In Falun, the World Heritage Site is also very much alive and invites you to educational, enjoyable and nature-based experiences that are suitable for both young and old. Here we give our best tips for a holiday in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Falun.
1. Start at Dalarnas Museum
Start your journey of discovery at Dalarna's museum, right in central Falun. There are many exciting tours for those who want to linger for a while, an exhibition about the World Heritage Site and the world's largest collection of Dala horses. There are also walks for children, The Lovely Tour and the Gruesome Tour, which take you through the World Heritage City. With the help of a map or an app, you get exciting and fun facts about rich history and places you see around the way.
2. Discover the wooden towns of Falun
Falun has several districts with red wooden houses where miners lived more than 300 years ago. Stroll around among cobbled streets, narrow alleys and Faluns oldest neighbourhoods Elsborg, Gamla Herrgården and Östanfors. You can also go on a guided city walk to take part in wonderful anecdotes and exciting stories about life in Falun in the past.
3. Explore the area at Falun Mine
A visit to Falun Mine is a must when you are in the World Heritage Site Falun. In the area, the mighty open-pit mine Stora Stöten spreads out and it is almost dizzying to look over the edge into the pit. Join a guided tour 67 meters underground that takes you through mine tunnels, large halls and past deep shafts. Enjoy the Mining Museum, playground, shops, café and restaurant.
4. Experience the landscape of the Master Miners
At Staberg's Mine Owners’ estate, a bit east of Falun, you experience the miners' area with the almost desert-like landscape filled with slag stones. The area gives a picture of how the Master miners lived in the 1600s and 1700s. Discover the beautiful baroque garden, nice hiking trails and a restaurant. And enjoy the fresh air, just like the Mine owners did back in the days.
5. Enjoy the beautiful gardens
Outside of Falun you will find the Master miner estate Sveden. This is where Carl von Linnaeus celebrated his wedding to Sara Elisabeth Morea in 1739. Visit the restored garden filled with exciting plants and if you are lucky you can take a peak inside the wedding hall. Continue the journey a few more kilometers to the village of Sundborn and the mine owner estate Stora Hyttnäs. Experience the grand house and garden where it seems like the time stopped at the turn of the century.
6. Visit Carl Larsson-gården
Next to Stora Hyttnäs in Sundborn you will find Lilla Hyttnäs, better known as the Carl Larsson-gården. Visit the artists home, which is still a great source of inspiration for interior and exterior design. Join a guided tour of the house and learn more about the artist couple's colourful life and stroll around in the beautiful village that is so often featured in Carl Larsson's paintings. Lilla Hyttnäs is still owned by the Larsson family, which works to preserve the place as a home, a source of inspiration and to keep Carl and Karin's work alive.
7. Hike in cultural landscape
In the mining landscape, which is part of the Falun World Heritage Site, there are hiking trails for both longer and shorter excursions. Follow Vattnets väg (The flow of the water) and discover the rich industrial heritage hidden in lush nature. Pass old foundries, picturesque houses, dams and much more.
8. 8. Discover by bike along historical sites
Rent a bike and cycle around the lakes Runn, Ösjön and Vikasjön. Here, along the nationally certified cycle route, you can enjoy beautiful nature, beaches and cosy cafés. You can also take the route around Lake Varpan, north of Falun, a trail where you pass historical sites and master miners' estates. For those who want to try MTB, the area around Falun Mine is unique and suitable for the whole family.
9. Enjoy the local food
In central Falun there are many restaurants and cozy cafes where you can enjoy the autentic atmosphere. At Geshwornergården at Falun Mine you have front row with a view of the mining area, and at Banken Bar and Brasseri in the city center you can enjoy the bustling city life. Skyttepaviljongen at Lugnet is a cozy café with a relaxed atmosphere, a perfect place for a break before or after a hiking or cycling trip.
10. Experience the World Heritage of Falun from the water
Rent a kayak or a SUP-board and experience the World Heritage Site on water. Glide along on mirror-like waters and take in the beautiful scenery around you. For the lakes Varpan and Runn there are tour suggestions and paddle maps to follow. Contact the company Human by nature to rent the equipment you need.
