Culture Trip Wishlist: 5 Cities For Music Tourism In 2019

Music is one of the best ways to experience another culture abroad. Whether it’s catching a live gig or picking up some vinyl that’s hard to get at home, your trip could end up expanding your cultural horizons.

Watching your favourite band perform abroad with your closest friends is one of those unforgettable moments that everyone should experience once in their lifetime.

These days, more people are heading abroad to get their musical fix. Whether you’re already travelling and want to be entertained for a few hours or you’ve made the trip especially to see a gig or go to a festival, watching live music is a great way to experience the local culture. Here are Culture Trip’s top five music destinations for 2019.

Head to South by Southwest in Austin, United States

There’s dedication to music, and then there’s giving yourself the nickname ‘Live Music Capital of the World’. Austin, in the state of Texas, more than lives up to its self-appointed label. It’s most famous for South by Southwest (SXSW), a cutting-edge showcase for the best in music, film and interactive media that takes place every year, as well as the Austin City Limits festival. There’s also an incredible array of live venues all over the city including dive bars and ornate theatres.

Take in the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s capital has everything to keep even the most demanding music fan happy. You can catch a rock gig at a ruin bar, a concert aboard a revamped Ukrainian ship or a show at one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks, St Stephen’s Basilica. The highlight of the city’s arts calendar is the annual Sziget Festival in the summer, which brings together the biggest names in music for what has been dubbed Budapest’s version of Glastonbury.

Dance ’til you drop at Oasis in Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech has long been a winter holiday favourite, but the Moroccan city is fast becoming the go-to destination for dance fans thanks to two new festivals offering them the chance to get their rave on in the North African sunshine. Oasis festival brings together the finest names in house and techno, while Atlas Electronica, held just outside the city in Villa Janna, prides itself on its intimate atmosphere.

Enjoy everything from opera to rock in Paris, France

Paris isn’t just the most romantic city in the world; it’s also one of the best for live music. The French capital is home to several legendary concert venues and a host of smaller, cosier spaces. Catch an opera at the magnificent Palais Garnier, watch an indie gig at La Cigale, or check out new acts at L’International. Numerous festivals are held throughout the year including Pitchfork Paris, We Love Green and Rock en Seine.

Sip the local wine at NOS Primavera Sound in Porto, Portugal

The Portuguese city has long had a reputation as a relaxed coastal destination with a charming old town and great wine bars. But in the past few years it has become increasingly popular with music fans due to NOS Primavera Sound, an offshoot of the trendy Barcelona festival, which people visit so they can listen to the incredible line-up of indie artists while sipping port.

For more of this series, check out our wishlist article on fashion destinations in 2019.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.