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A Designer’s Guide to Copenhagen by Rebekka Bay

Marimekko's creative director shares the Danish capital’s best exhibits, hotels, bakeries, and more

By Christina Ohly Evans
Colorful buildings and boats along Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen on a sunny day, with people enjoying outdoor cafes.
Nyhavn, Copenhagen. Photo: Alamy

This year’s 3daysofdesign brings designers, architects and artists to Copenhagen for creative exchange and exciting product launches. One such collaboration features Marimekko x Artek—two beloved Finnish brands—working together to create a compelling piece of furniture that is as utilitarian as it is sculpturally beautiful. Marimekko’s creative director Rebekka Bay, a co-designer of the piece, sat down with Galerie to share her insider tips on the Danish capital’s best bakeries, must-see design events, and what else to look for this summer.

What makes Copenhagen such a magnet for design? It’s less about the city and more about the culture of Denmark as a country.  We are deeply rooted in democratic design tradition. Functionalism is just so fundamental here, especially across architecture and everyday objects such as furniture and tableware. These things are relatable to everyone on an almost daily basis.

Person arranging yellow tulips in a vase on a table, with colorful curtains and a window in the background.
Rebekka Bay. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen

The theme of this year’s 3daysofdesign is “Keep it Real”—what does it mean? I’m not entirely certain, but maybe it’s a commentary on the frenetic times we’re living in. Just keep things simple, practical, natural, and sustainable where possible.

Collage celebrating 90 years of Artek and Marimekko with designers, furniture, and bold patterns on an orange background.
Marimekko x Artek. Photo: © Copyright exploitation rights with Artek
Modern light wood benches with curved designs on a smooth gray floor in a minimalistic room setting.
Marimekko x Artek benches. Photo: © Copyright exploitation rights with Artek

Tell me about the Marimekko x Artek collaboration. How did it come about? We are both Finnish brands, so there has long been a mutual awareness and respect for each other. This collaboration allows us to highlight what is best—and complimentary—for the two brands. We worked on a bench inspired the classic 1960s Artek stools. These are their most iconic pieces and I avidly collect them, so this project was particularly fun. In this case, the bent wood benches can be flat packed so you can buy, transport, and easily assemble them at home.

Installation with large white cloud-like sculptures suspended in a dark room, person observing below.
A.A.Murakami, Beyond the Horizon (2024) at Copenhagen Contemporary. Photo: Adam Kovář and PETR&Co. Model by Ashley Lin. All images & videos courtesy of the artist

Any installations, exhibits, talks, workshops, or parties that you’re looking forward to? 3DaysofDesign lets artists and makers create spaces, installations, and products in dialogue. There are so many exciting offerings this year, but a few I’m looking forward to include a panel with Ronan Bouroullec and Kvadrat CEO Anders Byriel, and Vaarnii’s Antti Hirvonen about the Maasto range. I’m also excited to learn more about Other Circle, a platform for creative design.

Colorful painted rock surrounded by lush green ferns and trees in a serene garden setting.
The sculpture park at The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Photo: Courtesy of The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Abstract bronze sculpture on a stone base in an outdoor setting with a brick building and greenery in the background.
The sculpture park at The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Photo: Courtesy of The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Modern house with large windows overlooking a blue sea, surrounded by trees and greenery, under a clear blue sky.
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Photo: Courtesy of the Louisiana Museum

Any cultural gems that attendees should visit? Copenhagen is such a friendly, small city that you can easily explore it on foot or by bike. There is a vibrancy here and a real desire to be outside—biking, walking, swimming. Now that there are more bicycle bridges, everything is easily connected. I recommend visiting Copenhagen Contemporary, where there are excellent shows including a James Turrell installation, and the Design Museum Denmark, which offers more of a survey of Danish furniture and textile design. Color designers make this an immersive experience in general. There is also a wonderful garden there for tea and pastries. Of course the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a treasure just outside of the city. It is always a must! And while it might not be “cultural” in the artistic sense, there are people kayaking, surfing, and jumping into the water at every turn, so that is really the essence of Copenhagen.

Side view of Petra restaurant sign on brick building with trees and modern apartments in the background.
Petra Hotel Photo: Courtesy of &Tradition
Modern interior with wooden walls, abstract red portrait, dark sofa, dining tables, chairs, and pendant lighting.
Common area in Petra Hotel. Photo: Courtesy of &Tradition
Modern living room with blue bookshelf, various books, gray chair, plush brown chair, and a black sofa.
Common area in Petra Hotel. Photo: Courtesy of &Tradition

Which hotels are particularly good for those who appreciate Danish art and design? There is a new boutique hotel called Petra near the historic Queen’s Yard with its 1930s architecture. They have the most wonderful café. There is also the Swedish hotel Nobis next to Tivoli Gardens and the music conservatory. For more of an apartment feel, Noura Residency offers spacious, design-led flats with kitchens.

If you were directing a friend to the city’s best bakeries and restaurants, where would you send them? So many! Anderson & Maillard is a favorite. They make entirely square croissants filled with delicious pistachio cream. Another great option is Hart, which was started by a Noma disciple. They make an insanely good sausage roll. I often travel for their kimchi toast.

There are also incredible Italian restaurants here, but with a Danish twist. I love the pastas at Locale 21 and Osteria 16, which is a collaboration between a chef and an artist. The setting is wonderfully simple. To feel like you’re in a typical trattoria, I recommend Circolo where the ingredients are really celebrated. The Danes also do a great job with Japanese food—the aesthetic is very similar—and I love Jatak for the summer Solar Menu, which offers beautiful, seasonally driven dishes.

3daysofdesign runs June 18 through June 20.