Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid: Fairy-Tale or Tourist Trap?
The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen is probably one of the most famous symbols of Denmark, right up there with LEGO, Hygge, smørrebrød, and Vikings. When I bring tour groups to Copenhagen, they always ask if we will see the Little Mermaid, even though they all admit it’s probably overrated.
So, The Little Mermaid is a ‘must-see’ in Copenhagen. But how did it come to be that way? In this guide, I explain the statue’s background, fame, and how to get there. If you’re debating whether it’s worth visiting, this guide should help you decide.
In this article...
The Fairytale Inspiration
Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish writer best known for his fairy tales. In 1837, he published The Little Mermaid (“Den lille havfrue” in Danish), telling of a young mermaid princess who dreams of a human soul and falls in love with a prince above the sea. In the original fairytale, which is very different from Disney’s happy ending, the mermaid saves the princes from a shipwreck and sacrifices her voice and life to become human. The prince never loves her back; on his wedding day, her sisters give the heartbroken mermaid a dagger. Rather than kill the man she loves, she throws herself into the sea and “dissolves into foam”, transforming into a kind, ethereal “daughter of the air” who will one day earn an immortal soul. Anderson’s story is tragic and poignant: the mermaid gains her soul only through selfless sacrifice, not romance. Anderson, a Dane, wrote The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, and it remains one of his 156 fairy tales that have entered the world’s shared folklore.
History of the Statue
The Little Mermaid statue was commissioned by Carl Jacobsen of the Carlsberg brewing family in 1909 after he saw a ballet of Andersen’s tale (or tail, ha! Sorry, that was bad). He asked ballerina Ellen Price (who had danced the role in 1909) to model for the sculpture’s head. Sculptor Edvard Eriksen created the bronze figure, using his wife for the body after Price declined to pose nude. The statue, which is only 1.25 metres tall, was unveiled on the 23rd of August 1913 on a rock at Langelinie promenade in the harbour. For decades, she was relatively obscure, but a 1950s film featuring Danny Kaye singing “Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen” made her famous, after which the city officially adopted her as a symbol. Today, the bronze mermaid quietly overlooks the water in Langelinie. The statue was only moved once, when it went to Shanghai for the Danish pavilion at Expo 2010.
Vandalism & Attacks
Over the years, the Little Mermaid has been a favourite target of vandals and activists. Since the 1960s, she has been defaced and damaged many times, but the Copenhagen authorities have restored her each time. For example, in April 1964, a group of artists sawed off and stole her head (it was never recovered). In 1984, the statue’s right arm was cut off and returned two days later. She was decapitated again in 1998, but the head was anonymously sent to TV and reattached. On 10 September 2003, a bomb blast knocked the statue off its rock into the harbour; she was fished out, holes were patched, and she was returned to her perch.
Besides physical attacks, activists have repeatedly painted or dressed the statue to make a statement. In 2006 and 2007, she was covered with green paint to commemorate International Women’s Day. Environmental and political slogans have been daubed on and around her: in 2017, she was splashed with red paint and the message “Denmark defend the whales of the Faroe Islands”. In 2020, “Free Hong Kong” and later the phrase “racist fish’ were scrawled on her stone plinth during various protests.
Despite all this, the statue was never permanently damaged beyond despair, and city crews clean and repaint her every time. This resilience has become part of her story: she is topped up with fresh bronze bits and painted regularly, and Copenhagen clearly values preserving its historic structure.
This website has a pretty good overview of her various attacks, with pictures. It’s weirdly disturbing to see the photos of her without a head!
You can view the pictures here: https://tv.tv2.dk/2013-08-23-galleri-den-lille-havfrue-fylder-100-aar
The Statue Today
Today, the Little Mermaid is one of Copenhagen’s most photographed landmarks, attracting millions of tourists annually. Most visitors expect a small statue and get exactly that. As Rick Steves puts it:
“While underwhelming on her rock, she draws a steady stream of tourists”.
The bronze mermaid is only about 4 feet (1.25 metres) tall, so don’t expect a grand monument. Many travellers say it’s a pretty statue worth seeing, but much smaller than what the photos show.
Because of its fame, the spot can get quite crowded, especially in the middle of the day when the cruise ships are in port. Tourism guides advise visiting first thing in the morning (before 9 am) or late evening to avoid the hordes. I prefer going in the late evening!
Most people enjoy the mermaid as part of a larger harbour walk or bike ride rather than a standalone sight. The seaside promenade offers benches and pleasant views of ships and water.
Practical Information
Getting There
The statue sits on Langelinie Pier by the harbour. It’s a 15-minute walk from Østerport Station (catch the Metro or S-train from the city centre to Østerport, then follow the signs east). City bus 27 stops at Indiakaj, just a few minutes away.
Copenhagen has excellent bike paths, so many visitors bike there.
You can also see the statue if you book one of the canal cruises.
Best Time & Photography Tips
To beat the crowds, come early (before 9 a.m.) or later in the evening (after 5 p.m.). Early morning light and the golden hour before sunset provide lovely photo opportunities.
The statue is lit from behind around midday, so midday or morning yields better light on her face. Don’t zoom in so tightly that you lose the setting—seeing the boats or skyline behind her tells the story. If you want an empty shot, be patient or wait until a quiet moment.
Accessibility & Safety
Langelinie Promenade is flat and paved, with no steps between the street and the statue area. Wheelchairs and strollers generally reach the viewpoint easily. However, to get right beside the statue, you must navigate some uneven rocks by the water, so take care if you go down from the path. The stones are especially slippery on rainy days.
Copenhagen is a very safe city, and the pier area is well-lit and open, but this is one of the most popular places for pickpockets. You need to be extra wary of your belongings when taking photos. Don’t leave things on benches, and lock all vehicles and bikes.
Crowds & Lines
There’s no official queue, but you must wait a few minutes for a clear photo. Tour groups tend to arrive in the mid-morning or afternoon. If a cruise ship is in port, expect extra crowds. Generally, 20 minutes is enough to see the statue, snap pictures, and read nearby plaques.
Nearby Attractions
The Little Mermaid is near several highlights. Right beside her is Kastellet, a well-preserved star-shaped fortress with a windmill.
Head inland a few blocks and you’ll find the Gefion Fountain and the classical dome of Frederik’s Church, better known as the Marble Church. About a 15-minute walk along the harbour brings you to Amalienborg Palace, where you can watch the Royal Guard change at 12 pm.
Worth Going Out of Your Way?
Is it a tourist trap? Yes. However, on every tour I’ve done, the group has always said it’s worth seeing anyway, to say you’ve seen it. The statue is in a good location for exploring Copenhagen, and it’s easy to add it as a stop on your visit to the area. One TripAdvisor review says: “I wouldn’t say it’s a must-visit – do not visit the statue with the intention of just the statue, but also to take a nice walk along the water”.
If you love fairytales or the seaside vibe, she’s worth the short detour. But if your time is tight and your list is long, you could skip her without major FOMO.
Resources
Rick Steves: https://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/wonderful-copenhagen
VisitCopenhagen: https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/little-mermaid-gdk586951
GetYourGuide: https://www.getyourguide.com/explorer/copenhagen-ttd12/visit-copenhagens-little-mermaid/
TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189541-d245024-Reviews-The_Little_Mermaid-Copenhagen_Zealand.html
The Little Mermaid
Well, now we’ve reached the end of the article – has it convinced you to visit the Little Mermaid? Honestly, I hope so! There’s nothing wrong with visiting somewhere that’s regarded as a tourist trap. Make an excursion out of it and visit the surrounding attractions too!