The Little Mermaid is one of the smallest and most unimposing national symbols of the World (after Manneken Pis in Brussels). But still it is a landmark of Copenhagen, so you probably want to see it anyway. If so, here are some facts.

The Little Mermaid illustrates Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale written in 1836. It was a present from the Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen (son of J. C. Jacobsen – the founder of Carlsberg) and was made by the sculptor Edvard Eriksen – with his wife Eline as a model. The statue has been placed at the Langelinje area since 1923.

The statue has been vandalized several times. The head has been sawed off twice (the first time it was never found again) and she has also lost her arm once. Recently the stone the statue is sitting at was brought down – apparently with explosives.

Walk or sail

You can see The Little Mermaid in two ways: you can walk or you can sail.

If you decide to walk, you just stroll north from Nyhavn, passing the royal residence Amalienborg Palace and the headquarter of the Danish shipping company Mærsk on the way. After you have seen the statue you should tak a walk in the neighbouring park Kastellet.

You can also use the canal tours, but then you will only see the statue from the waterside (there is no stop at Langelinje). Two different companies leaves from Nyhavn: DFDS Canal Tours and Netto Bådene – both leaving from Nyhavn.

Do not be disappointed

Yes, The Little Mermaid is small and unimposing. But if you take it as a fun way to see to a part of Copenhagen, it is a nice trip. And when you have taken you photos standing in front of the statue, you can watch all the tourist from around the world doing the same. It can be rather fun to watch.