Greek islands · Greece · This or that
Skip Santorini: 4 Greek islands to go to instead
Santorini is beautiful and very crowded. Four islands in the same group, the Cyclades, give you much of what people go for with more room: Milos for its coastline, Naxos for beaches and mountain villages, Paros for white harbour towns, and Sifnos for food and quiet. All four are reached by ferry from Athens.
How they compare
- 1
Milos, for the coastline
Milos is a volcanic island, like Santorini, and its coast is the reason to come. At Sarakiniko, wind and waves have shaped pale volcanic rock into smooth white forms that people compare to the surface of the moon. Elsewhere there are fishing hamlets with boat garages painted in bright colours at the waterline, sea caves, and a long list of beaches, many of them best reached by boat. A day cruise around the island is the standard way to see the parts the roads do not reach. The famous ancient statue known as the Venus de Milo was found here.
- 2
Naxos, for a bit of everything
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and the most varied. Long sandy beaches run down the west coast, close to the main town. Inland there are marble villages, olive groves and the highest mountain in the island group. On a small islet joined to the harbour stands the Portara, a huge marble doorway that is all that remains of an unfinished ancient temple. It is the place to be at sunset. The island grows much of its own food, so eating is good and uncomplicated. It suits families and anyone who wants space.
- 3
Paros, for white villages
Paros has the look many people picture when they think of the Greek islands: whitewashed lanes, blue doors and bougainvillea. Naoussa, on the north coast, is a small fishing harbour lined with tavernas and has become the island's liveliest spot in the evening. The inland village of Lefkes is quieter and sits among hills. Paros is also a ferry hub, with frequent boats to Naxos, Mykonos and Santorini, so it works well as a base for seeing more than one island. The small island of Antiparos is a short crossing away.
- 4
Sifnos, for food and quiet
Sifnos is smaller and calmer than the other three, and Greeks know it for its cooking. Slow-baked chickpea stew and other dishes made in clay pots are local specialities, and the island has a long tradition of pottery, with workshops still open to visitors. A network of marked walking paths links the villages, the hilltop churches and the coast. Kastro, an old fortified village above the sea, is the best-known sight. There is no airport, which keeps numbers down. You arrive by ferry from Athens or from Milos, which is close by.
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Plan it
- Best time
- June and September, when the sea is warm and the islands are calmer. July and August are hot, busy and windy. Many places close from late October to April.
- How long
- Three to four nights on one island, or a week split between two. Naxos and Paros pair well, as do Milos and Sifnos.
- Getting around
- Ferries from Piraeus, the port of Athens, serve all four. Milos, Naxos and Paros also have small airports with flights from Athens. On the islands, rent a car or scooter, or use the local buses.
Good to know
- Book summer ferries ahead, and leave a spare day before a flight home in case wind delays the boats.
- Strong north winds are common in July and August. Beaches on the south side of an island are more sheltered.
- If you still want to see Santorini, visit for a day or two by ferry from Naxos or Paros.
Frequently asked
Which Greek island is most like Santorini but less crowded? +
Milos is the closest match. It is also volcanic, with striking rock formations and a dramatic coastline, and it has far fewer visitors. It does not have Santorini's caldera view, so go for the beaches and boat trips, not for clifftop sunsets.
Is it worth skipping Santorini? +
It depends on what you want. The caldera view is unlike anything else in Greece, and worth a short visit. For beaches, village life, food and value, other Cyclades islands are better. Many people now visit Santorini for a night or two and stay longer elsewhere.
How do you get to Milos, Naxos, Paros and Sifnos? +
By ferry from Piraeus, the main port of Athens. Journey times depend on the type of boat, from a few hours on a fast ferry to longer on a conventional one. Milos, Naxos and Paros also have short flights from Athens. Sifnos has no airport.
Can you visit more than one of these islands in a week? +
Yes. Naxos and Paros are under an hour apart by ferry and make an easy pair. Milos and Sifnos are also close together. Linking all four in one week is possible, but two islands is the comfortable number.
