Electric Castle

Electric Castle is Romania's fairy-tale festival, held in the grounds of the 15th-century Banffy Castle in Bonțida, Transylvania. The setting alone is worth the trip — a crumbling aristocratic estate surrounded by forests, transformed into an immersive festival village with art installations, neon-lit paths, and secret stages. The music leans electronic but is genuinely eclectic — techno headliners share the bill with indie bands, hip hop acts, and experimental artists. The main stage faces the castle, and the Hangar stage (inside a converted barn) is a techno temple. With 230,000 attendees across five days and tickets starting under €150, Electric Castle is one of the best-value festivals in Europe. Romania is affordable — a beer costs €2, a full meal €5-8. Getting there: Fly to Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), 30km away. Festival shuttles run from the city. Cluj is a vibrant student city worth exploring — great cafés, bars, and the botanical garden. Pro tip: Explore the castle grounds at night. The art installations and lit pathways through the forest create a genuinely magical atmosphere. The silent disco in the castle ruins is unforgettable.