If you’re short on time, here’s my quick take on the best Santorini alternatives in Greece.

The right island really depends on what you loved about Santorini in the first place. Are you looking for dramatic views? Better beaches? Fewer crowds? More authentic villages?

Here’s where I’d start.

Best Overall: Milos

If I could only recommend one Santorini alternative, it would be Milos. The volcanic landscapes are incredible, the coastline feels almost otherworldly, and it feels much more relaxed than Santorini.

Best for Authenticity & Quiet: Folegandros

Folegandros has the whitewashed villages and cliffside views people dream about, but with much fewer crowds. It feels like stepping into a slower version of the Cyclades.

Best for Food & Views: Crete

Crete combines stunning scenery with some of the best food you’ll find anywhere in Greece. Plus you got ancient ruins, dramatic landscapes, and beautiful coastal towns, so it’s easy to see why so many travelers return here again and again.

Best for Romance: Astypalea

I love Astypalea. It’s quiet with its white windmills, hilltop castle, and peaceful atmosphere. I hate saying this cliche, but I truly mean it when I say that Astypalea feels like a “hidden gem” that was made for couples. It’s easily one of the most romantic islands I’ve visited.

If you like what you’ve see so far, keep reading for a deeper look at each of these destinations and why they rank among the best Santorini alternatives in Greece.

Milos: The Best Overall Santorini Alternative

If someone asked me to recommend just one island on this list, Milos would probably be my answer.

Of all the best Santorini alternatives, Milos comes the closest to offering that same dramatic, volcanic beauty while feeling far less crowded and overwhelming.

Like Santorini, Milos was shaped by volcanic activity. The result is a coastline that feels almost otherworldly (so many describe it like walking on another planet), with colorful cliffs, hidden sea caves, unusual rock formations, and some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.

The island’s biggest claim to fame is Sarakiniko Beach, a bright white landscape of smooth volcanic rock that looks more like the moon than the Mediterranean. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Greece for good reason.

Another thing Milos does exceptionally well is boat tours. Some of the island’s most beautiful beaches and caves can only be reached by sea, making a full day sailing trip one of the highlights of a visit.

And unlike Santorini, you can actually spend your days swimming at incredible beaches. Milos has more than 70 beaches scattered around the island, ranging from tiny secluded coves to long stretches of sand with crystal clear water.

This tiny Cycladic island sits just a short ferry ride from Santorini, yet feels like it belongs to a completely different era. There are no cruise ship crowds, no packed sunset viewpoints and no long lines of Instagram hopefuls waiting to take the same photo.

Instead, you’ll find dramatic cliffs, whitewashed villages, winding stone pathways, and an atmosphere that feels refreshingly untouched.

The star of the island is Chora, one of the most beautiful villages in Greece. It’s located on the edge of a towering cliff overlooking the Aegean, it has the same jaw dropping scenery that draws people to Santorini, but with a fraction of the visitors. Walking through Chora at sunset feels like stumbling into a version of the Cyclades that has still escaped from mass tourism.

Folegandros is also built for slow travel. Days are best spent wandering village squares, lingering over dinner, hiking ancient footpaths, and watching the sun sink into the sea.

Where Santorini Still Wins

Santorini’s caldera is still one of the most unique landscapes in the world. The volcanic crater, colorful cliffs, and villages hanging above the sea create a view that no other island can completely replicate.

Plus Santorini also has more luxury hotels, more nightlife, more fine dining options, more activities and tours, and easier transportation connections.

My Take

Folegandros feels like what many travelers hope Santorini will be.

The scenery is spectacular, the villages are gorgeous, the sunsets are incredible, and yet the island still feels peaceful enough that you can enjoy all of it without constantly sharing the experience.

If your dream Greek island trip involves slow mornings, cliffside villages, long dinners, and sunset walks instead of checking off attractions, Folegandros is easily one of the best Santorini alternatives you’ll find.

If you’re looking for infinity pools, champagne at sunset, and a long list of things to do, Santorini still has the edge.

Naxos: The Santorini Alternative for First-Time Greece Travelers

If you’re planning your first trip to Greece and trying to decide between Naxos and Santorini, I’m going to make a case for Naxos.

