What Are the Best Destinations for a School Music Tour in Europe?

The Best Destinations for a School Music Tour in Europe

Bruges and Flanders

If you’re looking for a music tour that really offers a variety of memorable performance experiences (and short journey times), then Bruges and Flanders are a fantastic choice.

Why should we visit Bruges and Flanders on a school music tour?

Bruges and Flanders offer short journey times, exciting performance venues and plenty of cultural experiences, making it ideal for a school music tour.

When you’re not performing, your group will love exploring Belgium and its culture, with a canal trip in medieval Bruges, and a visit to a chocolatier to find out about one of the country’s most popular exports. Plus, your ensemble can visit the WW1 Battlefields and pay their respects at some of the many memorials and war cemeteries in the area.

Where can we perform in Bruges and Flanders?

One of the highlights of your music tour will be the opportunity to perform as part of the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate, either by singing or playing two hymns.

And if you travel during the third week of July, you could take part in the fantastic Ghent Festival, where your performance will be part of a vibrant celebration of Flemish culture. The Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Flemish) was first held in 1843 and attracts around 2 million visitors every year. In fact, it’s not just one festival – it’s six. Whether you’re a band, choir or orchestra, choosing to perform at this festival will guarantee you a large, music-loving audience and a performance experience that will leave your ensemble feeling confident and excited about their music.

Another favourite with our ensembles is the Ypres Cloth Hall Colonnade. Ypres Cloth Hall is an iconic building at the heart of the WW1 Battlefields area, and by performing here in the summer, you’ll have the chance to perform to appreciative audiences of locals and tourists.

And there are also some fantastic churches in which you can perform.

What do groups say about their school music tour to Bruges and Flanders?

My lasting memory of this tour will be seeing the students perform in amazing locations and just enjoying each other's company so much. We performed at a bandstand in a market square in Brussels and also outside the cathedral in Ypres, which was an amazing location...The concerts were our main reason for going to Belgium, but we did also enjoy a canal cruise, as well as visits to a theme park and a Chocolate Museum. Harlington Upper School

A really excellent place to take musicians on tour - plenty of outdoor venues for secular and sacred/mixed performances. Bruges, Ghent, Ypres and even Ostende were really beautiful locations with fantastic architecture. The itinerary had plenty of space in it so we never felt rushed as I have on other tours - partly because the venues were only 1-1.5 hours away at most. Fab tour! The Northampton School for Girls

Belgium was an excellent tour venue not too far from home but with good performance opportunities and wider cultural learning and benefits. Halsbury provided an itinerary which was as busy as we asked. We had a great time and performing at the Menin Gate in the Last Post Ceremony was something that will remain with students and staff for the rest of our lives.  Sir John Lawes School

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a spectacular Alpine lake in northern Italy and is always a huge hit with our music groups, especially in the summer when the lake really comes alive with tourists from all over the world.

Why should we visit Lake Garda on a school music tour?

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and a popular holiday destination for the Italians, as well as foreign tourists. The lake was carved from the earth by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age, and it’s the spectacular scenery of this huge lake surrounded by alpine mountains that makes it such a special place to be.

Around the edge of the lake are many charming small towns and villages, which are connected by road, rail and (of course) boat. Each has its own character, but all share the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere you’d expect from their beautiful lakeside location.

Your ensemble will love the experience of performing in these spectacular surroundings to international audiences of foreign tourists and Italians. There’s a strong musical culture around the lake, and so you can be sure your ensemble will receive a warm, appreciative welcome from all of their audiences.

You'll be able to perform in lively piazzas, spectacular churches and even a historic castle. You could even choose to perform at Italy’s top theme park, Gardaland.

And when you’re not performing, there will be lots of opportunities for your group to soak up the Italian culture and enjoy your beautiful surroundings, with activities including a boat trip on the lake and a day trip to the romantic city of Verona, where you can see the historic Roman Arena and visit Juliet’s balcony.

Where can we perform in Lake Garda?

In summer in Levico Terme (an elegant town known for its spa), a stage is erected at the foot of the steps leading to the church. Here, concerts usually take place in the evenings for locals and tourists alike to come together to enjoy, and your ensemble is invited to perform.

The Castello Scaligero is an iconic sight, and evening concerts are held here too. With room for audiences of up to 400, and a covered stage overlooking the lake, this is a beautiful venue for your ensemble.

