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There are few places where you can dream and imagine paradise as much as the pristine white houses on the cliffs of Santorini and the bright blue church domes, backed by a flaming Aegean sunset.
Yes, it’s beautiful, and yes, it’s just one of those breathtaking places that you can’t quite put into words.
That said, Santorini’s natural beauty and unique architecture are also the main culprits behind his downfall.
Unless you book a luxurious cave hotel in the heart of Oia, the world-famous Santorini village overlooking the caldera, for over $1,000 a night, and essentially shield yourself from the tour bus, magical is the last word you’ll use to describe Greece’s top-rated island.
But don’t despair: there is light at the end of the tunnel.
This 4 alternative European places have the exact same Mediterranean island aesthetic that made Santorini famous in the first place, Cycladic vibe minus the tourist pressure, and even better: they’re dirt cheap in comparison.
Paros, Greece
You don’t have to travel a thousand miles away to another European country, or even leave the same archipelago, to take advantage of that Santorini-like summer.
Tucked away on the quieter side of the Cyclades, Paros is a small Greek island, a short 2-hour ferry crossing, known for its tranquil beaches and peaceful traditional villages with only a fraction of the tourists that Thira gets.
The main town and harbour, Parikia, has beautiful cube-shaped, chalk-white houses, windmills and a monumental Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church (literally the Church of 100 Gates), which happens to be one of the oldest in Greece. Not just any photo session like Oia’s blue domed chapels without entry.
Perched on a hill inland, Lefkes has more of that beautiful Cycladic architecture, with cobbled walkways and bougainvillea-lined alleys, while Naoussa, right on the coast, is a picturesque fishing village turned nightlife spot.
Santorini isn’t exactly known for its excellent beaches, but in Paros, there is a long ‘Golden Beach’ (Chrysi Akti), just a 25-minute drive from Parikia. Not overly built up, with just enough sunbeds and tavernas, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Think budget-friendly? Paros isn’t exactly dirt cheap, but it’s certainly on the cheaper side of Greece, with basic rooms ranging from $40 to $95 in small guesthouses, and sit-down meals in Old Town eateries averaging $15 to $25.
Burgau, Portugal
Located on the sun-drenched Portuguese coast of the Algarve, where it is sunny and somewhat warm for as many as 300 days a year, Burgau is often called the ‘Portuguese Santorini‘, although there are no cruise crowds or high price tags anywhere to be seen.
Both destinations are 2,000 miles apart, but they both share the aesthetic of the White House.
Burgau has no blue-domed churches, but many of the mansions have the same simple geometric shapes as those of Santorini, and pastel blue decorations and shutters, which are as much native to the Algarve as they feel quintessentially Greek.
As you walk through the maze-like center you will discover cobbled streets with cozy cafes and small souvenir shops, very reminiscent of the Greek islands, and picturesque village squares surrounded by quietly charming parish churches and orange groves.
And who needs a caldera view when you have cliff-top houses overlooking a small sandy beach with dramatic views of the sea?
The Algarve is getting more expensive every year, especially as Americans have taken notice of the destination, but in Burgau prices remain locally friendly: downtown guesthouses like Aloha Burgau cost around $50–$60 a night, and casual ‘menu do dia’ lunch costs about $12.
Favignana, Italy
The largest of the Aegadian Islands, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Sicily, Favignana is probably the most Santorini-like spot this far west in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A short ferry ride away from Trapani, a major coastal city on the Sicilian mainland, it is best known for its main town, with clusters of pale, sun-bleached houses along narrow streets, a small harbor sandwiched between an array of seafood trattoria and colorful fishing boats, and crystal clear water.
Favignana is basically Santorini’s spiritual Italian sister, and what further proof do you need other than it being one of the paradise locations that Christopher Nolan has chosen as the backdrop for his upcoming film? The Odyssey blockbuster?
It’s Greek coded through and through, but don’t worry, you won’t be attacked by sea monsters swimming in one of the many secretive coves along the coast, nor will you face the wrath of an Olympian God for eating pasta the wrong way – but you might get some disapproving looks from the next table.
Speaking of food, a traditional fried fish cone costs $6 every time, while a sit-down pizza dinner can cost as cheap as $12. Spending the night on the island?
That’s about $80-150 for a room per night, or if you don’t mind the 30 minute hydrofoil transfer, it’s even cheaper $55-$95 to stay in Trapani.
Frigiliana, Spain
Nestled in the lush coastal hills of Andalusia, Europe’s warmest region with temperatures ranging from 22 to 23 degrees Celsius in spring, Frigiliana is a cool mountain village with a real Old World feel.
While Oia is the main event in Santorini, with its cave suites and blue domes on the cliffs, Barribato is the star of the show in Frigiliana. Imagine cobbled alleys, whitewashed houses decorated with flower pots, arches and basically killer photo spots at every turn.
Don’t plan it too much: just get lost in the small, postcard-worthy neighborhood for a few hours.
A good place to start is Plaza de las Tres Culturasthe central square surrounded by coffee spots. It is the most central location in Frigiliana and a common starting point to the old quarter.
We won’t lie, as beautiful as Frigiliana is, as far as epic sunset terraces go, it’s hard to beat the one at Oia Castle, but their Panorama Frigiliana platform comes second: think elevated views over the surrounding hills, towards the sparkling, blood-orange-hued Mediterranean Sea.
Furthermore, Frigiliana is just much cheaper and more relaxed than Santorini in high season: it’s never too busy, it borders on suffocating, even during peak hours, and your typical menu del dia (3 course meal at a casual restaurant) costs about $13 – $20.
As far as hotels go, a realistic range in and around the city is $70 – $125 (Hotel Villa Frigiliana is affordable $73 per night).
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