Each summer, a 17th-century fortress on Serbia‘s Danube River is transformed into one of Europe’s most hedonistic festivals. Exit runs overnight, between 8pm and 8am, so expect to party until dawn and sleep by day. Or drink beers by the river, more like.
Location
The festival takes place in the northern city of Novi Sad, 86 kilometres away from capital city Belgrade.
Getting There
Flights to Belgrade are pretty expensive, especially around the time of the festival so you might think about flying to a neighbouring destination, such as Budapest or Zagreb.
Be warned: rail connections into Serbia are not always on time. It has been known for the five-hour special service laid on from Budapest specifically for the Exit festival to take seven hours.
What to See
Although it boasts the “best dance arena in the whole of Europe”, Exit dips into all music genres from hip hop and hardcore to samba and soul, making it appeal to all.
Every year worldwide acts head up the dance arena, with rock heavy hitters like Guns n’ Roses, Plan B and New Order have previously headlined the main stage. Check out the official festival website for the latest line-up.
Aside from the music, the sparkling waters of the Danube offer a perfect place to cool off but take note it quickly gets disgustingly dirty so get your fill on the first day!
Tickets
A four-day festival ticket will only set you back £95 but tickets get snapped up fast so make sure you book well in advance. If you’re planning on going with a big group of mates, take advantage of the current buy ‘four tickets get one free’ offer.
Where to Stay
The main Exit campsite is across the Danube from the festival site, in a thinly-wooded area.
Although a little uncomfortable to camp on, the shade the trees offer in the daytime is a godsend, allowing you to get some well-needed shuteye away from the hot Balkan sun (and remember, you won’t be going to sleep before dawn). Entertainment, usually in the form of sound systems, is laid on all day so check for the presence of nearby amplifiers before pegging down.
Alternatively, you could consider finding some accommodation in town, which is just a short walk over the bridge. Visit the Exit website for a selection of the best budget accommodation available.
See more recommendations on my travel guide to Europe.