You can also perform at many of the town squares and churches around the lake, all of which offer appreciative audiences and fantastic performance experiences.

And for something completely different, you can perform at Gardaland (Italy’s biggest theme park).

What do groups say about their music tour to Lake Garda?

This was the perfect choir destination with so many cities and areas to explore within close proximity to each other and beautiful performance locations. The team at Halsbury worked tirelessly before and during our trip to ensure everything was fitting to our needs as a group. I am already looking forward to the next tour with Halsbury. Classical Chorus

The destination and quality of service was excellent. The performance destinations were brilliant and at each one we had a great audience. Lake Garda is a beautiful place. The Samworth Church Academy

A beautiful part of the world with a thriving culture for concerts. We had a really brilliant time everywhere we went and the students found it both interesting and exciting. King Alfred's Academy

Barcelona and the Costa Brava

We’ve always been big fans of Barcelona and the Costa Brava as a school music tour destination. The fabulous weather and great mix of large, cultural cities and spectacular coastal towns make it a diverse option for school music groups. 

Why should we visit the Costa Brava on a school music tour?

If you’re competing with any other trips within your school, then choosing to base your tour on the Costa Brava could be a great way to persuade your students to pick your tour. After all, who doesn’t want to head to beautiful Spain?

You’ll have the best of both worlds on this tour. Your ensemble will stay in a quieter resort on the Costa Brava, where you’ll be able to take full advantage of being on the Spanish coast. And you’ll be within easy reach of the buzzing city of Barcelona – ideal for some diverse performance venues, as well as some great sightseeing.

Where can we perform on the Costa Brava?

The Costa Brava offers some incredible performance venues and, ultimately, the performance experience is the most important element of a school music tour.

In Lloret de Mar, you can perform in the Plaza del Ayuntament. Playing in this central square of this popular resort town offers a warm, relaxed performance experience, with an appreciative audience made up of locals and international tourists.

Barcelona Cathedral is one of our most impressive venues in the city – in fact, it’s so impressive, we recommend it as a visit to all school groups travelling to Barcelona, not just our music groups. A fantastic example of Catalan Gothic architecture, the cathedral is at the heart of the world-famous Gothic Quarter. Choirs are invited to perform a 45-minute concert (and you’re welcome to use the organ if required).

One of the highlights of a school music tour to Barcelona and the Costa Brava is the opportunity to perform at the iconic Sagrada Familia. Gaudí’s masterpiece has been described as the ‘world’s most beautiful building site’ (work began in 1882 and is expected to be finished in late 2026). It really is a magical venue for a performance, and you’re always guaranteed a large audience, as there are always plenty of visitors.

As if one Gaudí masterpiece isn’t enough, you can also choose to perform at Park Güell. The spot your ensemble could perform in offers spectacular views across the city and a guaranteed audience, thanks to the popularity of the park.

You could venture up into the mountains to perform at the atmospheric Montserrat Monastery, or as part of the summer festival in the resort town of Tossa de Mar, allowing your ensemble to perform to lively audiences of both locals and international tourists.

What do groups say about their school music tours to the Costa Brava?

A really phenomenal music tour, we will be booking again! The Earls High School

Rhineland

The Rhineland is another firm favourite among our music groups that really comes alive in the summer. This beautiful area of Germany is where the Rhine joins with one of its tributaries, the Moselle. It’s famous for magnificent castles and charming riverside towns and villages.

Why should we visit the Rhineland on a school music tour?

The Rhineland is spectacular. This really is the heart of fairy tale Germany, and you can look forward to a scenery encompassing enchanting forests, bewitching castles and charming towns and villages.

Beethoven was born in the area (in the city of Bonn), and a visit to the composer’s birthplace (now home to a small museum) is often a popular inclusion on our groups’ itineraries.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a cruise down the river – this really is the best way to see the region’s spectacular landscape.

Where can we perform around the Rhineland?

The Rhineland is a popular choice among our groups because of the exciting variety of performance venues here.

You can choose to perform in lively market squares, at a concert hall in a beautiful spa town or at a charming riverside bandstand. You could even choose to perform at the magnificent Cologne Cathedral.

During the summer, the area plays host to several wine festivals, where music always plays an important part. Your ensemble could perform at one of these festivals, giving your musicians the opportunity to play an important part in the area’s cultural life.

What do groups say about their school music tours to the Rhineland?

