must-visit in CopenhagenSquare & Landmark

The Little Mermaid

📍 The Little Mermaid, Langelinie, Copenhagen, Denmark

1 photos

4.3/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: Denmark, Copenhagen
Category: Square & Landmark
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours, year-round
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · Free admission, no reservation needed
Address: The Little Mermaid, Langelinie, Copenhagen, Denmark
Coordinates: 55.6929, 12.5994

Introduction

The Little Mermaid sits quietly on a rock at Copenhagen's Langelinie promenade - Denmark's most famous city symbol. Cast by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and unveiled on 23 August 1913, she came from a commission by Carlsberg heir Carl Jacobsen after he saw the Royal Theatre's ballet of Andersen's tale. Ballerina Ellen Price was invited to model but declined to pose nude, so the body was modelled on Eriksen's wife Eline. The bronze stands just 1.25 m tall and weighs 175 kg, small and still, keeping company with gulls and tour boats. A century of mishaps has left its mark: beheaded in 1964 and 1998, an arm sawn off in 1984, blasted into the harbour by explosives in 2003 - restored each time, though the original head was never recovered. In 2010 she travelled to the Danish pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai, her only official move from Copenhagen since 1913. At dawn or on quiet weekdays the rock is most peaceful - a good moment to be alone with her.

✨ Highlights

Smaller than expected

Just 1.25 m tall and 175 kg, she sits no higher than a person - most visitors' first reaction is "that's it?"

The model's story

Commissioned in 1909 by Carlsberg heir Carl Jacobsen; ballerina Ellen Price declined to pose nude, so the body was modelled on the sculptor's wife Eline Eriksen.

A century of attacks

Beheaded in 1964 and 1998, an arm sawn off in 1984, blasted into the harbour by explosives in 2003 - restored every time; the original head was never recovered.

Her Shanghai trip

The statue was lent to the Danish pavilion for Expo 2010 in Shanghai, its only official move from Copenhagen since 1913.

Best before 9 am

Tour groups and cruise crowds arrive midday; dawn or dusk brings gulls, tour boats and near-solitude at the rock.

Harbour stroll

The Langelinie promenade links Kastellet's star fortress, the Gefion Fountain and Amalienborg Palace in one easy walk.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best time：Before 9 am or after 5 pm avoids tour groups and cruise crowds; midday light is often backlit.

→Time needed：20-30 minutes for the statue alone; half a day with the harbour walk, fortress and palaces.

→Photo tips：The rock is slippery - never climb the plinth; morning light is frontal and catches her with the tour boats behind.

→Combine with：Kastellet citadel, the Gefion Fountain, Amalienborg Palace and the Andersen statue in King's Garden all sit on the same walking route.

→Worth it?：Yes as Copenhagen's defining symbol - but know in advance she is only 1.25 m tall, or a special trip will disappoint. She fits best inside a harbour stroll.

→Watch out：Do not leave after one glance - her value is the Andersen story and a century of mishaps. Winter winds ice the rock; never climb the statue.

→Opening Hours：Open 24 hours, year-round

→Transportation：Langelinie, Copenhagen

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

Free admission, no reservation needed

💡 Tips

• She is only 1.25 m tall and 175 kg - far smaller than most people picture; adjust expectations.

• Come before 9 am or in the evening; midday brings tour groups and backlit light.

• She was lent to the Danish pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai - her only move from Copenhagen since 1913.

• The original head, stolen in 1964, was never recovered; today's head is a recast.

• Kastellet citadel and the Gefion Fountain are both under 15 minutes away on foot.

• Harbour buses (991/992) pass the statue by water for a different angle.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of The Little Mermaid?

Open 24 hours, year-round

How much is the admission for The Little Mermaid?

Adult: Free; Free admission, no reservation needed

Any practical tips for visiting The Little Mermaid?

She is only 1.25 m tall and 175 kg - far smaller than most people picture; adjust expectations. Come before 9 am or in the evening; midday brings tour groups and backlit light.