The Amalfi Coast’s beauty comes at a cost. Much like the Côte d’Azur of France, Amalfi’s rocky coastline is incredibly busy with international and European visitors. The footfall at these locations never seems to ease. Yes, you can visit in the off-season, but during this period, you’ll likely be restricted to hotel restaurants as the region’s renowned chefs take a well-earned break, beach bars will be shuttered, and let’s face it, the coast won’t quite have that sunshine sparkle we all crave. If the thought of sharing somewhere as special as Amalfi with the masses is off-putting, many other coastal regions offer equally ritzy vacations. Areas such as the Albanian Riviera and neighboring Corfu and the Datça Peninsula in Türkiye often go overlooked — and they should not. The regions discussed here have attracted world-class hoteliers and restructures, are home to jaw-dropping beaches and crystal clear water, and many have a cultural landscape recognized by UNESCO. Here are the best alternatives to the Amalfi Coast for a once-in-a-lifetime luxury vacation.
Go Here, Not There: Luxury Alternatives to the Amalfi Coast Without the Crowds
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Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy
Costa Smeralda, on the northeastern tip of Sardinia, is one of the most beautiful (and exclusive) parts of the Emerald Coast. Upscale resorts, chic boutiques, and Michelin-starred restaurants line the marina in Porto Cervo, the heart of the Costa Smeralda. Here, you can spot celebrities and billionaires strolling the cobbled streets or chartering yachts for private island-hopping adventures. Although this is a place to be seen, there’s also an air of tranquility and simplicity that Sardinia does so well. The soft white sand and turquoise water of hidden coves dot the area, and you may find one all to yourself.
Where to stay in Costa Smeralda
Costa Smeralda’s hotels and resorts are heavyweights. Expect five-star interior design, personalized service, modern facilities, and ocean-fronted suites with private pools and breathtaking views.
Looking out over the sapphire water of the bay, Hotel Cala di Volpe — featured in The Spy Who Loved Me — is an iconic Sixties five-star. The facilities here are outstanding. It has one of the largest lagoon-style saltwater pools in the Mediterranean, a dreamy waterside restaurant, and a fitness center with personal trainers. The extravagant list goes on and on. The Harrod’s Suite is one of the finest accommodations. It features a large roof terrace with a raised swimming pool and an outdoor dining area, offering one of the best views from the hotel. Additional services such as a private chef can be arranged, and for those who are excited to try Sardinian wine, the suite has its own vaulted wine cellar (and cigar humidor.)
Hotel Cala di Volpe: SP160, 07021 Capriccioli SS, Italy
Brač, Croatia
Brač is the largest island in Dalmatia off the coast of Croatia. It makes for a quieter stay than neighboring the islands of Hvar — which attracts a young party crowd — and Korcula further south. Brač has some of the most magnificent beaches on the Adriatic Sea, with a backdrop of rolling hills, vineyards, and charming villages. Although the summer season has a heavy footfall from the ferry of Split, there are some exclusive areas, mainly around the more luxury hotels, where you can relax in a more private setting.
Where to stay in Brač
Set steps away from the seafront in the small sleepy town of Sutivan, Hotel Lemongarden’s Meditarrian gardens (with over 150 lemon trees), gorgeous outdoor heated pool and 3,000 square-feet beach make it feel like you’re vacationing on a private island. At this adults-only haven, nothing is too much. Attentive staff can organize transfers to Split, private boat charters, and you can even hire the hotel’s Mini Cooper Cambrio and zip around to other villages and coves on the island. Luxury suites and maisonettes (small villas) have sensational ocean views, Brač marble floors, custom-made furniture, and come with a dedicated concierge service.
Hotel Lemongarden: Perića Kala 1, 21403, Sutivan, Croatia
Albanian Riviera, Albania
The Albanian Riviera is the stunning coastline on the Ionian Sea in southwestern Albania. It stretches over 80 miles of coastline from the districts of Vlorë in the north to Sarandë in the south. With long Mediterranean summers and a coastline that rivals the French Riviera, the region is fast becoming one of the most popular spots for a beach vacation in southeastern Europe. The region is ideal for those interested in Greek and Roman history — it’s home to UNESCO sites such as Butrint Archaeological Site and National Park — and travelers looking to do nothing other than relax on a soft sand beach. It’s also ideal for a multi-day coastal road trip, and with Corfu sitting just off the south coast, you can hop between Albania and Greece with ease.
Where to stay on the Albanian Riviera
When it comes to choosing where to stay, you first need to decide if you’d like to base yourself in Albania or Corfu. And that’s a tough choice.
Five-star hotels in Albania have not caught up with demand, but you can splurge on an opulent villa through Green Coast rentals. Their Elite Deluxe Villas are seconds from Nazar Beach in Palasë and feature floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to breathtaking views of the sea and have a private pool. Guests of Green Coast have access to the resort’s spa facilities and rentals come with a private parking space.
On Corfu, you have a lovely selection of luxury Airbnbs, and there’s the outstanding Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa. This five-star is the first property of the Banyan Group in Europe and offers some of the best luxury villa homes with private pools on Corfu. The property is built around Corfu’s biggest infinity pool and offers a chic — without being pretentious — stay.
Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa : Akra Punta, National Rd 11 Km, Mpenitses 490 84, Greece
Halkidiki, Greece
Halkidiki is one of the most popular destinations in Northern Greece — mainly due to its amazing beaches — but you can find pockets of solitude in secluded coves and at world-class resorts. The Halkidiki peninsula is shaped like a trident with three distinct fingers: Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos (the latter is a closed Orthodox monastic community). Aside from exploring the jaw-dropping coastline, dining here is also exceptional. You’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants at luxury resorts like Sani and charming tavernas in local villages.
