Østerbro
A small bronze statue on a rock, world-famous and best seen at an hour when you can actually see it.
The Little Mermaid has sat on her stone at the water's edge since 1913, and she is smaller than almost everyone expects, at barely over a metre. What makes the visit worthwhile is the setting: the open harbour mouth, passing ships, and the long green promenade leading up to her.
Crowds arrive with the tour buses mid-morning, so early is genuinely better. Combine her with the ramparts of Kastellet just behind and you have one of the best walks in the city rather than a two-minute photo stop.
The statue sits at the edge of Østerbro, a calm residential district, which means the café options nearby are neighbourhood ones, with good coffee, bread and eggs but without the harbourfront markup.
Within walking distance
Brunch, coffee and long mornings in Østerbro
Baryl on Århusgade serves brunch and breakfast all day, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options and a kitchen that leans on flavour rather than fuss. A calm room, good coffee, and a five-minute walk from Kastellet.
Århusgade 78 · 2100 · Copenhagen
Café on Bopa Plads
Café Bopa is located on Bopa Plads in Østerbro. It is a straightforward choice for breakfast, brunch or coffee while exploring this part of the city.
Bopa Plads 7-9 · 2100 · København Ø
Lakeside Østerbro café
Cafe Livingstone is on Sortedam Dossering at the edge of Østerbro. The address makes it useful for a breakfast, brunch or coffee stop during a walk around the Copenhagen Lakes.
Sortedam Dossering 81 · 2100 · København Ø
Getting there
Nearest station: Østerport. The walk from there passes Kastellet.
The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen
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