The best Santorini and Mykonos alternatives that are cheaper and still in Europe

Pretty Milos (Picture: Getty Images) The Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos have been feeling the heat. From dealing with overtourism — in July last year, both islands introduced a €20 cruise passenger tax — to being rocked by earthquakes, they’ve had a difficult run of things for the past few years. Here at Metro, we love spotlighting lesser-known places that are actively seeking visitors. To promote sustainable tourism and introduce travellers to new horizons, we’ve rounded up six of the best Santorini and Mykonos dupes to check out in 2026. With crystal clear waters, historic villages and buzzy nightlife, who knows, you might find your new favourite holiday hotspot. Altea, Spain You wouldn’t know it, but this charming, artsy seaside town is just a stone’s throw from Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Thanks to its whitewashed houses, narrow cobbled streets, and striking blue-domed church, it’s earned the nickname of ‘Santorini of Spain.’ Altea, on the Costa Blanca, offers a similar Mediterranean vibe (Picture: Getty Images) The town is built on a hilltop, creating that ‘stepped’ feel that’s synonymous with the Greek islands. But despite the similar aesthetic, Altea is considered a less crowded, more affordable alternative. And price-wise, you can reach Alicante for very little. Throughout April, May, and even into June, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet all fly from London Luton and Gatwick for as little as £22. @spain.reels 🇺🇸Welcome to Altea, famously known as the Santorini of Spain, a viral travel destination loved for its whitewashed houses, blue-domed skyline, Mediterranean atmosphere, and picture-perfect views that dominate Spain travel, summer holiday, and Europe vacation searches. Wander the Old Town with its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and hidden courtyards, then enjoy a slow walk along the palm-lined seafront promenade. The iconic blue domes of the Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo offer breathtaking panoramic views over the town and the Mediterranean Sea. Golden hour at the Mirador de los Cronistas is unforgettable, especially before hiking the scenic Camino del Faro in Albir with cliffs and turquoise waters. Swim at Playa de la Roda or Playa Cap Negret, then explore the artisan market for handmade ceramics and local art. Save this Altea travel guide for a dreamy Spain holiday full of sun, culture, and Mediterranean magic. 🇪🇸Bienvenido a Altea, conocida como el Santorini de España, un destino viral que conquista con sus casas blancas, cúpulas azules, esencia mediterránea y paisajes de postal que lideran las búsquedas de viajes y vacaciones en España. Recorre su casco antiguo entre calles empedradas, galerías de arte y rincones escondidos, y pasea junto al mar con vistas al Mediterráneo. Las cúpulas azules de la Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo regalan algunas de las panorámicas más impresionantes de la Costa Blanca. El atardecer desde el Mirador de los Cronistas es imperdible, al igual que el Camino del Faro en Albir entre acantilados y mar turquesa. Disfruta de Playa de la Roda o Playa Cap Negret y descubre el mercado artesanal del casco antiguo. Guarda esta guía de Altea para unas vacaciones inolvidables en España. #spain #SpainTravel #Altea 🇪🇸 Good to know: Altea keeps its charm all year, but spring and early autumn offer the best weather with fewer crowds. 