Things to do in Leksand - 18 attractions and experiences

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What can you do in Leksand in Dalarna? This gem by Lake Siljan has a lot to offer, whether you like history, culture, boat trips or nature. Here are all our top tips on things to see and do in Leksand.

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Leksand

Leksand is known, among other things, for organising Sweden's largest Midsummer celebration every summer, with around 30,000 visitors. Absolutely incredible! The town also attracts visitors with hockey, crafts and much more.

Leksand is located at the southern end of Lake Siljan, about 20 kilometres south of Rättvik.

What can you do in Leksand?

So what can you do in Leksand? There is a lot to see and discover! Here are our top tips for things to do in Leksand and the surrounding area.

1. Strolling in Leksand - among boats and cafés

First of all, you might want to experience the centre of Leksand, by strolling around. It's very nice at the quay towards Siljan, where you can spot beautiful old boats. There are also a bunch of nice cafés in town where you can stop, such as Café Allé and Siljan's patisserie.

If you want to go a little further, you can follow Solvändan seafront promenade, which starts at the Leksand Bridge in the town centre and goes to Leksand Sommarland, a walk of about 4 kilometres. Back you can follow one of the paths in Lugnet-Barkdal nature reserve or follow the cycle path.

2. See Leksand's homesteads

Right next to Leksand church is Leksand's homestead, which is Dalarna's oldest homestead. There are a number of old-fashioned timber buildings that together form an open-air museum.

The church is also one of Sweden's largest rural churches. The oldest parts date from the 13th century, and the current exterior dates from 1715.

We also found a nice viewpoint over Lake Siljan near the local farms.

3. Take a look inside Leksand's cultural centre and museum

In the centre of Leksand you will find Leksand cultural centre, where there is a library and museum. The museum houses the world's third largest collection of valley paintings, an interesting costume exhibition and various temporary exhibitions. The museum is completely free to visit. Definitely worth a visit!

4. Experience Sweden's largest Midsummer celebration

Sweden's largest Midsummer celebration is held every year in Sammilsdal (Gropen) in the centre of Leksand, with around 30,000 visitors. First, the fiddlers come in with church boats on the river. Later, the 26-metre-long, 800-kilo midsummer pole is erected. You can also count on singing, dancing and classical ringing. This must be powerful!

5. visit Munthes Hildasholm

Hildasholm is the house in Leksand that was built by the doctor and author Axel Munthe, as a morning gift to his wife Hilda Pennington Mellor Munthe. Today it is a visitor centre with guided tours, a garden, a café, art exhibitions and various events. A visit here is very interesting and highly recommended!

6. Watch a match with Leksand IF

Another thing you can do in Leksand is of course to watch a match with Leksand IF at their home arena, Tegera Arena.

7. Take a boat trip on Lake Siljan

You can also take a boat trip on Lake Siljan. We went on a shrimp cruise with M/S Gustaf Wasa, which was very nice. The trip, which took about three hours, went from Leksand to Rättvik and back. During the cruise we enjoyed a shrimp feast, with lots of shrimp, bread and cheese. Delicious and cosy!

You can also cruise with the steamship S/S Engelbrekt. The tours start in Leksand and go down the Österdal River to Morkarlön and back. During the three-hour trip you can enjoy food and sometimes entertainment.

8. Shop for delicacies at Laxbutiken

If you like fish, you can swing by Laxbutiken. The focus here is on seafood, but there are also other delicacies. Among other things, we bought smoked pepper salmon here. Very tasty!

9. Discover Naturum Dalarna

Dalarna Nature Centre is located on Björkberget in Siljansnäs, and from the viewing tower you have a fantastic view of Lake Siljan.

Naturum also has beautiful and thought-provoking exhibitions where you can learn about animals and nature in the area.

10. Coffee at Buffils Anna in Siljansnäs

Right next to Naturum Dalarna in Siljansnäs you will find the cosy café Buffils Anna. Here you can sit cosily in the garden and have coffee with a lovely view of Siljan. One of the most popular things to eat here is waffles with Skagenröra. Very good we can promise!

11. Ski at Granberget ski centre

Outside Leksand, you will also find the Granberget ski centre. Now, in summer, this is a green slope filled with meadow flowers. In winter, this is a popular destination for both downhill and cross-country skiing.

12. Shop at Leksand's crispbread

Leksand's crispbread has a large shop, which is well worth a visit. Here you will find lots of crispbread, but also a wide range of souvenirs and other delicacies. There is also a "knäckeria" where you can buy a crisp sandwich or a crisp pizza. If you come by motorhome, you can stay overnight in the car park free of charge, without service.

13. Check out the Clas Ohlson museum in Insjön

Did you know that Clas Ohlson started its first store in Insjön in Leksand, or that it all started as a bicycle workshop and a mail order company in 1918? Insjön is still home to a large Clas Ohlson store, as well as a museum telling the company's history and a café.

