Paredes de Coura Festival (officially “Vodafone Paredes de Coura”) is one of Portugal’s oldest and most beloved music festivals, first held in 1993. It takes place every August at Praia Fluvial do Taboão – a scenic natural river beach near the small town of Paredes de Coura in the Minho region of northern Portugal.

Known for its intimate, indie/alternative-rock spirit and stunning natural amphitheater setting, it’s earned a reputation as one of Europe’s best summer festivals (Rolling Stone Spain named it among the top five). Past headliners include Arcade Fire, Coldplay, Pixies, Nick Cave, and PJ Harvey. Despite its international acclaim, it retains a laid-back, community feel – camping riverside, swimming in the Coura River between sets, and a lineup that favors discovery and artistic coherence over big commercial names.