✈️ Jump to: Milos | Trieste | Lombok | Kotor | Raja Ampat | Strasbourg | Lofoten | Koh Lanta | Lake Orta | Ghent
10 Destination Dupes That Are Cheaper, Quieter and Just as Beautiful
We’ve all seen the photos. The white houses of Santorini. The canals of Venice. The glaciers of Iceland. The overwater villas of the Maldives. They’re beautiful… but they’re also some of the busiest and most expensive places to visit. That’s where destination dupes come in. A destination dupe is a place that offers a similar look, feel or experience to a famous destination, but with fewer crowds, lower prices and often a more authentic atmosphere.
At Air-Holiday, we love discovering destinations that offer incredible scenery, authentic experiences and better value without sacrificing the magic of travel. Here are 10 of our favourite destination dupes that prove you don’t have to follow the crowds to enjoy an unforgettable holiday.
Which Destination Dupe Is Right for You?
Not all destination dupes offer the same experience. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing beach escape, a scenic road trip or a culture-filled city break, here’s a quick guide to help you find your perfect match. These destination dupes have been chosen to help you discover quieter, more affordable and equally beautiful alternatives to some of the world’s most famous destinations.
| If you’re looking for… | Our top picks |
|---|---|
| 🏖️ Beautiful beaches & island escapes | Milos or Koh Lanta |
| 🥾 Adventure & unforgettable scenery | Lombok or Lofoten Islands |
| ❤️ Romantic getaways | Lake Orta or Milos |
| 🏛️ History & culture | Kotor, Trieste or Ghent |
| 🎄 Festive city breaks | Strasbourg |
| 🤿 Diving & marine life | Raja Ampat |
| 🚗 Scenic road trips | Lofoten Islands or Kotor |
| 📸 Photography | Lofoten Islands, Milos or Raja Ampat |
| 💰 Better value European breaks | Trieste, Ghent or Lake Orta |
| 😌 Peace & quiet | Koh Lanta, Lake Orta or Lofoten Islands |
Santorini → Milos, Greece
Everyone knows Santorini for its whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches and spectacular sunsets. If you’re looking for the same Greek island charm without the crowds, Milos is hard to beat.
Milos is quieter, more relaxed and home to more than 70 beaches, each with its own character. You’ll still enjoy traditional tavernas, colourful fishing villages and unforgettable coastal scenery.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Similar Cycladic architecture
- Incredible beaches
- Fewer cruise visitors
- Better value hotels
Fun Fact: Did you know you could visit a different beach almost every day for over two months without seeing the same one twice? Milos has more than 70 beaches, ranging from bright white volcanic coves to colourful fishing harbours and sea caves.
Air-Holiday Insight
If you can travel in May, June or September, you’ll often enjoy warm weather, quieter beaches and better hotel prices than during July and August.
Venice → Trieste, Italy
Venice deserves its reputation, but it can also be one of Italy’s busiest cities. If you’re hoping for elegant waterfront cafés, grand architecture and authentic Italian charm, Trieste is a fantastic alternative.
Trieste offers beautiful piazzas, a relaxed Adriatic waterfront and one of Italy’s best café cultures, all without navigating busy streets and crowded canals.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Historic architecture
- Beautiful waterfront
- Easier to explore
- More affordable restaurants
Fun Fact: Stand in Piazza Unità d’Italia and you’re in Europe’s largest sea-facing square. With grand buildings on three sides and the Adriatic stretching out in front of you, it’s one of Italy’s most impressive city views.
Air-Holiday Insight
Trieste works brilliantly as part of a multi-city holiday. Combine it with Slovenia or Croatia if you’re planning a longer trip.
Dubrovnik → Kotor, Montenegro
Dubrovnik’s medieval walls are famous around the world, but they can become incredibly busy during the summer months. Nearby Kotor offers an equally impressive medieval setting surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.
Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, dramatic bay and quieter streets make it one of Europe’s most rewarding city breaks without the crowds often found in Dubrovnik.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- UNESCO-listed Old Town
- Incredible scenery
- Lower accommodation costs
- Easier sightseeing
Fun Fact: Climb the 1,350+ steps to Kotor Fortress and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in Europe, overlooking the winding Bay of Kotor far below.
Air-Holiday Insight
Stay overnight if possible. Many cruise visitors leave by late afternoon, leaving the old town wonderfully peaceful.
Maldives → Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The Maldives is famous for luxury resorts and turquoise lagoons, but there are other tropical paradises waiting to be discovered. Raja Ampat offers equally breathtaking scenery with a far more remote feel.
Expect pristine beaches, crystal-clear water and some of the richest marine life anywhere on Earth, making it one of the world’s greatest destinations for divers, snorkellers and wildlife lovers.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Incredible diving
- Remote islands
- Amazing wildlife
- Unspoilt scenery
Fun Fact: Some divers travel halfway around the world for Raja Ampat because it’s home to around 75% of all known coral species on Earth, making every snorkel or dive feel like swimming in a giant natural aquarium.
Air-Holiday Insight
This is a destination where planning ahead really pays off. Flights and accommodation are more limited, so booking early usually gives you the best choice.
Paris → Strasbourg, France
Paris is one of the world’s great cities, but if you’re looking for beautiful French architecture without the hustle and bustle, Strasbourg is a wonderful alternative.
