#paros

Europe's most overrated destination: why Santorini became a tourist trap (and where to go in Greece instead)

Santorini stopped being a destination and turned into a backdrop. The island has 17,000 permanent residents and welcomes 2 million visitors a year, most of them crammed between July and August. In 2025 the Greek government created a €20 fee (about US$22) for cruise passengers just to try and contain the chaos. In Oia, 500 people fight for room on a narrow street only to photograph the sunset that has been on every Instagram feed since 2013. A decent hotel in high season runs €350-1,200 a night (US$385-1,320). The honest question: is it worth it? For most travellers, no. Four Greek islands — Milos, Folegandros, Naxos and Paros — deliver better beaches, more serious food and more authentic charm for a third of the price. This article compares them side by side and lays out the real 10-day Greece itinerary that skips Santorini entirely.

Curadoria Voyspark · May 05