‘We danced and sang songs to pagan gods’: readers’ favourite midsummer trips | Europe holidays

The pole dance of midsummer in southern Sweden

I enjoyed midsummer at a rented beachside cottage in the Skåne village of Bjärred, north of Malmö, Friends from Sweden. We went to the local church for the midsummer pole dance, which was decorated with bright blue and red flowers. Many locals were wearing intricately designed flower crowns. After taking a dip in the Öresund strait along the long jetty with its bathhouse, we towelled off to indulge in deliciously sweet strawberries and sip Briska ciders into the late hours of daylight.
Caitlin

A party at the northernmost shores of Denmark

One foot was in the Baltic Sea, and the other in North Sea. Grenen, North Jutland, Denmark. We then headed south along the beaches, through the dunes, and to Skagen for the midsummer celebrations at Vippyfyret. Hundreds of people gathered there, most on foot or bicycle, to enjoy an evening of music, songs, and recitals. The crowd was filled with artists, poets and composers.
Mal Jones

Pink Light at Midnight Near Stockholm

Vaxholm offers a great escape for the summer from Stockholm. In less than an hour, you can reach the capital of the archipelago by fast ferry. I recommend spending the afternoon wandering around the town and its Falu red wooden houses, as well as the gardens bursting with flowers. Don’t take that last ferry. Find a place by the water to watch the sun, which refuses even to set in midsummer, bathe the islands with a golden, pink glow for hours. This is a great way to enjoy the endless sunlight of Sweden without having to leave the city.
Pamela

Valencia: Fire, food and friendship

I discovered last summer that Spaniards mark the 23rd June as the official start of the summer by celebrating the festival of San Juan. Around San Juan’s actual date, there seemed to be bonfires, music and wine all night long on the beaches. The family that I was staying with asked me to pick out some old furniture and help me burn it. We then danced around the bonfire, holding hands and singing pagan songs to burn away the bad from the previous year. We barbecued anchovies and sausages we had bought at Valencia’s marvellous Mercado Central at midnight before throwing ourselves into the Med at 2am – a feelgood way to celebrate midsummer, full of food, friendship and fire!
April

Cycle to the sun … or just Edinburgh

I have really enjoyed Ride to the Sun – a 100-mile overnight bike ride from Carlisle to Edinburgh held on 21 June. This is a fun, inclusive event that brings people together. The best way to spend your shortest night is to go from the Moffat chippy line to the midnight party to toasting the dawn on Cramond.
Vicky

Asturias: Red wine and Cola on the Beach

In Cudillero we stumbled across the midsummer Noche De San Juan. Religious processions were replaced by paganistic bonfires at which people threw away mementos from the past year. Fireworks and a Brazilian dance troupe followed. Locals explained to us that the mayor was justified in spending so much money because it is a requirement for reelection. We headed to the beach after midnight for a party fueled by calimocho Don’t ask about the red wine and cola. We woke up at 8am to a breakfast consisting of chorizo fried egg and a cola. The DJ was just starting.
Kieran

A French midsummer nocturne

Le Pin is a small hamlet located in southern France, between Bordeaux and Toulouse. It was a place full of natural wonders that we did not see but heard. Bird lovers will love this idyllic bird-watching trip. From the shrieking swifts that dived through a 19th-century Auvillar market hall to a turtledove that purred beside a country road, there was plenty of wildlife to behold. The nightingale’s melodies were heard throughout the day, but also after dark. We also heard the calls of black redstarts, cirl-buntings, and hoopoos. Not only were there birds. One night, crickets and frogs provided a chirruping and croaking medley – a memorable midsummer nocturne.
Sharon Pinner

Paris, there are bands on every corner

Hire a bike to explore Paris. Fête de la Musique The urban solstice was a great way to celebrate. The city transforms into a huge free festival every year on the 21st of June. Stages of all sizes are set up in front famous landmarks, local bars, and neighbourhood bars. We began in the centre of the city, where we heard some psychedelic music outside the Centre Georges Pompidou. Then, we pedalled by brass ensembles in jazz bars near the Jardin du Luxembourg and classic French techno on the banks of Seine. Finally, we passed scuzzy metal bands playing in the squares of 13th arrondissement.
Lizzy C

Golden light in Italy’s Piedmont

Serralunga d’Alba’s rolling vines (about 30 miles south-east from Turin) come to life under the golden midsummer light. Staying at Cascina MeriameI was able to taste the wines of barbaresco and barolo in a small tasting led by my hosts. The sun would set over the Langhe Hills – a Unesco World Heritage Site – as we ate local cheeses and enjoyed nebbiolo wine. A medieval castle nearby added a bit of history to this serene landscape. Piedmont is a gem for a midsummer getaway that combines culture, food and nature.
Mr Ifan Morgan ap Dafydd

Win tip: A fine place to have a picnic in Northern Iceland

We travelled to Grímsey from Akureyri for the island’s summer solstice festival. Early on, we walked to the Arctic Circle sign to get official certificates that confirmed we had crossed it. Celebrations started at KrianThe party continued into the night in the schoolhouse, which is the only restaurant of the island. There was dancing, singing, a treasure-hunt, and home-made food. The drinks flowed. Families picnicked on wildflower-covered hillsides, chess games were held at night and all, locals or visitors, were welcome. It was truly magical.
Elizabeth