Perched on a boulder at the Langelinie promenade, The Little Mermaid has gazed wistfully across Copenhagen’s harbor since 1913. Commissioned by Carlsberg brewery founder Carl Jacobsen, who was enchanted by a ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale, the bronze statue was sculpted by Edvard Eriksen and has become Denmark’s most recognized symbol. At just 1.25 meters tall, she is famously smaller than most visitors expect, yet her quiet melancholy and waterside setting create an undeniable charm.

The statue has endured a turbulent history nearly as dramatic as the fairy tale itself, having been decapitated twice, lost an arm, been blown off her rock with explosives, and draped in paint by vandals on numerous occasions. Each time, she has been carefully restored and returned to her perch, becoming an enduring symbol of Danish resilience and cultural identity. The surrounding Langelinie pier offers pleasant walks along the harbor with views of the city skyline and the striking modern architecture of the Copenhagen Opera House across the water.

Pro tip: Visit at dawn when you can have the statue virtually to yourself and catch beautiful soft light reflecting off the harbor. Combine it with a morning walk through the adjacent Kastellet, a beautifully preserved star-shaped fortress with ramparts, moats, and a picturesque windmill.