Almost completely obscured from the view of passing boats, Stiniva beach on the Croatian island of Vis has something of the James Bond villain lair about it.

But its secret is out. This week it was named the top beach in Europe for 2016 by the Brussels-based tourism organisation European Best Destinations following a poll of more than 10,000 holidaymakers.

Its inaccessibility is part of its allure. Vis is the farthest inhabited island from the Croatian mainland; beyond Brac and Hvar, it is more than a two-hour ferry or catamaran ride from Split. The beach itself can only be reached by hiking down a steep and narrow path or by taking a taxi boat from the nearby cove at Rukavac. And only those vessels small enough to pass through a gap of a few metres in the cliffs can reach it.

It's clearly captured the imagination of those who voted in the awards, and Telegraph Travel’s Adrian Bridge, after a visit back in 2014, was also impressed. It’s a "perfectly formed white pebble cove framed by towering cliffs through which a small opening leads out to the sea," he wrote, which during early season, you might have to yourselves.

Vis is more than two hours by ferry from Split Credit: Leon Tudor

He explored the rest of the island by scooter, a mode of transport also recommended by the local tourist board. There are just two main roads of around nine and 15 miles in length. The longer is more scenic, he said, affording “wonderful vistas out towards the island of Bisevo and back to the extraordinarily picturesque red roofs of the port of Komiza”.

Stops along the way include “Tito’s cave”, where for a while during the war, the leader of the Yugoslav partisan forces retreated to mastermind operations, and the vineyards of Plisko Polje.

Here's the full list of the best 10 beaches, according to European Best Destinations, which works with tourist boards to promote their top holiday spots:

1. Stiniva, Vis, Croatia

2. Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain

This Spanish beach came 2nd in the survey Credit: licvin - Fotolia

3. The Concha, San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian's beach was also rated highly Credit: Iakov Filimonov/Iakov Filimonov

4. Berlanga Island, Portugal

5. Cala Acciarino, Lavezzi, Corsica

6. Kavalikefta beach, Lefkada, Greece

Lefkada is known for its beautiful beaches Credit: Lucian Bolca/Lucian Bolca

7. Armaçao de Pera Beach, Algarve, Portugal

8. Apella beach, Karpathos, Greece

Boat moored of Apella beach Credit: © 2015 Ivan Sedlak/Ivan Sedlak

9. Santa Maria Dell’Isola, Calabria, Italy

10. Ksamil beach, Albania