Europe is blessed with thousands of years of history and culture. It’s also lucky enough to have some of best beaches and scenery in the world. For many people it’s the ultimate holiday destination and millions choose to stay in Europe each year, although this comes with a price. Sadly over-crowding, over-development and rowdy tourists are a curse of many European resorts and it’s getting increasingly difficult to find places to find some peace. If you are a self-confessed travel snob here is our guide to the best European beach holidays 2013:

Best for incredible coastline – Amalfi Coast, Italy

The coastline along the Amalfi Coast is extraordinary. It’s a 50km stretch of towering cliffs, winding roads, pungent lemon groves, vineyards and whitewashed villas. The resort has long been a magnet for the rich and famous and although the area is incredibly popular, thankfully over-development has been limited (probably largely due to it’s unforgiving terrain). The gorgeously located towns Sorrento and Ravello shouldn’t be missed, neither should the photogenic but expensive town of Positano. If you are a tight budget give the exclusive hotels a miss and stay in one of the family run B&Bs instead.

Best for authentic charm – Sesimbra, Portugal

Located on the west coast of Portugal, Sesimbra is a small and attractive working fishing port. Visitors here also benefit from a long promenade, a great beach, clear turquoise sea and some better than average hotels. Sesimbra is not underdeveloped but it still retains a rustic charm and village atmosphere. The resort is the antithesis of the unashamedly brash Algarve and is mostly popular with Lisbonites looking to escape the city hassles. Sesimbra’s bay is excellent for swimming and dolphin spotting and there are endless rows of cafes and restaurants to enjoy the local catch of the day. Being only an hour’s drive from the capital, the resort also makes the perfect base to explore Lisbon and the neighbouring cosmopolitan seaside town of Cascais.

Best for hanging out with the beautiful people – Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia – the second largest island in the Mediterranean sea – is loved by affluent tourists, island-hoppers, beautiful bronzed people and the odd celebrity or two. It’s also a travel destination of contrasts – both historic and cosmopolitan and laid-back and lively. As well as some impossibly picturesque traditional towns, Sardinia has beautiful scenery in abundance. The ocean surrounding the coast is a vivid turquoise and the white sandy beaches seem to have more in common with islands much nearer the equator. Head for the glitzier resort towns of Costa Smeralda and Porto Rotundo for your celeb-spotting fix.

Best for boating – Kefalonia, Greece

The best selling novel Louis de Bernières Captain Corelli’s Mandolin turned Kefalonia into one of the most sought after Greek islands. Athough the traditional island of Kefalonia is popular, it has been lucky enough to attract more of a considerate clientele than the other Greek islands. Easily one of the best Greek islands, it’s blessed with natural beauty. The island is adorned with all the usual cliched Greek images such as olive groves, white washed villages, incredible beaches and rugged mountain ranges. Try hiring a small boat to discover one of the many secluded bays inaccessible by road or foot, or use boats to island hop the rest of the surrounding Ionian islands.

Best for timeless beauty – Croatia, Dalmatian Coast

Croatia has come a long way from its unsettled past and is now considered a safe and welcoming country. It’s also a much-loved and much-hyped destination (and a great option for an European beach holiday in 2012). Rapid development has been kept to a minimum here and Croatia with its bustling fishing ports, stone-built villages, quiet coves and historical towns is one of Europe’s most unspoilt and timeless places to take a holiday. Part of its appeal is its renowned dramatic and lengthy rugged coastline often known as the New Riviera. Dubrovnik, Lord Byron’s ‘pearl of the Adriatic’ deserves a special mention. It’s a beautiful and unique city which has pristinely preserved its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

Best for rugged scenery and chic coastal towns – Corsica, France

Although this is another place popular with tourists, the French island of Corsica has surprisingly not succumbed to over-development. Holiday-makers flock to Corsica for the warm climate, white crescent shaped beaches, pretty rocky coves and unrivalled diverse landscapes. The rugged mountains attract adventurous walkers and the chic port towns (lined with pavement cafés and palm trees) offer the perfect place to relax. Try the famous GR20 – one of the top trails in the world for a particularly exhilarating hike or drive.

Best for budget – Patara, Turkey

Patara is a beachside village located on the glistening ‘Turkish Riveria’ (the south-west Aegean coast of Turkey). The resort is home to one of the longest and most beautiful sandy beaches in the Mediterranean and has the added bonus of being outside the expensive euro-zone. Legend has it that Patara is the birthplace of Apollo and at the height of the Roman Empire it was one of the most important harbours in the western Mediterranean. Fine examples of excavated Roman masonry can be found in the village’s ticketed archeological site. Nowadays Patara mostly attracts Turkish day trippers, bohemian tourists and nesting turtles!

Where to Stay – Unique, popular and reasonably priced hotels

• Holidays Fico D India Hotel, Amalfi Coast – Gorgeously located small independent hotel from €63pn
• Hotel Le Fioriere, Amalfi Coast – Boutique style hotel in a superb position from €91pn
• Pellegrino Pensione, Amalfi Coast – Charming typically Italian hotel with beautiful views €110pn
• Sana Sesimbra Hotel, Portugal – Large glossy hotel overlooking the sea from €54pn
• Monti Di Mola Hotel, Sardinia – Lovely hotel located in well-heeled Costa Smeralda from €76pn
• Maria Caderina Green Village, Sardinia – Popular rustic retreat surrounded by countryside from €90pn
• Sami Beach Hotel, Kefalonia – Modern but traditional hotel with incredible coastal views from €70pn
• Hotel Klonos, Kefalonia – Inexpensive large hotel with great sea views from €75pn
• Hotel Lapad, Dubrovnik, Croatia – Large beach side hotel housed in a gorgeous building from €75pn
• Hotel Villas Kolocep, Croatia – Relaxing villas located on peaceful Kolocep Island from €76pn
• Hotel Du Golfe, Corsica- Popular harbour side hotel in cosmopolitan Ajaccio from €100pn
• Hotel U Ricordu, Corsica – Modern hotel located in the ancient village of Macinaggio from €67pn
• Patara Delfin Hotel, Patara, Turkey – Small family run hotel on the Turkish Riviera from €30pn
• Xanthos Boutiquehotel, Patara, Turkey – Gorgeous boutique hotel with recreation facilities from €55pn

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