Brindisi archivos - VOLARE MAGAZINE

In June-July 2026, the streets of many European cities will be packed with people, colour, music and the drive to party and protest during Pride, a mix of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, asexual, intersex, and queer pride demonstrations. Here are some ideas on how to spent this Pride in Volotea destinations, from Italy to Greece and right through to France. Break out the rainbow flags!

World Pride Day, celebrated on 28 June all over the world to reclaim the rights of LGBTQI+ people, is the real core of Pride, i.e. all those festivals and parades that aim to give visibility to homosexual, bisexual, queer, trans and other people and promote the freedom and social acceptance of every individual regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Taking part in Pride is a unique opportunity to celebrate the wealth of diversity and demand greater protection for all and that more rights be recognised. But we also need to have some fun along the way!

Euro Pride 2026

In Europe, the biggest event of the year is being held in Amsterdam for EuroPride 2026. This vibrant Dutch capital, cradle of canals, art and history, where urban life intertwines with the charm of its bridges and façades, becomes the capital of LGBTQ+ Pride, hosting the most eagerly awaited EuroPride. The dates for your calendar are 25 July to 8 August 2026, with a special mention to Saturday, August 8, the day on which the grand parade will take place, marking the peak of an amazing week full of activities, including shows, theatre performances, concerts and conferences. This year’s theme is UNITY, a call to celebrate solidarity and unity within the community.

In addition to EuroPride, the most popular events in Europe are held in Madrid and Paris.

One of the largest Pride events in the world is held in Madrid, a major LGBTQIA+ destination and a diversity capital. More than 2 million people take part every year, and there many concerts, festivities, and cultural events. The Orgullo festivities start on June 25 and end on the first Sunday of July, with the high point being the vibrant Pride Parade of Saturday 4 July.

Paris is also getting ready for a colourful invasion. Every year the French capital welcomes over half a million people who take part in the largest Pride event in France: in 2026, it will be held from 20-27 June. Don’t miss the fantastic Marche des Fiertés parade on Saturday 27 June. It’s a mix of party-vibes, unruliness, and activism that you cannot miss!

But in addition to these two main celebrations, it’s also worth discovering other events in different European cities that you can reach on a Volotea flight. Don’t forget to pack your party gear and rainbow t-shirts!

Salento Pride

Salento is one of the most popular summer destinations in Italy, particularly among young people and the gay community. From June to September, towns in Salento are filled with tourists, music, festivities, and events for every taste. During the Salento Pride, more and more important over the years, the LGBTQIA+ community, the locals, and tourists come together to have fun and demonstrate.
This year, Pride will be celebrated in the splendid city of Lecce, just a few kilometres from Brindisi, on Saturday 18 July 2026.

Naples Pride

Napoli Pride is one of the most interesting and vibrant Pride events in southern Italy. This year, the activities are being held the 27th of June and include a Pride Parade and numerous initiatives focusing on the themes of freedom and civil rights.

The parade will cross the city to raise awareness about key issues for the LGBT+ movement such asmarriage equality, citizenship by birth, and legislation against homophobia and transphobia. And, of course, it’s a call for peace, a great opportunity to discover a wonderful city, Naples, that carries creativity, openness, and extravagance in its DNA.

Palermo Pride

You probably associate Sicily with good food, beaches, and the island’s millenary history. But a big Pride parade is also held every year in Palermo, promoted by various movements and organisations; a very lively event that all can join. In the city, people return to the square to have fun and make their voices heard on Saturday 20 June. And if between one fashion show and the next you get hungry, take a look at our tips on what to eat or have for a delicious snack in Palermo, a real mecca of street food and delicious Sicilian gastronomy.

Marseille Pride

Marseille has a reputation for being a proud, confrontational and somewhat anarchic city. What better place to celebrate Pride? If you visit this city, known for its strong character, the oldest and second largest in France, between end of June and beginning of July, you will be able to take part in many activism, cultural, and festive events run by the associations and companies on the Marseille Pride Committee. The grand parade on 4 July will close the event in style.

Bordeaux Pride

To start experiencing the festive and rebellious atmosphere of Pride, your trip around Europe may just start in Bordeaux. This southern French city will be one of the first to celebrate gay pride on Saturday 30 May 2026. Organised by the Lesbian & Gay Pride Bordeaux association, which fights for the rights of LGBT people, thousands of activists and supporters take part in the parade every year. An event not to be missed if you too want to participate in the fight for equal rights and against discrimination due to sexual orientation. And all in a fairy-tale setting: the historic centre of Bordeaux, a World Heritage Site whose local wines are famous all over the world!

