Missed out on Coachella? These are the best festivals to experience this summer

If your Instagram feeds have looked anything like ours over the past week, then we are willing to bet that you’ve reached a saturation point with all the Coachella content.

And, if you didn’t make the trip down the Californian desert this year (it didn’t look that good anyway, right?) then never fear — the opportunity to don your finest carnival get-up and drink yourself stupid over a long weekend in a field has not passed you by.

Whether you get your kicks listening to folk tunes somewhere deep amongst the Rhodope Mountains, or prefer your festivals to feel more like one long, psychedelic trip — we’ve curated a shortlist of the best international festivals you should be snatching up tickets for this summer.

Photo by Sandor Csudai

Photo by Sandor Csudai

Photo by Sandor Csudai

Photo by Major Kata

The Sziget Festival is one of the largest music and cultural festivals in Europe. Held every August in northern Budapest, on Óbudai-sziget, a leafy 108-hectare island on the Danube — ticket-holders can take their pick from more than 1,000 performances across a wide range of genres.

Alongside offering a seriously impressive list of headliners every year, Sziget has a pleasingly genuine peace-and-love origin story. Following the end of the Communist era of Hungary in 1989, the formerly lively summer festival scene in Budapest faced a crisis due to a sudden loss of governmental funding.

A group of artists and rock enthusiasts proposed the Sziget event as a way to bridge this gap — and the festival is now in its 30th year.

Who’s in the line-up: This year is a particularly bumper year — with performers including Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, and Post Malone.

What’s the damage: The regular ticket price for 7-day pass is €339, and for 5-day pass €325.

Held in the appropriately-named town of Boom in Belgium, Tomorrowland festival can have very few rivals when it comes to putting on a serious show.

With a special focus on electronic dance music, the festival was first held in 2005 and has since become one of the world’s largest and most notable music festivals. It now stretches over 2 weekends and usually sells out in minutes.

Who’s in the line-up: This year will see a host of European dance favourites performing — from Armin van Buuren, Boris Brejcha and Charlotte de Witte — to household names including The Chainsmokers.

What’s the damage: A Full Madness Comfort Pass for the weekend will set you back €510

Photo by Aron Klein

Photo by Aron Klein

Photo by Aron Klein

Photo by Aron Klein

Possibly the most unique event in our shortlist, Meadows In the Mountains is an antidote to the hedonism and debauchery most would associate with a festival weekend. Favouring early morning yoga over two-day benders, MITM prides itself on its respect for, and integration with, the native community. Local inhabitants house attendees, and the environmental policies are stricter than almost any other festival.

The festival is not about global music superstars, but rather the atmosphere and overall sense of escapism that comes as much from revellers as from the musicians and artists on show.

Who’s in the line-up: This festival’s lineup is defiantly underground and free-spirited, shunning commercial artists to showcase those who share their values of social harmony and self-expression. Amongst others this year, you can enjoy Andrew James Gustav, Bradley Zero, Eddie C and Ego Ella May.

What’s the damage: Tickets are super reasonable, starting at £123.35

Photo courtesy of Outlook Festival

Photo courtesy of Outlook Festival

Photo courtesy of Outlook Festival

Photo courtesy of Outlook Festival

Held in the painfully cool Fort Punta Christo and its surrounding beaches in Croatia, Outlook festival is as much a holiday destination as an incredible live music event. Sound systems and stages are erected in various tunnels, and even within the moat of the abandoned ruins.

The festival also plays host to a number of boat parties which feature artists from the festival and sail around the Adriatic coastline playing more individual selections of music that other stages around the festival.

Who’s in the line-up: Expect some serious heavyweights in bass music this year. Headliners include Andy C., Chase & Status, Loyle Carner and Bugzy Malone.

What’s the damage: A Weekend Festival Ticket Package will set you back £193.00

Photo by Justine Trickett for Fanatic

Photo by Andrew Whitton for Fanatic

Photo by Andrew Whitton for Fanatic

The Oxfordshire countryside might not seem the most natural habitat for a world-class music festival, but Wilderness delivers a competitive array of live music, contemporary arts and theatre.

Perfect for the festival goer who’d sooner save their flight money to invest in seriously good food — Wilderness also attracts a host of Michelin-starred chefs who ensure festival goers are well fed.

Wilderness’ reputation as the poshest of all UK festivals precedes it, thanks to the likes of Prince Harry, Cara Delevingne and David Cameron making their appearance over the years. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is a straight-laced affair. The line-up is always bang on trend, and you’ll be amazed just how much Veuve Clicquot those posh folk can sink.

Who’s in the line-up: In an appropriately dreamy lineup for a festival which takes place in a forest, festival-goers this year will enjoy Robyn, Bombay Bicycle Club, Groove Armada, Tom Odell and Caravan Palace.

What’s the damage: Four days amongst England’s fanciest forestry will cost you a cool £179.50

Looking for more destination inspiration? These are the best summer villas to rent in the Med this year…

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