You've heard it time and time again — “Santorini this”, “Santorini that” — to the point that every travel publication and their mother reveals the best possible dupes for Greece's iconic island.
That said, just because there are whitewashed villages and gorgeous sea views doesn't mean it can be Santorini 2.0 every single time, but in this case, we're saying it may be the best possible alternative given its unparalleled attractions, immersive authenticity, and prices so far removed from quadruple-digit villas, you won't bat an eye hopping aboard a ferry.
Skyscanner put this relatively unknown island on our radar in their newly released summer guide, touting Astypalaia (pronounced as-ti-PAH-lay-ah) as not only a must-visit but a tight-lipped secret as locals scoff at the idea of braving Santorini and favoring local hideaways like this.
Make sure you double check travel alerts and tourist fees before your trip.
Cycladic Charm In The Dodecanese
Whoa. Big words…
As an American, you might be wondering what that entails, so let's lay it out like this:
Astypalaia looks like it could be chilling with Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros, with its whitewashed homes, blue-trimmed doors, and sweeping Aegean views.
But here’s the plot twist: it’s not in the Cyclades at all, as Santorini resides.
Astypalaia officially belongs to the Dodecanese, a different Greek island chain closer to paradises like Rhodes and Kos, yet somehow borrowed the Cyclades’ aesthetics without inheriting their elbow-to-elbow crowds or wallet-piercing prices.
In other words, you get the Greek island fantasy you've always envisioned — just with fewer influencers blocking the staircase for a photoshoot.
We call that bragging rights.
A Hilltop Castle Dreams Are Made Of
Like Athens' Acropolis, you simply can't miss the Venetian Castle of Querini perched atop the gleaming white dreamscape of Astypalaia.
Built on the highest point of Chora, the island’s main town, this staggering Venetian fortress towers above the whitewashed homes below like a crown, giving Astypalaia one of the most awe-inspiring first impressions in all of the Greek islands.
Even better, the climb rewards you with sweeping views over the Aegean, the island’s windmills, and the maze of bright-white lanes tumbling down the hillside — basically the kind of scene Santorini wishes it still had without elbowing through a mob 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 it in the 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, but there’s certainly no Venetian castle crowning the village like a Christmas tree topper.
A 2026 report claims the castle's restoration is now fully complete, with its museum operating normally, though you should know some reviews state the glow-up missed the mark and still has some work to do.
Opt For Boutique Stays Over Pricey Villas
When you come to terms with the fact that Santorini is out of your budget, it's tough to choose another Greek island.
We believe Astypalaia is the best bang for your buck in terms of hotels and food, as you don't have to fork over your whole paycheck for an epic seaside meal or feel the need to upgrade to a posh villa to justify the trip.
Despite being such a storied island, it's relatively low-key and doesn't need the pizzazz of Mykonos' raging nightlife or the honeymoon hype of Santorini.
That honeymoon phase is over.
In that sense, it's more closely related to Rhodes, though boasting more of a quintessential Greek island allure with its vibrant white-and-blue architecture, yet obviously steeped in history too.
While we all know the best way to experience Greek food is to follow your nose, we've rounded up the best hotels should you decide to visit this summer:
- Hotel Karavo — as low as $54 per night
- Ixthioessa Boutique Hotel — as low as $70 per night
- Esperia Luxury Suites — as low as $72 per night
- Pylaia Boutique Hotel & Spa — as low as $130 per night
How Safe Is Greece To Visit This Summer?
The good news is Greece is one of Europe's safest destinations across the board.
While certain pockets of Athens are edgy at best, once you hit the water, there's no need to keep your head on a swivel as Greeks tend to live on their own pace and seem completely unbothered by having visitors, whether it's always-popular Santorini or a no-name island like Astypalaia.
Whether you're visiting a postcard beach with crystalline waters, sipping local wine in a cozy taverna, or hiking the steps up to the castle to level up your views, you should feel safe at all times.
Travelers using our Safety Index currently give Greece a safety score of 90/100:
