Things to do in Leksand – 13 attractions and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | What is there to see and do in Leksand in Dalarna? Beautiful surroundings by Lake Siljan, historic houses, traditional crafts, exciting museums and excursions to some of the most beautiful places in the Siljan region await you here.

Discover Leksand and the surrounding area

We have explored Leksand and the areas around Siljan by camper van and found many great sights and experiences. Among the highlights are a lovely shrimp cruise on Siljan, a fascinating visit to Munthes Hildasholm and beautiful views from Siljansnäs and Tällberg. Here are our best tips!

1. Discover central Leksand and walk along Lake Siljan

Leksand is beautifully situated where the Österdal River flows into Lake Siljan. It is a pleasant town to explore on foot, with small shops, cafes and nice promenades along the water. We particularly liked the setting by the quay, where you can see beautiful old boats and look out over the lake.

In the center there are several cafes and pastry shops, including Café Allé and Siljans Konditori. There are also small shops and public art. We were captivated by some fine sculptures by the artist Eva Fornåå, which help to give Leksand its own character.

If you want to take a longer walk, you can follow Solvändan, a walking path that starts at Leksandsbron and continues along the water towards Leksand Sommarland. The route is about four kilometers one way and offers nice views of Lake Siljan. On the way back, you can choose other paths and roads through the area around Lugnet and Barkdal.

2. Visit Munthe's Hildasholm

Hildasholm is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Leksand. The beautiful house was built in the early 20th century by the doctor and writer Axel Munthe as a gift to his wife Hilda. But it became primarily the summer home of Hilda and her two sons, while Axel spent much of his life elsewhere.

The house is beautifully situated with a view of Lake Siljan and is filled with history, art and unusual objects. We went on a guided tour and were completely engrossed in the stories. Our guide was fantastic, and almost every room offered new surprises.

Here you will find exclusive furniture from different parts of the world, marionette dolls, paintings directly on the walls and strange details like a bird suspended from the ceiling with its feathers hanging downwards. It is a home where almost every object seems to have its own story.

Just as interesting are the gardens, which Hilda herself created with inspiration from England, France and Italy. There are 14 different garden rooms, each with its own character. Some have imaginative names such as the Peacock Garden and the Sunken Garden.

During the summer season, you can take guided tours, discover the gardens and visit the charming garden café. We found the whole environment incredibly exciting and can highly recommend a visit.

READ MORE: Visiting Hildasholm in Leksand - house and garden

3. Take a boat trip on Lake Siljan

One of our most enjoyable experiences in Leksand was a shrimp cruise on Lake Siljan with M/S Gustaf Wasa. We like to experience places from the water, and this was a really lovely feature during our trip around the lake.

We boarded in Leksand and then went on a three-hour cruise to Rättvik and back. In the meantime, we were served shrimp fritters with lots of shrimp, bread and cheese. It was both delicious and cozy to sit on board and enjoy the food while the beautiful landscape of Siljan glided past outside the windows.

M/S Gustaf Wasa is a classic passenger boat that operates on Lake Siljan during the summer season. There are different types of cruises, including tours with lunch, dinner and other dining experiences. Departure locations and schedules vary, so it is a good idea to check the current schedule.

From Leksand it is also possible to travel on the historic steamship S/S Engelbrekt. The ship dates back to the 19th century and makes trips on the Österdal River, including in the direction of Morkarlön. During some trips, food and entertainment are offered on board.

4. See Leksand's church and local history centers

Leksand Church is beautifully situated on a hill near the Österdal River and is one of Sweden's largest rural churches. The oldest parts date back to the 13th century, but the church has been expanded and altered several times over the centuries.

The church is an important landmark in Leksand and has long been a gathering point for people in the area. It is also strongly associated with the region's traditions, not least the large Midsummer celebrations.

Right next to the church is Leksand's local history museum, which is considered the oldest local history museum in Dalarna. The museum's origins date back to 1899, and today it houses a collection of old timber buildings from different parts of the Leksand area.

We walked around the houses and looked at the old buildings, which give a nice picture of how people lived in the past. Here are, among other things, residential buildings, barns and other buildings that show evidence of the skilled carpentry techniques that were developed in Dalarna. One of the oldest buildings is a double shed from Laknäs, dated to 1516. It is fascinating to think about how long these timbered houses have been around and how much history they carry.

5. Experience the Midsummer celebration in Leksand

Leksand is known for its magnificent Midsummer celebration, which is often described as Sweden's largest. Every year, tens of thousands of people gather in Sammilsdal, often just called Gropen, to participate in a celebration filled with music, folk costumes and traditions.

