Europe has always been a top destination for architecture and history. Now, more and more, there are a growing number of fantastic music festivals that you might want to include in your next trip - or that might even tempt you to visit a new European destination for the summer music scene alone.
Here's our top 5:
Glastonbury, UK
The original and, in most eyes, still the best. Usually staged towards the end of June, this four day music extravaganza attracts a huge and loyal crowd. Born on the folk scene and growing into an indie pilgrimage site, the festival has recently had (controversial) mainstream headliners like Beyonce, U2 and Jay-Z. Based on a farm in Somerset, it is subject to the UK's unpredictable weather and has become famous for its mud… Not that it puts off the hundreds of thousands of revellers each year.
Benicassim, Spain
Located in a port between Valencia and Barcelona this four day festival is in a great spot, right on one of Spain's best beaches. This is a really popular spot for music lovers and always has great headliners, including The Strokes and Arcade Fire in recent years. Conveniently, it's also really close to the nearest village so you can spend your evenings in warm, dry, quiet lodgings if you're sick of sleeping in a tent. If you are camping however, you'll have the luxury of proper shower facilities!
Exit, Serbia
Newer to the scene is this Serbian festival, located in the pretty surroundings of an 18th century fortress on the banks of the Danube. Quickly gathering pace since it's first year in 2000, it was voted ‘Best European Festival' in 2007 and regularly attracts a quarter of a million partygoers. Its origins were as a political festival, and it still aims to foreground social issues for young Serbians. It caters for a vast range of music tastes, from the typical indie festival crowds to house and trance.
Garden Festival, Croatia
A baby on the European circuit, this 2006 born festival has quickly become hugely popular amongst seasoned festies, steadily growing in size with each passing year but still managing to retain its intimate feel. Based on the Adriatic coast near the sleepy village of Petrcane, this party festival has a big dance focus, and is based in beautiful surroundings. Make the most of the popular boat in which incredible parties are held over this seven day extravaganza.
Open'er Festival, Poland
This legendary festival takes place on a huge airfield with seven stages - so there's plenty of space to cater to all musical tastes. Acts range from reggae and funk, alongside typical festival headline acts like Coldplay. There's even a mini festival town here, and it also offers film and theatre productions, adding much more to the vibe than simply music.