The Little Mermaid sits on a rock in the harbour at Langelinie, a five-minute walk north of the cruise ship terminal. Edward Eriksen's bronze sculpture was placed there in 1913, a commission from the brewer Carl Jacobsen inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. She is smaller than most visitors expect — about 1.25 metres tall — and is routinely cited as one of the world's most disappointing tourist attractions.
This assessment misses the point. The sculpture is genuinely beautiful up close: the treatment of the transition from human to fish form is subtle and the weathered bronze has a quiet dignity. The walk along the Langelinie waterfront to reach her is pleasant, and the area includes the citadel of Kastellet and several other monuments. Go early morning to have the statue to yourself.