Join us for this year’s EuroSTAR Conference in stunning Copenhagen; a surprisingly compact, easy to navigate city, oozing Scandi cool from all corners. Bridges bustle with cyclists, colourful houses hug the harbours, and the city is abundant with cultural riches. Let’s dive in to 10 things to do while you’re here ☀️
1. Stroll through Tivoli Gardens
The iconic Tivoli Gardens is Copenhagen’s central theme park – and the second-oldest amusement park in the world. Visitors have been flocking here since the 19th century, and it’s inspired the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney, who both visited many times (Walt Disney found his inspiration for Disney World here). And it’s no wonder: Tivoli features exotic architecture, lush gardens and picnic lawns, a scenic lake; and the iconic Star Flyer to send you soaring through the skies. At night, thousands of twinkling lights illuminate that fairytale feeling.
2. Explore history at the Museum of Copenhagen
The Museum of Copenhagen sits right behind City Hall, and tells the story of the city through its artefacts, buildings, people, and culture. Explore your way around 800 years of the city’s history, from Viking tales, to plagues, bikes, fires, and the building boom – everything which has shaped Copenhagen into what it is today. You’ll get to grips with some incredible archaeological finds – including the skeleton of a warrior from the Middle Ages, and an early edition of a bicycle made of wood! Exhibits feature installations that bring history to life, including an interactive model that gives you an overview of the entire city.
3. Take in a show at Wallmans
The historic circus building, Cirkusbygningen, is home to Wallmans Dinnerparty, a magical show packed with sumptuous music, artistry and impressive acrobatics. Artists serve at the tables and perform, not only on the stage, but also in every corner of the circus arena. After the show’s grand finale, the venue turns into a nightclub – one of the biggest in Copenhagen! We’re so excited to host our EuroSTAR 2022 Gala Awards dinner here, with a massive celebration encompassing a show, dinner, and the EuroSTAR Software Testing Awards. This is a night you don’t want to miss.
4. Plunge into pristine waterways
You’re never far from a swimming opportunity in Copenhagen, and summer is the ideal time to embrace its waterways and go for a dip. Try the centrally located ‘harbour baths’, which are free public swimming pools located along the harbours and fjords of the city – and there are plenty of them. As part of wellness at EuroSTAR, we are hosting daily morning swims during the conference, so make sure you join us for an invigorating wake up.
5. Hang out at Nyhavn
This 17th century harbour is easily one of the most iconic landmarks in Copenhagen, and it’s hard to find a more beautiful spot to hang out on a sunny day. Nyhavn has a history as colourful as its buildings – originally this was a commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock, and it was packed with sailors visiting its pubs and alehouses. It was also a favorite haunt of Hans Christian Anderson, and where he was inspired to write. Today, the multicolored houses have been renovated and its bustling quay is lined with wooden ships, modern boat, and restaurants.
6. See historic trees at Frederiksberg Gardens
Frederiksberg Gardens has been a favorite spot for locals for centuries. It’s arguably Copenhagen’s most romantic park, with lakes, canals, woodlands and goergous trees and shrubs. Don’t miss one of its most unusual attractions, the suttetræet (sucky tree), located north of the Chinese Pavilion. The 250-year-old tree is hard to miss, its branches hung with hundreds of colourful ribbons tied to baby pacifiers. According to Danish tradition, when a toddler turns three it is time to give up their pacifier. They entrust the pacifier to their local suttetræet, along with a note on behalf of the toddler asking the tree to take good care of it.
7. Enjoy the epic sights at Kastellet
Kastellet is one of the best preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe. It was originally commissioned by Frederik III in 1662. You can walk or jog the grassy ramparts, and take in the moat surrounding some beautiful 18th-century barracks, as well as a chapel occasionally used for concerts. The high walls of the fortress offer a lovely view of the harbor, and don’t miss the charming windmill.
8. Bike across Copenhagen’s bridges
Copenhagen is made for bikes, and that includes its bridges. Hop on two wheels and go for a ride across the harbour. Start south along the Cykelslangen (bike snake), a stunning, curved bridge which takes you on a criss-cross seven meters above one of the harbour baths. Once you get across the harbour, you can bike on to Olafur Eliasson’s Circle Bridge, then ride back over the harbor on the new Lille Langebro bridge. You’ll also come across the Inderhavnsbroen, AKA the Kissing Bridge, in Christianshavn.
9. Visit the Little Mermaid
This may be Copenhagen’s smallest attraction, but it’s packed with history. Based on the 1837 fairy tale The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, this small and unimposing statue is a Copenhagen icon, and has been a major tourist attraction since its unveiling in 1913. It was a gift to the city from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen, after he attended the ballet based on the story. He was so impressed that he asked Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create the statue. The sculpture is made of bronze and granite, and sits in the water at Langelinie Pier.
10. Experience hygge
Of course, we couldn’t talk about Copenhagen without mentioning hygge. Pronounced hoo-gah, it’s a unique term that defines cosy social gatherings and intimate get-togethers, expressing the feeling of wellbeing and warm atmospheres. You can get your hygge on right here at EuroSTAR – the whole software testing community is coming together to chat, connect, learn from each other, and create lots of memorable moments.
What are you waiting for? It’s your last chance for EuroSTAR tickets as we count down to June 7th. Book your ticket now – and if you book a team, you save up to 30%. See you in sunny Copenhagen.