Head Banging at MetalDays Music Festival 2013, Slovenia

Feel like getting loud in the sun? Then head to Slovenia this summer for the ultimate in metal music.  MetalDays Festival is a unique music festival held near the town of Tolmin in Slovenia from July 21^st to 27^th. Whilst the music will hold centre stage, the atmosphere will be a friendly and relaxed one, so that you can kick back and enjoy your holiday as well. With over 50 of the best metal bands from around the world including In Flames from Sweden, Mayhem - the veterans from Norway, and the Finnish band Sonata Arctica, this European music event is a must for any die-hard metal fan.

Catch some of the best metal bands in action at this unique music festival. Photo Credit: berr.e / wikimedia

From the Alps to the Sea

The venue is beautifully located in between two mountain rivers and is surrounded by the Alps. With the Julijske Alpe National Parks close by, you can get out and enjoy the fresh air in between gigs. Don’t forget to pack your swimwear as there are two “festival owned” beaches that you can swim in, or you can head to the nearby Mediterranean Sea afterwards to relax.

Die-hard metal fans at MetalDays Festival. Photo Credit: capture the uncapturable / flickr

If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, you can buy them online. To get to the event there are several options and countries you can arrive from. If you are flying in, the nearest international airport is in Ljubljana, Slovenia, but it is also possible to arrive via Venice, Italy or Klagenfurt, Austria. From there you can take a train, the nearest station being Most na Soci. Regular shuttle buses will be available to transfer you to Metaldays from here.

European Vacation

If you are planning to drive, parking is available near the venue, but be sure to get a parking sticker for your car beforehand. Before heading to the event you can drive through some of the nearby towns including Nova Gorica in Slovenia, Rijeka or Zagreb in Croatia, Trieste or Udine in Italy or Villach or Klagenfurt in Austria. Buses are available from Slovenia or one of its neighbouring countries.

There are organised bus tours available from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium that will take you to the event. With so many great countries situated close by, it might just be a great opportunity to take an extended European holiday.

Tolmin's captivating beauty.

A big part of this international music festival is enjoying nature, so camping is free on the festival grounds. If you don’t want to camp, there are plenty of options for hotels, guesthouses and even holiday homes for rent. Some of the reasonably priced ones include Podeželski Hotel Zlata Ribica, or if you are looking for a quiet private room perhaps try the Pension Rutar.

Despite being a small town, Tolmin has some interesting sights to see, including the old town centre and the Javorca Church. Popular with artists, this beautiful town is worth spending a day wandering around before or after heading to the MetalDays site.

Want to feel the music? MakeMyTrip offers flights to Ljubljana, Venice, and Klagenfurt.