Looking for the best things to do in Falun? This historic city in central Sweden combines a UNESCO listed mining site, excellent museums, outdoor adventures, beautiful lakes and a strong connection to Swedish art and culture. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or using Falun as a base for exploring Dalarna, these Falun attractions and activities will help you plan a memorable trip.
1. Explore the Falun Mine
The Falun Mine, known in Swedish as Falu Gruva, is the city’s most famous attraction and the natural place to begin your visit. For centuries, copper was extracted from the ground here, helping to shape Sweden’s economy, architecture and international trade. Mining began more than 1,000 years ago and continued until 1992.
Today, the mine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the historic mining area, central Falun and several traditional settlements. The enormous open pit, called Stora Stöten, is an impressive sight. Its steep red and orange walls reveal the scale of the mining operation and create one of the most distinctive views in Dalarna.
Visitors can join a guided tour underground, where guides explain the dangerous working conditions, old mining techniques and legends associated with the site. The temperature is cool throughout the year, so bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes. The underground tour includes stairs and uneven surfaces, and visitors should check accessibility details before booking.
Allow at least two to three hours for the mine area. In addition to the tour, you can walk around the open pit, visit the visitor centre and learn how Falun’s copper influenced the development of the town. The site is especially atmospheric in autumn, when the surrounding trees add colour to the industrial landscape.
2. Visit the Falu Gruva Museum
The Falu Gruva Museum stands beside the mine and provides more context about the people who worked there and the communities that developed around copper production. Exhibitions cover mining technology, working life, geology and the role of copper in Swedish history.
The museum is a useful stop even if you do not take the underground tour. Displays help explain why Falun became one of Sweden’s most important towns and how the mine affected everything from local traditions to national politics. Families can also find interactive elements that make the history easier for children to understand.
One of the most memorable stories connected to the mine is the discovery of Fet Mats, a miner whose preserved remains were found underground more than 40 years after he disappeared. The story is part of Falun’s mining heritage and is presented in the museum in a historically respectful way.
3. Walk through central Falun
Central Falun is compact and easy to explore on foot. The city grew around the mine, but its streets also contain attractive historic buildings, small shops, cafés and public squares. A relaxed walk gives you a better sense of how the old mining community developed into a modern regional centre.
Look for the traditional wooden buildings painted in the deep red colour associated with Dalarna. The pigment was originally produced from the mineral rich waste of the Falun mine and became known as Falu Rödfärg. Red wooden houses can now be found throughout Sweden, but their history is closely connected to Falun.
Stora Torget is a good starting point for a walking tour. From here, you can continue toward the Faluån river, browse independent stores and stop for coffee. The river runs through the centre and adds a pleasant waterside atmosphere to the city. Several bridges and paths offer good viewpoints for photographs.
4. See Kristine Church and Stora Kopparberg Church
Falun has two important historic churches that are worth adding to your sightseeing route. Kristine Church stands on the main square and is known for its pale exterior, elegant design and central position in the city. Built in the seventeenth century, it reflects the wealth and ambition created by the copper industry.
Stora Kopparberg Church is older and closely connected to the mining community. Parts of the church date back to medieval times, while later additions reflect the changing importance of Falun. Inside, visitors can see historic details and learn more about the religious life of the people who lived and worked around the mine.
Check opening times before visiting, as both churches may close for services, concerts or special events. Their locations also make it easy to include them in a walking tour of central Falun.
5. Discover Dalarna Museum
Dalarna Museum is one of the best places to learn about the region’s art, traditions and everyday life. The collections include folk costumes, textiles, decorative arts, historic objects and exhibitions about the people who have shaped Dalarna.
The museum is particularly useful for understanding traditions that are often associated with Sweden abroad, including the Dala horse and colourful regional clothing. Rather than presenting these objects only as souvenirs, the exhibitions explain their cultural background and importance.
Art lovers should also look for works by local and regional artists. Temporary exhibitions change throughout the year, so the museum is worth visiting more than once if you are staying in Falun for several days. Its central location makes it a convenient stop between the city’s cafés, churches and shops.
6. Visit Carl Larsson’s home in Sundborn
One of the most rewarding day trips from Falun is to Carl Larsson-gården in Sundborn, about 13 kilometres northeast of the city. The home belonged to artist Carl Larsson and his wife, Karin Larsson, whose paintings and interior design have had a lasting influence on the image of Swedish family life.
Guided tours take visitors through the house, where colourful rooms, painted furniture, textiles and personal objects show how the Larsson family lived and worked. The interiors are highly individual and different from the minimalist Scandinavian style often associated with Sweden today. Karin Larsson’s contributions to the home’s design are especially interesting.
The surrounding village is attractive for a walk, and there are places to eat or enjoy a break during the warmer months. Allow several hours for the visit, particularly if you want to join a house tour and explore the grounds. Checking the seasonal opening schedule is important because the site has reduced hours outside the main visitor season.
7. Spend time at Lake Runn
Lake Runn is one of the best places near Falun for outdoor activities. The large lake lies between Falun and Borlänge and offers different experiences depending on the season. In summer, visitors can swim, paddle, sail, fish or simply relax beside the water.
Several islands and quiet bays make the lake appealing for kayaking and canoeing. You can bring your own equipment or look for local rental options. Cycling routes and walking paths around the shoreline provide a slower way to enjoy the scenery, with views across open water and forested landscapes.
