Visit the Little Mermaid: A Must-See in Copenhagen

During my trip to Copenhagen, I couldn’t resist visiting one of the city’s most iconic landmarks—the Little Mermaid statue. Sitting by the water’s edge at Langelinie Pier, this small but mighty sculpture has become a symbol of both the city and Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale.

When I first approached the statue, I was surprised by how small it is compared to what I imagined. The Little Mermaid, elegantly perched on a rock, gazes out over the water, her long hair flowing gently with the breeze. It’s a quiet, serene scene that feels like something straight out of a storybook. I spent some time there taking in the view and snapping photos, feeling like I was stepping right into Andersen’s world.

The Little Mermaid statue was unveiled in 1913, making it over a century old! It was created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, who was inspired by Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale about a mermaid who sacrifices everything for a chance at love. The statue was commissioned by the Danish brewing tycoon Carl Jacobsen, who was so captivated by a ballet performance of the story that he decided to fund the sculpture.

One fascinating piece of history I learned was that the statue’s model wasn’t just one person. Eriksen’s wife, Eline, posed for the body of the mermaid, but the face was inspired by a famous Danish ballerina, Ellen Price, who performed the role of the Little Mermaid in the ballet.

Despite its relatively small size, the Little Mermaid has become a major draw for tourists visiting Copenhagen, with thousands of people stopping by each year to admire the sculpture. Over the years, it’s also been the subject of some controversy and mischief. The statue has been vandalized and even decapitated a few times, but it’s always been lovingly restored and continues to stand strong, representing the resilience of both the story and the city itself.

If you find yourself in Copenhagen, the Little Mermaid is definitely worth a visit. It might not be the largest or most elaborate monument, but there’s something undeniably magical about it. Standing there, gazing at the calm waters, I felt connected to the city’s rich history and to the timeless tale of love, sacrifice, and longing. It’s a quiet moment of reflection in an otherwise bustling city, and it’s something I won’t forget anytime soon.