Where to stay in Halkidiki
Wherever you choose to stay, your resort can organize transfers to restaurants across the peninsulas. It’s worth dining at Sani in Kassandra. It has won awards for being one of the best luxury family resorts in Greece, so if you’d rather stay somewhere equally as luxurious but a little more peaceful and grown-up, consider Relais & Chateaux property, Avaton Luxury Hotel and Villas. The seaside resort is perched on a hillside in the town of Nea Roda, east of the peninsulas, and offers some of the best views of Halkidiki. The service at this five-star is hands-on yet unintrusive. A stay here is tailored to the needs of the guest. Whether you want butler service by your private pool or hop on a catamaran day cruise to the nearby monastery, the attentive staff are there with classic Greek hospitality.
Avaton Luxury Hotel and Villas: Komitsa Beach, Chalkidiki, Nea Roda 630 75, Greece
Datça Peninsula, Türkiye
The Datça Peninsula in Türkiye sits in the southwest, close to the Greek islands of Kos, Symi, and Rhodes. It’s a popular place with locals but often overlooked by luxury travelers who make a B-line for the Greek beach resorts of Mykonos, Santorini, and Kefalonia. However, the Datça Peninsula should not be dismissed. Its pristine beaches stretch for 50 miles, and peppered along the coast are whitewashed villages that are home to excellent restaurants and boutique stores. Because of the many natural bays and harbors, the peninsula is often visited by private yachts, so chartering here is an excellent way to explore this dramatic coastline.
Where to stay on the Datça Peninsula
Staying onboard a yacht offers luxurious accommodations with the flexibility to visit neighboring islands. MedGulets is one of the more trusted yacht brokers in the area. Their fleet includes sailing boats that accommodate up to six guests to super yachts for a large group. For a mainland stay, D Maris Bay is fabulous. It’s touted as the best luxury resort on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. This is, in part, because of the outstanding facilities. D Maris Bay has five white-sand beaches, indoor and outdoor pools, a water ski school, designer boutiques, and an outdoor yoga studio.
D Maris Bay: Hisarönü Mah. Çubucak Küme Evleri, No: 80, 48380 Marmaris/Muğla, Türkiye
Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), Montenegro
Often referred to as Europe’s southernmost fjord, the Bay of Kotor, also known as Boka Kotorska, is a visually dramatic inlet on the Adriatic Sea in southwestern Montenegro. Towering limestone cliffs plunge into deep, still waters while charming villages and historic towns dot the coastline. Perfect for a couples getaway, it’s one of the most romantic places to visit in Europe. And it can be argued that Montenegro’s coast is one of the prettiest on the continent.
In the bay is the UNESCO-listed city of Kotor. Enclosed by a dramatic city wall, Kotor’s Old Town is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with Venetian architecture. The picture-perfect squares are packed with tables overflowing from restaurants and bars. If you want to avoid having a subpar dining experience (due to Kotor’s UNESCO status, it is a popular place with tourists, and thus businesses have caught onto serving overpriced unimaginative plates,) walk through the winding streets towards the back of the city. Przun restaurant offers fine dining at a surprisingly good price and sample local wine at Old Winery Bar.
If you have your heart set on visiting in summer and the thought of sharing the bay with others is too much, consider Perset, a 300-person town under 20 minutes drive north. Despite its small size, Perast has plenty of lodging options and excellent restaurants.
Where to stay in the Bay of Kotor
With views over the glistening Adriatic, One&Only sits within the Portonovi marina resort at the entrance of Kotor Bay. It makes an ultra-luxurious base for sailing (sailboats or speed boats can be charted from the marina) or driving around the coast. When you’re not exploring the region, there’s a lot to get excited about at the resort. The hotel’s Chenot Espace medical spa is famous in Europe and is a destination in its own right. You can sign up for multi-day doctor-supervised detox and wellness programs or enjoy à la carte treatments such as hydrotherapy and intravenous nutrient therapy. On the resort’s beach, you’ll find watersport equipment (kayaks and SUPs) and volleyball courts, while the waterfront villas, complete with private infinity pools, offer views you won’t forget in a hurry.
One&Only Portonovi: Portonovi Resort, Herceg Novi 85340, Montenegro
The Portuguese Riviera, Portugal
The most prestigious area of Portugal is the Golden Triangle on the Algarve. Luxury complexes, world-class golf courses, and famous Michelin-starred restaurants draw the mega-wealthy. But the Algarve can often feel a smidge too much, and dare I say it, dated. Instead, consider the Portuguese Riviera outside of Lisbon. Here, you’ll find the famous cities of Cascais, Estoril, and Sintra, which have been drawing a more elegant crowd for centuries. You can drive the region in under three hours, but why not base yourself somewhere extravagant on the coast and and explore at a leisurely pace?
Cascais is a must-see. It stretches along the Atlantic waters, and its royal palaces, luxury hotels, and stunning beaches are enjoyed by royalty and those who prefer a more culture-rich vacation than the Algarve offers. There are some renowned hotels in Cascais, but for something extra special, consider a stay at Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais, in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra.
Where to stay in The Portuguese Riviera
Once the seasonal retreat of the Portuguese royal family, Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais has 30 bedrooms with views over the Sintra mountains. The hotel is housed in a late 18th-century, neo-classical palace, which was lovingly restored in 2009. Expect five-star service fit for royalty and add-on excursions such as a helicopter trip over the coast, horse-drawn carriages, and candle-lit champagne dinners. 
Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais: R. Barbosa du Bocage 8, 2710-517 Sintra, Portugal