The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) is bringing its 43rd congress to Copenhagen’s Bella Center from 12–16 September 2025. While the meeting will deliver sharp focus on cataract and refractive innovation, the Danish capital itself is worth a closer look.
Bella Center sits in Ørestad, a new district just five miles (8 km) south of the old town. Thanks to the M1 metro, most major attractions are within 10–15 minutes, and if you rent a bike, you can pedal to the city center in 20–25 minutes. But be warned: in Copenhagen, bikes don’t yield, they own the road.
Here’s your guide to Copenhagen’s highlights and hidden gems, calibrated for busy delegates with limited downtime.
Modern frames in Ørestad
Don’t overlook the congress neighborhood itself. Ørestad is a showcase of contemporary Danish architecture, with bold designs from Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and others. The 8 House and VM Houses stand out like futuristic implants: striking, functional and debated by critics and admirers alike.
For a breath of fresh air, Amager Nature Park (Kalvebod Fælled) spreads just behind Bella Center. Its wide meadows and wetlands are perfect for a restorative stroll, where you might spot wild ponies or Highland cattle grazing. If you’d like a dose of art without leaving Ørestad, check out Simian, a subterranean exhibition space in a converted bike lock-up.
Sharp focus on history
Take the metro 20 minutes north and the city’s historic center opens up. Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen Island is still the seat of Denmark’s Parliament and Royal Reception Rooms, and below ground you can explore the medieval ruins of Absalon’s Castle.
Next door stands The Royal Library, known as the Black Diamond for its angular glass façade that mirrors the harbor. Inside, the atrium connects to the older 19th-century wing, and visitors can browse exhibitions, attend concerts or enjoy one of the city’s best waterfront cafés.
Nearby, the Round Tower (Rundetårn) offers a unique spiraling ramp that leads you upward, a gentle gradient perfect for conference-weary legs. Built in the 17th century as an observatory, it still provides some of the best panoramic views of the old city.
To round out the cultural mix, visit the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Founded by the brewer Carl Jacobsen, this museum combines French Impressionist masterpieces with Greek and Roman antiquities, all surrounding a palm-filled glass winter garden.
Canals in full color
If Copenhagen has a fovea, it’s Nyhavn. This canal, dug in 1671 by Swedish prisoners of war, is lined with brightly painted houses, several of them once home to Hans Christian Andersen. Nyhavn is packed with tourists and restaurants, but the insider’s tip is to cross to the quieter side for the best photos.
A short walk across the bridge leads to Broens Gadekøkken (Bridge Street Kitchen), a buzzing food market. Here you can skip overpriced tourist menus and grab some of the city’s best street food. Look out for Gasoline Grill, whose burgers earned global acclaim after The New York Times dubbed them among the best in the world.
From Nyhavn, canal cruises depart regularly, offering a waterside perspective of palaces, the opera house and sleek modern developments. It’s like a widefield angiogram with everything laid out in one sweep.
Design lines and bike lanes
Design is woven into Copenhagen’s DNA. The Danish Architecture Center (15 minutes by metro) offers exhibitions and guided walks that highlight how the city has become a laboratory for urban design. Minimalist yet functional, Danish style is everywhere, from furniture showrooms to bicycle bridges.
And cycling isn’t just a mode of transport here, it’s a way of life. With more than 400 km of dedicated bike lanes, you can join the flow easily. But remember: bikes always have priority. A Copenhagen local once quipped, “Pedestrians are tolerated. Cyclists are obeyed.” Rent a bike and you’ll see why: it’s the fastest way to hop between cafés, palaces and parks.
Nightlife and new tastes
In the evenings, Copenhagen shifts into scotopic mode. Tivoli Gardens, the world’s second-oldest amusement park (opened in 1843), glows with thousands of lights, concerts and restaurants, all just 20 minutes from Bella Center. Even if you skip the rides, the atmosphere alone is worth the visit.
For dining, Copenhagen is world-famous for its Michelin stars, from Geranium’s artistry to the inventive Noma. For something more casual, head to the Meatpacking District in Vesterbro (25 minutes away). Once home to butchers and warehouses, it’s now a lively mix of restaurants, craft breweries and bakeries. Warpigs and Mikkeller lead the beer scene, while Hart Bakery has a cult following for its cardamom croissant. Be prepared for buttery fingers and no regrets.
If hygge is more your speed, slip into a candlelit wine bar or café. Hygge is Copenhagen’s unofficial prescription for balance: part coziness, part conviviality and entirely restorative after a long day of sessions.
Travel tips for delegates
Copenhagen is compact and connected. With Bella Center just 10 minutes by metro from the airport and 15 from the old town, logistics couldn’t be easier. The M1 metro runs every few minutes, and trains and buses are equally reliable. For short hops, biking is often the quickest option.
If your schedule is tight, think of your sightseeing like a clinic day: one quick overview (Nyhavn), one focused exam (Glyptotek) and one indulgence (a pastry from Lagkagehuset).
Even a few words of Danish like tak (thank you) and hej (hello) will be appreciated, though nearly everyone speaks English. And like surgery, successful travel depends on planning ahead but also leaving space for discovery.
Closing the chart
As ESCRS 2025 sharpens our collective vision for cataract and refractive surgery, Copenhagen itself offers another kind of focus: a city where history, design and everyday life come together with clean Scandinavian precision.
Whether you’re cycling past canals, savoring a cinnamon pastry, or tracing the spiral ramp of the Round Tower, each experience is part of the prescription. It restores perspective, balances the workload and reminds us that vision matters not only in the clinic but in how we experience the world.
See you at Bella Center Copenhagen — and out in the City of Spires.
Editor’s Note: ESCRS 2025 is being held from 12-16 September in Copenhagen, Denmark. Check out the full programme here.