The Little Mermaid Copenhagen: How to Visit, Best Times, and a Practical Photo Guide

The Little Mermaid Copenhagen is Copenhagen’s most famous sculpture—set on a rock at the water’s edge along Langelinie, with cruise ships, harbour views, and a steady stream of cameras. It was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and gifted to the city by brewer Carl Jacobsen, and it has been a Copenhagen symbol since it was unveiled in 1913.

This guide helps you do it right: go at the best time (so it doesn’t feel like a crowded “drive-by”), get clean photos 📸, and turn the visit into a short, scenic waterfront walk you’ll actually enjoy.

Quick reality check: what you’re coming for ✨

Let’s set expectations so The Little Mermaid Copenhagen doesn’t disappoint:

• 📍 It’s an outdoor harbour-side statue, not a museum attraction—your “visit” is really a short stop + walk on the promenade.
• 📸 It’s one of the city’s most photographed monuments and draws huge daily crowds in peak season.
• ✅ The win is the combo: the statue + sea air + nearby sights like The Citadel (Kastellet) and the National Gallery of Denmark (SMK).

The story behind The Little Mermaid Copenhagen (why it exists) 🧜‍♀️📚

The sculpture is directly tied to Hans Christian Andersen’s world-famous fairy tale. VisitCopenhagen explains that the statue was inspired by Andersen’s 1837 story, and that Carl Jacobsen was moved by a ballet performance of The Little Mermaid at the Royal Danish Theatre—leading him to commission Eriksen to create the sculpture.

A few details that make good “caption facts”:

• 🗓️ Unveiled: 23 August 1913 (gift from Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen).
• 🧑‍🎨 Sculptor: Edvard Eriksen.
• 🎭 Model details: the face was inspired by ballerina Ellen Price, while the body was modeled by Eriksen’s wife, Eline.

Best time to visit (crowds vs. atmosphere) ⏱️✅

Because it’s outdoors and very popular, timing is everything.

Timing table (simple, practical)

If you want one strong photo without strangers in the frame, plan early morning. The statue remains a top “must-see,” so mid-day often means bus groups and dense crowds.

Where to stand for the best photos 📸📍

You don’t need secret spots—just smart angles:

1. The classic front angle (from the promenade edge)
   • Best for the iconic “mermaid looking out” composition.
   • ⚠️ Don’t climb on the rocks—besides being unsafe, the area gets congested quickly.
2. Slight side-angle for a cleaner silhouette
   • Step a few meters left/right to reduce the “wall of phones” behind her.
3. Add context: harbour + promenade
   • A wider shot makes your photo look more “Copenhagen” and less like a close-up snapshot.
4. Turn it into a mini photo-walk
   • Walk the waterfront toward The Citadel or onward toward SMK to get variety in 20–45 minutes.

How to get there 🚇🚌🚶‍♂️🛥️

VisitCopenhagen’s simplest instruction is also the best: it’s about a 15-minute walk from Østerport Station.

Metro / trains (most reliable) 🚇

Østerport is easy because it connects metro + rail:

• Metro lines: M3/M4
• Plus S-trains and regional trains (useful if you’re coming from elsewhere in the city/region).

From Østerport: walk through a pleasant harbour-side route (and you can continue to Kastellet after).

Harbour bus (scenic + very Copenhagen) 🛥️

If you want a “mini boat experience” without doing a full canal tour, consider the public harbour buses:

• Route numbers 991 (south direction) and 992 (north direction).
  (They’re part of regular transport—great for harbour views when the weather is nice.)

Walking (best if you’re already central) 🚶‍♂️

If you’re staying in the inner city, walking is often the most enjoyable option—especially if you connect it with Kastellet and SMK (both flagged as nearby by VisitCopenhagen).

Hours / Operating times ⏱️

There are no “opening hours” in the normal sense because The Little Mermaid Copenhagen is a public outdoor sculpture on the promenade. What does change:

• daylight (photo quality),
• wind/weather by the water,
• crowd levels (especially cruise days).

Tickets / prices / cards 💳

• 🎟️ No admission ticket to see the statue (public outdoor sight).
• 🚇 Your only cost is transport (unless you join a guided tour or canal tour).

For public transport pricing basics:

• Copenhagen’s zone system has a minimum of 2 zones, and VisitCopenhagen notes this minimum is DKK 24.
• The official public transport info also lists single-ticket prices starting from DKK 24 (2 zones).

Tips / common mistakes ⚠️✅

• ⚠️ Mistake: expecting a long “activity.”
  Plan it as a 15–45 minute stop plus a walk—not a standalone attraction.
• ✅ Go early if you want calm.
  It’s one of the most visited/photographed monuments, so the middle of the day is often crowded.
• 📸 Bring a wide lens option (or use 0.5x on your phone).
  Wide shots look better because they include harbour context.
• 🌬️ Dress for wind.
  The waterfront can feel colder than the city center.
• 🧭 Turn it into a “two birds” route.
  VisitCopenhagen explicitly recommends combining it with The Citadel and SMK—this is how you make the trip feel worth it.

FAQ ❓

When was The Little Mermaid Copenhagen unveiled?
It was unveiled on 23 August 1913 as a gift from brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen.

Who created the sculpture?
It was sculpted by Edvard Eriksen.

What’s the easiest way to get there?
VisitCopenhagen recommends a 15-minute walk from Østerport Station.

Which metro lines go to Østerport?
Østerport Metro Station is served by M3/M4, and it also connects to S-trains and regional trains.

Is the statue linked to Hans Christian Andersen?
Yes—VisitCopenhagen explains it was inspired by Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale, and that Carl Jacobsen commissioned the work after seeing a ballet version at the Royal Danish Theatre.

Conclusion

The Little Mermaid Copenhagen is best done as a smartly timed photo stop inside a waterfront walk. Go early for clean photos, approach it as an outdoor landmark (not a “big attraction”), and combine it with nearby sights like The Citadel and SMK to make the whole route feel like a real Copenhagen moment.