Naxos is just easier.

Easier to navigate. Easier on your budget. Easier to relax.

As the largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos has a little bit of everything; long sandy beaches, authentic mountain villages, incredible local food, ancient ruins, and a lively waterfront town that feels genuinely Greek.

Unlike Santorini, where many visitors spend their days climbing stairs and squeezing through crowded alleyways, Naxos gives you room to breathe. The main town sits right next to the beach, which means you can spend the morning swimming, walk a few minutes into town for lunch, and never think about transportation.

Naxos is also one of Greece’s agricultural powerhouses. The island produces its own cheeses, potatoes, olives, meats, and liqueurs, which means the food scene feels deeply connected to the island itself. If your vacations tend to revolve around great meals, Naxos deserves your undivided attention.

Among the best Santorini alternatives, this is the island I recommend most often to first time visitors of Greece.

It has beautiful beaches, authentic villages, great restaurants, lively nightlife, and some of the best ferry connections in the Cyclades. In many ways, it feels like a more balanced version of Santorini.

The two main towns, Parikia and Naoussa, are packed with that classic Cycladic aesthetic. It’s exactly what you’re imagining: whitewashed alleyways, blue accents, bougainvillea spilling over stone walls, waterfront tavernas, and enough hidden corners to keep you wandering for hours.

Unlike Santorini, Paros is built around the sea. Days here revolve around beach hopping, swimming, sailing, and long lunches by the water. And when the sun goes down, Naoussa comes alive with bars, restaurants, and nightlife that still manages to feel fun without becoming overwhelming.

One of the biggest reasons I recommend Paros is its location. Sitting right in the heart of the Cyclades, it’s one of the easiest islands to use as a base for island hopping. Naxos, Antiparos, Mykonos, Ios, and several smaller islands are all within easy reach.

Among the best Santorini alternatives, Paros is probably the most well rounded.

Where Santorini Still Wins

If your heart is still set on those “only place in the world you’re going to see this” views, then Santorini may still be the right choice for you. Again, Santorini has some of the most famous scenery in the world for good reason.

My Take

Paros is the island I recommend to people who want a little bit of everything.

Beautiful beaches? Check.

Cute towns? Check.

Blue and white villages? Check.

Incredible food? Check.

Nightlife? Check.

Easy island hopping? Absolutely.

It doesn’t have Santorini’s famous caldera (to be fair, nowhere does), but it does have something equally valuable: balance.

If you want a Greek island that feels lively without being overwhelming and luxury without requiring a second mortgage, Paros is easily one of the best Santorini alternatives you can choose.

Crete: If You Want More Than Just Pretty Views

Crete is for the traveler who gets bored sitting still.

Don’t get me wrong, it has plenty of beautiful views. Some of the best in Greece, actually.

But what makes Crete special is how much variety is packed into a single island.

One day you can be exploring the ancient Palace of Knossos, the next you can be wandering the Venetian harbor in Chania, hiking through a gorge, road tripping through mountain villages, or swimming in the turquoise waters of Balos and Elafonissi.

Crete feels like several destinations rolled into one.

It’s also the largest island in Greece by a long shot, which means you could spend a week here and still leave with places left on your list.

The food deserves its own paragraph.

Crete is famous throughout Greece for its culinary traditions. Fresh olive oil, local cheeses, mountain herbs, seafood, honey, and family tavernas seem to be everywhere. If your vacations revolve around what you’re eating next, Crete is going to treat you very well.

And if you’re still determined to see Santorini, Heraklion is only about a 1.5 to 2 hour ferry ride away, making it surprisingly easy to add a day trip or short visit.

Among the best Santorini alternatives, Crete offers the most complete travel experience.

Astypalea is the most romantic one.

Not because it has the fanciest hotels or the most expensive restaurants. Quite the opposite, actually.

Astypalea feels intimate in a way that’s becoming increasingly difficult to find in Greece.

