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
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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.’
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.