Don’t get us wrong, Sicily is an absolute dream. Nothing beats seeing Mount Etna from your bed in the morning, walking through the ancient Greek temples of Agrigento, and munching slow-churned pistachios in Noto. But let’s be real for a second. Lately, Sicily has become a lot. It keeps getting the love it deserves, along with skyrocketing hotel prices and overwhelming crowds. We were wondering as well – Are there places like Sicily to visit instead when the crowds get to busy?
Our community loves Sicily, but the local Italians and Southern Europeans have spoken up about its alternatives. They are not 100% identical with Sicily or share a painfully similar vibe, they gave a disclaimer. These alternative destinations are for you to visit when you’re wallet needs a break, the tour buses are too tiring, or you’ve simply been to Sicily. But no worries, they resemble Sicily either by their Mediterranean flair, crystal-clear sea, or rich history.
TL;DR – Places like Sicily
- Budget-friendly alternative: Himare (Albania) & Tunisia
- Alternative with friendly locals and impressive traditions: Puglia (Italy) & Istria (Croatia)
- Alternative with rich history: Malta & Peloponnese (Greece)
- Alternative with best beaches: Lipari (Italy)
- Alternative with seaside old towns: Antibes (France)
1. Malta
Local TripLeader always includes the capital Valetta in her Malta trip itinerary. She takes her TripMates through an open-air museum where honey-colored buildings and Baroque structure lines. Meanwhile, prehistoric temples that belonged to the Phoenicians wait to be explored for the next days. She highlighted that besides the Mediterranean Sea, Malta charms with its layering history, blending Greeks, Arabs, and Normans.
Malta is one of the places like Sicily that gives you the coastal beauty but with its own distinct, cross-cultural flavor. Plus, because the island is so compact, you don’t need to spend hours driving between sights. You can explore ancient prehistoric temples in the morning and swim in the dazzling Blue Lagoon of Comino by the afternoon.
2. Puglia, Italy
Want to stay in Italy but skip the Sicilian price tag and tourist traffic? Head east to the heel of the boot. Puglia is where northern Italians actually go when they want a beach vacation. It features miles of dramatic coastline, fields of ancient, gnarled olive trees, and incredible local food focused on cucina povera (simple, high-quality peasant cooking).
Instead of Sicily’s baroque towns, Puglia offers the whimsical, cone-roofed houses (trulli) of Alberobello and the stunning cliffside perches of Polignano a Mare. The pace of life here is noticeably slower, the locals are incredibly welcoming, and a plate of fresh, handmade orecchiette pasta won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
3. Lipari, Italy
Perhaps you actually want the Sicilian vibe, just scaled down away from the chaotic main island. Say hello to Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands located just off Sicily’s northern coast. While it is technically part of the same region, the vibe here is vastly different.
Lipari acts as the perfect home base for island-hopping. It has a chic, pastel-colored harbor town, ancient castle ruins, and fantastic seafood restaurants. From here, you can easily catch a quick boat to see the volcanic fireworks of Stromboli or soak in the thermal mud baths of Vulcano, all while avoiding the heavy traffic and massive crowds of the Sicilian mainland.
4. Peloponnese, Greece
If Sicily’s ancient ruins at Valley of the Temples left you starstruck, the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece should be next on your list. This region offers all the mythic grandeur of the Greek islands but remains blissfully tethered to the mainland, keeping prices reasonable and crowds manageable.
You can wander through the ancient theater of Epidaurus, explore Mycenae, or drive through the rugged, stone-built tower villages of the Mani Peninsula. The coastline is a spectacular mix of dramatic cliffs and soft, empty sand beaches. It’s got all the dramatic beauty of Sicily, wrapped up in authentic, slow-paced Greek hospitality.
5. Antibes, France
Maybe budget isn’t your primary concern, you’re just tired of Sicily’s rough-around-the-edges infrastructure and want something smoother, more artistic, and undeniably elegant. Antibes, nestled between Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera, offers that perfect balance of old-world Mediterranean charm and polished coastal living.
With its 16th-century ramparts, narrow cobblestone streets bursting with bougainvillea, and a bustling daily market, Antibes captures the historic seaside romance that people hunt for in Taormina. It’s also a haven for art lovers; the Picasso Museum is housed right inside the historic Chateau Grimaldi, overlooking the sparkling sea.
6. Istria, Croatia
Istria is a beautiful heart-shaped peninsula in northwestern Croatia that looks, tastes, and feels exactly like a blend of Italy and the Balkans. Having spent centuries under Venetian rule, the Italian influence here is undeniable—you’ll see bilingual road signs, incredible local truffles, and some of the best olive oil in the world.
Rovinj, the crown jewel of the coast, features pastel-colored houses that drop straight into the Adriatic Sea, heavily mirroring the charm of Ortigia in Syracuse. Inland, you’ll find rolling green hills and hilltop villages like Motovun that look identical to Tuscany or Central Sicily, but without the high prices and heavy crowds.
7. Himare, Albania
For the ultimate budget-friendly adventure that doesn’t compromise on scenery, look across the Adriatic to the Albanian Riviera. Himare is a laid-back beach town that offers the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of Europe’s best destinations at a fraction of the cost.
The town is flanked by the dramatic Ceraunian Mountains, giving you that stunning “mountains meeting the sea” landscape that makes Sicily so photogenic. While it is developing quickly, Himare still retains a sleepy, authentic charm. You can rent a beach chair for a few euros, feast on incredibly fresh seafood, and explore crumbling hillside castles without fighting through a sea of selfie sticks.
8. Tunisia
If you want to stretch your comfort zone and experience a truly unique side of the Mediterranean, look just across the water to North Africa. Tunisia’s coastline shares the same sun, sea, and ancient Roman history as Sicily. In fact, the ancient ruins of Carthage and the massive amphitheater of El Jem rivals anything you’ll find in Europe.
For that classic, whitewashed coastal aesthetic, the cliffside village of Sidi Bou Said features stunning blue-and-white houses that overlook the Gulf of Tunis. The food here is a spectacular fusion of Mediterranean ingredients and rich North African spices. It is highly affordable, culturally fascinating, and a wonderful option for travelers looking to skip the standard European holiday loop.
Ready to Explore the Mediterranean Differently?
Finding the perfect alternative to a famous destination can take a lot of research, planning, and logistics. If you love the idea of exploring these underrated coastal gems but don’t want to handle the stress of coordinating group logistics, renting cars, or hunting down the best local spots yourself, there’s an easier way to travel.
With JoinMyTrip, you don’t have to travel alone or spend hours planning. You can jump directly into incredible small group experiences led by passionate, experienced travelers (TripLeaders) who know these regions inside and out.
Why join a JoinMyTrip group?
- Curated Itineraries: Skip the tourist traps and discover hidden coastal spots with a local perspective.
- Built-in Travel Buddies: Share unforgettable meals, sunset boat rides, and split accommodation costs with a small group of like-minded solo travelers.
- Stress-Free Logistics: Your TripLeader handles the planning, transport, and cozy villa stays so you can actually enjoy your vacation.
Whether you want to road trip through the olive groves of Puglia, island-hop around the Aeolian coast, or discover the hidden beaches of Albania, there is a crew waiting for you.