Dreaming of blue domes, picturesque villages clinging to vertiginous cliff drops, and Aegean Sea views for days?
When that Mamma Mia summer season craving hits, Santorini continues to be the primary vacation spot of selection of a majority of vacationers, although it is the most costly, overcrowded, and inauthentic of all Greek islands.
Belief me, I have been to over 20 of them myself, and although I’ve barely scratched the floor—I nonetheless have some 180 islands to go—Santorini was the one I used to be left much less impressed by to date.
I’m speaking luxurious boutique outlets propped up by wealthy housewives, Instagram hordes, and “how-is-this-even-real” cave suites going for $1,000+ an evening. Should you’re not precisely on a trust-fund funds, sorry to interrupt it to you, you’ll not be experiencing the glitzy, shiny, influencer-glam aspect of Santorini.
Be content material with lengthy bus queues for buses that present up half an hour late, and the overall vibe of “everybody’s sweating however pretending it’s aesthetic.”
Even then, $500–$700 for a 3 to 4-day stint is on the decrease finish.
What informal vacationers who’re simply visiting Greece for the primary time don’t know is that these whimsical Santorini aesthetics are usually not precisely, ahem, unique to the island alone.
Good previous “Thira” is an element of a bigger Greek island group known as the Cyclades, the place islands share the identical aesthetics, albeit completely different vibes, besides they’ve perhaps… half the crowds Santorini will get? If that?
Listed below are 5 hidden gems of the Cyclades that really feel simply like Santorini, however are waaay cheaper to go to:
PLUS: We have constructed an interactive quiz for you on the finish of this text to search out your excellent match!
Paros
The trendiest Santorini dupe nowadays, Paros is a breezy 2-hour ferry hop away from Santorini and an up-and-coming Cycladic hub that sits someplace between still-frequented-by-locals realness and quickly rising worldwide recognition.
The principle port city, Parikia, has that Previous City maze you simply can not help however get misplaced in, a scenic waterfront lined with family-owned tavernas, and it is residence to Panagia Ekatontapiliani, considered one of Greece’s oldest church buildings.
Naoussa, the picture-perfect spot, is the closest to a Mykonos vibe you get outdoors a jam-packed Little Venice, with the identical stylish bars, fishermen’ homes hugging the shoreline, and white alleys framed by bougainvillea.
Up the hills, Lefkess brings that old fashioned allure and calm: marble-paved streets, zero chaos, and privileged views over the coast.
You need to know by now that Santorini is not precisely nice for seashores, with a lot of the island’s shoreline being made from lava rock and volcanic cliffs. Paros, however, has an extended, sandy stretch in Golden Seaside, and a easy, sheltered Kolymbithres, recognized for its sculpted rock formations and calm, shallow water.
Common Costs In Paros, Greece
- Low cost takeout meal: €4–€7 | $4–$8
- 3-course mid-range dinner: €55–€85 | $60–$92 (2 individuals)
- Finances B&B / low-cost lodge: €90–€120 | $95–$130 per evening
- 4-star lodge: €150–€220 | $160–$240 per evening
- Automobile rental: €50–€80 | $55–$85 per day
- Taxi fare: €0.70 per km | $1.10 per mile
Greece is planning a significant border overhaul this yr that will instantly have an effect on American vacationers.
From necessary fingerprinting to a pending Digital Journey Authorization, which can bar any vacationer who hasn’t utilized for clearance to journey prematurely from hopping on Greece-bound flights, there’s rather a lot you should keep on high of to keep away from disagreeable surprises on the boarding gate.
Use our Entry Requirement Checker to ensure all of your documentation is so as on the time of flying.
Folegandros
I’ll by no means stop to be amazed by how Folegandros is a mere 28 nautical miles from godforsaken Santorini, but it seems like a totally completely different world.
For starters, except precisely what you are searching for on the map, you possibly can simply mistake it for a tiny, uninhabited dot not likely value your time. It’s about 12 sq. miles, and strolling north to south and west to east takes roughly 2h30 and 40 minutes, respectively.
That being stated, you would be shocked by how truly crammed with life this unassuming rocky outcrop in the course of the Aegean is. The “capital,” Chora, Folegandros, is the cutest clifftop village I’ve seen within the Cyclades, with its conventional cubic, whitewashed homes gathering on the foot of a Byzantine church.
I’ve had one of the best lamb and fava dinner of my life in Piatsa, the landmark restaurant actually spewing onto the village’s primary sq., with tables set below the shade of a large aircraft tree, and up the hill, the Panagia Church frames these correct fiery blood-orange Aegean sunsets.
For a chill seaside day, Agali is the prime spot on the island.
Assume tiny pebbles combined with fantastic golden sand, and a sheltered cove backed by cozy tavernas shelling out recent seafood on the each day. A brief boat experience from the principle port, Katergo Seaside has that wild, untamed character, and the “distant island” escape vibe you’re searching for.
Common Costs In Folegandros, Greece
- Low cost takeout meal: €5–€8 | $5–$9
- 3-course mid-range dinner: €60–€95 (2 individuals) | $65–$105 (2 individuals)
- Finances B&B / low-cost lodge: €110–€160 | $120–$175 per evening
- 4-star lodge: €170–€280 | $185–$305 per evening
- Automobile rental: €45–€75 | $50–$82 per day
- Taxi fare: €0.80 per km | $1.25 per mile
Sifnos
Now, in the event you affiliate a Greek island getaway with chill afternoon swims within the deep blue Aegean, relaxed village wandering with no mounted itinerary, and most significantly, wonderful meals you simply cannot discover in Oia’s or Little Venice’s faux Instagram tavernas catering to huge spenders, Sifnos is the place for you.
Let’s begin with the meals, which is really the principle spotlight right here.
