Things to do in Borlänge - 12 sights and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Are you looking for things to do in Borlänge? There is everything from historical sights and unusual farm visits to exciting mining adventures, cozy cafes and beautiful nature. We have visited Borlänge by camper and discovered several really nice excursion destinations. Here we share our best tips for sights and experiences in Borlänge and the surrounding area.

Borlänge – attractions and experiences in Dalarna

Borlänge was one of the last stops on our motorhome trip through Hälsingland and Dalarna. The city is perhaps best known for its industry, shopping and proximity to Falun, but there is much more to discover here. Among other things, we have met ostriches, had coffee in historical environments and explored an old mine 80 meters underground. Here are twelve tips on things to see and do in Borlänge and the surrounding area.

1. Visit the historic Ornässtugan

One of the most fascinating sights in Borlänge is Ornässtugan, which is beautifully situated on a promontory by Lake Ösjön, part of Lake Runn. The old loft building dates from the early 16th century and originally belonged to a miner's farm. It is a fantastic example of medieval timber construction and is primarily associated with Gustav Vasa.

According to the well-known story, the future king hid here during his escape from the Danes. When he was in danger of being discovered, Barbro Stigsdotter is said to have helped him escape through the cession. How much of the story really happened is difficult to know, but it is undeniably an exciting part of Swedish historical tradition!

Ornässtugan is also special for another reason. A museum was opened here as early as 1758, and the same exhibition still remains in the original building. It is described as the world's oldest preserved exhibition of its kind.

When we visited Ornässtugan, we were content to discover the beautiful outdoor environment and read the information signs. If you want to see the inside of the building, you need to join a guided tour. There is also a nice café here, so it is easy to combine the history visit with a coffee.

2. Meet the ostriches at Sahlins Struts

One of the more unusual attractions in Borlänge is Sahlins Ostrich Farm. Here you can get really close to these large and fascinating birds!

We found it very fun to see the ostriches up close. They are truly special animals, with their long necks, strong legs and curious eyes. During our visit we were also able to buy ostrich feed and feed the birds.

However, Sahlins Struts is much more than just an ostrich farm. There is a farm shop with all kinds of products, both those that come from the ostriches and other delicacies and gift items. How about ostrich fillet, skin care products or dust mite made from ostrich feathers, for example?

There is also a café and restaurant, and one of the specialties is ice cream made with ostrich eggs. The farm also has its own brewery. During the season, various activities are offered, including farm tours and opportunities for children to play and discover more of the business.

3. Experience the Adventure Mine in Tuna Hästberg

Do you want to experience a real adventure? Then we can recommend the Adventure Mine, also called Adventuremine, in Tuna Hästberg outside Borlänge. We have been here ourselves, and it was truly an experience beyond the ordinary!

During our visit, we went down about 80 meters underground, to a world that feels very far from everyday life above. Down here, old mine shafts, mighty rock caverns and a very special atmosphere await.

The adventure mine is an old iron ore mine where you can now book guided experiences. There are adventure tours with climbing and other exciting elements, and some arrangements combine the mining environment with food or sauna experiences.

It is of course important to choose an activity that suits your physical fitness and comfort level. Some tours are quite demanding and involve climbing ladders and going through mine shafts. But for those who like a little different experiences, this is definitely something to consider!

READ MORE: The adventure mine in Tuna Hästberg - 80 metres underground

4. Discover Tunabygden's Old Farm

Another nice attraction in Borlänge is Tunabygdens Gammelgård, which is one of Sweden's largest local history museums. Here there are around 35 buildings and thousands of objects that tell the story of life in the village in the past. Among the buildings are old residential buildings, a forge, a mill, a school and other environments that show how people lived and worked.

Here are also the birthplaces of two famous people: opera singer Jussi Björling and hymn writer Johan Olof Wallin. The houses have been moved here for preservation.

Gammelgården hosts various activities throughout the year, such as Midsummer celebrations, Christmas markets and other cultural events. When we were here it was summer and we took the opportunity to enjoy a delicious ice cream in the beautiful historical setting. Sometimes an excursion doesn't have to be more complicated than that!

During the summer there is also a café, while opening hours and events vary during the rest of the year.

5. Have coffee at Torsångs Café and discover Torsång

If you like cozy cafes, don't miss Torsångs Café, which is beautifully located by the Dalälven River. This is the oldest café in Dalarna, and here you can sit down with a view of the water and enjoy a coffee or something lighter to eat.

One specialty that we naturally became curious about is the so-called horse shrimp. It's a sandwich with a rather unusual combination of ingredients: horse sausage from Gustafs, egg and shrimp salad on sieved bread. It may not sound like the most obvious combination, but it has become something of a local classic!

Torsång is also a nice little place to discover. Here you will find the medieval Torsång Church, and the surroundings by the Dalälven are very nice. If you want to take a slightly longer excursion by bike, there is also the Torsångsrundan, a approximately thirty kilometer long bike ride that passes Sahlins Struts and Frostbrunnsdalen, among other places.

6. Experience Lake Runn – canoeing, cycling and swimming

Lake Runn is located between Borlänge and Falun and is a fantastically beautiful area for those who like nature and outdoor activities. We have enjoyed the environments around the lake ourselves, including during our excursions in the area.

