Falun Copper Mine
Falun, Sweden
The Great Pit, a crater left by a thousand years of copper mining, on the UNESCO list. Guided tours go down into the old workings; the red paint of Swedish cottages came from here.
The Falun Copper Mine (Falu gruva) is a mining World Heritage Site in Falun in Dalarna, Sweden, on the UNESCO list since 2001. By 1288 the mining already had its own company, and the mine was at times the largest copper mine in the world. At midsummer 1687 a large part of the mine collapsed, creating the Great Pit. The mine stayed in operation until 1992.
On a guided tour of about 60 minutes, in Swedish or English, visitors descend to a depth of 67 m. The mine museum tells more than a thousand years of history, and above ground you can also walk around the Great Pit. The red iron oxide from the mine was used to make Falun red paint, with which many Swedish wooden houses are painted. Allow about four hours. The mine is open all year, but hours change with the season (in spring 2026, for example, Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 to 16:00), so check ahead.
- Nearest town
- Falun, Sweden
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 60.6005, 15.6120
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–August. Cold, short days in November–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Sweden: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg; Øresund Bridge toll. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- First Camp Lugnet FalunCampsite3 km from Falun Copper MineTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- First Camp Lugnet StugbyCampsite3 km from Falun Copper MineElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Torsångs campingMotorhome stopover15 km from Falun Copper MineMotorhomesElectricity
- Mellstaparken CampingCampsite16 km from Falun Copper MineCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Tyllsnäs Vandrarhem & CampingCampsite16 km from Falun Copper MineTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowers
- Dalarna ÄlvcampingCampsite22 km from Falun Copper MineTentsCaravans
All campsites in Sweden · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Falun Copper Mine?
Falun Copper Mine is in Falun, Sweden, at GPS 60.6005, 15.6120. It is about 36 km from Leksand.
Can you camp near Falun Copper Mine?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is First Camp Lugnet Falun, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 12 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Falun Copper Mine?
Falun Copper Mine is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Dalarna: copper, painters and Lake Siljan.
What is there to see near Falun Copper Mine?
Places worth a stop nearby: Carl Larsson-gården (11 km), Zorngården (74 km), Sigtuna (160 km) and Drottningholm Palace (190 km).
When is the best time to visit Falun Copper Mine?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–August. Cold, short days in November–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)