The island is the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, who wrote one of many first trendy Greek cookbooks all the best way again within the early 1900s, and although he’s not round, in fact, the island’s millennia-old culinary practices dwell on.
Sluggish-cooked stews, chickpea soups, mastelo lamb, and artisanal pastries you merely gained’t discover anyplace else within the Cyclades.
On high of that, it has stunning small cities like Apollonia, Sifnos. White-painted streets, espresso outlets, and that lived-in environment that may’t be rivaled. On the beachside, Vathi Seaside, Sifnos, is a low-key sandy strip recognized for its calm waters and seafood tavernas, whereas Platis Gialos, Sifnos, is the relaxed and easy-going harbor-front stretch.
Inland, you’ll discover a superb mountain climbing community with previous stone paths connecting distant villages, monasteries, and viewpoints. Sunsets in Sifnos are simply as dramatic as Santorini’s, but you get not one of the hectic 7 pm rush.
All in all, Sifnos is that glad medium. Extra energetic, and with extra to see and do than Folegandros, however manner calmer than Santorini. Chill, however by no means precisely boring.
Common Costs In Sifnos, Greece
- Low cost takeout meal: €5–€8 | $5–$9
- 3-course mid-range dinner: €40–€60 | $44–$66 (2 individuals)
- Finances B&B / low-cost lodge: €70–€110 | $75–$120 per evening
- 4-star lodge: €100–€170 | $110–$185 per evening
- Automobile rental: €55–€105 | $60–$115 per day
- Taxi fare: €0.80–€1.00 per km | $1.25–$1.60 per mile
Naxos
Not your common Greek island weekend escape, Naxos is a reasonably large island you may wish to dedicate 4 or 5 days, or perhaps a full week to. Critically. There’s a lot to see, and so little time, to not point out a plethora of fantastic seashores, that you simply’ll want you’d deliberate an extended keep from the beginning.
Begin with Naxos Chora, the principle settlement, which dates again a number of thousand years, however owes its present face to a late-medieval Venetian makeover. It has cute winding pathways flanked by outlets and cafés, boutique-lined alleys, and a historic fort to high it off.
Perched on a outstanding hill on an islet sitting reverse Chora, linked to the mainland by a stone-paved causeway, Portara is the last-remaining gate of the traditional Temple of Apollo. One of many prettiest sundown spots in Naxos, particularly in the event you can seize the Previous City framed by the traditional marble, although it might probably get a little bit busy at sundown hours.
Opposite to Santorini, Naxos has stunning golden-sand seashores with clear water and quick access, like Agios Prokopios Seaside and Plaka Seaside, all inside quick driving distance of Chora.
Agia Anna Seaside, a small coastal village the place time appears to decelerate, has tavernas proper on the sand.
The island’s lush, mountainous inland is a big a part of its character, so beautiful because the coast could also be, don’t miss out on Apiranthos, a marble mountain village with stone streets and a robust Venetian really feel. Hike up Mount Zas, the best level within the Cyclades, and take a look at wine freshly bottled from a neighborhood winery.
Common Costs In Naxos, Greece
- Low cost takeout meal: €3.5–€5 | $4–$6
- 3-course mid-range dinner: €45–€75 (2 individuals) | $49–$82 (2 individuals)
- Finances B&B / low-cost lodge: €50–€90 | $55–$100 per evening
- 4-star lodge: €120–€200 | $130–$220 per evening
- Automobile rental: €35–€70 | $38–$77 per day
- Taxi fare: €0.90–€1.20 per km | $1.00–$1.25 per mile
Questioning how protected it’s to go to the Cyclades on the minute? Normally the epicenter of tourism within the area, Santorini is a good-enough barometer for establishing security ranges throughout the opposite islands.
If Santorini’s safety is tight, then these different quieter Cycladic islands are even safer:
Amorgos
Should you assume Folegandros is offbeat and quiet, wait till you have seen how every little thing principally involves a standstill, in the very best manner, in Amorgos, one of many farthest, easternmost factors you will get within the Cyclades.
It has that rural, undeveloped, genuine character that was misplaced in a lot of the Cyclades following the cruising growth of the 80s, and for probably the most half, communities are made from tight-knit households sharing core hospitality values, and a sluggish, seasonal rhythm of life.
There’s solely two primary settlements on the island, their very own Chora (a mountain village), and Aegiali, which is an efficient start line for beach-hopping, and the place you may land with the ferry.
The native structure is quintessential Cyclades, and by that we imply chalk-white abodes with baby-blue framings, slender labyrinthine alleys, and stone-paved paths.
In terms of seashores, paradisiacal spots like Agia Anna Seaside—yep, identical identify as Naxos, however completely completely different vibe—are all exceptionally quiet.
Amorgos’ crown jewel, you ask?
That is not any specific seaside, nor considered one of its picturesque cities. That may be the dramatic Hozoviotissa Monastery, one of many coolest stuff you’ll see in Greece: this fortress-like, virtually otherworldly white monastery is principally etched onto the cliffside, going through a vertical drop under.
Monks nonetheless dwell inside, so double examine prematurely whether or not they’re open for guests forward of setting out on the quick uphill hike from Chora.
Common Costs In Amorgos, Greece
- Low cost takeout meal: €4–€7 | $4–$8
- 3-course mid-range dinner: €50–€85 (2 individuals) | $55–$92 (2 individuals)
- Finances B&B / low-cost lodge: €60–€110 | $65–$120 per evening
- 4-star lodge: €110–€180 | $120–$200 per evening
- Automobile rental: €45–€80 | $50–$85 per day
- Taxi fare: €0.80–€1.00 per km | $1.25–$1.60 per mile
Now take this quiz to search out your excellent match!