What to do in Falun in Dalarna? This city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has great sights in the form of the Falun mine and the Carl Larsson farm. There are also plenty of great nature experiences. Here are all our top tips for things to do in Falun.
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Falun
Falun is perhaps best known for the Falun copper mine. However, it is not only the mine that is part of the World Heritage Site. The UNESCO heritage site "Falun and Kopparbergslagen" includes the entire historic industrial landscape around Stora Kopparberget and Falun, as well as the old neighbourhoods with wooden houses. We came here during the end of our motorhome trip in Hälsingland and Dalarna, and had time to look around a bit.
Falun is located on Lake Runn, in the southern part of Dalarna.
What can you do in Falun?
So, what can you do in Falun? In fact, there is a lot to see and experience! Here are our top tips for things to do in Falun and the surrounding area.
1. check out Falu Kristine church
Falu Kristine Church is centrally located at Stora Torget in Falun and is one of Sweden's most powerful Renaissance works. The church was built between 1642 and 1655, and inside you can see Baroque and Renaissance works in Carolinian blue and gold. Just outside, in the square, you can see The Engelbrekt Monument by Karl Hultström.
2. Shopping in Falun
If you like shopping, there is of course something you can do in Falun. Here you will find, among other things, Falan galleria and Bergströms galleria. There are also many shops selling crafts and delicacies. For example, you can take a look at Dalarna Design, Dalarnas Hemslöjd, Deli Dalarna, Falu Ljusstöperi, Renbiten Deli or Falu Bröd & Patisserie.
3. Enjoy a Rättviks Ice Cream
During our trip to Dalarna we have become very familiar with Rättviks Glass. We are very fond of ice cream, and we have to say that Rättviksglassen is one of our favourites. In Falun you can find the ice cream at Stora torget. Yum!
4. City walk in Falun World Heritage Centre
Falun was awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 2001. In addition to the Falun mine, the World Heritage site also includes the city's old neighbourhoods with wooden buildings. If you wish, you can stroll on your own in the neighbourhoods of Elsborg, Gamla Herrgården and Östanfors, which are dominated by red houses, often painted with Falu red paint. Here you can discover places such as Ernst Rolfgården, Thunströms Köpmansgård and Vass Britas Gård. During the summer months, city walks are also offered with different themes and topics.
5. Take a guided tour of the Falu mine
Falu mine is a historic copper mine, which is part of the Unesco heritage in Falun. Today the mine is a popular tourist destination, and here you can join an interesting guided tour underground. Above ground, there are also museums, historic buildings and homes where you can see how the miners used to live.
6. Take a look at Dalarnas Museum
In the centre of Falun, the Dalarna Museum is well worth a visit. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions, and among other things you can see valley paintings and a large collection of lots of different versions of Dala horses. Right now, and until August 2025, there is also a really nice exhibition of art by Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn.
There is also a nice exhibition on Selma Lagerlöf, who, although from Värmland, also lived in and has a strong connection to Falun. We enjoyed looking around this museum, and during the high season daily guided tours are also organised.
7. coffee at Café Slussvaktar'n
Café Slussvaktar'n is a really charming summer café by the water, where you'll find adventure golf, live music, food and ice-cream by the truckload.
8. Take a boat trip with the Lock Girl
Slussbruden is a nice boat that makes tours on Lake Runn, starting right next to Café Slussvaktar'n. We have mainly heard about the prawn cruises and taco cruises, which are 3.5 hour trips, but there are also shorter lunch trips.
9. Holiday at Sjösidan Falun
Just a few kilometres outside the centre of Falun, on Lake Runn, is Sjösidan Falun. You can come here to swim or to hire a canoe, SUP board or sauna raft. In the beautiful and historic building Villa Herdin serves buffet and various dishes in summer. In addition, there is a simple campsite here, where we stayed one night with our motorhome.
10. Hang out at a campsite in Lugnet
In Falun you can also hang out at First Camp Lugnet - Falun. We spent two days here, mostly to relax and do some work at the computers. You can also come here to take part in activities at the sports and leisure centre Lugnet, which is right next door. There are jogging and skiing trails, cycle paths, a sports hall and a swimming pool. We also saw many people enjoying mountain biking.
11. See the view from the Lugnet ski jumps
Lugnet's ski jumps are visible from afar, and make an impressive impression. Even if you're not into ski jumping, you can get to the top of the mountain just to enjoy the view. In fact, you can get all the way up by car.
We sat up here for a while and just enjoyed the views.
12. skiing or mountain biking
Skiing is popular in winter and mountain biking is just as popular in summer. Right next to the ski jumps in Lugnet are several MTB trails, with names such as "Gamla mormor" (an old nickname for the Falu mine) and "Fet-Mats" (the miner who died in the mine and was found well preserved over 40 years later). Skiing is also popular in other places nearby, such as Källviksbacken, Bjursås Ski Centre and Romme Alpin.
13. Visit the Carl Larsson farm
The Carl Larsson farm in Sundborn is the home where the artists Carl and Karin Larsson lived and worked. Today, the home is a well-preserved and very popular attraction, and it is very interesting to take a guided tour here. There are also exhibitions where you can learn more about the artist couple and their lives.
14. learn about Falu sausages, Falu red colour, Falu rye bread, Falu vinegar and the Falu maiden
Falun is known for a wide range of brands.
