For a Half Day

Bakken: Located at Dyrehavevej 62, Klampenborg, in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen and accessed by S-train C to Klampenborg, the Bakken amusement park (tel: 3963 3544; website: www.bakken.dk) provides an attractive and low-cost alternative to Tivoli. The oldest amusement park in Europe is open daily from March/April to August, most days staying open 1200-2400. It boasts wooded parkland and herds of deer as well as the usual rollercoasters and various rides. Admission to the park is free and all rides are charged at different prices, although it is possible to get a single one-day ‘ticket' for all the rides in Bakken in the form of a wristband.

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: This museum (tel: 4919 0719; website: www.louisiana.dk) is set in lovely parkland, on the North Zealand coast, 35km (22 miles) north of Copenhagen. It houses a world-class collection of modern art by artists such as Francis Bacon, Max Ernst, Giacometti, Henry Moore, Picasso and Andy Warhol. Humlebæk-Louisiana Station is a 36-minute train ride from Copenhagen. Drivers can take the picturesque coastal road, ‘Strandvejen'. The museum is open daily 1000-1700 (until 2200 on Wednesday). Admission charge.

Arken Museum of Modern Art: Located at Skovvej 100, in the Køge Bugt Strandpark, this museum (tel: 4354 0222; website: www.arken.dk) was designed by Danish architect Søren Robert Lund to blend into the dune landscape of Ishøj Strand. The museum cafe affords beautiful views across the bay. Public transport from Copenhagen is by S-train (to Ishøj Station) or bus 128. Opening times are Tuesday to Sunday 1000-1700 (until 2100 on Wednesday). Admission charge.

For a Whole Day

‘Castle Tour of North Zealand': Copenhagen Excursions (tel: 3254 0606; website: www.sightseeing.dk) organises this seven-hour tour which includes a visit to Kronborg Slot in Helsingør (Elsinore) (claimed as the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet) Fredensborg Slot, the royal summer residence and the Frederiksborg Slot in Hillrød, a Renaissance palace, built by Christian IV and now a museum.

Roskilde: Roskilde, the oldest town in Denmark, is situated about 10km (6 miles) west of Copenhagen - a 30-minute train journey from the city. It is famed for its Viking heritage, as the Roskilde Museum, Sankt Ols Gade 18 (tel: 4631 6500; website: www.roskildemuseum.dk) reveals. The museum is open daily 1100-1600 (admission charge). The local tourist information office at Gullandsstræde 15 (tel: 4631 6565; website: http://visitroskilde.com) can provide details of other interesting sites, such as the Domkirke, Ledreborg Castle and the Roskilde Fjord.