If you're planning a little Greek island-hopping adventure this summer, chances are it's the whitewashed towns perched atop vertiginous coastal cliffs, and the shiny, freshly-painted blue church domes you're fantasizing about.
For lack of better words, chances are it's the ‘Santorini vibe' you're looking for.
You probably know at this point Santorini is crowded, expensive, overrated (according to some), and every bad name under the travel blogsphere sun. If Santorini's buzzing shopping streets and $800-a-night infinity-pool villas are non-negotiable to you, by all means, go for it.
Now, if you're chasing after the iconic Aegean aesthetic, yet you're not exactly willing to literally go broke on a 3-night stint in Greece's most famous island, we've got just the alternative for you. Well, a whole trio of them.
Here are 3 Greek islands that are effectively Santorini's spiritual sisters, but cost a small fraction of the caldera's jaw-dropping prices:
PLUS: We've created an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find your perfect match!
Amorgos
Tucked away in the easternmost reaches of the Cyclades, the same group of islands that tourism powerhouses like Santorini and Mykonos are a part of, Amorgos almost feels like it exists in its own microcosm of calmness and serenity.
Think the same steep cliffs, the deep blue water, and whitewashed villages climbing up rugged hills, except these ones feel actually lived-in, rather than curated for visitors.
Amorgos' main attraction is Hozoviotissa Monastery, a fortress-like, chalk-white religious sanctuary, accessible via a rock-carved staircase, and embedded into a cliff face, directly above the sea.
It looks like AI, we know, but it's very much the real thing, and it used to protect local monks from pirate and Ottoman raids back in the day.
Chora, the main village, has Oia's narrow white streets, tiny squares, and the cutest little set of windmills. It does see an influx of visitors during the day, but never at Santorini levels, and at night it's perfectly quiet and almost eerily atmospheric.
Chora is also home to Taverna Vakhos, hands down one of the top eateries in the Cyclades if you love grilled fish and mezze plates, and a short 15-minute hike down from the village, Agia Anna is a tiny pebbly stretch offering crystal-clear waters and cinematic views. Like, it literally featured on The Big Blue.
Average Prices in Amorgos, Greece
- Takeout meal (gyros, souvlaki): $10–$15
- 3-course meal (local taverna, mid-range): $21–$35
- Hotel/guesthouse (budget stay): $55–$88 per night
- Luxury accommodation (villa-style): $165–$440+ per night
- Car rental (economy/compact): $30–$60
Before you go booking those flight tickets, though, make sure you check the Entry Requirements that apply at your European destination on this page.
Whether it's mandatory fingerprinting 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 making that flight without boarding hiccups, you'd better come prepared to the airport.
Folegandros
If you thought Amorgos was quiet and laid-back, wait until you've pulled up to dreamy Folegandros with that rocky Aegean ferry. Santorini's even-more offbeat cousin, it measures only 12 square miles, and its main town Chora very much gives ‘edge of the cliff' drama.
Chora is arguably one of the most striking island towns in the Aegean: almost no mass tourism infrastructure, just cobble-paved lanes, the typically-Greek minimalist white townhouses, and a central square flanked by family-run tavernas.
It lies at the foot of a hilltop Byzantine-era church, distinguished mainly for the unique zig-zag climb that leads up to it. Climb at sunset for the most otherworldly, fiery-red sunset you'll ever see—if you're asking me, it even beats Santorini's popular Oia Castle sundown.
Folegandros is well-served by tourist minivans in summer, but if you've brought your walking shoes, and you're not scared of steep downhill hikes, most beaches are within a 40-minute to 1h30-walk from town, like Agali Beach—clear water, calm bay, and traditional tavernas—and the virtually crowd-free Livadaki.
To my fellow goodies out there, a classic spot in Chora for traditional Cycladic food is Piatsa, right on the town square. Good local wine, crispy roasted lamb, and a relaxed terrace for that after-sunset dinner right in the heart of the village.
Average Prices In Folegandros, Greece
- Takeout meal (gyros, souvlaki, bakery pastries): $12–$18
- 3-course meal (local taverna, mid-range): $25–$45
- Hotel/guesthouse (budget stay): $70–$120 per night
- Luxury accommodation (villa-style): $180–$500+ per night
- Car rental (economy/compact): $35–$70
If you're wondering how safe Greece is to visit right now, how about very? It's one of the last Western European countries that still enjoys a Level 1 classification, as awarded by the U.S. Department of State, which means Americans can exercise normal precautions when visiting.
Ahem, France, Italy, take notes.
If Government advice doesn't mean the world to you, you can always go by reports from travelers on the ground. In this case, Greece scores an impressive 89 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index. When both the official travel advice and the popular vote align, that's how you know the country is as safe as can be.
Sifnos
For a Santorini dupe, Sifnos serves up quite the culinary punch. Somewhat more refined than rugged Folegandros, or remote Amorgos, it's renowned for the excellent food—you can even say it's one of Greece's foodie capitals—and balanced vibe.
Not necessarily party-heavy, not deserted either.
If the previous islands felt too wild and remote for your liking, Sifnos feels more accessible and well-designed without breaching the Oia price bracket.
The largest settlement here is Apollonia (Sifnos), a hillside village with your usual narrow alleys, cozy bars, and boutique shops. It's the social hub of Sifnos, particularly at night, and the perfect base for exploring the island without wasting time in transit.
Over in Kastro, you get the Santorini aesthetic without the added chaos: this medieval settlement clings to an eroding coastal cliff, and it has tight stone alleys and sweeping coastal views. One of the most effortlessly cinematic, magical spots on the island.
Not far from Chrisopigi Monastery, Chrisopigi is the most photographed site in Sifnos, and for good reason: it's a monastery perched on a rocky peninsula that juts out into the sea.
Over in Faros, a laid-back seaside village with walking paths leading down to hidden beaches and coves, like Fassolou and Glyfo, where you can swim in turquoise waters without crowded resort-style beaches and chapels. Easier hiking than Amorgos, but very scenic.
That's the nature. Three-quarters of the fun of visiting Sifnos is actually the food, and if you're hoping for some mind-blowing, flavor-bomb Greek comfort food, Omega3 is the s̶h̶i̶t̶.
Their seafood linguine and locally sourced wine are the reasons why Sifnos wins all of these gastronomy accolades, and the beachside setting? Och. A literal slice of heaven.
Average Prices In Sifnos, Greece
- Takeout meal (gyros, souvlaki, bakery pastries): $11–$16
- 3-course meal (local taverna, mid-range): $25–$50
- Hotel/guesthouse (budget stay): $65–$115 per night
- Luxury accommodation (villa-style): $180–$550+ per night
- Car rental (economy/compact): $35–$75
Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!