The island’s beautiful Chora spills down a hillside beneath a Venetian castle, creating a scene that feels almost like a miniature version of Santorini (the closest I’ve seen to the iconic views of the island’s caldera). Whitewashed houses, blue accents, winding alleyways, and windmills overlook the sea. At sunset, the entire village seems to glow.

But unlike Santorini, you’re not sharing that moment with thousands of other people.

Astypalea really doesn’t get much tourist attention. But to me, that’s what makes it so special.

You’ll find couples lingering over dinner for hours, locals chatting in the village square, quiet tavernas sprinkled beneath the castle walls, and beaches where you might only share the sand with a handful of people.

The island is shaped like a butterfly, with dozens of small coves and beautiful, clean beaches scattered around its coastline. It’s the kind of place that encourages you to put your phone away and just really enjoy where you are.

Among the best Santorini alternatives, Astypalea is the island I’d choose for a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or any vacation where spending quality time together is the main goal.

Where Santorini Still Wins

Santorini is still the king of grand gestures.

The caldera views are bigger. The luxury hotels are more extravagant. The sunset restaurants are more dramatic. If you’re dreaming about infinity pools hanging off volcanic cliffs, then, yes, Santorini still delivers that experience better than almost anywhere else on earth.

My Take

Santorini feels like a romance movie… That you’re experiencing along side thousands of other people.

Astypalea feels like a real relationship.

That probably sounds strange, but it’s the best way I can describe it.

One is built around spectacular moments, the other is built around enjoying time together.

The sunsets on Astypalea are quieter, the dinners are more intimate, and the villages feel so authetic rather than staged for photos.

If you’re looking for one of the best Santorini alternatives for couples, Astypalea deserves a spot at the very top of your list.

Is Santorini Still Worth Visiting?

Yes.

Absolutely.

I know this entire post is about the best Santorini alternatives, but I don’t think it’s fair to pretend Santorini isn’t incredible.

It’s world famous for a reason.

The first time I stood on the edge of the caldera and looked across the volcanic cliffs, I understood immediately why millions of people visit every year. Those views are unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else in the world.

Photos don’t really do it justice.

The whitewashed villages spilling down the cliffs, the deep blue water filling the ancient volcanic crater, and the sunsets that seem to set the entire island on fire truly are one of the most beautiful sights on earth.

The problem with Santorini is that everyone else also knows it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth too.

And as with almost anywhere in the world, crowds can take away some of the magic.

For some travelers, those tradeoffs are worth it, but for others (someone like me who has agoraphobia), they aren’t.

If seeing those famous Santorini views has been sitting on your vision board, Pinterest board, or bucket list for years, then I genuinely think you should go. At least once.

Just go with realistic expectations.

Know that you’ll be sharing those views with plenty of other people. Know that it will likely be expensive. And know that some parts of the island feel heavily touristed.

And then decide if that’s a tradeoff you’re willing to make.

Because while many of the destinations on this list are among the best Santorini alternatives, none of them are exact copies of Santorini.

That’s kind of the point. They offer different strengths, better beaches, more authenticity, lower prices, fewer crowds, better food, and a slower pace of life.

But there is still only one Santorini.

So if your heart is set on Santorini, go. If your goal is simply to have an amazing Greek island vacation, one of these alternatives might end up being an even better fit.

For many travelers, it’s the image that first puts Greece on their bucket list.

But one of the best things about Greece is that no single island defines the country.

There are more than 200 inhabited islands spread across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, each with its own personality, traditions, landscapes, and pace of life. Some are famous. Some are nearly unknown. Some are packed with visitors every summer. Others still feel like well kept secrets.

That’s part of the fun.

The “perfect” Greek island looks different for everyone.

My advice?

Don’t get too caught up chasing the island everyone else is talking about. Focus on finding the island that fits the kind of trip you want to have.

And if you’re still planning your Greece itinerary, these guides might help:

• Best Greek Islands to Visit for the First Time
• Greek Islands on a Budget: Tips to Help You Plan Your Next Greek Adventure
• Island Hopping in Greece: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
• Non-Touristy Greek Islands for Travelers Who Hate Crowds

No matter which island you choose, you’re still getting to experience one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

And that alone is a pretty good place to start.

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