Best known for its large dogs and Viking warriors, Denmark is a small, prosperous and highly functional kingdom in northern Europe that is often overlooked by travellers on their 'grand tour', although it has one of the highest standards of living in the world and plenty of charming experiences to offer visitors.

It is almost totally surrounded by water, consisting as it does of the Jutland Peninsula and 482 islands. Its only land border is with Germany. The country's capital city, lovely and lively Copenhagen, occupies the biggest of the offshore islands. With all the water it is not surprising that Denmark is very reliant on shipping and fishing; the country also has an important agricultural sector, though, and is famed in particular for its dairy products. Lovers of butter and cheese will enjoy a taste of Denmark!

Denmark boasts small green farms, blue lakes and white coastal beaches, the rural areas sprinkled with thatched cottages, castles and windmills across a gentle landscape which lends itself well to cycle touring. The cities are modern and bustling, but an air of medieval charm has been preserved in old sections of colourful buildings and cobblestone streets. The country boasts 280 museums, most of the important ones in Copenhagen, as well as the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde that is devoted to honouring Denmark's bold ancient mariners.

Other special attractions include the annual summer music festival in Roskilde, which is one of the largest in Europe; the Tivoli Gardens amusement park which has entertained crowds in Copenhagen since 1843; and one of the world's longest bridges, which spans 10 miles (16km), joining Denmark to Sweden.

The country is compact with an excellent road and rail transport system, and numerous ferry connections to the myriad offshore islands. It all adds up to a very civilised destination, as sweet and tempting as the rich, flaky pastry treats that the world has come to know as the 'Danish'.

Tivoli Gardens

Address: Vesterbrogade 3 Copenhagen

Admission: General Admission: DKK 95 (adults); DKK 50 (children 3-11 years), multi-ride tickets are DKK 205 (adults), DKK 170 (children). Season passes and concessions available Open daily at 11am; closing times vary according to season, but usually between 11pm and 12am. See website for details

Telephone: 3315 1001

Copenhagen Historical Museums

Address: The Copenhagen City Museum, Vesterbrogade 59. The National Museum, Ny Vestergade 10. Open Air Museum, Kongevejen 100 Copenhagen

Admission: Copenhagen City Museum: kr 20 (adults), children under 18 free; Fridays free for all. National Museum: Free. Open Air Museum: Free. Copenhagen City Museum: Wednesday to Monday 10am to 4pm, until 9pm on Wednesdays. National Museum: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. Open Air Museum: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (3 April and 30 September). Rest of the year Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm (until 9pm on Thursdays throughout July)

Telephone: Open Air Museum and National Museum: 33 134 411. Copenhagen City Museum: 33 210 772

Copenhagen Art Galleries

Address: Museum of Decorative Arts: Bredgade 68. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Gl. Strandvej 13, Humlebæk. National Gallery: Sølvgade 48-50. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: Dantes Plads 7 Copenhagen

Admission: Museum of Decorative Arts: kr 50 (adults). Louisiana Museum of Modern art: kr 80 (adults), under 18s free. National Gallery: Free admission, charge for special exhibits. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: kr 50 (adults), under 18s free. Concessions available Museum of Decorative Arts: Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Daily 10am to 5pm, until 10pm on Wednesdays. National Gallery: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, until 8pm on Wednesdays. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm

Telephone: Museum of Decorative Arts: Tel: 3318 5656; Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: 4919 0719; National Gallery: 3374 8494; Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: 3341 8141

Nyhavn Canal

Address: Copenhagen

Rosenborg Castle

Address: Øster Voldgade 4 Copenhagen

Admission: Entry to the gardens is free. The castle: DKK 75 (adults); children under 17 free. Open daily from 10am to 4pm/5pm during summer, and from 11am to 3pm during winter. Closed 17-26 December. Times can vary month to month so consult website for specific dates.

Telephone: 3315 3286

Freetown Christiania

Address: Christianshavn Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid Statue

Address: Langelinie Harbour Copenhagen

Christiansborg Palace

Address: Slotsholmen Copenhagen

Admission: Royal Reception Rooms, adults DKK70 and children DKK35; the Ruins, adults DKK40 and children DKK20. Open daily (except Mondays form October to April), 10am to 4pm.

Legoland Billund

Address: Billund Copenhagen

Admission: Adults DKK 279; Children and Seniors DKK 249 Seasonal, open April to October. Check the website for specific dates.

Telephone: +45 7533 1333

Bakken Amusement Park

Address: Dyrehavevej 62 Copenhagen

Admission: Free. Wristbands allowing access to a minimum of 10 rides start at DKK 199 Open 1 March to 31 August from 9.30am – 5pm (Fridays 9.30am – 4.30pm); 1 September to 28 February from 10am – 4pm (Fridays 9am – 3pm). Closed weekends.

Telephone: 3963 3544

Denmark Aquarium

Address: Kavalergården 1 Copenhagen

Admission: DKK 100 (Adults); DKK 55 (Children) Open November to January 10am–4pm; February to May and September to October 10am–5pm (Wednesdays 10am–8pm); July and August 10am–6pm (Wednesdays 10am–8pm); Closed 24, 25, 31 December and 1 January.

Telephone: 3962 3283

The Mystic Exploratorie

Address: Østergade 16 Copenhagen

Admission: DKK 85 (Adults); DKK 68 (10-14); DKK 43 (under 10) Sunday to Thursday 10am–6pm, Friday to Saturday until 8pm. Extended hours in summer. Closed 1 January, and 24-25 and 31 December.

Telephone: 33 323 131

Copenhagen Zoo

Address: Roskildevej 38 Copenhagen

Admission: DKK 140 (adults); DKK 80 (children). Reduced rates from November to February. Open daily 9am–4pm on weekdays and 9am–5pm on weekends with extended hours in summer. Check the website for specific dates.

Telephone: 72 200 200

Experimentarium

Address: Tuborg Havnevej 7 Copenhagen

Admission: DKK 160 (adults); DKK 100 (children 3-11) Open daily 9:30am–5pm. (Tuesdays until 9pm).

Telephone: 39 273 333

Roskilde Cathedral

Address: Roskilde

Admission: 25 DKK Adults; 15 DKK Children under 17 April to September: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm, Sundays and holidays 12:30pm-5pm. October to March: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm, Sundays and holidays 12:30pm-4pm.

Viking Ship Museum

Address: Roskilde

Admission: Adults 100 DKK; Students 80 DKK; Children under 18 free. Reduced prices from October to April. Daily 10am-4pm

Baltic Cruise

Ida Davidsen

Address: 70 Store Kongensgade Copenhagen

Food Type: Local

Paludan's Book and Cafe

Address: Fiolstraede 10-12 Copenhagen

Food Type: Café

Café Sorgenfri

Address: 8 Brolæggerstræde Copenhagen

Food Type: Café

Det Lille Apotek

Address: 15 Store Kannikestræde Copenhagen

Food Type: Local

Ristorante Vesuvio

Address: 4 Radhuspladsen Copenhagen

Food Type: Italian

Promenaden in Tivoli

Address: Vesterbrogade 3, Tivoli Copenhagen

Food Type: Gastropubs

Godt

Address: 38 Gothersgade Copenhagen

Food Type: International

Noma

Address: 93 Strandgade Copenhagen

Food Type: Local

Khun Juk Oriental

Address: 9 Store Kongensgade Copenhagen

Food Type: Thai

Peder Oxe

Address: 11 Gråbrødretorv Copenhagen

Food Type: Local