The Little Mermaid

Copenhagen's most famous landmark

Den lille Havfrue has sat on a boulder by the water at Langelinie since 23 August 1913, gazing wistfully out to sea. The bronze figure, just 1.25 metres tall, is based on the fairy tale The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. It was commissioned by brewer Carl Jacobsen, who was so taken with a ballet performance of the story that he asked sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create a statue of it.

Today the statue is famous above all for its modesty: at around 175 kilograms, it's considered one of the smallest landmarks in the world - and at the same time one of the most photographed. If you're expecting a monumental memorial, adjust your expectations. The appeal lies not in its size, but in its setting and story.

A statue with an eventful history

What stands at the harbour has always been an exact copy. Eriksen's heirs keep the original at an undisclosed location, and copyright on the figure runs until 1 January 2030. Over the decades the mermaid has repeatedly been a target of vandalism - and just as often restored. More recent incidents include:

• June 2020: graffiti reading "racist fish"
• March 2022: defaced with a "Z" symbol
• March 2023: painted over in the colours of the Russian flag

Even so, she reliably returns to her spot. One note: the August 2025 headlines about plans to remove a "pornographic" mermaid did not concern this statue, but the separate granite sculpture Den Store Havfrue at Dragør Fort.

Getting there and location

The Little Mermaid sits on the Langelinie promenade north of the city centre. By public transport, the easiest approach is Østerport station (metro and S-train), followed by around a 15-minute walk. Starting from the centre, it's roughly a 20-minute walk along the waterfront promenade from Nyhavn.

The nicest route runs through the star-shaped fortress Kastellet, which sits right behind the statue. This walk is arguably more rewarding than the statue itself, and pairs well with a morning spent exploring the harbour district.

By water

Many visitors see the mermaid from a boat anyway: hour-long canal and harbour cruises pass her on their route. Two operators are common:

• Stromma (green boats): departs from Nyhavn and Gammel Strand, from around 129 DKK
• Netto-Bådene (blue boats): departs from Holmens Kirke, from around 60 DKK

The DKK prices are indicative - check the operator's site directly for current fares and timetables. A boat tour is one of the most pleasant ways to see Copenhagen's harbour in any case, and it takes in the mermaid along the way.

Tips for your visit

• Go early: it's quietest between roughly 7:00 and 9:00, before the tour buses arrive. During the day, dozens of people often crowd around the small boulder.
• Budget your time: 15 to 30 minutes is enough for the statue itself. To make more of the visit, explore the surroundings - the promenade, Kastellet and the harbour.
• Be realistic: if time is tight, the mermaid is skippable. If you want to tick it off, combine it with a harbour walk rather than making a special trip.
• Free and always open: access is free year-round with no closing times, so a spontaneous visit works at any time of day.