Colourful half-timbered buildings, scenic canals, cosy cafés and fantastic food give Strasbourg a charm all of its own, while its compact centre makes exploring on foot a pleasure.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Beautiful old town
- Fantastic food
- Walkable city
- Great value weekend break
Fun Fact: Every December, Strasbourg transforms into the ‘Capital of Christmas’, with hundreds of decorated wooden chalets, festive lights and one of Europe’s oldest and most magical Christmas markets filling the city.
Air-Holiday Insight
Strasbourg is beautiful all year round, but if you can visit in late November or December, you’ll experience one of Europe’s most famous Christmas markets. For a quieter trip with pleasant weather, spring and early autumn are equally wonderful times to explore.
Iceland → Lofoten Islands, Norway
Iceland is famous for dramatic landscapes, waterfalls and unforgettable road trips. If you’re looking for similar scenery with fewer visitors, the Lofoten Islands are an incredible alternative.
Towering mountains, crystal-clear fjords, colourful fishing villages and white-sand beaches combine to create one of Europe’s most spectacular destinations, perfect for photographers, hikers and unforgettable road trips.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Dramatic mountains and fjords
- Colourful fishing villages
- Scenic drives and hiking trails
- Fewer crowds than Iceland’s busiest routes
Fun Fact: Despite sitting above the Arctic Circle, Lofoten has white-sand beaches and turquoise water that can look almost tropical on a sunny day. In summer, you can also experience the Midnight Sun.
Air-Holiday Insight
If you love scenic drives, pair Lofoten with our Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway blog for a spectacular road trip idea through bridges, islands and dramatic coastal scenery.
Phuket → Koh Lanta, Thailand
Phuket is one of Thailand’s best-known beach destinations, but its popularity means some areas can feel very busy. Koh Lanta offers the same tropical beauty with a much more relaxed atmosphere.
You’ll find peaceful beaches, spectacular sunsets and a slower pace of life, making it ideal for couples, families and anyone looking to truly unwind.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Family friendly
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Beautiful beaches
- Excellent value
Fun Fact: Koh Lanta is made up of more than 50 islands, although only a handful are inhabited. Many of the surrounding islands can be explored on day trips, with hidden beaches, limestone caves and some of Thailand’s best snorkelling spots.
Air-Holiday Insight
The shoulder seasons often offer excellent weather while avoiding the busiest holiday periods.
Lake Como → Lake Orta, Italy
Lake Como is famous for glamorous lakeside towns and luxury villas, but nearby Lake Orta offers a quieter and more peaceful escape.
Elegant villages, mountain views and charming waterfront cafés create the perfect setting for a relaxing Italian getaway without the higher prices often found around Lake Como.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Romantic setting
- Peaceful atmosphere
- Lower prices
- Easy day trips
Fun Fact: A tiny medieval island sits right in the middle of Lake Orta. Hop on a boat and within minutes you’ll be wandering peaceful cobbled streets surrounded by spectacular mountain views.
Air-Holiday Insight
Hiring a car lets you explore the surrounding villages at your own pace.
Amsterdam → Ghent, Belgium
Amsterdam is famous for its canals and historic streets, but it also attracts huge numbers of visitors throughout the year. Ghent delivers the same medieval charm in a city that’s easy to explore on foot at a more relaxed pace.
With beautiful canals, impressive castles, lively cafés and excellent Belgian food, Ghent offers everything you need for a memorable European city break without the crowds.
Why it’s a great destination dupe
- Historic centre
- Walkable city
- Great food
- Excellent rail connections
Fun Fact: Ghent is one of the few European cities where you can explore medieval streets by kayak, paddling beneath historic bridges and alongside centuries-old buildings.
Air-Holiday Insight
Ghent is easy to combine with Bruges or Brussels if you’re planning a short European break.
Why Are Destination Dupes Becoming So Popular?
More travellers are looking beyond the world’s most famous destinations. It’s no surprise that destination dupes are becoming one of the biggest travel trends for travellers looking to avoid overtourism.
Choosing destination dupes can often mean:
- Spending less on flights and hotels.
- Avoiding long queues.
- Discovering hidden beaches and quieter viewpoints.
- Supporting smaller local communities.
- Enjoying a more relaxed holiday.
Sometimes the lesser-known destination ends up becoming the highlight of the trip.
Planning Your Destination Dupe Holiday
Ready to book one of these destination dupes? These resources can help you plan every part of your trip, from booking flights to finding unforgettable experiences. Whether you’ve chosen a European city break or a tropical island escape, planning your destination dupe holiday is easier than ever.
Final Thoughts
The world’s most famous destinations will always be worth visiting. But sometimes, the best memories are made somewhere you’ve never heard of before.
These destination dupes prove that you don’t have to spend more or battle huge crowds to enjoy incredible scenery, fascinating history and unforgettable experiences. Your next favourite destination might just be the one that’s hiding in plain sight.
Whether you’re planning a weekend city break, an island escape or an unforgettable road trip, these destination dupes prove that the best holidays aren’t always the most famous ones.
Once you’ve chosen your favourite destination dupe, it’s time to start planning. Compare flights, discover incredible places to stay, browse unforgettable experiences and start planning your next destination dupe with Air-Holiday.
Love it? Share it 💖
Follow Air-Holiday or send us a message
Air-Holiday may earn a commission when you click affiliate links or make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend travel services and products we believe are useful.
© 2026 Air-Holiday. All rights reserved.