🎥 Amazing Video by @diana_travels_ ✅ FOLLOW @SPAIN.REELS for more Spain content 🇪🇸❤️ ♬ original sound – spain.reels While in Altea, be sure to check out the famous church, Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, in the heart of the Old Town. Here, you’ll also find the maze of narrow streets with flower-filled balconies. Stroll down Paseo Marítimo, the palm-lined promenade, and unwind on the beach before grabbing tapas at one of the many restaurants by night. Ostuni, Italy From the ‘Santorini of Spain’ to the ‘Santorini of Italy,’ Ostuni, in the Puglia region, is also compared to the Greek islands. Known as the ‘White City,’ this historic fortified town is made up of a cluster of whitewashed buildings on a hillside, while vines and olive groves embroider the slopes. In the distance, you can see cobalt waters glisten. Ostuni’s whitewashed aesthetic screams Greece (Picture: Getty Images) Ostuni is ancient, dating back to the 7th century B.C, when it was founded by the Greeks. The city’s cathedral — with rose windows, ornate frescoed ceilings, and an altarpiece of Santa Maria Assunta — has roots to the 16th and 18th centuries. In 1902, it was declared a National Monument.Start in the town square and stroll through the alleyways, arches, and staircases, where you’ll find the Column of Sant’Oronzo, the patron saint of Ostuni, which stands around 30 metres high. @sistersnacking Here’s how we’d spend the perfect 48 hours in Ostuni, Italy…full Puglia guide coming soon! #italy #puglia #ostuni #pugliaitaly #italytravel ♬ original sound – teeharpo Again, it won’t break the bank to get there. But be aware: Ostuni doesn’t have an airport; the nearest is Brindisi. Fares to this lesser-known Italian city range from £20 in winter to £70 in the height of summer. From Brindisi Airport, it’s a 30-minute drive. Milos, Greece If it’s Greece you really want, then why not swap Mykonos for Milos, arguably the most beautiful of the Cyclades islands. Milos has a more ‘authentic’ atmosphere than its tourist-heavy neighbours, and here, you’re guaranteed to get a real slice of traditional charm. But its USP is definitely the beaches. Sarakiniko, aka ‘Moon Beach,’ is the island’s most iconic coastal spot. The bone-white volcanic rock and turquoise waters are like something from a postcard — on TripAdvisor, the beach is Milos’ second best attraction. Milos’s landscape is also made up of whitewashed Cycladic villages (Picture: Getty Images) Kleftiko Beach is another standout. Only accessible by boat, experience the clear, crystal water, caves and arches while swimming. Milos’s landscape is also made up of whitewashed Cycladic villages, including the capital, Plaka. In the picturesque fishing villages of Klima and Mandrakia, enjoy the traditional colourful boathouses built into the volcanic rock. Unlike Santorini’s Spanish and Italian counterparts, Milos is a little harder to get to. You have to fly to Athens and then board a smaller plane to the island. @abbybaffoe The most beautiful place 😭✨ #milos ♬ This is heaven – Nightshade | Seattle Tattoos On Wednesday, April 15, when temperatures average around 19°C, easyJet is flying from London Gatwick to Athens. A Sky Express connection then takes you to Milos. All in, the journey costs £112 and takes 5 hours and 40 minutes. Hvar, Croatia Hvar is a sun-drenched Croatian island that receives over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually.  Known fondly as ‘sunny Hvar,’ the summer hotspot offers a mix of vibrant nightlife, 13th-century history, and scenic, rocky coastlines.  Explore the popular Croatian island of Hvar (Picture: Getty Images) Beach clubs like Hula Hula Hvar and Stipanska rival the Mykonos party scene, while fly and flop locations such as Dubovica Beach, Pokonji Dol and Jagodna Bay are great for travellers who want to switch off. In the town, you’ll find rustic cobblestoned streets steeped in history. Explore the medieval Španjola Fortress (where you’ll also get panoramic views of the surrounding landscape), and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Roman Catholic church dedicated to St. Stephen, the pope, martyr and patron saint of Hvar. To get to Hvar, it’s best to fly into Split Airport. It’s the closest major airport to the island and has good connections via ferry or catamaran. @cosinessandadventures The best things to do in Hvar, Croatia 🌴🤍 9 of the best things to do on the beautiful Croatian island of Hvar – ✨explore Hvar town with its beautiful old town & harbour 🌊 visit the Pakleni islands 🧡 discover Stari Grad – one of the oldest towns in Europe 🏝️ relax on Dubovika beach 🍽️ eat delicious local food at one of the island’s konobas ☕️ drink great coffee at coffee snob or kvar37 💜 explore the lavender fields (best