The Little Mermaid
The small bronze statue on a rock in Copenhagen harbour - the modest, beloved symbol of the city, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's tale.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Little Mermaid sits on a rock at the water's edge on the Langelinie promenade, a small bronze figure gazing wistfully out to sea, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. Unveiled in 1913 and barely a metre and a quarter tall, she is the beloved and famously modest symbol of Copenhagen.
What you actually see
- The statue - the small bronze mermaid on her harbour rock.
- The Andersen connection - the fairy tale that inspired her.
- The Langelinie promenade - the waterfront walk to reach her.
- The nearby Kastellet - the star-shaped fortress a short walk away.
When to go
Year-round; early morning avoids the tour crowds that gather through the day. She is a quick stop on a harbour walk.
Honest expectations
She is genuinely small and often ringed by crowds and coach groups, so many visitors find her underwhelming, which is part of the joke. It is a five-minute stop, best folded into a longer harbour walk. She has been damaged and repaired several times, so the bronze is not as it left the foundry.
Nearby
Kastellet fortress and the Gefion Fountain are alongside; Nyhavn and the royal palace are a walk away.
What to pack for The Little Mermaid
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
