Given its geographical position, it is not surprising that fish forms an important part of Danish cuisine. Around a dozen restaurants in Denmark, the majority in the capital, boast Michelin star or ‘rising star' status. Most towns have fast food outlets, and sausage (pølser) stalls also offering soft drinks and beer are popular. There are no licensing hours.

Things to know: The Danish Hotel and Restaurant Association displays signs indicating restaurants where the needs of diabetics are given special attention. It consists of the words 'Diabetes mad - sund mad for alle' ('Food for Diabetics - healthy food for everyone') encircling a chef's head.

National specialities:
• Smørrebrød is a traditional lunchtime Danish dish consisting of a slice of dark bread with butter, topped with sliced meat, fish or cheese.
• Buffet-style lunch (the koldt bord) is also popular with a variety of fish, meats, hot dishes, cheese and sweets, usually on a self-service basis.
• A normal Danish breakfast, or morgen-complet, consists of an assortment of breads, rolls, jam and cheese, often also sliced meats, boiled eggs and warm Danish pastries.

National drinks:
• Scandinavian coffee is usually drunk strong and black.
• Denmark also has many varieties of beer, famous breweries being Carlsberg and Tuborg. Most popular is pilsner (lager) but there are also specialist beers, notably those produced by Jakobsen, whose brewery is located at the original Carlsberg installation.
• Akvavit, popularly known as snaps, is meant to be drunk with cold food or at Christmas, preferably with a beer chaser. It is served ice cold.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: Hotels and restaurants quote fully inclusive prices and tipping is not necessary.

There is a wide selection of nightlife, particularly in Copenhagen, where the first morning restaurants open to coincide with closing time at 0500. Århus and Ålborg are also lively in the evenings. Jazz and dance clubs in the capital city are top quality and world-famous performers appear regularly. There are numerous cafes, beer gardens and speciality beer bars. Entertainment available includes opera at the recently opened opera house in Copenhagen, ballet and theatre at a number of venues in the larger cities, and live music of all kinds.

Copenhagen has excellent shopping facilities. Special purchases include Bing & Grøndal and Royal Copenhagen porcelain, Holmegård glass, Bornholm ceramics, handmade woollens from the Faroe Islands and Lego toys. Visitors from outside the EU can often claim back some of the MOMS (VAT) on goods purchased that are sent straight to their home country from the shop in Denmark.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900/1000-1730/1800, Sat 0900-1700. Supermarkets are often open Mon-Fri 0900-2000. Opening hours vary from town to town. At some holiday resorts, bakers, florists and souvenir shops are open Sunday and public holidays.