Meadows in the Mountains, Bulgaria
WHEN: Mid June
WHERE: Rhodopian Mountains, Bulgaria
HOW MUCH: 3-day festival passes £115
WHAT: A mountaintop festival set in a rural Bulgarian village – perfect for those looking for escapism in the heart of nature. Festival goers can rent traditional houses in the local area, and the organisers have an eco-friendly ‘leave no trace’ policy (which even means taking your own drinking vessel!).
Sziget, Budapest Hungary
WHEN: Mid August
WHERE: Budapest, Hungary
HOW MUCH: 7-day festival passes €269, day passes €59
WHAT: Taking place on an island in the middle of the Danube, Sziget has big names, big crowds and big parties. Running for seven days, it’s a whole week of madness – with parties every day at the main stage – and great food. Prepare yourself for this one!
Love International, Croatia
WHEN: Mid July
WHERE: Tisno, Croatia
HOW MUCH: Full week festival pass £120, day passes from £20
WHAT: On the Adriatic Coast an hour from Split, you’ll find Love International. The setting is breath taking, the boat parties are infamous and the accommodation is… whacky! Choose to lay your head in retro Airstream caravans, luxurious yachts, Indian Shikar tents or even Podpads. Don’t miss the legendary afterparty at Barbarellas.
Exit, Serbia
WHEN: Mid July
WHERE: Novi Sad, Serbia
HOW MUCH: Full festival pass from £107
WHAT: Exit festival in Serbia has had more than its fair share of awards. Running for over 15 years, the theme this year is magic – and that it will be. With some big names on the lineup including David Guetta, Ellie Goulding and Bastille, tickets are sure to sell out quickly for this one.
Secret Solstice, Iceland
WHEN: Mid June
WHERE: Reykjavik, Iceland
HOW MUCH: Full festival pass from around £137
WHAT: Celebrating Summer Solstice and 72 hours of continuous sunshine, Secret Solstice in Reykjavik is set in the shadow of snow-capped mountains. Now in its third year, the crowds are growing as people cotton on to one of Europe’s newest festival additions. But what will happen when the sun fails to set…
A Summer’s Tale, Germany
WHAT: Mid August
WHERE: Luhmühlen, Germany
HOW MUCH: Full festival pass £108
WHAT: Marketing itself as a ‘woodland festival retreat’, A Summer’s Tale in Germany returns for its second year. Offering great headliners (including Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Sigur Ros), delicious food and a whole array of the arts, this fur day festival will have you saying “ich liebe dich” in no time!
Colours of Ostraza, Czech Republic
WHEN: Mid July
WHERE: Ostrava, Czech Republic
HOW MUCH: Four day festival pass €95.77
WHAT: Without a doubt, this festival is in one of the must unique settings possible. Colours of Ostraza is set in an abandoned industrial site – with stages nestled in amongst the ironworks. Music includes Kodaline, Underworld and Tame Impala, as well as plenty of theatre, art and workshops to keep you busy for all four days(over 300 events in fact!).
Glastonbury Festival, England
WHEN: Mid June
WHERE: Somerset, England
HOW MUCH: Full festival pass with camping £228
WHAT: It wouldn’t be a festival roundup without a mention of Glasto! In June a tented camp springs up and stages rise out of the ground, as Glastonbury returns to Somerset. This year’s headliners include Muse, Adele and Coldplay. There’s gourmet food, the Circus field, top comedy and after parties that continue long after sunrise. If you managed to get your hands on a golden ticket, congrats! And don’t forget to pack your wellies.
Laura Davies
Laura Davies started her career at South East Asia Backpacker Magazine on an internship in the summer of 2011. After proving she could knock back shots, ride a scooter and look good in a poncho, she soon became an indispensable part of the team. She's now living in London, working as a freelance designer frequently taking trips within Europe and writing for Europe Backpacker. Interested in becoming a writer for us?
