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Dalarna
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Explore Dalarna’s copper heritage, Siljan traditions, red cottages, forest trails and mountain landscapes in central Sweden.

Dalarna occupies a broad inland area in central Sweden, stretching from the industrial towns of the southern Bergslagen fringe to the forested mountains and open uplands near the Norwegian border. Its landscape is defined by extensive conifer forests, clear lakes, wide river valleys and high plateaux, with Lake Siljan forming the cultural and geographical centre of the region. The towns around Siljan, including Mora, Rättvik and Leksand, are associated with red-painted timber houses, handcrafts, folk music and seasonal celebrations that have become internationally recognisable symbols of Swedish rural culture.
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Falun and Borlänge provide a different perspective. Falun grew around its copper mine, whose vast excavated landscape and surviving industrial buildings form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Borlänge developed as a railway and manufacturing centre and remains one of Dalarna’s principal urban hubs. Elsewhere, smaller communities retain distinct identities: Mora is associated with the artist Anders Zorn and the Vasaloppet ski race, while Sundborn is known for the home and garden of the painter Carl Larsson. Rättvik’s long pier reaches into Siljan, and Leksand is closely linked with traditional crispbread production.
The northern part of Dalarna becomes wilder and more mountainous. Fulufjället National Park protects high moorland, old forest and deep valleys, including Njupeskär, one of Sweden’s highest waterfalls. The mountain resorts of Sälen and Idre are major destinations for skiing and walking, while the Grövelsjön area offers access to quieter alpine landscapes and long-distance trails. Conditions, distances and public transport options vary considerably between the settled south and the remote north, so itineraries benefit from allowing time for travel.
Dalarna’s cultural identity is not confined to museums. Traditional painted furniture, woven textiles, fiddle music, folk costume and the red Dala horse remain visible in workshops, festivals and local celebrations, although they should be understood as living traditions rather than stage scenery. Midsummer gatherings are particularly prominent around Siljan, where maypole raising, music and dancing bring villages and visitors together. Outdoor life is equally important: canoeing, cycling, fishing, cross-country skiing and hiking all make use of the region’s forests, lakes and mountains.
Food reflects inland Swedish produce and seasonal habits. Pickled and preserved foods, game, freshwater fish, potatoes, berries and mushrooms appear in home cooking and restaurant menus, while thin, crisp knäckebröd is strongly associated with Dalarna’s baking tradition. A journey through the region combines industrial history, Scandinavian art, working landscapes and mountain nature, with each district offering a different expression of inland Sweden.

When is the best time to visit Dalarna?

Best: June–August · 21–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January040
February130
March630
April1030
May1640
June (best)2150
July (best)2460
August (best)2260
September1650
October1040
November540
December140

Getting to and around Dalarna

How to get there

Dalarna is commonly reached by rail or road from Stockholm and other parts of central Sweden. Falun and Borlänge have the principal railway connections and are useful gateways for the southern and central districts, while Mora is the main rail gateway around Lake Siljan. Regional airports exist at Dala Airport near Borlänge and Mora–Siljan Airport, but flight availability is limited and can change. Visitors heading to Sälen may use Scandinavian Mountains Airport, located near the mountain resort area, although routes are seasonal and should be checked before booking. Stockholm Arlanda Airport, outside Dalarna, is the most useful major international gateway, followed by onward train, coach or hire car.

Transportation

Rail and bus services connect Falun, Borlänge, Mora and several larger towns, but services become less frequent in rural and northern mountain districts. A car is particularly useful for combining Siljan villages, rural museums, trailheads and distant national-park or ski areas. Roads are generally well maintained, though winter conditions, wildlife and long distances require care. Cycling is practical on selected local routes, while walking is best suited to established trails and town-based sightseeing rather than moving between settlements. In the mountains, check seasonal road access and transport arrangements before setting out, as public services may be limited beyond resort centres.

Best attractions in Dalarna

Dalarna’s attractions range from industrial heritage to mountain wilderness. In Falun, the Great Copper Mountain and its historic mining landscape explain how copper shaped the region and Sweden’s economy; the associated town environment gives the story a human and architectural setting. Near Sundborn, Carl Larsson’s home and garden provide an insight into the artist’s domestic world and the visual language of Swedish design, while Mora’s Zorn Museum and Zorngården explore the work and life of Anders Zorn. Around Lake Siljan, visitors find lakeside piers, craft workshops, folk museums, traditional villages and places connected with music and Midsummer customs. Outdoor possibilities broaden northwards, from canoeing, fishing and cycling to hiking in Fulufjället National Park, where upland scenery and Njupeskär waterfall are major draws. Sälen and Idre support skiing, snowboarding, walking and cycling across different seasons. The region’s appeal lies in the contrast between working towns, living craft traditions, accessible lake landscapes and genuinely remote forest and mountain country.

