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Place in Dalarna, Sweden
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jake73 at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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The mine and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 2001 – a must-see when in Falun. The mine was an important source of copper for an entire millennium until mining ended December 8, 1992. Part of it is still open for visitors with a guide. The interesting tour, with English translation available upon request, takes about an hour and visitors are taken 65 m underground. Tickets are bought in the souvenir shop, and helmets and raincoats are handed out before the tour. Do not wear your best shoes or trousers, since the red, copper-rich mud in the mine causes stains. Shoe protection is available in the souvenir shop for 5 kr.
It has exhibitions about the history of the mine and of coins in Sweden (including the largest coins in the world), and scale models of mining inventions by medieval tech genius Christoffer Polhem. Also an exhibition on minerals. Much of the museum is child friendly. Accessible by wheel chair (ask for instructions). Texts in Swedish and English.
Stora Stöten
This can be seen from the surface for free. It's the result of an enormous collapse in the mine in 1687, and with a depth of 95 m and a diameter of 400 m, it's an impressive sight. Miraculously nobody was killed in the collapse since it occurred on Midsummer's Day when the miners were free from work!
Has several exhibits about the province and its history. Its main attraction is the reconstructed 1910 library and study room of famous writer Selma Lagerlöf, portrayed on the Swedish 20-kronor bill.
Built in 1655 and was one of the prerequisites for Falun to get city rights. The renaissance church has two organs, from 1906 and 1982.
The oldest building in Falun. It was most likely built during the 12th and 13th centuries. In the cemetery outside rests Fet-Mats Israelsson, a miner who was killed in a cave-in at the mine in 1677. He was discovered 42 years later, and since the conditions in the mine had preserved his body, his former fiancée immediately recognized him. Fet-Mats' corpse was put on display as an attraction for visitors – it wasn't until 1930 that he was finally laid to rest.
Cinema
Movies are normally in English with Swedish subtitles, except for children's films which are dubbed.
offers many possibilities for sports, including in- and outdoor swimming pools, hiking and cross-country skiing. There is also a sports museum on the premises. The National Ski Stadium is in Lugnet. Its ski jumping hills can be seen from far away and have become a symbol of Falun. The hills area offers a café, a nice view of town, and a hint on just how insane you need to be to become a ski jumper. To get to the hills, keep going straight ahead after the Lugnet roundabout and follow the "Hopptorn" signs.
Provides many places to swim. With its many islands it's also popular among boat owners. During winter you can instead rent skates and go tour skating, a popular winter activity.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented.
Runndagarna
On and around lake Runn. Has a winter edition one weekend in mid-February, with tour skating, curling and other ice activities. The summer edition takes place on a weekend mid-August and features boat trips, music and general fun.
Svenska Skidspelen
World Cup competitions of cross-country skiing.
Falukalaset
Turning the centre of Falun into a large market with vendors, carousels and entertainment.
Asian restaurant with a popular lunch buffet.
The place to go if you suddenly get hungry while visiting the area around the mine. It shares management with the Banken restaurants. Make sure you get a seat outside if the sun is shining.
Chinese restaurant, specializing in real Chinese food and Hong Kong cuisine.
Italian kitchen. Worth a visit just to see the cozy interior of the building which was built in 1776. They serve lunch with vegetarian alternatives and à la carte Italian food.
Downtown pub/restaurant with good food.
In the Dalarnas Museum, serving local and international cuisine.
Offers Dish of the Day in the town hall cellars. Summertime it moves outside and is one of the nicest places to eat lunch if the weather is good.
Greek restaurant, specializing in coal-grilled food.
Convenient for shoppers since it's on the top floor of the Åhléns department store. Dish of the Day available.
Sports Bar, American food, Irish Pub inspired style
Steakhouse
Steakhouse
The most expensive restaurant in town. Make sure to book your dinner table in advance and be prepared to pay at least a couple hundred kronor per dish. It is run in close cooperation with neighbouring Banken Bar & Brasserie (see below), but it has its own entrance from Stadshusgränd.
A surprisingly high-end restaurant, serving sushi and teppanyaki. Open for lunch and dinner.
Not a bar but the only alcohol store in town, due to the Swedish government monopoly on alcohol. If you want to do it the Swedish way and save some money by having a pre-party before going to the bar, this is where to shop.
If you prefer sipping on a beer in a somewhat more quiet area, Banken is a good choice.
Downtown restaurant and night club. Look for the sky tracker lights in the sky and you'll find it.
Lakeside campsite with swimming, boat trips, miniature golf and canoe/kayak rental.
formerly Lugnet Camping & Stugby
For those who prefer their camping a bit more organized. It offers tent sites, camp sites with electricity and even well-equipped cabins.
For those who prefer the countryside and plan to stay at least a few days. During high season (late June, July and early August) minimum time of rental is one week, from Sunday to Sunday. Only consider this option if you have access to a car.
Ecological hostel and course centre in the Bergsgården World Heritage area 8 kilometres north of the city centre. Nearest bus stop ~1km from the hostel. No direct online booking, contact via email or phone for availability. Free wireless internet in rooms, lobby and library.
Falun's own Vandrarhem Youth Hostel closed in April 2021. The nearest alternative is in the forest at Vassbo, about 10km southwest of Falun, in the direction of Borlänge. There is an irregular bus service to the place itself with Dalatrafik bus 244, or more frequent buses 20 minutes walk away at Ornäs.
Centrally located in the same area as Hotel Falun and First Hotel Grand. Prices include dinner.
Family run hotel with 24 rooms featuring cable TV, phone, WC and a sink. Some have their own shower, the others have showers in the corridor. Some rooms have cooking equipment.
Downtown four-star hotel with direct access to the night club Harrys.
Near the Lugnet sports area about 10 minutes walk from the city centre. The building itself has an interesting design with windows made to resemble a ski jump ramp.
By plane
If you're in a hurry there is an airport at the neighbouring city of Borlänge, about 20 minutes from Falun, serving Gothenburg, Malmö, and Oslo in Norway.
By train
The local/regional connections are served by Tåg i Bergslagen/Tågkompaniet and SJ. Many connections from Stockholm requires a change in nearby Borlänge.
By bus
Swebus Express has 1-2 connections a day with Stockholm and Gothenburg. Buses stop at the railway station which is a five minute walk from the city center and the hotels there.
By bike
Bicycle is good way of getting around except for during snowy winter. Bikes for rental are available at:
By taxi
Taxis in Sweden are pricey. If you want to take a cab in Falun, you will most likely have to phone and ask for one to pick you up – you'd be extremely lucky to catch an available one on the street.
By car
Parking is free on many streets and when there's a fee it rarely exceeds 6 kr/hour. Count on getting fined if you ignore the fee.
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Borlange · Regional · BLE
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