Falun Copper Mine (Falu Gruva) in Falun, Dalarna, central Sweden, is a mine worked for roughly a thousand years and inscribed as the UNESCO World Heritage 'Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun' in 2001. At its 17th-century peak it produced about two-thirds of Europe's copper and bankrolled Sweden's era as a great power; mining ended in 1992 and the site now operates as an industrial-heritage attraction with an underground tour and a mine museum. As of 2026 it is running normally, busiest in summer, and the highlights are the vast open Great Pit above ground and the 67-metre-deep underground galleries.
The Great Pit (Stora Stöten): a huge open crater roughly 1.6 km around and about 95 m deep, formed when the workings collapsed on Midsummer Eve 1687 — famously with no deaths, because the miners had the holiday off.
Underground guided tour: wearing a helmet and rain cape, descend about 400 steps to 67 m below ground and walk past galleries, large halls and deep shafts on an hour-long tour.
Mine Museum (opened 1922): tells the mine's story from the Viking Age to 2001, while the World Heritage Centre presents the mining landscape and the town of Falun through films and exhibitions.
Falun red (Falu rödfärg): the traditional red pigment made from the mine's byproducts that colours Sweden's classic wooden cottages and Dalarna horses — and is still produced today.
The tale of 'Fet-Mats' Israelsson: a miner whose body, preserved by vitriol in the shafts, was found in 1719 and inspired European literature (E.T.A. Hoffmann's 'The Mines of Falun').
Good to know
SeasonIt stays a cool 5–6°C underground all year. Bring a warm jacket or long sleeves even in high summer.
SafetyThe underground tour means walking down about 400 steps on wet, slippery ground. Wear sturdy low-heeled shoes; visitors must be at least 3 years old and able to climb stairs, and those with claustrophobia or limited mobility should take care.
RulesA helmet and rain cape are mandatory on the underground tour and are lent on site. English tours run at limited times, so book online in advance at the official falugruva.se; summer high-season slots sell out quickly.
SeasonThe mine is closed on Midsummer Eve, and off-season (autumn–spring) the museum mainly opens on weekends and school holidays. If you visit from mid-June through winter, check the opening days first.
MannersSweden is effectively cashless, so carry a card or mobile payment. Tipping is not expected or pushed, and it is good manners to respect local holidays such as Midsummer.
CautionFalun is a quiet small town with little violent crime, but watch for pickpockets at train stations and tourist spots in transit cities like Stockholm. Buy tickets only from the official falugruva.se and avoid unofficial resellers.
Practical info
From Stockholm it is about a 2.5–3 hour train ride to Falun Central (Falun C), then a local bus or roughly a 25–30 minute walk. The mine is open year-round, but the underground tour and museum have seasonal hours (daily in the summer high season, mainly weekends and holidays off-season), so always confirm current prices, opening times and tour languages at the official falugruva.se.
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