The Little Mermaid

No visit to Copenhagen is complete without seeing The Little Mermaid statue — Denmark’s most photographed (and often debated) landmark. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved 1837 fairy tale, this small bronze figure sits quietly on a rock by the harbor, gazing longingly toward the sea.

She may be tiny, but she’s full of story, symbolism, and a kind of quiet magic that draws over a million visitors a year.

The statue was a gift to the city from Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of Carlsberg Brewery. He was inspired after watching a ballet adaptation of The Little Mermaid at the Royal Danish Theatre in 1909. So moved by the performance, he commissioned sculptor Edvard Eriksen to bring the mermaid to life in bronze.

Unveiled in 1913, the statue is based on:

• The face of ballerina Ellen Price, who danced the mermaid role

• The body of Eriksen’s wife, as Price declined to pose nude

🎭 While Andersen’s mermaid gives up her voice and tail for love, this statue captures her at the moment of transformation — human, yet not quite free.

🤳 Why Is She So Famous?

Despite being only 1.25 meters tall (4 feet), The Little Mermaid is one of the most photographed landmarks in Copenhagen. She has appeared on postcards, stamps, in movies, and even replicas around the world — including in the US, Brazil, and China.

But she’s also been:

• Vandalized multiple times — painted, decapitated, and knocked off her rock

• A political symbol — targeted during protests

• A subject of controversy — some visitors are surprised by how small and simple she is

💬 Locals see her as a symbol of both Danish storytelling and quiet strength — modest, but deeply meaningful.

📸 Best Time to Visit and Photograph

• Early morning: Best light and minimal crowds

• Golden hour (sunset): Warm tones reflect beautifully off the water

• Winter: Fewer tourists and a more melancholic, fitting atmosphere

Pro tips:

• Stand slightly to the side to avoid reflections and crowds in the background

• For night photos, bring a tripod — the area is dimly lit but atmospheric

🧳 Visitor Tips

• 🧥 Dress for wind: The harbor can be breezy even in summer

• 🧼 There are no restrooms or cafés nearby, so plan ahead

• 🧒 Child-friendly: But always watch little ones around the rocks

• ⛴️ Combine with a harbor boat tour, which also passes the statue from the water

🗺️ What’s Nearby?

After visiting the statue, you’re within walking distance of other great sights:

• Kastellet Fortress – A star-shaped military citadel with leafy paths

• Gefion Fountain – A dramatic Norse mythology sculpture just up the hill

• Amalienborg Palace – Watch the changing of the guard at Denmark’s royal residence

• Churchill Park – Tranquil green space near the statue

• Nordic Museum of Design – A short walk away, for design lovers