Thank you so much for a brilliant tour - students and staff had a fantastic time and our lives were made extremely easy by the excellent organisation of concerts and trips. The concert at Ehrenbreitstein fortress was simply spectacular and an experience we will all cherish for a long time. We also very much enjoyed performing in the Kurpark Pavilion - the scenery was stunning and we had a very appreciative audience. The Rhineland is a great place for a band tour. Visiting the Beethoven House was a surprisingly emotional experience for many students. Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Concert locations were stunning and concert venues, inclusive of Steinway grand pianos, were impressive for our students to perform in. Manor School and Sports College

A lovely place to visit - the generally short travel time to venues/excursions each day really helped to make the visit more pleasant. Somerset Music

Tuscany

Romantic Tuscany is an unforgettable destination for a music tour. This region of Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance, and there’s so much incredible culture to explore, as well as an exciting range of performance opportunities.

Why should we visit Tuscany on a school music tour?

Tuscany combines spectacular landscapes and rich culture, making it the perfect choice for a school music tour. Your ensemble will have the opportunity to perform in magnificent churches and lively piazzas, but whichever venues you choose, in Tuscany you can be certain of large, appreciative audiences of both locals and tourists.

Where can we perform in Tuscany?

If you’re travelling in the summer, you might like to perform at the Mercantia Festival. This incredible festival takes place in the traditional Tuscan hilltop town of Certaldo and is a celebration of street theatre. Really well established, the festival draws huge crowds and will be an exciting experience for your musicians.

The festival is very inclusive and welcomes bands, choirs and orchestras with all kinds of repertoires. We’d recommend a pop or secular repertoire as the best fit for the festival (but it’s really up to you).

Your young musicians will relish the chance to perform at the heart of this exciting festival, which celebrates the very best of performing arts. And you really couldn’t ask for a more atmospheric setting. Certaldo is a medieval, hilltop town (exactly what you think of when you think of Tuscany), and the festival takes place in Certaldo Alto, the older part of the town.

You can also perform in some of the beautiful churches in the area, such as Chiesa di San Michele in Lucca and Chiesa di Santa Margherita in Santa Maria dei Ricci in Florence. 

Another popular venue with our groups is Tettuccio Spa. This 18^th-century spa hosts concerts in the main courtyard, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

What do groups say about their school music tours to Tuscany?

Tuscany is a superb destination. Beautiful locations, many interesting places accessible within the area, wonderful weather in summer, and excellent concert venues for singing. Reigate Grammar School

Malta

If you want your ensemble to perform under the Mediterranean sun, we highly recommend beautiful Malta.

Why should we visit Malta on a school music tour?

Malta is a small country, and so it’s very easy to travel around by coach, which is ideal for a school music tour. You will find many of the best venues in Valletta, but we can arrange performances in many locations around the country.

Another huge benefit to touring Malta is that English is one of the country’s official languages, so there will be no issue with language barriers here, which means you can comfortably interact with your audiences.

The Maltese also drive on the left-hand side and use the same plugs as we do here in the UK, so all in all, this is a very easy trip for British school groups.

The quality of the accommodation is always high in Malta, as many of the hotels were renovated relatively recently as the country grew in popularity as a holiday destination. Many boast rooftop pools and offer a mix of continental and local cuisines for dinner, so even the fussiest eaters should find something to please them.

Where can we perform in Malta?

Being a predominantly Catholic country, Malta’s really great for choirs with both sacred and secular repertoires, as there are so many churches and cathedrals that invite touring groups to perform.

Valletta is the home of many of the best venues, with churches such as St. Paul’s the Shipwreck, which boasts a beautiful interior with painted ceilings and columns. Choirs can perform concerts here (and you can even perform as part of a Mass, if you want to).

Malta’s also a great choice for bands, with plenty of vibrant squares available for evening performances. There’s St. George’s Square and its dancing fountains, or the Fallen Theatre (right in the centre of Valletta, this is a purpose-built stage theatre in the ruins of the former Royal Opera House, which was destroyed in WW2). 

Many towns have festivals that you can perform in, too.

One really iconic performance opportunity is at the Upper Barrakka Gardens. These lovely gardens overlook the bay and the ‘Three Cities’ and are one of the most popular tourist sites in Valletta. Cannons are fired below the gardens, signalling the start of your performance, surrounded by throngs of tourists.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a real favourite among our school music groups. The Austrian city sits on the Salzach River, on the northern boundary of the Alps. The combination of its spectacular Alpine setting and its magnificent historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, makes Salzburg a spectacular choice for a school music tour. 

