The waterside city of Copenhagen is packed with old-world fairytale charm alongside some of the world's most avant garde architecture. It is a vibrant, modern city with a long and fascinating history, having been the capital of Denmark for nearly 600 years and home to the oldest resident monarchy in the world.

The biggest city in Scandinavia, Copenhagen occupies a pleasant and strategic spot on the Baltic east coast of Denmark's largest island, Zealand, its harbour overlooked by the world-famous statue of the 'Little Mermaid'.

One of the first impressions that strike visitors to this busy, dynamic capital is the cleanliness and orderliness that prevails in its narrow medieval cobbled central city streets and along the picturesque canals in Christianshavn. Most of the myriad attractions for visitors are situated within about one square mile (3 sq km) of flat terrain in the centre, making it easy to explore on foot (or bicycle, which is the vehicle of choice for locals).

Five streets in the heart of the city have been merged to provide the world's longest pedestrian mall, running between Rådhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv, which are packed with historic gabled buildings, dynamic department stores, stunning shops, restaurants, pavement cafes, theatres, and world-class museums and galleries.

Despite the condensed city centre, Copenhagen is not short on green lungs: parks such as the ever-popular Tivoli Gardens abound in this city, which prides itself on its strict anti-pollution laws and lack of glass and chrome skyscrapers.

The family-friendly city that spawned beloved storyteller Hans Christian Andersen is, indeed, a modern fairy-tale: one of Europe's finest capitals that retains a provincial charm and sense of history along with its cutting-edge efficiency, offering its justifiably proud citizens an extremely high standard of living.

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

Cultural Harbour Festival

Where: The main area for the Cultural Harbour festival is the Harbour Park at Islands Brygge; also Havneholmen and Kalvebod Brygge,Copenhagen

When: 5 - 7 August 2011

Tivoli Christmas Market

Where: Main entrance to Tivoli is at 3 Vesterbrogade,Copenhagen

When: 11 November to 29 December 2011

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