Att göra i Mora - 16 sevärdheter och upplevelser

What can you do in Mora in Dalarna? This small town is home to the world-famous Dalarna horses, but there's also more to see and do. Here are all our top tips for things to do in Mora.

Mora

Mora is famous for its Dalarna horses, but also for the Vasaloppet and because the artist Anders Zorn lived here. In addition, the surroundings offer great opportunities for nature experiences, both summer and winter.

Mora is located between Lake Orsasjön and Lake Siljan, in the Siljan region of Dalarna.

What can you do in Mora?

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

1. Discover Mora on foot or by bike

First of all, you may want to discover the centre of Mora on foot or by bike. There is a city centre street with shops and a harbour (Saxviken) with boats and, in winter, a skating rink.

2. Fika in Mora

If you want to have a coffee, you can, for example, stop by Mora Coffee House, with pastries from our own bakery. Another option is Korsnäsgården, where waffles, ice cream and other treats are served.

Att göra i Mora i Dalarna - Korsnäsgården — Korsnäsgården in Mora

3. Enjoy an ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlour

If you like ice cream, you can also make a stop at the Ice Cream Boat, which we did. Here they serve really good RättviksGlass in a lovely environment.

4. Cruise with M/S Gustaf Wasa

Those who wish can go out and tick with M/S Gustaf Wasa, perhaps on a lovely shrimp feast. We did just that, but from Leksand, where the departures are significantly more numerous. Very nice!

5. Visit Zorngården and the Zorn Museum

Zorngården is the home that the couple Anders and Emma Zorn built in Mora, and right next door is the Zorn Museum where you can take part in Anders Zorn's art. This is a very interesting place to visit, and we can highly recommend joining a guided tour of Zorngården.

READ MORE: Visiting Zorngården and the Zorn Museum in Mora

6. check out Morakniv Concept Store

Mora is known for many different things, of which Moraknivar is one. Morakniv Concept Store is located in the centre of Mora and here you can find traditional and quality outdoor knives.

7. Take a look inside Mora church

In the centre of Mora you will also find Mora Church. The oldest parts of this church date from the 13th century, and the church got its current appearance in 1754. The spire dates from 1673 and is 74 metres high.

8. See the Vasalopp goal

Mora is famous for the Vasaloppet, which started in 1922, commemorating the route Gustav Vasa was forced to cover in 1520, during his escape from the Danish servants. The people of Mora were initially reluctant to support the race, but changed their minds and sent skiers after the future king, who reached him in Sälen. Now the finish line is here, in the centre of Mora, and the sign declares "In the footsteps of fathers for future victories".

There is also a statue of the "Vasalöparen", made by Per Nilsson-Öst for the 50th Vasaloppet in 1974.

9. Experience First Camp Moraparken - Dalarna

First Camp Moraparken - Dalarna has a very central and beautiful location by the Österdal River in Mora. Here you can camp with your own camping vehicle, of course, but also stay in a cabin, glamping tent or hotel.

The campsite offers a wide range of activities such as adventure golf, bike hire, playgrounds and - during the summer - activity programmes with training, a children's club and entertainment. There are also arenas for a variety of sports within walking distance, as well as opportunities for hiking and skiing.

10. Shop for Dala horses in Nusnäs

Dala horses is a symbol both of Dalarna and of Sweden as a whole. In the 18th century, people around Mora began to carve wooden horses, and the oldest Dalarna horses are even older than that. In the 19th century, the horses were given their typical pattern and in 1922 the production of Dala horses started in Nusnäs.

Today, there are two companies right next to each other in Nusnäs, founded by brothers: Nils Olsson Handicrafts oxh Grannas A Olsson Hemslöjd. At Nils Olsson Dalahästar you can buy fine Dalahästar, but also see how the production is done.

At Grannas A Olsson Hemslöjd you can also find fine Dala horses in different variants, as well as other fine crafts in the form of tablecloths, textiles and many others. Dala horse souvenirs.

11. Hiking in nature

Around Mora there are many places where you can walk in nature. You will find several nature reserves such as Alderängarna, Lybergsgnupen, Salunäbb, Svinvallen and Söderberget. There are also various hiking trails, including Vasaloppsleden (90 km) and Alderängsrundan (7-9 km).

12. Take a trip to Sollerön

Sollerön is an island in the northern part of Lake Siljan, not far from Mora. Here you can, for example, go hiking or fishing, or skiing in winter. There are also Sollerö Camping and Sollerö church as well as ancient remains in the form of burial grounds from the Viking Age.

13. Take the kids to the fairytale land of Tomteland

Fairy tale land Vacant land is located just outside Mora, in the middle of the deep forests. It promises magical places, where fairies, elves, dragons and witches live. As we had no children with us, we chose not to go in, but we guess that this place can be appreciated and popular with families with children and others with a youthful mind.

Att göra i Mora i Dalarna - Sagolandet Tomteland

14. climb Mount Gesunda

Not far from Tomteland is Gesunda Mountain. The mountain has an altitude of 514 metres above sea level (353 metres above Lake Siljan) and the view from the top is said to be wide and beautiful. Unfortunately, the ski resort at the foot of the mountain has closed completely after a bankruptcy, so the lift is at a standstill. If you want, you can hike up to the top, which we saw some people doing. Perhaps the resort will open, under new management, eventually.

