Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is often overlooked as a music festival destination, but the festie backpacker will find a treasure trove of events across the summer. Dramatic coastlines and friendly festival weather combined with affordable prices makes this a haven for travelers seeking out unique experiences.
NOS Primavera Sound 2020
Cancelled
Porto, Portugal
The little sibling to Barcelona's mega-festival Primavera Sound, this Portuguese edition takes place the following weekend in the charming city of Porto. The recipe remains the same, with a staggering roster of indie rock talent. The grassy hillsides of Parque Central means that every seat is a prime location to watching the show.
Featured Artists: Beck, Black Midi, Cigarettes After Sex, Dinosaur Jr., FKA Twigs, Lana Del Rey, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Tyler the Creator
Galp Beach Party 2020
Cancelled
Matosinhos, Portugal
It's called the biggest beach party in Europe so you're going to have to confirm for yourself at this Portuguese festival that sits just outside of Porto. The music starts at 4 in the afternoon and lasts until 4 in the morning, so make sure to recuperate on the wonderful beaches of Matosinhos before dancing the night away to some of the biggest names in electronic music.
Featured Artists: Armin Van Buuren
Mares Vivas 2020
Cancelled
Praia do Cabedelo, Portugal
Loosely translated into 'seas alive', the annual Mares Vivas Festival is held in Vila Nova de Gaia each July. Elton John, Bush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bill Idol, The Cult, and The Hives have all performed at Mares Vivas.
Photo Credit: Mares Vivas
MEO Sudoeste 2020
Cancelled
Zambujeira Do Mar, Portugal
MEO Sudoeste settles into a coastal Portuguese town for a marathon five days of music. The festival brings in a varied array of artists with a strong emphasis on electronic and pop. For festival-goers the fabled Alentejo coast is nearby for swimming and exploration.
Featured Artists: Major Lazer
Photo Credit: MEO Sudoeste
Nova Batida 2020
Cancelled
Lisbon, Portugal
The Nova Batida Festival is 3 days of music, art, and culture, in the heart of Lisbon. The carefully curated lineup showcases the entire spectrum of electronic music along with talks, debates, and educational experiences. Lisbon is an incredible city to visit in September, with plenty of amazing rentals, or you can choose to camp at the festival itself.
Photo Credit: Cecile Lopes
ZNA Gathering 2022
August 15-22, 2022
Montargil Lake, Portugal
Far away from the tourists in the cities and beaches of Portugal, psychedelic festies gather at Montargil Lake for the ZNA Gathering. Organized by members of the global trance scene, the mission statement of ZNA is to provide an idyllic place in nature where energy and communication flow in a retro-futuristic way. It's a beautiful venue on a refreshing lake with stages tucked away under shady pine and cork trees.
Photo Credit: Sara Constança