Bilbao Pride

Anyone who wants to take part in Pride events in Spain is spoilt for choice: from Madrid to party-central, gay-friendly Sitges, Barcelona and Ibiza; there are tonnes of events for whatever floats your boat. In the north, one of the most interesting and growing destinations for “Pride tourism” is Bilbao. Behind its industrial, artistic and foodie exterior, the capital of the Basque Country hides a rainbow soul that it unveils every year during Pride. This year, Bilbao is waiting to welcome the varied crowds ready to party the 25, 26, 27 and 28 of June, that between a pintxo, a visit to the Guggenheim and a ride on the surfboard, will participate in an eventful festival that supports LGBT visibility and diversity. The highlight of Bilbao Pride is the Saturday 27 June parade, where a fleet parades! The party boats are decorated in bright rainbow colours and leave from the Bilbao estuary to sail down the river. It’s a once in a lifetime experience!

Athens Pride

The Greek capital is a fantastic destination for all types of travellers: those looking for history and culture, beach lovers, families, and young people who can’t wait to go out at night. If you choose to visit Athens between 12 – 14 June 2026 you will be able to take part in their Pride 2026 (the main event of the year for the Greek LGBTQI + community) and enjoy the city at its best: in June temperatures are very pleasant and the days are very long! The main Athens Pride parade will take place on Saturday 13 June and, as stated on the event website , the goal is to continue to fight strongly for the community’s rights, now more than ever.

Have we convinced you to go and discover the best Pride events in Europe? If you are looking for other great plans for the summer, get inspired by our articles on the best beaches and outdoor activities!

Bar Betty on Brindisi’s dockside is one of the region’s favourite spots for frozen treats. The choice of flavours on offer is staggering, and the real fruit ice creams are especially delicious – try the strawberry if you don’t believe us! They also have a great

selection of pastries and cakes, which makes this the perfect spot for a leisurely breakfast. Summer or winter, whenever you visit, no trip to Italy would be complete without an ice cream.

For the Romans, Brindisi marked the end of the Appian Way; these days it’s a port city with a scenic old quarter. Tree-lined Via Roma is home to the city’s best shops and the narrow alleys of the historic centre are an explorer’s paradise. In the summer the mega-rich roll into town and moor their super-sized yachts here – have fun trying to guess who owns them! Don’t miss the fresh seafood. Fritto misto (deep-fried octopus, squid and prawns) is one of Brindisi’s specialities. If you’ve got the time, try to head further south and explore the countryside and coastline, especially the city of Lecce.

The Brindisi Provincial Archaeological Museum is dedicated to Francesco Ribezzo, who grew up in southern Puglia and was an illustrious archaeologist, linguist and scholar of the Messapian culture. The museum has an interior patio that is perfect for taking a break from the heat, and its collection includes exhibits

from prehistory, the Messapian and Roman cultures, as well as other ancient artefacts, coins, pottery and archaeological treasures rescued from the sea, such as the famous bronze statues that were discovered by divers off Punta del Serrone.

In a region where home-grown produce is exceptional, Enza and Pasquale’s vegetables are something to write home about. This retired couple farm a small strip of land outside Nardò and sell their goods every Sunday at Sant’Isidoro market. Everything they grow tastes delicious, from their enormous cauliflowers in the

winter to the oddly-shaped (but delicious) courgettes in the summer. They also sell dried beans, chickpeas and wild oregano, if you fancy taking a taste of Puglia home with you. Not familiar with some of the things they sell? Enza can provide cooking instructions too.

Puglia is a great place to see the Mediterranean’s underwater delights, and a favourite snorkelling spot for people in the know is Porto Selvaggio. The water here is amazingly clear and the variety of sea life amazing. Treats to look out for include starfish, shoals of anchovies and (if you’re lucky) maybe even an octopus.

Porto Selvaggio is only accessible by foot (about 20 minutes from the road) and lies on the edge of a marine reserve. A freshwater spring means the water can be cool here, so outside summer you’ll need a wetsuit.

Summer nightlife in Italy involves the whole family – and what better place to have some fun than at Luna Park’s fair? Luna parks (literally ‘moon parks’) pop up in coastal towns all over the region, and are packed with people until late at night. Porto Cesareo’s Luna Park is open year round (weekends only October

– May). Although most of the attractions are more suited to younger visitors, rides like the bumper boats are fun for everyone. Children here stay up late – so don’t be surprised if the kiddie roundabouts are still packed at 11 pm.

Mention Gallipoli to most Italians and they’ll rave about the delights of Baia Verde – and it’s no wonder, this large bay south of Gallipoli has gorgeous beaches and a sparkling turquoise sea. Choose between the packed (in summer) public beaches or exclusive private lidos with their regimented rows of loungers and umbrellas.

To the south of the bay the beaches are accessed via a pine forest, which is a great place to picnic when it’s too hot to sunbathe. Stay until the evening and chill out as the sun sets behind Gallipoli’s old town.