15. Discover Siljansfors Forest and Naval Museum

Siljansfors Forest and Logging Museum is an open-air museum located just south-west of Mora. The museum tells the story of working with forests, logging, sawing and ironworks. There are also forest trails and a café.

16. Experience hockey and winter sports

Mora is not just a summer destination. There is also plenty to do in Mora in winter. You can go cross-country skating on Saxviken, Siljan or Orsasjön. You can also go cross-country skiing at Mora ski stadium or at Venjan ski stadium. Or why not do the Vasalopps trail? At Gopshusbacken there are also some slopes for slalom skiing.

Hockey can be experienced at the home arena of Mora IK, Smidjegrav Arena. The arena is also open at certain times for public skating.

More to do in Mora

There is, of course, even more to see and do in Mora than our tips. Here you will find some more suggestions.

Golf can be played at Mora Golf Club, which is a park and forest course with 18 holes.
Kättboåsen mountain pastures is a sheep farm with minor tourist activities.
The Siljan Ring (Siljan Geopark) is geologically interesting because a meteorite hit here 380 million years ago.
St Michael and the Dragon is a statue on Kyrkogatan, made by Per Nilsson-East in 1980.
Tingsnäsbadet is a beach at Saxviken in the centre of Mora.
Våmhus Old Farm is a homestead at Lintjärn in Våmhus.
Zorn's old farm and the Textile Chamber is an open-air museum on the banks of Lake Siljan, just over a kilometre from the Zorn Museum.
The walk of wrath is a 3.5 km long walking path through the centre of Mora, in the footsteps of Anders Zorn.

Where to stay in Mora, or with a motorhome?

In Mora, there are of course several different accommodation options, both in and around the town. One option is of course to stay at First Camp Moraparken - Dalarna where you can stay in a campervan, tent, cabin, glamping tent or hotel.

If you are travelling by motorhome, you can also park in the Nusaniemi car park free of charge, without service. There is also a car park at Gesunda village hall, south of Mora, with fine views of Lake Siljan and Sollerön. There are service buildings with showers and toilets, as well as WiFi and electricity at some of the sites.

gesunda bystuga ställplats — Real motorway service area at Gesunda village cabin, south of Mora

More to see and do near Mora

From Mora it is not far to the cosy little Orsa, where you can enjoy camping, coffee breaks and waterfalls. It is also not far to Leksand, with summer land and the interesting visitor centre Hildasholm, with guided tours and gardens. Around Siljan you will also find the beautiful and popular resort Rättvik. Another suggestion is to continue to Malung, perhaps for the Swedish Dance Band Week, which is organised every year in week 29.

Gropen i Leksand — The pit in Leksand, known for its midsummer celebrations

More tips on things to do in Mora?

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

Facts about Mora in Dalarna

Landscape: Dalarna
County: Dalarna County
Municipality: Mora municipality
Location: Mora is located between Lake Siljan and Lake Orsasjön, in the Siljan region of Dalarna.
Population: Just over 20 000 (2024)
The name: The name comes from the dialectal word 'mor', which roughly means 'swampy forest'.
The town is famous for: Dala horses, the Vasaloppet and the artist Anders Zorn.

History in Mora

Early history: People have lived in the area since prehistoric times. The Österdal River served as a good communication route.
11th century: At this time, there was a rich culture, with fur animal hunting, bog ore processing and fishing.

14th to 15th century

14th century: A small grey stone church was built. The Black Death hit hard.
1325: This is when the town is first mentioned in documents.
15th century: The older church was demolished and replaced by the present church. Nearby was the site of the Mora market (St John's market at Midsummer and the cattle market in October).

16th to 17th century

1520: Gustav Vasa came to Mora, fleeing from the Danish servants. he urged the Moracarls to rise against the Danish king. They hesitated and the future king continued towards Norway. In Mora, however, they changed their minds and two skiers were sent out to catch up with Gustav Vasa in Sälen. He turned back and in Mora the rebellion was started that overthrew Christian II as ruler of Sweden.
17th century: Witch trials were rife in the region.

18th to 19th century

18th century: Mora was hit by crop failure years.
1743: The Dalecarlia Uprising of 1743 (the Great Dalecarlia Dance) broke out in Dalecarlia, due to the dissatisfaction of the common people with the 'master government' of the Age of Liberty.
Late 18th century: Production started of the famous Mora bells in the village of Östnor outside Mora.
1838: Morastrand got a steamboat pier.
End of 19th century: Several industries were established in the form of sawmills, mechanical carpentry and foundries, a carriage factory and more. Sewing machines, water taps and Mora knives were also manufactured.

20th century to present

1922: The idea for Vasaloppet was published in Westmanlands Läns Tidning on 10 February 1922 by Anders Pers from Mora. The first race took place on 10 March that year.
1939: The Zorn Museum was completed, designed by Ragnar Östberg, the architect of Stockholm City Hall.

Things to do in Mora - 16 sights and experiences