The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Little Mermaid (Danish: Den Lille Havfrue) sits on a rock at the water’s edge along the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen, Denmark, north of the city centre near the harbour. The statue is free to visit and stands in the open air, so it is accessible at all times. The simplest approach is to walk from Østerport station, around 15 minutes away on foot, or to take a city bus toward Indiakaj. Many visitors combine the walk with a stroll through the green Kastellet star fortress, which lies directly on the route. Hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses and harbour cruises also include the statue on their circuits.

History and Significance

The statue was unveiled in 1913 and was created by the sculptor Edvard Eriksen, commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the Carlsberg brewery. It depicts the heroine of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale, a mermaid who gives up her life beneath the sea for the love of a human prince. Cast in bronze and just over a metre tall, the figure is famously modest in scale, which often surprises first-time visitors expecting something larger. Over the decades the statue has become an enduring emblem of Copenhagen and of Denmark as a whole, appearing on countless postcards and travel guides.

Practical Tips for Visitors

Because the statue is so popular, the small rock can become crowded in peak season, and patience is needed to take a photograph without other visitors in the frame. Early morning is the quietest time. There is no cost to see it, and the surrounding waterfront is pleasant for a longer walk, taking in the nearby Gefion Fountain and the Amalienborg royal quarter. Visitors should note that the statue has been the target of vandalism several times in its history, so it is occasionally surrounded by temporary protective measures. Allowing around 20–30 minutes for the visit, plus the walk along Langelinie, is usually enough.