The Little Mermaid
Edvard Eriksen's famous bronze statue sitting on a rock in the harbour. She's right by the cruise dock - literally your first stop off the ship. A proper Copenhagen icon since 1913.
Copenhagen - Fri 3 Jul
A relaxed, walkable day in Copenhagen - no trains needed, the ship docks close enough to walk straight into the city. The famous Little Mermaid statue is practically at the end of the gangway.
🚢 Ship arrives: 9am | 🎯 Target onboard: 4:30pm | 🚢 Ship departs: 10pm
📍 Port: Copenhagen, Denmark | 🚶 Walk to centre: ~25 minutes
Copenhagen at a Glance
Copenhagen is one of the most walkable cruise ports in Europe. Ships dock at the Øresund Terminal or nearby Feriham, both within easy walking distance of the city centre. Wendy's tip: "Walk possible - 25 minutes from ship dock to centre. Little Mermaid statue near the ship dock - must-see."
Getting There
- 🚶 Walk: Head straight off the ship - the city is close. The Little Mermaid is a few minutes' walk from the dock along the waterfront.
- 🚕 Taxi: Readily available if you prefer not to walk or want to head somewhere specific quickly.
- 🚲 Bike: Copenhagen is a bike city - if you see bikes for hire, it's a great way to see the city.
Map: Copenhagen waterfront and centre
Main stops from the relaxed walking plan, from the cruise-side waterfront into the old city.
Stress-Free Itinerary
🧜 Morning - The Little Mermaid & Waterfront
| 9:00 - 9:45am | Start at the Little Mermaid - she's right by the ship dock. No rush, just walk straight there first. |
| 9:45 - 10:30am | Walk along the waterfront to Amalienborg - the Royal Danish Palace. Impressive and free to visit the courtyard. |
| 10:30 - 11:00am | Continue through the old city towards Nyhavn. |
🍽️ Late Morning / Lunch - Nyhavn
| 11:00am - 12:30pm | Nyhavn - the iconic colourful harbour. Grab lunch at one of the canal-side cafes. Fish and seafood are a good shout in Denmark. |
🏛️ Afternoon - City Centre & Strøget
| 12:30 - 1:30pm | Walk up Strøget - one of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets. Great for a wander even if you're not shopping. |
| 1:30 - 2:30pm | Rosenborg Castle - home to the Danish crown jewels. Small but impressive if you want something a bit special. |
| 2:30 - 3:30pm | Christiansborg Palace - the Danish Parliament building. Can visit the palace square and exterior without going inside. |
🚶 Return
- ~4:30pm - Back at the ship with bags of time before 10pm departure ✅
- Evening in port if you want a quiet dinner back in Nyhavn or by the waterfront.
Key Highlights
Nyhavn
The postcard image of Copenhagen - colourful townhouses lining a canal, boats bobbing in the water. Perfect for a lunch stop or just a wander. The original 17th-century harbour is as photogenic as it gets.
Amalienborg Palace
The home of the Danish Royal Family. Four palace buildings around a central square. The Changing of the Guard happens at noon. The courtyard is free to enter.
Strøget
One of Europe's longest pedestrian streets. Shops, cafes, street performers, and people-watching. A lovely walk from Nyhavn up through the city centre.
Rosenborg Castle
A compact Renaissance castle housing the Danish crown jewels and crown regalia. A bit of a hidden gem - not on every tourist trail but well worth a visit.
Notes
- Ship departs 10pm - a very long day in port. No need to rush anything.
- Currency: Danish Krone (DKK). Denmark is not in the Eurozone. Card payments are widely accepted everywhere.
- Denmark is a very walkable city - no transport needed for the main sights.
- Tivoli Gardens is also worth knowing about - famous amusement park in the city centre, open during the day. Could be a lovely evening option if you have energy left.