Croatia's Garden Festival in Petrcane

Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and the teen-swarmed V Festival may attract the media limelight and commercial big boys, but some of the best line-ups are being served up on a smaller scale throughout Europe this summer. Unlike most festival experiences, these ones don’t require a bumper supply of wet wipes or dry shampoo either. Here’s a handful of the highlights.

Best for Dance: The Garden Festival; Petrcane, Croatia; 6-13 July

Set in the picturesque fishing village of Petrcane and accommodating just 2,000 people, this is the epitome of boutique festival. Sun, secluded coves and chic terrace bars provide the holiday vibe; Norman Jay, No Regular Play, Adam Shelton and Danny Clark are among those providing the soundtrack.

Performances take place over three main areas and for an additional fee you can party afloat on the Argonaughty Boat. It sets sail twice a day to transport smaller crowds of partygoers for various themed gatherings in the middle of the Adriatic ocean. Norman Jay enjoyed his boat party so much last year he tweeted to say it was the best one he’d played in his 20-year career. For those wanting to rest their dancing feet, the 900-year-old village offers seafood restaurants, cafes and accommodation.

Tickets cost £60; for more information visit The Garden Festival website.

Best for Culture Seekers: I’ll Be Your Mirror; Alexandra Palace, London; 23-24 July

Bristol trip-hoppers Portishead are gracing the UK with just two live dates this year, both of which are headlining at this two-day music, art and film event curated by the Mercury Music Prize-winning threesome in partnership with ATP (All Tomorrow’s Parties). If that isn’t enough pull – and those who have witnessed Beth Gibbons’ chilling vocals live will know it is – the festival also features other music acts PJ Harvey, Grinderman and Carabou.

Other highlights include an exclusive collaboration between Watchmen graphic novelist Alan Moore and musician Stephen O’Malley, and a line-up of films including the Richard Ayoade-directed Submarine and The Treasures of Long Gone John. Combine that with the grandeur of Alexandra Palace and some of the best views of the city, and you have what promises to be a very chilled out and culture-filled couple of days indeed.

Tickets start range from £59 to £100. You can access the festival website here.

Best for Sun Worshippers: Spirit of Burgas; Burgas, Bulgaria; 12-14 August

Scorching sun, clear blue sea and golden sand: three blissful components of a summer music festival that add a holiday vibe to boot. Certainly the setting of Spirit of Burgas is superior to many of the UK’s festivals, where wilted grass and mud lakes often take the starring role. This long weekend, launched in 2008, sees Moby take to the stage to promote his new album, Destroyed; the return of Skunk Anansie, who are known for epic live performances; as well as a mix of rock, reggae, ska, jazz, punk, techno and drum & bass provided by over 100 acts gracing five stages. With the bargain €60 weekend ticket price and relatively cheap flights out there, it won’t break the bank either.

For further information and tickets visit the Spirit of Burgas website.

The venue for Optiumus Alive! in Lisbon

Best for Rockers: Optimus Alive!; Lisbon; 7–9 July

With Foo Fighters, Iggy and The Stooges, My Chemical Romance, Kaiser Chiefs and Blondie leading the rock bill and a chilled contrast provided by the likes of Coldplay, James Blake, Seasick Steve and Thievery Corporation, there’s quite a line-up at this year’s Optimus Alive! festival. The festival’s only four years young, but it’s already established a reputation for doing things differently and it’s one to get to before it gets too big.

Bands kick off at the later-than-usual time of 5pm each day, though with its prime location on the Tagus River, in Portugal’s thriving capital Lisbon, there’s plenty to occupy you before then. With fantastic food, culture, shopping and beaches all easily accessible you can easily entertain yourself in the capital but it’s worth extending your holiday and exploring further. The rugged Cabo da Roca – the westernmost point of mainland Europe – is a short train journey away, as is the town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site crammed with castles and lavish villas.

Three-day passes start at £89.10; for more information visit the festival’s website.

Best for City Sightseeing: Berlin Festival; Berlin; 9-10 September

The main hub for this two-day event is within the vast hangars 4 and 5 of Tempelhof Airport, but this year the €89 ticket gets you more than that. A free shuttle service zips clubbers to Berlin city centre and provides guest-list entry for over 30 nightspots, including Arena Berlin, Arena Club, Glashaus and Hoppetosse. This being Berlin, you can expect the parties to last well into the night.

Currently the impressive bill has confirmed the appearance of Primal Scream, performing their iconic Screamadelica album in its entirety, the return of Brett Anderson-fronted Suede, bands The Drums, Mogwai, Hercules and Love Affair and Santogold, as well as Austrian DJ duo Kruder & Dorfmeister. That’s just the star, though. With months to go the festival organisers are holding back – over 40 more acts due to be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the event.

Tickets cost €89; for more information visit: www.berlinfestival.de

Head to Tempelhof Airport for the Berlin Festival with performances from Primal Scream, The Drums, Mogwai, and Santogold