EXIT Festival

EXIT Festival is held inside the 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia — and that alone makes it unlike any other festival. The combination of ancient stone walls, underground tunnels, and modern stage production creates an atmosphere that is genuinely magical. Born in 2000 as a student protest movement for democracy, EXIT has grown into one of Europe's most awarded festivals. The lineup mixes electronic headliners (the Dance Arena is legendary), rock and alternative acts, hip hop, and reggae across 40+ stages built into the fortress walls. Novi Sad is a charming, affordable university city on the Danube. Serbia does not use the euro — the dinar is the local currency, and your money goes incredibly far. A proper dinner costs €5-8, a beer is €1-2. Getting there: Fly to Belgrade (BEG), then take a 90-minute bus to Novi Sad. Or fly to Budapest and take a 4-hour bus south. Novi Sad has its own small airport for some charter flights during festival season. Pro tip: The Dance Arena at 3AM, with lasers cutting through the fortress walls, is one of the greatest experiences in live music. Period.