Santorini is one of the most iconic places in the world and a bucket list destination for many. But with high prices and crowds, particularly in summer, a lot of people look for a Santorini alternative in Greece that has similar vibes without a similar price tag.
Recent Seismic activity in the area has also caused some concern and is another reasons some people may be keen to explore other options.
While nothing quite replaces it – it is completely unique after all, it is possible to find those white-washed sugar cube villages, festooned pink bougainvillea, blue church domes and charming atmosphere both close by and even in other parts of Greece.
Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time it can be hard to process all the information out there. Be sure to check out our complete Planning Guide as well as our FREE 13-page downloadable itinerary.
And come join our private Facebook Group where you can ask questions and get advice from real travelers!
Other islands in the Cyclades
This famous group of 30 inhabited islands is located right in the middle of the Aegean Sea, southeast of Athens.
The southernmost island is Santorini and the northern most island is Andros.
Mykonos is the best known island apart from Santorini and then Paros, Naxos and Milos are the next most popular ones. All of these have airports and are connected with each other by ferry, although not always every day or year round.
It’s important when island hopping in the Cyclades to understand the location of your destinations to maximise the ferry routes and ensure you aren’t wasting time doubling back.
It’s also a good idea to learn which islands have airports as many people find a combination of flights in or out of the Cyclades, while travelling between them by ferry, works best.
Milos
Milos has some of the best, and most interesting beaches in Greece – 73 of them to be precise. Its main industry is Mining and there are many mines still in production today. This is why you see amazing colours and landscapes on Milos that you don’t see on the other islands.
There are a lot of things to do in Milos and many are things you wont see elsewhere, which makes it very special.
Open: Easter to October
What’s like Santorini? : White cliff top villages, volcanic vistas, sailing trips
Best for: Couples, Singles, Photography & Geology Enthusiasts, Foodies
Mykonos
There are also numerous high-end restaurants and bars, designer shopping and lots of beach activities. It is a pretty island and the beaches are excellent but it can be very crowded and expensive too. Due to its heavy dependency on summer tourism, it is a seasonal island and many things only operate between May and October.
Right next door to Mykonos is the sacred island of Delos, the heartbeat of the Cyclades so there is also a large number of visitors who are on Mykonos just to (often briefly) see that.
Open: Easter to October
What’s like Santorini? : Charming white villages, church domes, instagram spots, famous views, sailing trips
Best for: Couples, Singles, LGBTI, party people, high end shoppers, history buffs
Paros
There are two large towns, the Port town of Parikia and the more cosmopolitan and lively town of Naoussa in the north. Both are lovely and offer something for everyone. There is also the charming inland village of Lefkas in the hills and numerous beachside villages dotted around the island.
The island is a good size that allows a full loop as a day trip but not so small you run out of things to do or places to explore.
Open: Easter to mid- October
What’s like Santorini? : Charming white villages, pink bougainvillea, cool bars and restaurants, beach clubs, shopping, sailing trips, wineries
Best for: Couples, Singles, Families, Photography Enthusiasts, Foodies, beach goers
Skiathos Town
Other island Groups in Greece
The Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece, including Corfu and Kefalonia, are known for their lush, green landscapes, stunning beaches, dramatic white cliffs and Venetian architecture.
The Dodecanese (‘Doda’ means ‘twelve’) are close to the Turkish coast, including Rhodes and Kos. They have rich historical landmarks, Ottoman, Byzantine, and British influences, and medieval towns and monuments.
The North Aegean Islands, which are less frequented by tourists, include Chios, Samos, and Ikaria—one of the world’s ‘Blue’ Zones.
The Sporades, known for their beautiful beaches and the ‘Mama Mia’ islands of Skiathos and Skopelos as well as the marine park on Alonissos, the biggest in Europe.
The Saronic Islands are nearest to Athens and include popular and unique islands like Hydra and Aegina.
And Crete, a single island and bigger than some countries. Crete has so much to see and do and is a destination in its own right.
Islands in Greece with Santorini vibes
As mentioned Santorini is unique and there really isn’t anything like it, even in Greece. Once you leave the Cycladic islands you lose the white sugar-cube architecture that is synonymous with it, although there are smatterings of this across the country.
