While festivals including Glastonbury and V Festival have long been hugely popular with Brits, more and more music lovers are heading overseas to attend the increasing number of European music festivals, where they can combine seeing their favourite bands with a city break or holiday. We've rounded up ten of the best European music festivals to attend this summer with the help of Topdeck Travel (topdeck.travel), group travel providers for 18-39 year olds.
Rock in Roma
Where: Rome, Italy
When: 23 June – 2 August
What: Running for the ninth year in a row, Rock in Roma has earned its reputation as one of Europe's biggest ever rock festivals. With a schedule that spans over one month, music lovers can pick and choose their favourite acts, which include huge names you won’t want to miss out on. Make the most of your trip to Italy with Topdeck's Bravo Italia adventure that includes wine tasting, gondola rides, walking tours and all the gelato you could ask for.
Who: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Offspring, The xx, Kasabian, Phoenix, Damian Marley and more.
Primavera Sound
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: 31 May – 4 June
What: Held every year in Barcelona, Primavera Sound is one of Europe's greatest indie and alternative music festivals, not only featuring the big names, but smaller up and coming bands too. Covering a range of genres, you’ll get a taste of everything from underground electronic and pop, to alternative and indie rock that hipsters dreams are made of.
Who: Arcade Fire, The xx, Frank Ocean, Aphex Twin, Grace Jones and more.
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Positivus
Where: Salacgriva, Latvia
When: 14 July – 15 July
What: Taking place every year in the middle of July, Positivus is hands down the largest music and arts festival in the Baltic States. Nestled between magical meadows and a beautiful beach, this family friendly festival offers an array of arty activities to keep the little ones entertained all weekend long. With the stages surrounded by towering trees and the mix of quirky characters, you will feel like a real-life festival-forest elf.
Who: The Lumineers, Pixies, José Gonzalez, Alt-J, Ellie Goulding, Nothing but Thieves
Hideout
Where: Adriatic island, Croatia
When: 26 June – 30 June
What: Located on the picturesque Zrce Beach in Croatia, Hideout is one of Europe's favourite festivals, with fans flocking from around the world to get their annual electronic music fix. Surrounded by mountains and turquoise blue waters, your days will consist of relaxed pre-parties, sun-soaked socialising and epic headline performances across six beachfront stages.
Who: Featuring over 150 of the world's best electronic artists, you're in for treat! Acts include Major Lazer, Diplo, Wiley, The Martinez Brothers, B.Traits, Redlight and many, many more.
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Colours of Ostrava
Where: Ostrava, Czech Republic
When: 19 – 22 July
What: Located in an old coal works site, the rusty ironworks and historic furnaces will make you feel like you've stepped into an urban steam-punk jungle. Jam packed with over 350 events, the weekend also includes interesting lectures, film screening and theatre performances. What's more, each festival ticket gives holders additional discounts on a few tourist spots in Ostrava, giving you the perfect excuse to explore the history-rich city.
Who: Acts include Jamiroquai, Imagine Dragons, Laura Mvula, Norah Jones and Moderat.
Exit Festival
Where: Novi Sad, Serbia
When: 5 July – 9 July
What: What started as a student movement fighting for peace and democracy in Serbia and the Balkans, Exit has evolved into an award-winning music festival, with a social mission to help the youth in the Balkans. Every year, it's held in at the Petrovaradin Fortress in the city of Novi Sad, quite possibly one of the most unique and beautiful settings to lose yourself in.
Who: The Killers, Years & Years, Hardwell, Róisín Murphey, Paul Kalkbrenner, Jason Derulo, Liam Gallagher.
La Route du Rock
Where: Saint-Malo, France
When: 17 August – 20 August
What: Aptly named, La Route du Rock is a biannual rock festival taking place in Saint-Malo, a gorgeous walled port city in the north of France. With an undoubtable focus on rock bands, guitar lovers can expect to hear the occasional electronic mix too. A camping site is available throughout the weekend, and if you'd prefer to avoid a weekend of tent-life, nearby youth hostels are on offer too.
Who: Future Islands, Soulwax, PJ Harvey, Interpol, DJ Shadow, Tale of Us, Ty Segall, Foxygen to name a few.
Road to Sziget
Where: Budapest, Hungary
When: 5 August – 14 August
What: Not your usual road trip to a music festival, Topdeck's Road to Sziget includes 10 days of travelling with likeminded fest-lovers – ideal for solo travellers or pairs looking to join a bigger group. Starting out in Dubrovnik, you'll get a chance to explore Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Serbia before partying up a storm in the ultra-cool Budapest. Spanning over several days, Sziget has amusement parks, unique workshops and beautiful beaches to keep you totally entertained in between all the stage hopping!
Who: Flume, Alt-J, Chainsmokers, P!nk, Major Lazer, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Rudimental and loads more
Bestival
Where: Dorset, UK
When: 7 September – 10 September
What: A four-day boutique festival set on Lulworth Estate, an enchanting wooded retreat on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. Home to the world's biggest bouncy castle (and the biggest ever confetti machine), you can expect to see over the top art installations, crazy-cool costumes, eclectic vintage caravans, and enough food stalls to keep you satisfied the entire long weekend.
Who: With multiple stages and loads of different genres, you'll be treated to Pet Shop Boys, Justice, Rag'n'Bone Man, Little Dragon, Dizzee Rascal, Andy C, Annie Mac, Fatman Scoop and Jamie T.
Iceland Airwaves
Where: Reykjavik, Iceland
When: 1 November – 5 November
What: If huge crowds aren't your thing then this intimate group of just 9,000 fans will be. With a big focus on showcasing brand spanking new music, both Icelandic and international, this festival is the perfect get-away to escape the inevitable winter blues.
Who: Fleet Foxes, Mura Masa, Sycamore Tree, Tófa, Phlegm, and heaps of local artists you can be the first to introduce to your friends.
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