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Best landmarks in Dalarna

Falun’s Great Copper Mountain is Dalarna’s most consequential industrial landmark: its immense mine workings, spoil landscapes and surviving buildings record centuries of copper extraction and form part of the Falun World Heritage site. Around Lake Siljan, the long pier at Rättvik projects into the water and has become one of the region’s most recognisable lakeside structures, while the red-painted timber buildings and church environments of surrounding communities express local architectural traditions. In Mora, the Vasaloppet finish area and associated markers connect the landscape with Sweden’s best-known long-distance ski race. Carl Larsson’s home at Sundborn is significant not only as an artist’s residence but also as an influential example of Swedish domestic design. Further north, the high plateau, valleys and Njupeskär waterfall of Fulufjället provide a natural counterpoint to the human-made landmarks of southern Dalarna. Together these places represent mining, art, folk culture, sport and mountain geography rather than a single regional style.

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Explore Dalarna on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Dalarna

Dalarna’s food culture is rooted in inland Swedish ingredients and practical preservation traditions. Crisp knäckebröd is made throughout the region and is closely associated with local baking, while potatoes, grains, berries, mushrooms, freshwater fish and game appear in both traditional and contemporary cooking. Around Siljan, cafés, rural restaurants and seasonal food producers often provide opportunities to sample baked goods, preserves and locally sourced dishes; in Falun and Borlänge, the dining scene is broader and more contemporary. Mora and the mountain resorts offer food suited to outdoor visitors, including warming meals and regional produce, while lakeside communities add fish and summer cooking to the repertoire. Farmers’ markets and farm shops vary by season rather than operating as a single permanent circuit. Visitors should expect Swedish dining conventions, including coffee breaks known as fika, alongside restaurants that reinterpret regional ingredients without claiming that every dish is exclusive to Dalarna.

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Best bars in Dalarna

Evening life in Dalarna is generally based on pubs, restaurants, hotel bars, live music and seasonal events rather than a large metropolitan club scene. Falun and Borlänge have the broadest choice of bars and late venues, with student, cultural and concert activity adding variety. Around Mora and the other Siljan towns, evenings often centre on traditional pubs, restaurants, cafés and summer performances, while some resorts become busier after skiing in Sälen and Idre. Historic inns and village pubs offer a more relaxed setting, and breweries or locally focused bars may feature Swedish beer and non-alcoholic alternatives. Nightlife changes considerably with the calendar: summer brings outdoor events and longer evenings, while winter concentrates activity in mountain resorts. Opening arrangements and venue status are changeable, so check locally rather than relying on old listings.

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Best nightclubs in Dalarna

Evening life in Dalarna is generally based on pubs, restaurants, hotel bars, live music and seasonal events rather than a large metropolitan club scene. Falun and Borlänge have the broadest choice of bars and late venues, with student, cultural and concert activity adding variety. Around Mora and the other Siljan towns, evenings often centre on traditional pubs, restaurants, cafés and summer performances, while some resorts become busier after skiing in Sälen and Idre. Historic inns and village pubs offer a more relaxed setting, and breweries or locally focused bars may feature Swedish beer and non-alcoholic alternatives. Nightlife changes considerably with the calendar: summer brings outdoor events and longer evenings, while winter concentrates activity in mountain resorts. Opening arrangements and venue status are changeable, so check locally rather than relying on old listings.

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Best shops in Dalarna

Shopping in Dalarna is strongest in market towns and visitor centres rather than in large luxury districts. Falun and Borlänge provide the widest selection of ordinary Swedish retail, department stores and independent businesses, while Mora, Rättvik and Leksand are useful for craft shops, galleries, food products and locally themed goods. The Dala horse, traditionally carved and painted, is the best-known regional purchase, but responsible shoppers should look for information about the maker and place of production. Textiles, woodwork, ceramics, knives, woven goods and folk-inspired design are also available through workshops and galleries. Farm shops and seasonal markets sell crispbread, preserves, berries, mushrooms and other regional produce, subject to availability. Around Siljan, many smaller businesses have seasonal opening patterns, so a little planning is helpful outside summer. Shopping in the northern mountain resorts is more oriented towards outdoor equipment, clothing and practical supplies than regional handicrafts.

