The Little Mermaid : info and guided tour

Introduction to The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is one of Copenhagen’s best-known landmarks. This bronze sculpture, installed on the Langelinie waterfront, depicts the character from Andersen’s fairy tale and attracts visitors with its modest size and silhouette perched on a rock, facing the harbor. It has become a powerful image of the city and of Denmark.

The work is inspired by the tale The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. Commissioned in the early 20th century to honor this story, it was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen. The design combines the figure of a young woman with a melancholic posture, featuring simple lines and a very clear rendering, suited to an outdoor monument.

What is striking is precisely its discreet size: the statue is smaller than many people imagine, yet it remains one of Copenhagen’s most photographed attractions. Its location by the water, in the Langelinie district, strengthens its connection with the maritime world and with the poetic universe of the tale from which it comes.

Discover Copenhagen with a private guide

A private guide can help place The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen’s cultural history by explaining its origins, its place in Andersen’s work, and the reasons for its fame. They can also draw attention to the sculpture’s details, its harbor setting, and its symbolic significance in the city.