Why should we visit Salzburg on a school music tour?

The city is famous for its incredible musical heritage. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and raised in Salzburg, and worked as a musician at the archbishopal court from 1773 to 1781, when Salzburg was part of the Prince-Bishopric of Salzburg within the Holy Roman Empire. You can actually visit his birthplace and residence while on a school music tour to Salzburg. And you’ll see plenty of monuments to Mozart around the city.

More recently, the city was home to the Von Trapp family, whose story was immortalised in the 1959 Rogers and Hammerstein stage musical and 1965 film version of The Sound of Music, widely considered one of the greatest musicals of all time.

When you’re not performing, you may want to consider taking the Sound of Music Tour, where you’ll have the chance to see a variety of filming locations while enjoying the soundtrack – this is not to be missed if you’re fans of the film.

There’s much more to Salzburg than Mozart and musicals, though.

Why not make your tour truly memorable by including a visit to the ice caves in Werfen? This enormous cave system is 42km long and is hidden away in the Tennengebirge mountains. Austria’s steepest cable car will carry you to an altitude of 1586m above sea level to the entrance of the caves, where you’ll be given a pit lamp. Inside, you’ll be able to admire the beautiful ice sculptures carved out by Mother Nature herself.

Where can we perform in Salzburg?

If you have any fans of The Sound of Music in your ensemble, they’ll be thrilled to find out you can actually perform in some of the filming locations on your school music tour to Salzburg.

Remember the bit where Maria and the children sing Do-Re-Mi and dance around that spectacular fountain in beautiful gardens? That was filmed in the Mirabell Gardens, one of the city’s most important tourist sites and one of our favourite performance venues for school groups. 

You can also perform at the magnificent Basilika St. Michael, where Maria marries Captain Von Trapp.

Other exciting performance venues include the lovely St. Gilgen bandstand, which overlooks the lake in a gorgeous Austrian village that’s really popular with tourists in the summer.

Alternatively, the magnificent Castle Kaprun offers the opportunity for a really atmospheric concert either in the courtyard of this restored medieval fortress or in the Knights' Hall.

And if you travel in the summer, you could also perform at the famous Mid-Europe Festival.

What do our groups say about Salzburg?

It was a wonderful trip. The choice of concert venues was perfect for our children who loved performing to their audiences who were appreciative and kind. The sightseeing was all very well organised. The tour guide for the Sound of Music tour was brilliant with the children. Halsbury were brilliant to liaise with and such a help to me in setting up the trip. St. Catherine's British School

Salzburg is amazing! This should definitely be on your shortlist of places to visit. Bodmin Community College

It was all well organised, we have experienced a lot of positive emotions, it was a wonderful music tour. EC Lighthouse

Prague

Prague has long been considered one of Europe’s most important cultural centres, so a school music tour to the capital of the Czech Republic is a great option.

Why should we visit Prague on a school music tour?

As well as all these incredible performance experiences, your group will love the opportunity to explore the history and culture of this city, with visits to the Jewish Quarter and the Communism Museum, and sightseeing visits to the castle and Charles Bridge.

Where can we perform in Prague?

Your ensemble will be able to perform in some of Prague’s most iconic venues, including the St. Nicholas Church, the Concert Hall of St. Simon and St. Jude, and the Hlalol Hall.

And if you travel in late spring/early summer (i.e. May and early June), you could perform at the internationally renowned Prague Music Festival. Both the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra usually perform at this annual festival, where concerts are hosted at several different venues around the city.

What do groups say about their school music tours to Prague?

The trip was well organised with some excellent excursions planned. All concert venues were suitable and provided a good setting for our performances. The local rep was superb - incredibly helpful and enabled a smooth, worry-free itinerary throughout the four days spent in Prague. Our students had a wonderful time and so did the staff! I would highly recommend Prague as a fabulous tour destination for school groups. Sir John Lawes School

Prague is an excellent city for school groups. Cultured, vibrant and the audiences are fabulous. Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Ready to start planning your next music tour?

We hope this blog has given you a bit of a clearer picture of what each of these destinations offers your ensemble. Whether you know exactly where you want to go or you’re still feeling unsure, our school travel experts can help.

Get in touch today for any further information or advice you need, or ask us for a quote to get your tour planning underway.