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Dalarna essentials

Currency and Payment
Dalarna uses Sweden’s national currency, the Swedish krona, coded SEK. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in towns, accommodation, museums, restaurants and ski centres, and Sweden is highly accustomed to electronic payment. Some small businesses, rural facilities or self-service points may have different arrangements, so a modest contingency of cash can be useful, particularly away from larger settlements. Prices are displayed in kronor, and visitors should not assume that euros or foreign cash will be accepted. Check card charges and inform your bank before travelling.
Safety
Dalarna is generally straightforward for visitors, but normal precautions against theft are sensible in transport hubs, festivals and busy visitor areas. Outdoor risks deserve more attention than serious urban crime: lake water can be cold, mountain weather can change rapidly, and remote trails may have limited mobile coverage. In winter, icy roads and reduced daylight affect driving and walking. Follow local fire restrictions, take care around rivers and waterfalls, and do not approach wildlife. Hikers should carry navigation, water and suitable clothing rather than relying solely on mobile-phone mapping.
Emergency Situations
The national Swedish emergency number is 112 for police, fire and ambulance services, and it should be used for urgent incidents anywhere in Dalarna. Give the location as precisely as possible, particularly on forest or mountain trails, and mention nearby roads, trail markers, lakes or map references. Mountain rescue and other specialist assistance can be coordinated through the emergency service. For non-urgent police matters or medical advice, use the appropriate Swedish non-emergency services rather than 112. Travel insurance covering outdoor activities is advisable for hiking, skiing and other adventure pursuits.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect marked private land, homes, livestock, cultivated fields and gates when walking, even though Sweden’s right of public access permits extensive countryside recreation. Keep dogs controlled where signs or wildlife require it, take litter away and follow restrictions on fires and camping. At historic churches, artists’ homes and museums, observe photography rules and local quiet. Queueing and punctuality are valued in Swedish public life, while tipping is discretionary rather than compulsory. Around lakes and mountains, follow weather guidance instead of underestimating apparently easy terrain.
Local Tips
Allow extra time around Lake Siljan, where villages, museums and viewpoints are spread around a large body of water rather than clustered in one centre. Falun’s mining heritage works well as a separate visit from the open-air and artistic sites near Sundborn, while Mora is a useful base for Zorn-related culture and the Vasaloppet landscape. Summer offers long daylight for cycling and hiking, whereas winter transforms Sälen, Idre and the surrounding uplands into major snow-sports destinations. In quieter seasons, confirm accommodation, transport and attraction arrangements in advance.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHej[hay]
GoodbyeHej då[hay daw]
YesJa[yah]
NoNej[nay]
Please/You're welcomeSnälla/Tack så mycket[snel-lah/tahk soh myek]
Thank youTack[tahk]
Excuse me/SorryFörlåt[fur-loht]
How are you?Hur mår du?[hur mohr doo]
Fine. And you?Bra. Och du?[bra. ohk doo]
Do you speak English?Talar du engelska?[tah-lar doo eng-el-skah]
I don't understandJag förstår inte[yahg fur-stor in-teh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJag skulle vilja se menyn, snälla[yahg skool-leh vil-yah seh meh-nyun, snel-lah]
I don't eat meatJag äter inte kött[yahg eh-ter in-teh yurt]
Cheers!Skål![skawl]
I would like to pay, pleaseJag skulle vilja betala, snälla[yahg skool-leh vil-yah beh-tah-lah, snel-lah]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjälp![yelp]
Go away!Gå bort![gaw bort]
Call the Police!Ring polisen![ring po-lee-sen]
Call a doctor!Ring en läkare![ring en leh-kah-reh]
I'm lostJag är vilse[yahg air vil-seh]
I'm illJag är sjuk[yahg air shook]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Jag skulle vilja köpa...[yahg skool-leh vil-yah shur-pah]
I'm just lookingJag tittar bara[yahg teet-ar bar-ah]
How much is it?Hur mycket kostar det?[hur myek-ket kos-tar deh]
That's too expensiveDet är för dyrt[deht air fur deert]
Can you lower the price?Kan du sänka priset?[kan doo sen-kah pree-set]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Vad är klockan?[vahd air kloh-kahn]
It's one o'clockDet är ett[deht air eht]
Half past (10)Halv efter (10)[halv ef-ter (ten)]
MorningMorgon[mor-gon]
AfternoonEftermiddag[ef-ter-meed-dahg]
EveningKväll[kvel]
YesterdayIgår[ee-gor]
TodayIdag[ee-dahg]
TomorrowImorgon[ee-mor-gon]
1Ett[eht]
2Två[tvaw]
3Tre[treh]
4Fyra[fee-rah]
5Fem[fem]
6Sex[sex]
7Sju[shoo]
8Åtta[aw-tah]
9Nio[nee-oh]
10Tio[tee-oh]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Var ligger en...?[var lig-er en]
What's the address?Vad är adressen?[vahd air ah-dress-en]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kan du visa mig (på kartan)?[kan doo vee-sah may (paw kar-tahn)]
When's the next (bus)?När går nästa (buss)?[nair gor nes-tah (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)En biljett (till ....)[en bee-yett (til)]