Falukorven originated in the Falu copper mine, where ropes of twisted oxhide were used to hoist the copper ore. The meat, which was a by-product, was salted and smoked. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Germans came to the mine to teach Swedes how to make sausages from the meat.
Falu red colour originates from a by-product of the Falu mine, which could be used as a red pigment. Today, the trade name may only be used for colours containing pigments from the Falu copper mine.
Falu rye groats is a trade mark for a crispbread from Wasabröd. The bread was originally produced by Falu spisbrödsfabrik. The factory was later bought by Wasabröd and production was moved to Filipstad, but the name was retained despite the move.
Falu vinegar is a former trade mark for vinegar from Perstorp AB. The vinegar was produced since the 1910s at the Falu copper mine, and contained, among other things, sulphuric acid from the mine.
Falujungfrun is a turned female figure that has been made in Dalarna since at least the 19th century, but may be even older than that. Falu ättika started using a picture of the doll on its labels in 1945, making the figure famous around the country.
More to do in Falun for those who like culture and history
There is of course even more to see and do in Falun than our tips above. Here are some more suggestions for those who like culture and history.
- Arvid Backlund farm is the home of sculptor Arvid Backlund in Svärdsjö with sculpture and art collections.
- Cultural passport gives discounts to nine cultural experiences in Dalarna.
- Locomotive shed railway museum showcases old steam locomotives, railcars and wagons in the locomotive sheds in Falun.
- Falun magazine is a venue for concerts, events, exhibitions, workshops, lectures and more.
- Museum of Medical History is run by a non-profit organisation and tells the story of medical care in the past.
- Stora Kopparbergs church was probably built in the 14th and 15th centuries, and is thus the oldest building in Falun.
More to do in Falun for nature lovers
Here you will find even more tips on things to do in Falun, suitable for those who enjoy nature or like more adventurous activities.
- Falu wild water park is Sweden's first and only artificial canoeing arena.
- Mountains of Heaven is located 6.5 kilometres west of Svartnäs, and there is a viewpoint at the top.
- Cross-country skating on the Runn is popular in winter.
- Nature reserve there are several such as Isalanäset, Ramsellskogen, Rottnebyskogen and Ärtknubben nature reserve.
- Runn Runt is a 50-70 kilometre cycle path that runs around Lake Runn.
- Samuelsdal Golf offers a lovely park environment with 18 holes.
More to do in Falun with children
For those travelling with children or teenagers, there are of course even more suggestions for things to do in Falun. Here are some ideas.
- Bathing beaches there are several in Falun such as Höganäs, Roxnäsbadet, Sandlandet, Stångtjärn, Vitsand and Österå.
- Falu Skatepark Hyttgård Park is for anyone who wants to skateboard.
- Kayak, canoe or SUP can be hired at various locations, for example at Kayakomat Hälsinggårdsbryggan or Främby udde.
- Lugnet bathhouse offers bathing experiences for everyone, including saunas and relaxation.
Where can I stay in Falun, or park my caravan?
In Falun, there are of course several different accommodation options, both in and around the city. If you, like us, are travelling by motorhome, the following options are available:
- Falu mine car park, Krongårdsvägen 16 (Toilet and shower available, but no electricity or other services)
- First Camp Lugnet - Falun, Lugnetvägen 14
- Lilltorpet car park, Lilltorpsvägen 55 (Nice parking for the night, no service)
- Seaside Falun, Främby udde 20 (Simple camping, with all the services you need)
More to see and do near Falun
From Falun it is not far to Borlänge, where you can visit Skedvi bread, Sahlins ostrich and Östra Silvberg mine, among others. It is also relatively close to Rättvik and Leksand, where there is much to see and experience. You can also head to Avesta, to see the world's largest Dala horse.
More tips on things to do in Falun?
Have you visited Falun? Do you have any other suggestions for things to see and do in Falun? Please share them with us!
Facts about Falun
- Landscape: Dalarna
- County: Dalarna County
- Municipality: Falu municipality
- Location: Falun is located on Lake Runn, in the southern part of Dalarna.
- Population: Almost 60 000 in the municipality (2024)
- Known for: Falun is famous for Falukorv, Falu red colour, Falu vinegar, Falu rågrut, and the souvenir Falujungfrun.
History in Falun
- 7th century: Perhaps copper ore was already being mined at this time.
- 11th century: Operations at the Falu mine were certainly underway at this time.
15th century to 16th century
- 15th century: Kopparberg church, originally called Mariakyrkan, was built during this time.
- 16th century: Copper mining in Falun became an important factor in Sweden's development into a major European power.
17th to 18th century
- 1608: Charles IX issued city privileges for Falun. However, no town was established, although a town hall was built.
- 1624: New privileges were issued, and mayors and aldermen were appointed.
- 1641: Privileges were again issued, and it was only now that a real city was established.
- Mid 17th century: Falun was the second largest city in Sweden, with just over 6000 inhabitants.
- End of the 17th century: The decline of the Falu mine began with the great collapse at midsummer in 1687.
- 1761: A large part of the city burned down in June, and in July of the same year another part of the city burned down.
- Late 18th century: Falun's population declined.
19th century to present
- 1842: A total of 42 farms were closed.
- 1859: Gävle-Dala railway opened.
- 1879: The "Bergslagsbanen" Falun-Gothenburg railway started.
- 1908: The Dal Regiment moved into newly built barracks in Falun.
- 1954: Falun hosted the World Ski Championships for the first time. Subsequently: 1974, 1993 and 2015.
- 2001: Falu mine and Falun were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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