Summer festivals
Top 10 Summer festivals:
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Athens, Greece
- Barcelona, Spain
- Rhodes, Greece
- Budapest, Hungary
- Lucca, Italy
- Avignon, France
- Cologne, Germany
- Larnaca, Cyprus
- Salzburg, Austria
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik has hosted its popular Summer Festival since 1950 and attracts an array of international artists. Every July and August a variety of concerts including theatre, music, drama and dance take place in spectacular settings all over the city.
In 2006 renowned classical artists included flautist James Galway, violinist Pavel Berman and cellist Natalie Clein. Dubrovnik Cathedral, Lovrjenac Fort and the atrium of Rector's Palace were among the exceptional settings for their performances.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Athens, Greece
The Greek capital is home to one of the wonders of the ancient world and it is in the shadow of the mighty Acropolis that many of the performances from its Summer Festival take place. From the beginning of June to the end of July, you can enjoy al fresco performances in the near-2,000-year-old Odeion of Herodes Atticus.
Classical and popular music combine so that one night you could be watching Liza Minelli or Elton John, the next it might be the Greek National Opera.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona's Summer Festival is affecionately known as the 'Grec Festival' after a group of actors, directors and writers got together at the Greek Amphitheatre on Mount Monjuic to perform back in 1976.
Now in its 30th year, this contemporary cultural showcase includes theatre, music and dance performances. While shows still take place in the original Teatre Grec, such is the festival's popularity and size, there are 14 other venues including outdoor Placa del Rei.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Rhodes, Greece
If it's fun in the sun you're after, why not head to the popular Greek island of Rhodes to enjoy a performance or two at its two-month long summer festival?
Theatre, dance and music all feature in the programme, and some of the events take place in the spectacular Medieval Moat Theatre. The philharmonic orchestra of Rhodes is performing, as are members of the National Theatre of Northern Greece.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Budapest, Hungary
The Budafest Summer Festival, in, you've guessed it, Budapest has a range of events in venues such as St Stephen's Square and the Castle district of Buda, meaning you can roll your sightseeing and cultural entertainment into one handy package.
During July and August, you can get in touch with your high-brow side with first class opera, ballet and orchestral performances. Operas by Puccini and Verdi feature in 2006.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Lucca, Italy
Lucca's picturesque renaissance charms and perfect Tuscan location make it easy for its summer festival to attract a wealth of international stars. Let's face it, if you were a famous musician and fancied performing, why wouldn't you choose to do so amid medieval architecture, cobbled streets and rolling Tuscan countryside?
That's why this summer you'll find performances by Eric Clapton, Santana, Tracy Chapman and Placebo, among others.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Avignon, France
Picturesque Avignon, in the heart of Provence hosts France's biggest summer festival throughout the month of July. Its spectacular 'Palais des Papes', crooked, cobbled streets and of course the famous bridge make a visit to Avignon worth it at any time of year.
But this festival, which has also spawned a fringe festival of its own takes the phrase high brow to a whole new level. With typical French-ness, there are debates, readings and radio shows along with the usual mix of music, theatre and dance.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Cologne, Germany
Cologne is one of Germany's most attractive cities, filled with historic buildings and monuments. Wandering around the ancient streets and soaking up the culture is made even more enjoyable by the summer festival, which runs from late June to the end of August.
During that time there are open-air street performances, with everything from children's theatre, to stilt-walking and acrobatics. Best of all, everything is free.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Larnaca, Cyprus
Every July, Larnaca hosts a lively festival featuring a mixture of music and performing arts. The real beauty of this festival is the location - as all the outdoor concerts take place either in the courtyard of Larnaca's fabulous medieval fort or at the Pattichion Amphitheatre.
Performances include a variety of national and international talent from the world of dance, theatre and music.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
Salzburg, Austria
The beautiful Alpine city of Salzburg in Austria attracts some of the world's finest classical music performers during its five-week long festival from the last week of July to the end of August. It doesn't hurt that Salzburg is the birthplace of one Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart either.
While the famous composer's music is always showcased in one way or another, 2006 is the 250th anniversary of his birth so expect even more celebrations than usual.
Book a flight
Book a holiday
Book a hotel
End of content. You can:
