Framing Your Summer: Europe's Photo Festivals
- Jan Johannessen
- Jun 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 16
From the historic alleys of Arles to the urban sprawl of Madrid, Europe's premier photo festivals offer an opportunity to delve into contemporary visual storytelling, witness groundbreaking photojournalism, and explore innovative artistic expressions.
Here are nine European photography events this summer:
Les Rencontres d'Arles
Arles, France
Dates: July 7 – October 5, 2025 | Opening Week: July 7-13
As a global photography beacon for over half a century, Les Rencontres d'Arles transforms this historic Provencal city into a vast gallery. The 2025 edition promises to invite visitors to explore Arles' labyrinthine streets, where you can discover a multitude of artists and activities. The festival sprawls across ancient churches, industrial buildings, and Roman ruins, turning them into stunning exhibition spaces.
Beyond the captivating displays, expect projections, engaging meetings, and lively debates culminating in the famed 'Nuit de l'Année' during the opening week.
To experience it, a comprehensive "All Exhibitions Pass" (€42 full rate, €34 reduced) is available, granting access to all participating venues and exhibitions for the duration of the festival. Additionally, a "One Day Pass" is also available. Individual tickets per venue range from €5 to €15.
Website: www.rencontres-arles.com
PhotoESPANA
Madrid, Spain
Dates: April 30 – September 14, 2025.
Madrid fully embraces the art of photography with PHotoESPAÑA, transforming the Spanish capital into a vibrant hub for photographic expression. The 28th edition, themed "After Everything," will feature an impressive 103 exhibitions and showcase 360 photographers and visual artists, exploring the historical evolution of photography and its contemporary relevance.
Major venues, such as the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa, featuring Joel Meyerowitz, Espacio Cultural Serrería Belga with the Helga de Alvear Collection, and the Prado Museum, which showcases "Essential Power. Women, rural life and self-representation" become showcases for diverse visual narratives.
The exhibitions are significantly spread out across Madrid, utilising the city's extensive cultural infrastructure. Access to exhibitions typically depends on the individual venue's entry policy; some may be free, while others require the standard museum admission fee.
The festival offers special combined tickets or passes for multiple venues – check the official PHotoESPAÑA website for specific package deals.
Madrid boasts an excellent public transport system (metro, bus), making navigation between the dispersed exhibition venues effortless.
Website: www.phe.es
Visa pour l'Image
Perpignan, France
Dates: August 30 – September 14, 2025
For those captivated by the raw power of visual storytelling, Visa pour l'Image in Perpignan is the undisputed premier international festival of photojournalism. This vital platform showcases the most impactful and moving documentary photography from around the world, addressing current affairs through the lens.
The festival are offering a dynamic programme of powerful exhibitions, evening screenings, symposia, and crucial conferences addressing key issues facing photojournalism today. It's also known for its prestigious awards and grants.
While housed in different historic buildings throughout Perpignan, the exhibitions are generally clustered within the city centre, making for a highly walkable and immersive experience. Many exhibitions are admirably free to the public, ensuring wide accessibility.
Website: www.visapourlimage.com
Copenhagen Photo Festival
Copenhagen, Denmark
Dates: June 12 – June 22, 2025
The 2025 edition of Copenhagen Photo Festival centres on the evocative theme "Fremkaldelser / Into The Light," a direct nod to the photographic process of developing an image, symbolising truth coming to light. It showcases ten contemporary photographic artists, with solo exhibitions at the new festival centre at The Royal Theatre, including a highlight exhibition featuring the legendary British Magnum photographer Martin Parr, who will display his iconic series, such as "Life's a Beach."
A "Day Ticket" 150 DKK at the door, with an online discount, provides access to all exhibitions at the main festival centre for one day. Special events, such as talks and workshops, require separate tickets, while access to exhibitions at partner museums may require individual venue admission.
Copenhagen's compact city centre is easily navigable on foot or by bicycle, with public transport linking to more dispersed venues.