Right next to Clas Ohlson you will also find a lot of other shops, as well as the mini museum The Åhlén Pavilion, which tells the story of "the enterprising Insjön". It was not only Clas Ohlson that was founded here, but also several other companies, such as Åhléns.

14. Have fun at Leksand Summerland

Leksand sommarland is more than just a campsite. There is a large water park and lots of other activities such as a high ropes course, zipline, carousels and trampolines. There are also a number of different restaurants.

15. Visit Tällberg and Tällberg campsite

Tällberg is an incredibly charming village with beautiful traditional wooden houses and great views of Lake Siljan. This is probably Sweden's most hotel-dense village - there are no less than eight hotels here. There are also plenty of restaurants and craft shops.

Tällberg is also home to Tällberg Camping, which is a relatively simple, but incredibly beautifully located campsite right next to the shores of Lake Siljan.

16. Admire the church bridge in Dala-Floda

A little south of Leksand you will find Dala-Floda with its beautiful church bridge. At 158 metres, the church bridge is Sweden's longest wooden suspension bridge for car traffic. The bridge was built in 1922, destroyed by fire in 1980, but rebuilt and inaugurated by the royal couple in 1983.

You can drive over the bridge with a car, as long as the car weighs a maximum of 2 tonnes. So we parked our motorhome next to it just to check out this beautiful bridge.

17. check out the river meeting

A little south of Leksand, you'll also find Älvmötet, or the "Association of Rivers", as the place can also be called. Here the Västerdalälven and Österdalälven rivers meet, and then continue together as the Dalälven.

18. Drive the tourist route between Leksand and Rättvik

If you are not in a hurry, you can choose to drive the tourist route between Rättvik and Leksand, which goes via Laknäs, Tällberg and Plintsberg. Very charming and very much Sweden and Dalarna!

More to do in Leksand for those who like culture and history

There is of course even more to see and do in Leksand than our tips. Here are some more suggestions for those who like culture and history.

• Alfvén Farm showcases the beautiful 1940s home of composer and artist Hugo Alfvén in Leksand. 
• Djura homestead has ceiling and wall paintings by the valley painter Jufwas Anders Ersson.
• Holens old farm is the home of the conservationist, artist and architect Gustaf Ankarcrona, with buildings from the 17th-18th centuries.
• Jobs Hand printing creates beautiful hand-printed interior textiles with floral patterns.
• Ljusbodarnas fäbod is one of Leksand's largest sheep farms, with sheep and sometimes programmes.

More to do in Leksand for nature lovers

Here you will find even more suggestions for things to do in Leksand, for those who enjoy nature.

• Bathing places There are many, including Helgbobadet, Opplimen and Styrsjön.
• Golf can be played at Leksand Golf Club or Tällberg Golf Club.
• Japanese Park is located just north of Hildasholm and Leksand church. 
• Canoe is a wonderful way to experience Siljan, can be hired via Siljan Kajak & Äventyr.
• Leksand tours is a bike ride that starts at Kyrkallén and is 30-40 kilometres long depending on the distance.
• Nature reserve there are several, such as Hundhagen, Storheden, Sätra Hasselskog, Vaverön and Storön.

Where can you stay in Leksand, or park your campervan?

In Leksand there are of course several different accommodation options, both in and around the resort. Among other things, there are eight hotels in beautiful Tällberg! If you, like us, are travelling by motorhome, there are also many different options. We spent a total of five nights here, in five different places. Here you will find some possibilities:

• Fornby long pier rest area, Siljansnäs (nice view, toilet available, free but the association asks for optional Swish contribution)
• Leksand crispbread parking, Gärde stationvägen 11 (free one night, no service)
• Leksand Summerland, Siljansvägen 75
• Car parks at Leksand's homesteads (several motorhomes were parked here, you have to check parking rules in different places)
• Tällberg campsite, Sjögattu 44, Tällberg (relatively simple campsite, but beautiful location, nice service and good value)
• Tällbergs golf club car park, Plintsberg Ålängsvägen 21, Tällberg (slightly more expensive than Tällbergs camping but less service, one toilet and one shower available)
• Västanviksbadets campsite, Västanvik Siljansnäsvägen 130

More to see and do near Leksand

Based in Leksand, you can of course take the opportunity to experience the rest of The Siljan region. You can visit Mora, Orsa and Rättvik. In Mora, above all, you don't want to miss Zorngården and the Zorn Museum. You can also go to Borlänge and Falun, and experience attractions such as Falu mine and The Carl Larsson farm.

More tips on things to do in Leksand?

Have you visited Leksand? Do you have any other suggestions for what to see and do in Leksand? Please tell us!

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