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You’ve heard it over and over again – “Santorini this”, “Santorini that” – to the point where every travel publication and their mother tongue are unveiling the best possible dupes for Greece’s iconic island.
That said, just because there are whitewashed villages and beautiful sea views doesn’t mean it can be Santorini 2.0 every time, but in this case: we say this may be the best possible alternative given its unparalleled attractions, immersive authenticity and prices so far removed from four-figure villas, you shouldn’t hesitate to hop aboard a ferry.
Skyscanner put this relatively unknown island on our radar in their recently released summer guidewhere Astypalaia is touted (pronounced as as-ti-PAK-lay-ah) as not only a must-visit but also a tight-lipped secret, while locals scoff at the idea of braving Santorini and preferring local hideaways like this.
Cycladic charm in the Dodecanese
Wow. Big words…
As an American, you might be wondering what that entails, so let’s explain it this way:
Astypalaia looks as if it could rival Santorini, Mykonos and Paros, with its whitewashed houses, blue-rimmed doors and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea.
But here’s the plot twist: it’s not in the Cyclades at all, like Santorini.
Astypalaia officially belongs to the Dodecanese, another Greek island chain that’s closer to paradises like Rhodes and Kos, yet somehow has adopted the aesthetics of the Cyclades without inheriting their elbow-to-elbow crowds or wallet-penetrating prices.
In other words, you get the Greek island fantasy you’ve always envisioned, just with fewer influencers blocking the stairs for a photo shoot.
We call that bragging.
A hilltop castle that dreams are made of
Just like the Acropolis of Athens, you simply cannot miss it Venetian castle of Querini situated atop the gleaming white dreamscape of Astypalaia.
Built on the highest point of Chora, the island’s main town, this staggering Venetian fortress towers like a crown above the whitewashed houses below, giving Astypalaia one of the most awe-inspiring first impressions of any Greek island.
Better yet, the climb rewards you with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, the island’s windmills and the maze of bright white streets that tumble down the hillside – basically the kind of scene Santorini would still like to have without having to elbow its way through a crowd of selfie sticks.
Those in the know absolutely love it.
Currently ranked as the top attraction in Astypalaia on TripAdvisor, there are rave reviews such as “Fantastic atmosphere. We visited at night, and it was thrilling,” and another recent visit stating: “Great views and interesting ruin – well worth the steep walk up in the heat.”
Santorini offers a lot, and you literally pay the price for it, but there is certainly no Venetian castle that crowns the village like a Christmas tree topper.
A 2026 report claims that the restoration of the castle is now fully completed and the museum is functioning normally, although you should be aware that some reviews claim that the glow missed its target and still has some work to do.
Opt for boutique stays over expensive villas
If you realize that Santorini is out of your budget, it’s hard to choose another Greek island.
We believe Astypalaia is the best value for money in terms of hotels and food, because you don’t have to fork over your entire salary for an epic meal by the sea or feel the need to upgrade to a fancy villa to justify the trip.
Despite being such a legendary island, it is relatively quiet and doesn’t need the spice of Mykonos’ vibrant nightlife or Santorini’s honeymoon hype.
That honeymoon phase is over.
In that sense it is more closely related to Rhodes, although it offers more of the typical Greek island allure with its vibrant white and blue architecture, yet is clearly also steeped in history.
While we all know the best way to experience Greek food is to follow your nose, we’ve rounded up the best hotels if you decide to visit this summer:
- Hotel Karavo – from $54 per night
- Ixthioessa Boutique Hotel – from $70 per night
- Esperia Luxury Suites – from $72 per night
- Pylaia Boutique Hotel & Spa – from $130 per night
How safe is Greece to visit this summer?
The good news is that Greece is one of the safest destinations in Europe across the board.
Although parts of Athens are tense at best, once you hit the water there’s no need to keep your head down as Greeks tend to live at their own pace and don’t seem bothered at all by visitors, whether it’s the ever-popular Santorini or an unnamed island like Astypalaia.
Whether you visit a picture-postcard beach with crystal clear waters, sip local wine in a cozy taverna, or hike the steps to the castle to enhance your view, you should always feel safe.
Travelers using our Safety Index currently give Greece a safety score of 90/100:
