Five Festivals in Unique Locations

Photo: Festival No. 6 Credit: Danny North

In the midst of a bumper festival season, we decided to take a look around the UK and Europe at some of the most intriguing and uniquely located festivals out there. Those looking to expand their horizons and try something a little different, take a look and get inspired by the following five. Head here for more on festivals.

Secret Solstice 19th - 21st June

Photo: Secret Solstice Credit: Matthew Eisman

Nestled in the Laugardalur recreational area inside the Iceland's capital city Reykjavik, the venue itself might seem unremarkable, but when you add into the equation that Secret Solstice is the only major festival on Earth where the sun never fully sets, you know you're onto something unique.

The festival also stars the world's first party inside a glacier and an event at one of the country's geothermal pools, pretty cool eh? And that's before we get onto their well documented VIP ticket. Head here for more on Secret Solstice.

Exit Festival 9th - 12th July

We've spoken at length about the Serbian festival previously, but with good reason. The stunning 17th century Petrovaradin Fortress is surely one of the most breathtaking venues in Europe, with the dance arena in particular being unlike anything else we've experienced (watch out for that in the aftermovie above).

Located on the banks of the River Danube as well, Exit's Festival site really has it all - nearby town Novi Sad happens to be one of the cultural centres of Serbia as well as being stunningly beautiful. There's no wonder Forbes singled Exit out as a festival to watch out for this year. Grab your tickets here.

Melt! Festival 17th - 19th July

Photo: Ferropolis

Housed in Ferropolis, an open air museum of some of the biggest industrial machines to have ever been built, Melt! is a real spectacle for the senses.

Some of the machines can measure up to 30 metres high, and 120 metres across, adding one of the most striking settings for a festival anywhere on the planet. The crushing soundtrack provided by the likes of Marcel Dettmann, Audion, Dark Sky, Autechre, The Bug, Nina Kraviz and Sven Vath couldn't sound more at home. Head here for more on Melt!

Groove Festival 22nd August

Held on the banks of one of the most iconic bodies of water, Loch Ness, Groove Festival picks up where RockNess left off, this time with a far more dance music centric line up hooked in.

The view from the festival ground is simply stunning, putting you right in the middle of Scotland's glorious natural beauty, watching the sun go down over the Loch as the likes of 2ManyDJs man the decks will be an experience and a half. Tickets are on sale here.

Festival Number 6 3rd - 6th September

Back on home soil, Festival Number 6 wins us over every single year with its intelligently curated line up of artists, poets, speakers and musicians - but its crowning glory is undeniably Portmeirion itself, an entire town designed by one man, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, and built over the course of 50 years.

The whole place feels like its been directly beamed from the continent, and boasts palm trees, a stunning central piazza, a beautiful beach and some of the most barmy architecture around - there's nowhere else quite like it. Grab your tickets here. 

Check out our Festivals section here.