You know the feeling – you’ve been walking the streets, enjoying a museum, exploring a cathedral, wondering why you didn’t choose a sensible pair of shoes – and you start to flag. It’s hours until dinner, so what to do? In most European cities, the solution is simple – head for a pastry shop and prepare to do your waistline some serious damage.

In Lisbon, anyone with a sweet tooth has only one thing on their mind – a pastéis de nata. A small tart of made from cinnamon-dusted egg yolks nestling in a pastry case of perfect lightness, and best eaten warm and fresh from the oven, the finest (and original) are bought from the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém.

Amsterdam’s Patisserie Holtkamp is the place to visit if you’re looking for the ultimate in Dutch sweetness. This traditional bakery specialises in local classics such as stroopkoeken and amandelkrullen, as well as rum babas and lemon meringue pie, all lovingly hand made on the premises.

But to enjoy the ultimate in patisserie glory you have to head to Paris, where every street corner seems to have its own treasure house of cakes and tarts. However, if you really want to treat yourself, head to Carl Marletti’s shop on Rue Censier. His amazing creations look too good to eat, and their beauty is only equalled by their exquisite taste. Take a spoonful (or five) of his famous Marletti dessert – dacquoise biscuit, coconut, vanilla cream and red fruits – and prepare to wave the diet goodbye.