One way to experience Runn is to get out on the water in a canoe, kayak or SUP. There are opportunities to rent equipment in the area, but check current rental locations before your visit.

You can also discover the lake from land. The Runn Runt cycle path is about seventy kilometers long and takes you through beautiful environments around the lake, with the possibility of various stops along the way.

During the summer there are swimming opportunities, and in the winter Runn is known for long-distance skating when the ice conditions are good enough. The great thing about Runn is that you can choose your own level. There are opportunities for both active adventures and quiet moments by the water.

7. Have fun at the Aqua Nova water park

If you are traveling with children, or if you want to have a fun swimming experience yourself, Aqua Nova might be a good idea. The adventure pool is located in Maserhallen in Borlänge and offers, among other things, water slides, a wave pool, a wild rapids and a climbing wall. There is also an outdoor pool.

It's a good option when the weather isn't really inviting for outdoor activities, or when the family wants to do something other than visit attractions. We haven't visited Aqua Nova ourselves, but it's one of Borlänge's established family activities.

8. Go skiing in Romme Alpin

Borlänge is also a good destination for those who like skiing. Romme Alpin is located just over ten kilometers outside the city and is one of the larger ski resorts in this part of Sweden. There are 34 slopes with varying degrees of difficulty and several lifts.

The facility is suitable for both beginners and more experienced skiers, and includes a ski school, ski rental and restaurants. We haven't skied here ourselves, but Romme Alpin is an obvious tip for anyone visiting Borlänge during the winter.

9. Shop in the Dome

Borlänge is also known for its shopping opportunities, not least the Kupolen shopping center. This was actually one of the first things we did when we arrived in Borlänge. We went on a little shopping spree and both managed to find some bargains in the form of new clothes.

Kupolen is a large shopping mall with many different shops, cafes and restaurants. You can easily spend a few hours here, especially if you like shopping or want something to do on a rainy day. For us, it was a nice break from all the nature experiences and historical sights during the trip.

10. Hike in Frostbrunnsdalen

If you want to discover a slightly different natural environment near Borlänge, Frostbrunnsdalen can be a nice excursion destination. The nature reserve is located about five kilometers southwest of the city center, near Stora Tuna Church. Here is a deep ravine with lush deciduous forest, babbling spring water and a rich birdlife.

The valley is at its greenest in spring and early summer, when the vegetation is lush and the birds are singing. The ravine is about 20 meters deep in places and has been formed by erosion. There are trails and picnic areas in the area, and during the summer there is usually a café.

We haven't visited Frostbrunnsdalen ourselves yet, but it seems like a nice alternative for those who want to get out into nature without having to travel very far from Borlänge.

11. Take a trip to the Östra Silvberg mine

One excursion that we really remember is the visit to the Östra Silvberg mine, in the municipality of Säter. Here are the remains of a very old mining environment where silver was mined already in the Middle Ages. Mining had its heyday in the 15th century, and the area is still an exciting destination for those interested in history.

What fascinated us most was the water of Storgruvan, which has an almost unreal intense turquoise color. When the sun is right and the surrounding rocks are reflected in the water, it is truly a special sight. We stopped and enjoyed the environment, which is both beautiful and a little mysterious.

There is the opportunity to sit down with a packed lunch, and the area is perfect for a shorter excursion.

Please note that this is an old mining environment, with the risks that can be found around steep edges and mine shafts. The water is not a controlled swimming area, and we therefore recommend that you come here to experience the nature and mining history rather than to swim.

12. Take a trip to Skedvi Bread

Another excursion destination that surprised us positively was Skedvi Bröd in Stora Skedvi, just outside Säter. We had imagined a rather small factory shop where you could buy crispbread. But when we arrived we were greeted by something completely different!

Here was a large and inspiring destination with nicely decorated shops, a lovely market hall and a restaurant that really appealed.

Skedvi Bröd is known for its crispbread, which is baked in the traditional way in wood-fired ovens. On some days, visitors can also see how the baking is done. The market hall not only sells crispbread, but also lots of other goodies. Here you can buy meat, spices, jams and other delicacies.

We really liked the environment and the feel of the place. This is the kind of destination where you can easily stay much longer than you intended!

Where can you stay in Borlänge or park your camper?

There are both hotels and camping options in Borlänge. If you want to be close to shopping, restaurants and city life, it can be practical to live centrally. If you prefer nature and quieter surroundings, there are also options outside the city center.

Campsites and pitches

We travel by ourselves with a camper van and have stayed overnight at, among other places First Camp Mellsta - Borlänge. This campsite is beautifully situated by the Dalälven River, close to both the center of Borlänge and fine outdoor areas.

First Camp Mellsta now has a concept with digital check-in and check-out, which means that the facility is largely unmanned. During the summer weeks, there are also staff on site.

READ MORE: First Camp Mellsta - Borlänge - a "First Camp Easy"

When we visited Borlänge, we also noticed that people were welcome to stay overnight at Biltema with their camper van, and that in connection with this they were offered free coffee in the morning. The possibilities for overnight stays may change, so check the current rules before your visit.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

• Things to do in Rättvik
• Things to do in Mora
• Things to do in Falun
• Things to do in Orsa
• Things to do in Gävle