Revealed! The best beaches in Europe

Fancy a beach holiday but want to make sure you find the perfect spot? Look no further! Tripadvisor has just released its Travellers Choice best beaches for 2013 - with some really rather surprising results (who'd have thought Swansea's Rhossili Bay would be in the top three?). How many of these do you think deserve to be in the top 20?

The best beaches in Europe 2013 (according to TripAdvisor)

19. Balos Lagoon, Kissamos, Greece
 What visitors say: "Majestic view. One of the most incredibly beautiful places in Crete. it's a place that you will never forget."
18. Falesia Beach, Albufeira, Portugal
 What visitors say: "Fabulous beach. Amazing cliffs - a photographer's paradise - the colours are brilliant."
17. Cala Mariolu, Baunei, Italy
 What visitors say: "It is a dream, go and see for yourself! Cala Mariolu is in my top three best coves in Golfo di Orosei!"
16. Kaputas Beach, Kas, Turkey
 What visitors say: "Just like a postcard! picture perfect from the road, and gorgeous clear warm water. Best beach on the coast."
15. Paleokastritsa Beach, Paleokastritsa, Greece
 What visitors say: "This place is beautiful! The sea is lovely blue, clear and warm and the view is even better when walking up the hill to the monastery. There isn't much to do here, but I always have to come back, just to see the view."
14. Playa de Bolonia, Tarifa, Spain
 What visitors say: "Great stretch of sand and dunes - and the added attraction of the ruins of a roman town and amphitheatre for some historical interest."
13. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
 What visitors say: "Clean beach, fine white sand, warm water, just lovely, paradise, like something out of a Bounty advert!"
12. Longsands Beach, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
 What visitors say: "Beautiful wide and wild beaches, atmospheric with the priory as a silhouette against the changing skies."
11. Playa de la Concha, San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain
 What visitors say: "No wonder the stars love San Sebastian. I loved strolling along the beaches and Playa de la Concha was perfect."
10. St Pauls Bay, Lindos, Greece
 What visitors say: "St Pauls Bay! A jewel...it has to be said. The water is crystal clear, and is protected from wind by the headland that forms the bay itself. It is just bliss swimming out to the rocks at the entrance to the bay, or swimming further out into the aegean."
9. Porthminster Beach, St Ives, UK
 What visitors say: "Beautiful and stunning what more can I say? Well take your camera as you won't want to forget the amazing view. Soft sand, waves to play, rocky edges to explore."
8. La Pelosa Beach, Stintino, Itlay
 What visitors say: "One of the most beautiful places in Mediterranian, love it! Sea is beautiful, water - crystal clear, sand - white and bay - just amazing."
7. Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey
 What visitors say: "A totally unspoilt soft sandy beach which is a protected area - where the loggerhead turtles come to lay eggs. There are a few straw umbrellas and a lovely little beach cafe, surrounded by mountains."
6. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Greece
 What visitors say: "It has to be the best beach I've spent the day at due to mountains in the background, clear water, fresh salads at the concession stand, the knee deep water that goes way out, the pink sand, the gorge you pass on the way to the beach, a laid back crowd that filled every chair."
5. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe, UK
 What visitors say: "If you want plenty of sand in a spectacular place look no more than Woolacombe. Once you have been there you will know what I mean. There are beautiful places in the world but this beach is the best. The sea is blue the setting is gorgeous."
4. Playa de ses Illetes. Formentera, Spain
 What visitors say: "The beaches of Ses Illetes on Formentera are absolutely amazing.... Crystal clear water,white sandy beaches...just like in the Caribbean, right here in the Med."
3. Rhossili Bay, Swansea, UK
 What visitors say: "Rhossilli Bay is stunning. The walks along the cliff top are breathtakingly magnificent - walk until you reach past the Visitors Centre and just look out to Worms Head - what a view."
2. Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadeo, Spain
 What visitors say: "Catch the low tide and the Cathedral will reveal itself. It is one of the most breath-taking natural attractions I've seen. The beach itself is gorgeous, just the view on top of the rocks of the Atlantic will make one feel dizzy with pleasure."
1. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy
 What visitors say: "This is by far the most beautiful beach I have been on earth. Crystal clear blue/green water which you can walk in for half a mile, sand bars everywhere. I cannot begin to describe how beautiful this place was."
20. Hegistbury Head, Bournemouth, UK
 What visitors say: "Amazing, beautiful views of Christchurch, the beach and surrounding area. Well worth a visit even on a blustery day."