10 of the best European beaches - and none of them are in the Greek Islands

1. ALGHERO, SARDINIA: Don't believe the hype. Cala Goloritze on Sardinia's east coast may have been named the world's best beach recently, but pretty much every stretch of coast along this Italian island rejoices in magnificent beaches washed by ultra-clear ultramarine waters. At Alghero in the north-west you can try out a different beach each day, from Spiaggia di Maria Pia, where umbrella pines shelter glittering white sands, to Cala Gigliuppi, a crowd-free cove reached by hiking. As an added bonus, the sunsets over the sea are spectacular.

2. IZMIR, TURKEY: For years canny Europeans have turned to the Turkish Aegean coast as a budget-friendly beach break, to the point where popular resort towns such as Bodrum are now almost as busy as the most beloved Greek islands. For a less hectic experience try Izmir, which combines beautiful beaches with plenty of history. Cesme has an ancient Roman agora and an 850-year-old bazaar as well as sandy beaches, while Seferihisar is an even more tranquil destination. Leave time for a day trip to nearby Ephesus, one of Europe's most extraordinary ancient cities.

3. LAGOS, PORTUGAL: If you have a soft spot for Victoria's Great Ocean Road you are going to love the western Algarve region in Portugal's deep south. What they have in common: a coastline featuring dramatic limestone stacks and towering cliffs, separated by stretches of golden sand. The key difference is that summer here lasts a lot longer than in Victoria. The town of Lagos, with its cobblestoned streets and its 17th-century fort, makes a great base and gives easy access to a fistful of inviting beaches including Praia da Dona Ana, just 15 minutes' walk from town.

4. ISTRIAN PENINSULA, CROATIA: Croatia's Dalmatian coast has become a summer hotspot thanks to its winning combination of crystal-clear waters and atmospheric cities such as Dubrovnik and Split. For a less-visited alternative, try the Istrian Peninsula. You might base yourself in the beach town of Rovinj, where the medieval streets are lined with Venetian townhouses, or enjoy an island escape on Rab, blessed with sandy beaches in a region where pebbles are more common. Want to get off the beaten track? Try the secluded island Losinj; the salt air is tinged with the tang of aromatic wild-growing herbs.

5. LUSTICA PENINSULA, MONTENEGRO: Montenegro may be much smaller than neighbouring Croatia, with just 100 kilometres of coastline, but there are still plenty of places to get wet. Skip bustling Kotor and Budva and head for the Lustica Peninsula, where the pretty town of Herceg Novi has elegant churches and sun-drenched squares filled with cafes and bars as well as alluring beaches. Fancy something a little more remote? Take a water taxi out to Dobrec. Accessible only by boat, this charming beach has a water play area for children and a restaurant, so you can make a day of it.

6. LAKE ANNECY, FRANCE: No seashore? No problem. The charming French town of Lake Annecy, sitting just south of Lake Geneva, has everything else you could want. The palm-lined promenade is great for strolling, the average summertime water temperature is 23 degrees, and snow-capped mountains provide a stunning backdrop. After you have finished frolicking on the beaches - some lined with sand, others with grass - go for a wander in the picture-perfect old town or visit one of the nearby castles.

7. SARANDE, ALBANIA: Sarande is just a 40-minute ferry ride from the Greek island of Corfu but you could be forgiven for thinking you have travelled a lot further. Those startlingly blue waters call to mind Tahiti rather than Europe, which is just one of the reasons this town is luring in-the-know holidaymakers. When you've had enough lounging about at beaches like Plazhi i Manastirit (Monastery Beach) and Plazhi i Pasqyrave (Mirror Beach), go exploring: one of Albania's best sights, the UNESCO World heritage-listed Greco-Roman ruins of Butrint, is nearby.

8. IBIZA, SPAIN: Ibiza has been slowly but surely shedding its party-all-night reputation, drawing a very different kind of traveller to its laidback northern half. For maximum serenity base yourself in a whitewashed village like Sant Joan de Labritja or if you would prefer a seafront stay, try Santa Eularia des Riu. Hiring a car or a scooter lets you sample a different beach every day. The clear turquoise waters of the isolated Cala Xarraca are great for snorkelling; for a livelier scene try enchanting Benirras, which hosts a boho market several times a week and drumming sessions on Sundays.

9. SOZOPOL, BULGARIA: It's more than 1000 kilometres from Athens to Sozopol on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast but despite that, there is a definite Greek air to this resort town. It's there in the medieval churches and in the waterfront tavernas serving grilled fish and saganaki, and can be traced back to the Greek seafarers who founded the city 2500 years ago. Sozopol's sandy beaches and lively cafes and restaurants make it a top pick for a summer getaway; come towards the end of the season to catch the annual Apollonia Arts Festival.

10. LIMASSOL, CYPRUS: Are you a beach club person or do you prefer to throw down a towel on the sand? At Limassol's Lady's Mile Beach you can go either way. That's one of the joys of a holiday on Cyprus, the sun-drenched island that floats between Turkey and Egypt - you never have to choose either/or. You can have beaches and ruins, mountains and forest, lively cities and sleepy villages - and if you're staying at Limassol, it's within reach. Put a day trip to the pine-scented Troodos Mountains at the top of your list, alongside the ancient sites of Paphos and Salamis.