3 Best Performing Arts Venues in Souvala, The Saronic Gulf Islands

Running from late July through August, this magical event brings leading Greek and international classical musicians to open-air stages on Avra Beach—right in front of the Kolona archaeological site, and in the courtyard of Sotiras Church. It remains under the artistic direction of renowned pianist Dora Bakopoulou. Tickets are sold in advance at Aiakeion Café-Patisserie on the port esplanade and at the venues on the night.

Two of the most important festivals held at Agios Nektarios Monastery are Whit Monday (the day after Pentecost) and 9 November, the saint’s feast day, when the silver reliquary containing his remains is carried down from the monastery and through the streets, which are covered with carpets and strewn with flowers. The 9 November procession is regarded as one of the island’s major religious events, drawing pilgrims from all over Greece.

On the Assumption of the Virgin (15 August), the biggest summer holy day in the Orthodox calendar, a celebration is held at Panagia Chrysoleontissa, a fortified mountain monastery built between 1600 and 1651 to protect its miraculous icon from pirate raids. Thousands attend liturgy at dawn, followed by a daylong panigyri of music, dancing, and open-air grills—one of the island’s largest festivals.