Bread is one of the oldest staple foods in the world, and Europe alone has hundreds of styles and recipes that vary between countries, cultures and regions. Flatbreads, rye breads and sourdoughs are all part of the rich tapestry of doughy delights you can find across the continent. To get your mouth watering, we've rounded up the very best, from traditional favourites to more modern creations – some of which may surprise you.

Click or scroll on to discover the most delicious breads Europe has to offer, counting down to the tastiest of all.

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each bread in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

The ultimate ranking of Europe's best breads