Music festivals are well and truly back this summer.

After a cautious start last year, which saw a number of events staged with limited capacity due to Covid-19, the circuit is back on song in 2022, with more than a dozen festivals taking place. taking place across Europe and North Africa.

With Glastonbury in the UK featuring headliners Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish, and the EDM heaven that is Tomorrowland in Belgium, there are a growing number of smaller boutique festivals worth checking out.

From reggae music in the forests of Slovakia to jazz and rock in Casablanca, Morocco, here are 10 festivals not to be missed.

Or: Hulst, Netherlands

Headliners: Editors, Wolfmother, Martin Solveig and The Darkness

Why go? Held on an island in the medieval walled town of Hulst, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Amsterdam, the festival is renowned for its intimate atmosphere, with up to 10,000 people watching more than 50 acts on four stages. The lineup is geared towards the early 2000s, featuring major rock bands and indie music.

How to get there: The flight time to Amsterdam from Abu Dhabi is 7 hours and 5 minutes. For more information go to vestrock.nl

Or: Roma, Italy

Headliners: Herbie Hancock, Patti Smith, Deep Purple, the Chemical Brothers and suicidal tendencies

Why go? Taking place over four weeks in three different locations, this festival is the perfect opportunity to take a summer break in the Italian capital. The line-up is eclectic, with seasoned artists sharing the bill with new talent from Italy and Northern Europe.

How to get there: Flight time to Rome from Abu Dhabi is 6 hours and 10 minutes. For more information, visit rockinroma.com

Or: Majorca, Spain

Headliners: Muse, Christina Aguilera, Franz Ferdinand and Justice

Why go? Taking place in the Calvia region of Spain, the festival site – a two-hour flight from Barcelona – sits between the green hills of the Serra de Tramontana. As well as attracting big names, the festival has built a reputation as a major tourist attraction, with attendees often extending their stay to hike and explore the stunning surroundings.

How to get there: The flight time to Barcelona from Dubai is 6 hours and 50 minutes. For more information, visit mallorcalivemusic.com

Or: Casablanca, Morocco

Headliners: To be announced soon. Previous headliners include Franz Ferdinand, Calypso Rose and Maceo Parker

Why go? This boutique city festival offers a solid mix of travel and entertainment. Held at two venues, the festival features indoor and outdoor performances, and features rock and jazz legends and headliners. Musicians can also attend masterclasses by some of the headlining acts.

How to get there: Flight time to Casablanca from Abu Dhabi is eight hours and 10 minutes. For more details, visit jazzablanca.com

Or: Algarve, Portugal

Headliners: Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Wizkid, Davido and P Square

Why go? The stature of this festival has grown alongside the international appeal of the Afropop and Afrobeats scene. If you’re a fan of these sounds, this festival is a must as most of the stars of the genre gather for a weekend of music in the seaside town of Algarve, a two and a half hour drive from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

How to get there: The flight time to Lisbon from Dubai is 8 hours and 40 minutes. For more details, visit afronationfestival.com

Or: Novi Sad, Serbia

Headliners: Calvin Harris, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Masked Wolf, Afrojack and Sepultura

Why go? This festival has been growing in popularity in recent years due to its dynamic programming and its setting in an 18th century Petrovaradin fortress. The concerts take place on more than two dozen stages located in the fort, which also includes moats, trenches and tunnels.

How to get there: The flight time between Belgrade and Abu Dhabi is five hours and 40 minutes. For more details on the festival, visit exitfest.org

Or: Riga, Latvia

Headliners: A$AP Rocky, Megan Thee Stallion, Jamie xx, Caribou and Thundercat

Why go? The Positivus Festival is back in a new venue in Riga to ensure easier access for international visitors. The event features a solid lineup of hip-hop and electronic music acts.

How to get there: The flight time to Riga from Dubai, including the layover, is 7 hours and 55 minutes. For more information, visit positivusfestival.com

Or: Bratislava, Slovakia

Headliners: Morgan Heritage, Max Romeo, Roni Size and Suns of Dub

Why go? Because it’s a chance to hear sweet reggae melodies in a beautiful setting. Held in the picturesque lakeside resort town of Zlate Piesky, Uprising features Jamaica’s biggest musical acts, in addition to art and yoga classes and a reggae-inspired street art market.

How can I get there? Flight time to Bratislava from Dubai is six hours and 15 minutes. For more details about the festival, go to www.uprising.sk

Or: Munich, Germany

Headliners: David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Stromae, Megan Thee Stallion and Rita Ora

Why go? Europe’s newest music festival, the first Superbloom will take place in Munich’s Olympic Park on multiple stages, featuring international and local artists. The festival also has 11 “experience zones”, with themes ranging from fashion and science to sustainability, dance and acrobatics.

How to get there: The flight time to Munich from Abu Dhabi is 6 hours and 25 minutes. For more information visit superbloom.de

Or: Dhermi, Albania

Headliners: Carl Craig, Jeff Mills, Nina Kraviz and Helena Huff

Why go? This is a tastefully organized electronic music festival without the big crowds. Located in the picturesque coastal village of Dhermi, a three and a half hour drive from the capital Tirana, Ion Festival is held at a seaside festival site. The lineup includes influential and up-and-coming DJs and producers.

How to get there: The flight time to Tirana from Dubai is 5 hours and 45 minutes. For more information, visit ionalbania.com

Updated: May 12, 2022, 5:50 a.m.