Volcanoes in Greece
In terms of Volcanoes, Greece has seven active volcanoes and the Hellenic Volcanic Arch between Santorini and Amorgos, which is made up of multiple cones, including the underwater volcano Kolumbos.
On the mainland, there are live volcanoes in Sousaki near Corinth and Methana, on the Peloponnese in the Saronic Gulf.
The other islands are:
Milos
See above. While no recent eruptions have been recorded, Milos is a volcanically active island with hot springs, fumaroles, and geothermal fields. It last erupted in prehistoric times.
Nisyros
Nisyros is a volcanic island near Kos, in the Dodecanese group, featuring a caldera with hydrothermal craters that emit gases and steam. While no major eruptions have occurred recently, it remains seismically and geothermally active. It last erupted in 1887.
Kos
The Kos-Yali-Nisyros volcanic system remains seismically active. Kos was significantly affected by the eruption of Nisyros in the past. It last erupted 160,000 years ago.
Nisyros
Other Greek Islands with white-washed villages
If you’re looking for the closest Cycladic feel outside the Cyclades, these places stand out:
- Loutro (Crete) – The most Cycladic-like village in Crete, with white-and-blue buildings by the sea.
- Skiathos Town (Sporades) – Whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and island charm.
- Nisyros (Mandraki & Emporios, Dodecanese) – Whitewashed houses with volcanic landscapes.
- Thassos (Theologos & Limenas) – Whitewashed homes in a northern island setting.
There is also the neighbourhood of Anafiotika in Athens, a section of Plaka that was built by residents of the Cycladic island of Anafi, then they arrived to work on the restoration and excavation of the Acropolis.
Skiathos Town
Loutro, Crete
Anafiotika, Athens
Places like the Blue Domes in Santorini
The famous blue domes seen in so many photos and videos of Santorini are Churches.
You can find these all over Greece although usually fewer in number and not perched on the edge of a caldera with those equally-as-famous vistas.
Blue-domed churches are mostly a Cycladic island feature, but you can still find them scattered across the Dodecanese, Crete, the Peloponnese, and even parts of mainland Greece.
Church domes are not always Blue and in fact, in a couple of places, they are red! Panagia Paraportiani on Mykonos is the best-known of these. There are many other churches scattered across Greece that are also very beautiful – tens of thousands! Some have Byzantine architecture which is quite lovely as well.
Blue Domes on the Greek Islands
Mykonos
Mykonos has Cycladic architecture similar to Santorini, with whitewashed houses and blue details. The Church of Panagia Paraportiani is famous, though mostly white, with some nearby chapels featuring blue domes. Agios Nikolaos Church near the Port is another.
Paros
Paros features beautiful white-and-blue churches, particularly in Naoussa & Parikia. Notable examples include the Church of Agios Konstantinos and the Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, which has blue dome elements.
Naxos
Naxos blends Cycladic and Venetian influences, with several blue-domed chapels in its villages. The Agios Nikodimos Church is a good example.
Sifnos
Sifnos has picturesque blue-domed churches on hills and by the sea, offering stunning views. One of the most iconic is the Church of the Seven Martyrs in Kastro.
Milos
Milos, known for its volcanic landscapes, features a few blue-domed churches with spectacular sunset views. The Church of Panagia Korfiatissa in Plaka is a standout and there is another outside Pollonia.
Folegandros
A smaller Cycladic island with stunning whitewashed villages and domed chapels, including the Church of Panagia, which sits on a hill above Chora, although it’s dome is usually painted white.
Syros
Unlike other Cycladic islands, Syros has a mix of neoclassical and Cycladic architecture. The capital, Ermoupoli, is home to the elegant blue-domed church of Agios Nikolaos
Crete features a blend of Venetian, Byzantine, and Cycladic influences. The Church of St. Nicholas in Georgioupoli is an example of a blue-domed church on the island.
Known for religious pilgrimage sites, Tinos has many picturesque blue-domed churches in traditional villages. The Agios Ioannis Porto Church is one of them.
Patmos, famous for the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, also has some beautiful blue-domed churches, such as the Church of Agia Paraskevi in Skala and smaller chapels scattered across the island.
Nisyros
This large monastery is perched high on the hill in Mandraki
Mykonos Town
Pollonia, Milos
Ermoupoli, Syros
Skopelos Town, Skopelos
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