History of Dalarna

Early Settlement and Iron Production

People have lived and worked in Dalarna’s river valleys and lake districts since prehistoric times, using forests, waterways and upland pastures as sources of food and materials. Iron production became especially important in the wider Bergslagen region, where ore, timber and waterpower supported a long tradition of mining and smelting. In Dalarna, early ironworking laid foundations for later industrial development and connected inland communities to wider Swedish markets. Archaeological remains and historic working landscapes show that the region’s forests were not an untouched wilderness but a managed resource shaped by generations of farming, charcoal burning, metalworking and seasonal movement.

Medieval Mining and the Rise of Falun

Copper extraction at Falun developed during the Middle Ages and gradually created one of Europe’s most significant mining communities. The mine, known as Falu Gruva, supplied copper for domestic use, international trade and the Swedish state, while associated forests, furnaces and transport routes transformed the surrounding landscape. Mining brought wealth and political importance but also dangerous working conditions and severe environmental pressures. Falun’s surviving mine workings, industrial buildings and historic townscape preserve the relationship between technology, labour and state power that shaped Dalarna for centuries.

The Gustav Vasa Tradition

Dalarna occupies an important place in the national story of Gustav Eriksson, later King Gustav Vasa. According to tradition, he sought support in the region during his rebellion against the Danish king Christian II in the early sixteenth century, travelling through communities around Mora and the Siljan district. Some details belong to later historical tradition rather than securely documented events, but the story became central to Swedish national memory. The Vasaloppet cross-country ski race, held between Sälen and Mora, commemorates this cultural narrative and links medieval political history with a major modern sporting event.

Farming Communities and Siljan Culture

From the early modern period into the nineteenth century, Dalarna’s settlements combined small-scale farming with forestry, mining, craft production and seasonal work. Around Lake Siljan, local architecture, music, dress and painted household objects developed distinctive forms, shaped by isolated valleys as well as trade and migration. The region’s folk culture later became important to Swedish artists, scholars and national romantics, who often presented Dalarna as a repository of rural tradition. That image simplified a complex society, but it also encouraged the preservation and public recognition of local crafts, music and customs.

Industrialisation, Railways and Borlänge

The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought faster industrial and transport change. Railways connected Falun, Borlänge and the Siljan districts with national markets, making it easier to move timber, ore, metal and agricultural products. Borlänge grew as a railway and industrial centre, while mining and engineering remained important in and around Falun. Mechanised production altered work and settlement patterns, drawing people towards towns and linking Dalarna more closely to Sweden’s expanding industrial economy. The contrast between industrial towns and dispersed rural communities remains one of the region’s defining characteristics.

Artists, Crafts and the Making of a Regional Image

Dalarna became a major source of inspiration for Swedish artists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Anders Zorn made Mora internationally known through paintings of local people, landscapes and social life, while Carl Larsson’s home at Sundborn, near Falun, helped shape an influential image of domestic Swedish design. Craft traditions, including the carved and painted Dala horse, also acquired a wider market. These developments strengthened Dalarna’s cultural identity, although visitors should distinguish between historical artistic interpretations and the varied lives of contemporary communities.

Modern Outdoor Culture and Heritage Tourism

During the twentieth century, Dalarna’s lakes, forests and mountains became increasingly important for domestic tourism and outdoor recreation. The Vasaloppet, first held in 1922, helped establish Mora and Sälen as centres of cross-country skiing, while alpine resorts expanded in the north. Museums, protected landscapes and restored industrial sites created a second strand of tourism based on heritage. Today, Dalarna combines working towns, forestry and manufacturing with hiking, skiing, cycling, cultural festivals and visits to historic environments, reflecting both continuity and economic change.

Dalarna in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Dalarna, Sweden

Discover Dalarna with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, tours, and more.

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More about the Evendo app

Explore Dalarna like never before with Evendo, your free, comprehensive travel guide app. Find the best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and tours with ease.

  • History of Dalarna
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  • Curated local tips
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