Tiny island 3.5 hours from UK named Amalfi Coast 'dupe' with crystal blue sea

Ditch the crowds while still getting those Instagram-worthy shots with this stunning Amalfi Coast dupe. Famed by its pastel-coloured village, rugged cliffs, and cobalt waters - the has become one of the most popular European hotspots.

In fact, the A-list magnet region, located on the Sorrentine Peninsula, attracts around five million tourists every single year - a number that will undoubtedly continue to soar. Cursed by its own beauty, the is now facing backlash due to 'over-tourism', along with other insatiably popular destinations like Santorini and the Canary Islands.

"People arrive on the coast dreaming of crystalline beaches and colorful postcard villages," , a researcher working on over-tourism and destination management told Lonely Planet. "Instead, they're met with endless traffic, accommodation in Positano that costs on average €500 a day, porters who charge €15 to climb 100 stairs with your luggage, and meals that can cost €150 per person. That's not sustainable for anyone."

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The furore comes as new research from shows that two-thirds of Brits (65 per cent) are seeking to swap classic hotspots for more alternative escapes this year. "Situated halfway between Italy and Northern Africa, Malta has been ranked top of the destinations with the most appeal to adventurous Brits who say they are out to mix things up on holiday this year," the travel firm said in a statement sent to the .

The tiny island may only span 122 square miles, but it is brimming with fascinating history, unique architecture, snazzy cocktail bars - and its very own 'Blue Grotto'. This network of six sea caves lies just off Malta's southern coast and offers comparable views to the Almafi Coast - without the coach-loads of tourists.

"With phenomenally clear blue waters, resulting from its unique chemical composition of minerals, visibility within the caves is truly second to none," Visit Malta, the island's official tourist board, hailed. "And if visited in sunny weather, colourful pink, orange, turquoise and green hotspots can be seen reflecting magically off the water onto the limestone walls of the caves. If viewed from the cliffs above, the caves appear framed by a majestic arch, and with unobstructed views of the island of Filfla, it is truly a sight to behold."

Of course, a trip to Malta isn't complete without visiting Valetta, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980. As previously reported, this city is a true melting pot of rich history and cosmopolitan offerings, all protected by huge grand bastion walls. Highlights include the Saint John Co-Cathedral and the impressive Saluting Battery ceremony, where a restored canon is fired Monday through Sunday twice a day.

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If you're keen to check out the Amalfi Coast dupe, you can fly directly to Malta from a slew of major UK airports - including Nottingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Manchester, and London Stansted. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab flights (which on average take just three and a half hours) for as little as £52 in June.

Accommodation in Malta is equally affordable, with a range of hotels, apartments and hostels catering for different budgets. For example, a week's stay (Monday, June 9-16) at the five-star will set you back a staggering £1,706, based on two adults sharing.

However, those not in need of such a luxury hotel can opt for the , a beachside accommodation offering deluxe double rooms on the exact same night for £807. And for travellers really tightening their purse strings, offers no-thrills shared dorms for less than £300.

*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

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