Sample No. 0090
10 Affordable Honeymoon Alternatives to Famous Destinations
Compare 10 lower-cost honeymoon swaps, from Zanzibar to Paros, and practical ways to make the savings work for your trip.
A honeymoon can feel like a once-in-a-lifetime trip without requiring a once-in-a-lifetime price. A 2026 study of popular destinations found that couples can get familiar scenery and experiences for less by choosing a lower-cost alternative. The biggest listed difference is between the Maldives and Zanzibar: an average daily cost of $687 for two in the Maldives versus $122 in Zanzibar.
The pairings are useful starting points, not promises that every trip will cost the same. The figures cover a hotel night, two restaurant meals and a cocktail for two. Flights, transport and other expenses aren’t included, so couples should compare the full cost of getting to and staying in each place before booking.
The study, conducted by small-ship cruise company Sail Croatia in May 2026, compared 20 widely searched destinations with lower-cost places chosen for similar appeal. Hotel rates came from Airbtics; restaurant and drink prices came from Numbeo. Savings are calculated per day for two travelers, which means the gap can add up over a longer stay.
Ten destination swaps and their average daily costs
| Higher-cost destination | Daily cost for two | Alternative | Daily cost for two | Listed savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives | $687 | Zanzibar, Tanzania | $122 | 82% |
| The Hamptons, NY | $1,135 | Outer Banks, NC | $348 | 69% |
| Capri, Italy | $757 | Procida, Italy | $284 | 62% |
| Maui, Hawaii | $580 | The Azores, Portugal | $236 | 59% |
| Portofino, Italy | $527 | Camogli, Italy | $303 | 43% |
| Amalfi Coast, Italy | $392 | Cilento Coast, Italy | $238 | 39% |
| Dubrovnik, Croatia | $325 | Kotor, Montenegro | $205 | 37% |
| Venice, Italy | $412 | Trieste, Italy | $276 | 33% |
| St. Tropez, France | $557 | Cassis, France | $373 | 33% |
| Mykonos, Greece | $382 | Paros, Greece | $259 | 32% |
The list includes well-known beach and island options as well as coastal towns and historic cities. A lower daily estimate can leave room in the trip budget for a longer stay, a memorable meal or other priorities. The right comparison depends on what you want from the honeymoon: quiet beaches, city wandering, dramatic scenery or time near a particular landmark.
Three swaps with especially clear differences
Maldives for Zanzibar: Both destinations offer pale sand and clear, turquoise water. The study puts Zanzibar, off Tanzania’s coast, at $122 a day for two, compared with $687 in the Maldives. That difference is close to $4,000 over a week, using the study’s daily estimates. Couples drawn to the Maldives’ specific resorts or overwater stays should compare those experiences directly; Zanzibar is a lower-cost option for a beach-focused trip.
Capri for Procida: The two Italian islands sit in the Bay of Naples and share pastel buildings above blue water. The source describes Procida as quieter and less visited. Its daily estimate is $284 for two, against $757 for Capri. The article also compares hotel rooms: close to $600 a night in Capri and under $115 in Procida. Those hotel figures are specific comparisons from the source and may differ from a couple’s dates and accommodation choices.
Maui for the Azores: Portugal’s Azores offer volcanic terrain, black-sand beaches and green mountain hikes. Their average daily cost in the study is $236 for two, 59% below Maui’s $580. The source puts average hotel rates at about $139 a night in the Azores and around $350 in Maui, with restaurant meals costing roughly half as much in the Azores. Travel distance matters, too: the article points out that the Azores avoid a trans-Pacific flight for travelers departing from the East Coast.
Coastal scenery and historic towns for less
For an Italian Riviera stay, Camogli is about a 30-minute drive from Portofino. Both have colorful harbor buildings, while the study lists average daily costs of $303 in Camogli and $527 in Portofino. The source suggests staying in Camogli and setting aside a day to visit Portofino.
Along Italy’s coast, the Cilento Coast sits south of the Amalfi Coast. It offers cliffs, lemon groves and seaside towns, with a listed daily cost of $238 compared with $392 on the Amalfi Coast. In Greece, Paros brings Cycladic architecture and beaches at $259 a day, against $382 in Mykonos. The study also pairs Dubrovnik with Kotor, where the daily estimate is $205 rather than $325. Kotor’s stone streets and bay views make it a possible fit for couples seeking historic surroundings and mountain scenery.
The study’s tourism expert argues that attention can add to a destination’s price. The expert points to the social media draw of Santorini’s blue domes and Mykonos’ windmills, and to the added visitor interest Dubrovnik received after appearing in Game of Thrones. The expert also names Šibenik as another Croatian town with an old-town feel. Šibenik isn’t one of the study’s ten ranked pairings, but it may interest couples considering alternatives within Croatia.
Make the savings fit your plans
First, check travel dates. The source recommends considering the weeks just before or after peak summer, when hotel prices and crowds may be lower. Compare expected weather and opening dates for the specific places you’re considering, since shoulder-season conditions vary.
Next, choose one signature experience. Couples staying in Camogli might spend a day in Portofino; those based in Kotor might plan a day trip to Dubrovnik. That approach can preserve a special visit while avoiding the higher nightly rate throughout the stay.
Decide what happens to the difference before you book. Savings might support another trip, a home fund or a more flexible travel cushion. A honeymoon fund or registry can also help relatives contribute to the trip. Set a total budget first, then use it to guide choices about lodging, meals, transport and activities. The source links to guides on saving for your future together, setting a wedding budget and budget planning tips that can also be applied to honeymoon planning.
Choose the trip that feels like yours
A lower-cost alternative doesn’t have to replace a destination you’ve dreamed about for years. If a particular stay is the point of the trip and you’ve planned for its cost, the original may be the right choice. If the price is the main obstacle, a lookalike can offer a similar setting while keeping more money available for other priorities.
There’s no single correct way to spend a honeymoon. Some couples may prefer a week in a destination they’ve long wanted to see; others may value a longer stay or a quieter base. The study offers a way to start comparing places, but its daily figures cover only a hotel night, two meals and a cocktail for two. Build the rest of the budget around your travel dates, flights and plans, then choose the destination that suits both your finances and the experience you want.
Source: Sail Croatia “Destination Dupes” study, May 2026. Daily averages for two travelers include one hotel night, two restaurant meals and a cocktail. Hotel data: Airbtics. Food and drink data: Numbeo.
