Sunsets
Daily
Pull up a chair at one of the numerous cafés and bars – some gay, others straight – at the main town’s ‘Little Venice’ quarter, whose old buildings literally overhang the water.
Beach Parties
June-August
The most popular beaches have clubs which put on parties until dawn, often with imported DJs; the most notorious are at Cavo Paradiso (Paradise Beach), and gayer Super Paradise (also big for all-day parties). Paránga Beach has three lower-key clubs to choose from, for a straighter and slightly older clientele.
Gay Film Festival
June and September
The open-air Manto in town is the site of ‘the very best in queer cinema’, with September a repeat of the June programme.
Dormition of the Virgin
15 August
Amazing at it may seem in such a touristy locale, the islanders still take the festivals (panigýria) of the Orthodox liturgical calendar seriously. The biggest bash is this one, in and around Tourlianí monastery, in Áno Méra village.
XLSior Gay Festival
August
An established event on the European gay (men’s) circuit, with parties at venues indoors and out, plus cruising.