
Alex Senna’s poetry-inspired piece, São Paulo
Well-known Brazilian street artist Alex Senna created this black and white mural inspired by poetry from Marcelo Ariel. The 2020 piece incorporates the phrases “That the sky descends to the earth” and “Through the beats of your heart,” demonstrating Senna’s reputation for artworks throughout Europe and South America.
Apolo Torres’ “Nina: Education Isn’t A Crime,” São Paulo
Torres created this 45-meter-high mural in 2016 to address limited access to higher education. Located at Rua Amaral Gurgel in Vila Buarque near Praça Roosevelt, the piece addresses both Iranian and Brazilian educational challenges. The title “Nina” is also the artist’s daughter’s name, representing his hopes for her unrestricted dreams.
John Perello’s calligraphy mural, São Paulo
Brazilian abstract artist John Perello painted this mural using calligraphy and bold colors for NaLata in 2023. Located in a car park at Av. Pedroso de Morais 800, the piece demonstrates how street art can transform even mundane parking spaces into cultural landmarks.
Manuela Navas’ dancing couple, São Paulo
Brazilian artist Manuela Navas painted this dynamic mural of a couple dancing for the 3rd edition of NaLata 2022. The piece captures the joy and movement inherent in Brazilian culture, transforming a static wall into a celebration of rhythm and partnership.
Arlin Graff’s jaguar mural, São Paulo
This powerful mural features a jaguar, a symbol of nature and biodiversity in Brazil and South America. Created by Arlin Graff and curated by NaLata Festival in 2022, the piece serves as a reminder of Brazil’s incredible wildlife heritage and the importance of conservation.
The painting’s intense gaze seems to follow viewers down the street.
Speto’s Don Quixote, São Paulo
Paulo Cesar Silva, known as Speto, created this tribute to Cervantes’ iconic character. As one of Brazil’s graffiti pioneers who has been active since 1985, Speto brings his distinctive folk art-influenced style to this classic literary figure. His work typically draws from Brazilian cordel literature and maintains the bold, readable aesthetic he developed through decades of street painting.
Street art as cultural heritage
— Photo by gianliguori
Brazilian street art has evolved from perceived vandalism to recognized cultural heritage, with some murals purposefully preserved and documented. These giant murals don’t just decorate walls — they transform neighborhoods into outdoor museums, create economic opportunities, and give voice to communities across Brazil’s diverse urban landscape.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Best Beach Towns in the Carolinas
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Things You Actually Get in First Class
- 20 Small Airports With Aviation Museums
- 20 Places in the U.S. That Are Perfect for a Reset Trip
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.