The signature red colour of cottages and timber buildings seen all over the Swedish countryside, but most frequently in the country´s central regions, actually originates from the more than 1000-year-old Stora Kopparberg copper mine in Dalarna´s regional capital Falun – a Unesco World Heritage Site – where iron pigments are used to produce the ”Falu red” calcamine paint, the colour which many foreign visitors name among their most powerful impressions of Sweden.

Dalarna is famous for its scenic landscapes and its lively tradition of folk customs, celebrations and crafts. In Dalarna, the genuine folklore traditions are still very much a part of everyday life, and in particular of feasts and celebrations. The magnificently colourful regional folk costumes are proudly worn for festive occasions by people of all ages, including children. The traditional Midsummer celebrations, with folk music, parades and dancing around one of Sweden´s foremost national symbols, the Maypole, are an exotic attraction, celebrated, unlike in the rest of Sweden, not only at the end of June but also through July.

Many of Dalarna´s most interesting towns, villages, attractions and tourist destinations are located around the beautiful Lake Siljan, famous for its singular blue colour – a nuance so particular that it has been given its own definition: Siljan blue. Here are the towns of Rättvik, Leksand and Mora, all renowned for their many folkloristic attractions and spectacular Midsummer and other traditional celebrations, including the famous long boats used for rowing to church on Lake Siljan, which can be seen on Sundays in summer. Tällberg is a famous Falu red village with a breathtaking view over Siljan, and no less than eight large inns of high hotel standard, offering ambitious programmes of events and entertainment year round. In Mora, you shouldn´t miss a visit to the magnificent museum home of Anders Zorn, Sweden´s national romantic master painter from the last turn of the century.

In Sundborn near regional capital Falun is the home of Zorn´s contemporary friend, colleague and competitor, Carl Larsson and his wife Karin – a must-see for anyone with interest in interior decorating and Swedish design and a main source of inspiration for historic design movements such as Swedish Grace and Swedish Modern. The village of Nusnäs is the home of the Dalacarlian horse, Sweden´s other chief national symbol, along with the Maypole. Here you can visit the several small factories and see your own horse being hand painted in characteristic kurbitz flower ornamentation. For an overview of the proud Dalacarlian folkloristic handicraft history and tradition, visit Dalarnas museum in Falun. If you want to buy contemporary craft, the Leksand hemslöjdsförening shop in Leksand offers a large and comprehensive selection.

Dalarna, in particular the region’s northwestern parts, also offers vast areas of untamed wilderness and deep forests teeming with large game such as elk, bear, wolf, wolverine and lynx, with plenty of enchanting scenery and outdoors activities such as hiking, skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking, canoeing, whitewater rafting and first-class salmon and trout fishing. The major ski resorts Idre and Sälen comprise Sweden´s southernmost, most accessible and largest winter sports destination, renowned for their enormous array of skiing options, events and attractions for the entire family, and their comfortable, full-service hotel resorts where you can spend an entire vacation without ever going out in the snow. Another attraction for the entire family is the Grönklitt Bear Park, where you can stroll along a clever system of trails and bridges, meeting bears, wolves, lynx and wolverines up close in their own natural environment. In Fulufjället National Park is Njupeskär, Sweden´s largest waterfall, some 112 metres high, with a surrounding area of dramatic beauty. The waterfalls are no less spectacular in winter, when a massive shield of shimmering ice envelops the falling water masses.