Website: copenhagenphotofestival.com
Belfast Photo Festival
Belfast, United Kingdom
Dates: June 5 – June 30, 2025.
The 11th edition of the Belfast Photo Festival explores the profound theme of the "Biosphere," transcending mere documentation to spark positive change in how we perceive and interact with our shared Earth.
The festival animates public spaces across Belfast and beyond, integrating exhibitions into various galleries, cultural institutions, and even outdoor locations such as "Hill Pictures" at Divis and the Black Mountain, while other events are at the Ulster Museum and other city-wide locations (over 23 locations cited). This makes it quite spread out. Many outdoor installations and some indoor exhibitions are free to view.
Specific artist talks, tours, and select indoor exhibitions may require tickets, which can be conveniently booked through the festival's website. Belfast's city centre is walkable, but you will need to plan travel between more dispersed locations using public transport or private vehicles.
Website: www.belfastphotofestival.com
Athens Photo Festival
Athens, Greece
Dates: June 6 – July 28, 2025
The Athens Photo Festival, primarily hosted at the esteemed Benaki Museum / Pireos 138, provides a broad overview of contemporary photographic trends. It showcases work from both established and emerging artists globally, often reflecting on the profound impact of visual culture.
The main programme is highly concentrated at the Benaki Museum, occupying 3,000 square meters of exhibition space, offering a deep dive into the core exhibitions in a single venue. However, the festival also encourages community engagement through approximately 20 satellite exhibitions located across the city.
For the main exhibitions at the Benaki Museum, a regular admission fee (€12) or a reduced fee (€9) is typically required
For any satellite exhibitions, check individual venue policies. Athens' efficient metro and bus systems are ideal for reaching the different exhibition locations.
Website: www.photofestival.gr
Cortona On The Move
Cortona, Italy
Dates: July 17 – November 2, 2025
Now in its 15th edition, Cortona On The Move, with its timely theme "Come Together," is a true experimentation centre for the evolution of photographic language.
This international festival of contemporary photography, held in the stunning hilltop town of Cortona, is dedicated to promoting new visions and original forms of visual communication, particularly in documentary photography and photojournalism. Exhibitions are set up in historic buildings and the impressive Fortezza del Girifalco, offering unique backdrops for compelling narratives that often explore contemporary global themes. The exhibitions are concentrated within the town's unique venues, making it easily navigable within Cortona itself.
Tickets are required for access to the exhibitions; a full ticket for 2025 is available online, and physical ticket offices are typically located at the COTM STORE AND BOOKSHOP – Palazzo Baldelli.
Website: www.cortonaonthemove.com
Experimental Photo Festival
Barcelona, Spain
Dates: July 23 – July 27, 2025
As its name unequivocally suggests, the Experimental Photo Festival in Barcelona is a dynamic hub for experimental and alternative photography. It welcomes photographers of all levels, techniques, and diverse backgrounds, encouraging participants to blend techniques, delve into the deeper meaning of their work, and engage in collaborative creation.
The festival fosters a global community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the photographic form. The festival features a central hub for workshops and conferences. Still, exhibitions are also held at various partner venues and galleries throughout the city, including the permanent "Experimental Hub Photo & Art Space" in the Poblenou neighbourhood.
The General entrance fee grants comprehensive access to all core activities and exhibition openings.
Website: experimentalphotofestival.com
Ragusa Foto Festival
Ragusa, Italy
Dates: August 28 – August 31, 2025
The 13th edition of the Ragusa Foto Festival, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the baroque city of Ragusa, confirms its growing importance in the contemporary photography landscape. The carefully chosen theme for this year is "Beyond Appearance," inviting contemplation on the spiritual dimension of the human being and the vital need to reconnect with one's inner self in a world often dominated by external appearances.
The festival will offer a rich programme of captivating exhibitions, engaging events, hands-on workshops, and insightful conferences featuring internationally renowned artists. Exhibitions are typically set within the evocative baroque buildings and spaces of Ragusa, making them concentrated within the town's historic areas.
Website: www.ragusafotofestival.com