in late June & July) 🥂go for cocktails at a beach bar or in the old town 🚤 take a day trip to Vis island 📌 save for your trip to Hvar (or take this as your sign to book a ticket! ✈️) #hvar #croatia #croatiatravel #hvarcroatia #europetravel #summerineurope #travelinspiration #europeansummer #summertravel ♬ belly conklin x brazil by declan mckenna – summer 🌺 EasyJet flies to Split from London Gatwick for as little as £28 in April or £38 in May, when temperatures range between 18°c and 23°C. Direct Ferries prices a one-way trip from Split to Hvar at around £22. The journey time is just under an hour. Bodrum, Turkey Bodrum hugs Turkey’s spectacular Aegean coastline which it shares with, you guessed it, Greece. It has all the ingredients to make it a great Greek island dupe: a quaint Old Town, bays with dazzling waters, vibrant nightlife, ancient history and award-winning restaurants. Catch us flying and flopping here (Picture: Getty Images) For beaches, head to Camel Beach, Gumusluk and Aspat Plaji, all renowned for their secluded vibes. For history, check out the 15th-century Bodrum Castle, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, a tomb built between 353 and 351 BC, was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Elsewhere, the Bodrum Amphitheatre is a well-preserved, 4th-century BC structure on the hillside. Now a tourist attraction, during the Roman period, it served as a venue for gladiator battles. @heroiisa Best things to do in Bodrum, Türkiye 🇹🇷🩵🐚 📍Boat tour to Orak Island and the bays I booked a boat tour on @GetYourGuide (gifted experience @getyourguidecommunity) that went to four beautiful swimming spots: Orak Island, German Bay, Rabbit Bay & Red Bay. This was my favorite thing to do in Bodrum! The prices vary between €22 and €35 depending on the company and when you book. 📍 Akvaryum Koyu This is a natural reserve with some beautiful more remote beaches that you can either hike to or take a boat to! I went with hiking as it’s the cheapest option, just take a bus from Bodrum City to Bitez and start from there 📍Bitez Beach This beach is more beautiful and relaxing than the public beaches in Bodrum City so I would recommend taking the public bus here for around 40 lira (€0.90) from the Bodrum bus station. 📍Bodrum Castle This is one of the main attractions in Bodrum and has an archeological museum. Prices for foreigners are quite high but you can also admire the castle from the outside. #getyourguide #getyourguidecommunity #travelbucketlist #travelbucketlistideas ♬ Paradise – Coldplay You can fly to Bodrum for as little as £23 with easyJet from London Gatwick. As the weather gets warmer and we move into peak season, flights increase to around £37 one-way. Bodrum is just a 45-minute boat ride from Kos. Twin-country break, anyone? Skiathos, Greece Skiathos is actually dubbed the ‘Mykonos of the Sporades’ for its beaches, tavernas, and high-octane party scene. However, many will know it as one of the filming locations for the 2008 Hollywood hit, Mamma Mia!. The majority of the movie was filmed on the neighbouring island of Skopelos. Check out our guide here. Swap Mykonos for Skiathos (Picture: Getty Images) The island’s best beaches include Lalaria in the north for a secluded experience, Koukounaries in the southwest for watersports, and Banana Beach for a commercialised vibe with beach bars. If you’re into hiking, the Koukounaries Beach Loop is one of the most popular routes. It winds through wetlands, pine forests, and the breathtaking Koukounaries Lagoon. @travelwbeth ✨ Exploring the stunning island of Skiathos, Greece! 🧿🐚🌺🇬🇷🤍🏛️ ✨ #Skiathos #Greece #TravelGoals #BeachLife #Wanderlust #SummerVibes #Hiddengems #ExploreGreece ♬ Chiquitita – ABBA For a taste of bustling village life, head to the capital, Skiathos Town. Wander the narrow, mazelike streets to escape the heat, or drop down to the front to find shops, bars, and traditional tavernas on every corner. (Don’t forget to enjoy a raki or two, served by the friendly waiters.) From shoulder season through to summertime, easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Skiathos for between £48 and £112.