Let’s talk about the statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen honestly. It is definitely one of the city’s most iconic landmarks—if not the most iconic—and many tourists undoubtedly put it at the top of their must-see list in the city.
I wouldn’t recommend otherwise; come and see the Little Mermaid on your first Copenhagen visit. I even included it in my one day guide. But be prepared that, other than being famous and a good opportunity to tick another item off your must-see list, visiting the statue brings about at least some disappointment in most tourists.
But let’s talk about these later, and first see what the statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen really is.
Who Is the Little Mermaid?
The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen (Den Lille Havfrue) is based on the fairy-tale character created by the world-famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. First published in 1837, the story follows a young mermaid who dreams of life on land and is willing to sacrifice everything for love. It’s one of Andersen’s most emotional tales, much deeper and more bittersweet than the modern Disney version many visitors know.
When you see the Little Mermaid, you’re looking at a sculpture that captures the moment between two worlds: the mermaid sitting at the water’s edge, gazing toward the shore with a mix of longing, curiosity, and melancholy. This quiet, classic expression is what makes Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue feel instantly recognizable—and why she has become a symbol not just of the story, but of the city itself.
The History of the Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen
The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen was unveiled in 1913, after Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen (from the Carlsberg family) fell in love with a ballet performance based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. He commissioned sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create a figure for the city that captured the quiet, thoughtful spirit of the story.
Eriksen used two models: the ballerina Ellen Price for the mermaid’s face, and his own wife, Eline, for the body. The finished sculpture — just 1.25 meters tall — was placed at the water’s edge at Langelinie, where she still sits today (see the map below). Over the decades, Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue has survived vandalism, political statements, and even being briefly removed for exhibitions abroad, yet she always returns to her rock.
What began as a local tribute to Andersen’s tale has grown into one of Denmark’s most photographed sights. More than a century later, the Little Mermaid remains a quiet symbol of the city — small, simple, and surprisingly moving once you see her in person and stop for a moment to think about the original story.
Where Is It Located?
The statue of the Little Mermaid is located on the northern edge of the central part of Copenhagen, just next to Kastellet fortress. There are several ways you can get to the statue from other parts of the city:
- I think the most romantic way that everyone should try at least one is the so-called harbor bus (lines 991 and 992). This is essentially a local boat line that you can ride with your regular Copenhagen day pass or bus/metro ticket. The aded benefit, beside sailing along the canal on a regular ticket, is that the boat will get you very close to the statue at Nordre Toldbod stop (still expect a 3-4 minute walk). Note though that the harbor bus typically runs every 20–30 minutes during the day (less often in the evenings and on weekends), so it’s worth checking the current timetable on the links.
- Walk from Marmorkirken station (M3/M4). On your way, you can also visit the church (Marmorkirken) itself and Amalienborg, the Danish Royal Palace.
- You can also walk from the central metro hub—and Copenhagen’s most magnificent square—Kongens Nytorv.
- A less common route is to walk from or to Østerport station. This is the same distance as Marmorkirken, and you can visit Nyboder, the famous historic naval barracks on your way.
- Alternatively, you can take bus 27 from Østerport metro and S-Train station to Indiakaj stop. This is actually the public transportation option that will get you closest to the statue.
Be Prepared for a Little Disappointment
Now think about the beginning of this article, when I wrote that we should talk honestly about the statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen.
The thing is, while really a must see in the Danish capital, the statue often brings about a feeling of disappointment in tourists. You expect something grandiose, and get, well, a small statue in the middle of the water you can’t even get close to.
Don’t get me wrong, the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen is still worth visiting. But don’t put your expectations too high. These are the most typical causes of disappointment when people first see the statue:
- It is much smaller than expected.
- The rocks it stands on are literally in the water, so you can’t touch the statue or even go close.
- There is always a large crowd of tourists, which makes it difficult to take a picture with you or your group and the statue on it. People are generous and patient here however, so if you wait then you’ll be able to bring back home a nice photographed memory.
- Even though it’s technically in a central location, it’s still about a 10-15 minutes walk from other landmarks or metro stations. That’s why I suggest you to take the harbor bus at least in one direction.
An Extra Tip
When you visit the Little Mermaid, Kastellet is just a 5 minute walk from there. This five-pointed, star-shaped fortress still functions as a military site even today, but reflecting how different the Danish mindset is, you can visit it freely. It’s worth coming here to see the century-old barrack buildings and to walk around the star-shaped embankment for a nice view of Copenhagen.
