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The Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue)
Best time to visit
Early morning on weekdays avoids tour buses and gives soft, flattering light for photos; late evening during summer offers a golden glow but more people.
Budget tips
Viewing from the shore is free, no entry fee. Use the Copenhagen Card for nearby paid museums if planning a longer cultural route to save on transport and tickets.
Recommended for
Photography enthusiasts, Short-stay visitors, Couples, Maritime history buffs
Plan your visit
15-30 minutes
About
Quick facts: Perched on a low rock by the water, a small bronze figure draws more camera clicks per square meter than many grander monuments, and pranksters have repeatedly targeted it for headlines. Visitors notice how tiny the silhouette is up close, the salt air and ferry horns making the scene unexpectedly intimate while its literary inspiration keeps sparking debates among locals and tourists.
Highlights: Edvard Eriksen sculpted the bronze figure in 1913, using actress Ellen Price's head and his wife Eline Eriksen's body as models, and the statue is only about 1.25 meters tall so people often climb onto the rock to sit beside her for photos with salt spray and gull calls in the air. A famous little-known story is that the head was stolen in 1964, and despite repeated vandalism locals still leave flowers, beer cans, or small knitted hats on the rock as an odd apology and celebratory gesture.
Insider tips
- Wear a windproof layer and sturdy shoes, the quay can be chilly and slippery.
- Best photo angle is from the Langelinie promenade a few steps down for a low, framed shot with sea in the background.
- Skip the busiest midday window, arrive at sunrise or after 8pm to avoid coach groups.
- Combine the visit with nearby Kastellet and Amalienborg for a 1-2 hour walking route.
Practical info
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