Lake Runn is also famous in winter. When the ice is safe, the lake can become a destination for long distance ice skating. Local conditions change quickly, so only skate on maintained routes or with experienced guides who understand ice safety. Cross country skiing and winter walks are other popular options when the snow conditions are suitable.
8. Try outdoor activities at Lugnet
Lugnet is Falun’s major sports and recreation area, located close to the city centre. It is best known as a venue for Nordic skiing and international competitions, but it also offers activities in other seasons.
During summer, you can use walking and running trails through the surrounding forest. The area is suitable for both a short exercise session and a longer hike. Mountain biking is another option, with routes for different skill levels in and around the recreation area.
In winter, Lugnet becomes one of the region’s most popular places for cross country skiing. There are prepared tracks and facilities for beginners as well as experienced skiers. If you are new to the sport, local rental shops and instructors can help you find suitable equipment and routes.
Lugnet has also hosted major international events, including the 2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. You may be able to visit the ski jumping area and viewpoints around the sports complex, although access can depend on events and maintenance work.
9. Go hiking in the forests around Falun
The countryside around Falun is covered with forests, lakes and gently rolling hills, making hiking one of the easiest Falun activities to arrange. Trails range from short woodland walks to longer routes that require more preparation.
For a gentle outing, choose a marked trail near Lugnet or one of the paths around Lake Runn. These areas are convenient if you are staying in the city and want to spend a few hours outdoors without planning a full day trip. More experienced hikers can explore trails farther into Dalarna, where the landscape becomes quieter and more remote.
Pack water, a small meal and weatherproof clothing. Swedish forest paths can become wet after rain, and mobile phone coverage may be limited in some areas. In summer, remember that the right to access nature comes with responsibilities. Keep dogs under control, avoid disturbing wildlife and leave no litter.
10. Take a day trip to Bjursås
Bjursås, north of Falun, is a popular destination for skiing and outdoor recreation. In winter, Bjursås Berg & Sjö offers downhill skiing for different levels, from beginners to more experienced visitors. The resort also has facilities for families and is a practical option if you want a day on the slopes without travelling to the larger mountain resorts in northern Sweden.
In the warmer months, the area is useful for hiking, cycling and enjoying views over the surrounding countryside. The landscape has the characteristic mixture of forest, open farmland and small lakes found across Dalarna.
Travel times and available facilities vary by season, so check current information before setting out. A car is usually the easiest way to reach Bjursås, although some accommodation providers and local services may offer seasonal transport options.
11. Enjoy cafés, local food and Swedish fika
No list of things to do in Falun would be complete without time for fika. The city has cafés where you can enjoy coffee, tea, cinnamon buns, cakes and light meals. Taking a break in a historic building or beside the river is a simple way to slow down between museum visits.
Look for menus featuring local ingredients and traditional Swedish dishes. Dalarna is known for food such as sourdough bread, cured meats, potatoes and regional cheeses. In the countryside, farm shops and small restaurants may sell seasonal produce, homemade jam and baked goods.
For a relaxed evening, explore the restaurants in central Falun. The selection includes Swedish cooking, international food and casual places suitable for families. Booking is sensible on weekends, especially during festivals, sporting events and the summer holiday period.
12. Experience Falun during local events
Falun’s calendar includes cultural events, concerts, markets and sporting competitions. Winter sports are particularly important to the city, and major cross country races can create a lively atmosphere around Lugnet. Local events may also celebrate music, crafts and Dalarna’s folk traditions.
Summer is a good time to look for outdoor concerts, guided walks and activities around Lake Runn. Markets and small festivals can be a chance to buy regional food, handicrafts and traditional souvenirs directly from local producers.
Event dates change from year to year, so check the official tourism and venue websites before planning your trip. If you are visiting during a major competition or festival, reserve accommodation early and expect increased demand for restaurants and transport.
How long should you stay in Falun?
A weekend is enough to see the main Falun attractions, including the mine, central Falun, Dalarna Museum and one of the city’s churches. With three or four days, you can add Carl Larsson’s home, Lake Runn and a longer outdoor activity at Lugnet.
A longer stay works well if you want to combine sightseeing with hiking, cycling, skiing or day trips around Dalarna. Falun is also conveniently located for exploring nearby Borlänge and other villages in the region.
Getting around Falun
Central Falun and the area around the railway station are easy to explore on foot. Local buses connect the city with nearby neighbourhoods and some attractions, but a car gives you more flexibility for visiting Sundborn, Bjursås and smaller lakeside areas.
Summer visitors can consider cycling between central Falun, Lake Runn and nearby cultural sites, although routes may include hills and sections on roads shared with traffic. In winter, allow extra travel time because snow and ice can affect roads and walking paths.
When to visit Falun
Every season offers different things to do in Falun. Summer brings long days, open museums, swimming, paddling and cycling. Autumn is a beautiful time for forest walks and offers colourful scenery around the mine and Lake Runn.
Winter is ideal for cross country skiing, downhill skiing and, when conditions are safe, ice skating. Spring can be quieter, although some attractions operate with limited opening hours between the main seasons. Always check current schedules for museums, guided mine tours and Carl Larsson-gården before travelling.