The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen
Must-See Statue In Copenhagen
The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen (Den Lille Havfrue) is one of the city’s most famous and most visited landmarks, and for many tourists it is one of the first attractions they want to experience. Located by the waterfront at Langelinie, the small bronze statue has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Copenhagen and one of the city’s true must-see attractions. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s world-famous fairy tale, The Little Mermaid is closely tied to Danish culture, literature, and the city’s identity. Despite its modest size, the statue continues to attract visitors from around the world who come to see one of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights and experience one of the best-known symbols in Denmark.
Best View of The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is most often viewed up close and from directly in front, but one of the best ways to experience the statue is by taking a few steps slightly north along the waterfront. From here, you get a more side-on angle of the sculpture, while also seeing it in a more natural setting with the green surroundings of Langelinie in the background.
This viewpoint creates a calmer and often more visually balanced perspective of the statue, especially if you want a slightly different photo than the classic front-facing view. It also gives you a better sense of how The Little Mermaid sits as part of the wider waterfront area rather than as an isolated monument.
Why Visit The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen
The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen (Den Lille Havfrue) is one of the most famous landmarks in Denmark and one of the city’s most recognizable tourist attractions. Sitting quietly on a rock by the waterfront at Langelinie, the statue has become one of the defining images of Copenhagen and one of the places many visitors feel they have to see while exploring the Danish capital.
The statue was unveiled in 1913 and was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen. It was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Little Mermaid, which remains one of the most famous works in Danish literary history. That connection to Andersen gives the attraction a deeper cultural significance and is one of the main reasons why it continues to be so closely associated with Copenhagen.
One of the reasons why The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen remains such a popular place to visit is its symbolic importance. Even though the sculpture itself is relatively small compared to what some visitors expect, it represents something much bigger in the city’s identity. It is not just a statue, but one of the most internationally recognized symbols of Copenhagen and one of the attractions most often linked to Denmark as a whole.
Another reason to visit is its location along the waterfront at Langelinie, which makes the experience feel more scenic and atmospheric than simply viewing a monument in a square or on a street. The surrounding promenade, water, harbor setting, and nearby green areas help make the visit feel like part of a wider walk through one of the more pleasant waterfront areas in Copenhagen.
The Little Mermaid is also a place many visitors choose to combine with nearby attractions and landmarks. Its location makes it easy to include on a sightseeing route that also takes in Kastellet, Gefion Fountain, and other parts of the harborfront, which adds to its value as a stop while exploring the city. Rather than being an isolated attraction, it works best as part of a broader Copenhagen walking route.
Visiting The Little Mermaid is also about seeing a piece of Copenhagen that feels familiar before they even arrive. It is one of those places that people have often seen in guidebooks, films, travel articles, and social media long before visiting Denmark. That familiarity gives it a unique role among the city’s attractions and helps explain why it remains one of the most photographed and talked-about landmarks in Copenhagen. The Little Mermaid remains one of the classic places to see in the city. It may be small in size, but it continues to hold a very large place in the story and image of Copenhagen.