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If you’re planning a little Greek island hopping adventure this summer, chances are you’re fantasizing about the whitewashed towns atop vertiginous coastal cliffs and the gleaming, freshly painted blue church domes.
For lack of better words, the chances are high it’s the ‘Santorini vibe’ you’re looking for.
You probably know it right now Santorini is Busyexpensive, overrated (according to some), and every bad name under the sun of the travel blogosphere. If Santorini’s bustling shopping streets and $800-per-night infinity pool villas are non-negotiable for you, then by all means go for it.
If you’re looking for the iconic Aegean aesthetic but aren’t exactly willing to literally go bankrupt on a three-night stay on Greece’s most famous island, we’ve got just the alternative for you. Well, quite a trio.
Being here 3 Greek islands that are actually the spiritual sisters of Santorinibut costs a small fraction of the caldera’s staggering prices:
Amorgos
Tucked away in the easternmost reaches of the Cyclades, the same archipelago that includes tourist powerhouses such as Santorini and Mykonos. Amorgos almost feels like it exists in its own microcosm of calm and serenity.
Think of the same steep cliffs, deep blue waters and whitewashed villages climbing the rugged hills, except this one actually feel inhabitedrather than curated for visitors.
Amorgos’ main attraction is the Hozoviotissa Monastery, a fortress-like, chalk-white religious sanctuary, accessed by a rock-hewn staircase and embedded in a cliff face, directly above the sea.
It looks like AI, we know, but it’s actually real and it used to protect local monks from pirate and Ottoman attacks.
Chora, the main village, has the narrow white streets of Oia, little squares and the cutest little windmills. There is an influx of visitors during the day, but never at the level of Santorini, and at night there is completely silent and almost eerily atmospheric.
Chora is also home to Taverna Vakhos, undoubtedly one of the best dining options in the Cyclades if you like grilled fish and mezze dishes, and a short 15-minute walk from the village is Agia Anna, a small pebble beach with crystal clear waters and cinematic views. It literally said so The Big Blue.
Average prices in Amorgos, Greece
- Takeaway (gyros, souvlaki): $10 – $15
- 3-course menu (local taverna, middle class): $21–$35
- Hotel/guesthouse (budget stay): $55 – $88 per night
- Luxury accommodation (villa style): $165–$440+ per night
- Car rental (economic/compact): $30 – $60
However, before booking flights, make sure you check the entry requirements for your European destination on this page.
Whether it’s mandatory fingerprints or travel authorization forms, travel to Europe has changed quite a bit since your last visit a few years ago, and if you plan on taking that flight without any boarding issues, you better come to the airport prepared.
Folegandros
If you thought Amorgos was quiet and relaxing, wait until you get on that rocky Aegean ferry to dreamy Folegandros. That of Santorini even more unusual cousin, it measures just 20 square kilometers, and the main town of Chora provides plenty of ‘edge of the cliff’ drama.
Chora is debatable one of the most notable island cities in the Aegean Sea: almost no infrastructure for mass tourism, only cobbled streets, the typical Greek minimalist white mansions and a central square flanked by family-run tavernas.
It lies at the foot of a Byzantine-era church on a hilltop, distinguished mainly by the unique zigzag climb leading to it. Climb at sunset for the most otherworldly, fiery red sunset you will ever see. If you ask me, this one is even better than the popular sunset of Santorini’s Oia Castle.
Folegandros is well served by tourist minibuses in summer, but if you’ve brought your walking boots and you’re not afraid of steep descents, most beaches are a 40 minute to 1h30 walk away of the city, such as Agali Beach (clear water, quiet bay and traditional tavernas) and the virtually crowd-free Livadaki.
For my fellow goodies among us: a classic place in Chora for traditional Cycladic food is Piatsa, right on the town square. Good local wine, crispy roasted lamb and a relaxing terrace for an after-sunset dinner, right in the heart of the village.
Average prices in Folegandros, Greece
- Takeaway (gyros, souvlaki, bakery pastries): $12–$18
- 3-course menu (local taverna, middle class): $25 – $45
- Hotel/guesthouse (budget stay): $70 – $120 per night
- Luxury accommodation (villa style): $180 – $500+ per night
- Car rental (economic/compact): $35 – $70
If you’re wondering how safe Greece is to visit right now, guess what? terribly? It is one of the last Western European countries to still enjoy a Level 1 rating as assigned by the U.S. Department of State, meaning Americans can take normal precautions during their visit.
Ahem, France, Italy, take notes.
If the government advice does not mean much to you, you can always rely on reports from travelers on site. In this case, Greece scores impressively 89 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index. When both the official travel advice And When the voices of the people are aligned, you know the country is as safe as it can be.
Sifnos
For a Santorini dupe, Sifnos serves up quite a culinary punch. Slightly more refined than rugged Folegandros or remote Amorgos, it is known for its excellent food (you could even say it is one of Greece’s culinary capitals) and balanced atmosphere.
Not necessarily party-heavy, and not deserted either.
If the previous islands felt too wild and remote for your taste, Sifnos feels more accessible and well-designed without breaking the Oia price range.
The largest settlement here is Apollonia (Sifnos), a hilltop village with the usual narrow alleys, cozy bars and boutiques. It is the social center of Sifnos, especially at night, and the perfect base to explore the island without wasting time traveling.
In Kastro, you get the aesthetics of Santorini without the added chaos: this medieval settlement clings to an eroding coastal cliff and has narrow stone alleys and sweeping coastal views. One of the most effortlessly cinematic, magical places on the island.
Not far from the Chrisopigi Monastery, Chrisopigi is the most photographed place in Sifnosand with good reason: it is a monastery located on a rocky peninsula jutting out into the sea.
In Faros, a quiet coastal town with hiking trails leading to hidden beaches and coves such as Fassolou and Glyfo, where you can swim in turquoise waters without crowded beaches and resort-style chapels. Easier walking than Amorgos, but very scenic.
That’s nature. Three-quarters of the fun of visiting Sifnos is actually the food, and if you’re hoping for some stunning, flavorful Greek comfort food, Omega3 is the s̶h̶i̶t̶.
Their seafood linguine and locally produced wine are the reasons why Sifnos wins all these gastronomy awards, and its beachfront location? Oh. A literal piece of heaven.
Average prices in Sifnos, Greece
- Takeaway (gyros, souvlaki, bakery pastries): $11–$16
- 3-course menu (local taverna, middle class): $25 – $50
- Hotel/guesthouse (budget stay): $65 – $115 per night
- Luxury accommodation (villa style): $180–$550+ per night
- Car rental (economic/compact): $35 – $75
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