One of the most special parts is the procession with church boats. Fiddlers and other participants row along the Österdal River, before the celebration continues through the community and to Gropen. There, the large maypole, which is about 26 meters high and weighs almost 800 kilograms, is erected.

This is followed by music, dancing and traditional ring games. Many participants wear folk costumes, and the celebration is a fine example of how strongly the old traditions still live on in the Siljan region.

The Pit itself also has an interesting history. It is a so-called dead ice pit, which was formed when a large block of ice from the ice sheet melted away and left a depression in the ground. The big Midsummer celebration has been arranged here since 1939. We have not been to Leksand during the Midsummer celebration ourselves, but it is an experience that we would like to experience at some point.

6. Visit Naturum Dalarna in Siljansnäs

On Björkberget in Siljansnäs is Naturum Dalarna, a visitor attraction where you can learn more about Dalarna's nature and at the same time enjoy a fantastic view of Lake Siljan. Here you will find exhibitions about forests, wildlife, geology and large predators. The exhibitions are both informative and thought-provoking and provide an interesting insight into how nature in Dalarna has been shaped and changed over time.

We visited Naturum and found it very interesting. But one of the big highlights is of course the view. From the observation tower you can see over Lake Siljan, the forests and the surrounding villages. The tower is built of wood and has both stairs and an elevator. Naturum has free admission and is open during parts of the year, with more generous opening hours during the summer season.

Coffee at Buffil's Anna

Right next to Naturum is Buffils Annas Kaffestuga, a charming café with a nice view of Lake Siljan. Here you can sit outside in the garden and enjoy the surroundings during the summer.

Of course, we took the opportunity to have a coffee and tried, among other things, waffles with Skagenröra. A slightly unusual combination perhaps, but very tasty! Together, Naturum Dalarna and Buffils Anna make Björkberget one of our favorite tips in Siljansnäs.

7. Discover Tällberg – one of Siljan's most beautiful villages

Tällberg is one of the most well-known and charming villages around Lake Siljan. Here you will find traditional wooden houses, winding roads, beautiful farm environments and fantastic views over the lake. The village has long been a popular destination and is known for its many hotels, restaurants and craft shops.

Tällberg is also a good option for those who want to stay a little outside Leksand. There are several hotels here with views of Lake Siljan, but also camping and parking spaces for motorhomes. We stayed at Tällbergs camping, which is beautifully located by the water. We will tell you more about it further down in the article.

8. Visit Leksand's culture center and museum

In central Leksand is Leksand's cultural center, which houses a library, museum and exhibition spaces. It is an interesting destination for those who want to learn more about the culture and history of Dalarna. The museum has, among other things, the world's third largest collection of valley paintings. It is an impressive collection that shows an important part of Dalarna's artistic tradition, where biblical motifs, colorful decorations and stories from everyday life often appear.

There is also a costume exhibition here that shows the rich tradition of folk costumes in the Leksand area. The costumes are not only beautiful, but also tell about local identity, crafts and how clothes have been used at various festivals and occasions.

We visited the museum and found it an interesting stop. In addition to the permanent collections, temporary exhibitions are arranged with different themes within art and cultural history. The museum has free admission, which makes it easy to take a look even if you only have a moment to spare.

9. Shop for crispbread at Leksands Knäckebröd

Leksands Knäckebröd is one of Sweden's most well-known crispbread brands and has its roots in the local baking tradition in Dalarna. At the bakery in Häradsbygden, just outside central Leksand, there is a large bakery shop where you can buy different types of crispbread, but also other delicacies, gifts and souvenirs.

We visited the store and took the opportunity to look around at the large selection. There are both classic crispbreads and various special varieties, and it's fun to see how many different products are made.

Adjacent to the store is also Knäckerian, where you can eat lighter dishes and coffee. One of the specialties is crisp pizza, where the pizza is made on a crispbread base. The selection and opening hours vary with the season.

10. Discover the enterprising Insjön

Insjön, just south of Leksand, has an unusually exciting corporate history. Several businesses were started here that would later become well-known throughout Sweden, including Clas Ohlson and Åhléns.

Clas Ohlson was founded in 1918 by the then young Clas Ohlson. The business began on a small scale with bicycle repairs and mail order sales, but eventually developed into one of Sweden's most well-known retail chains.

In Insjön there is still a large Clas Ohlson store, and the Clas Ohlson museum is also located here. The museum tells the story of the company's development and displays older products, catalogs and other objects from the company's history.

We visited the museum and found it interesting to see how a company that is now present in so many places started in a small town in Dalarna. Insjön also has a connection to Åhléns, which was founded here in the early 20th century. That says a lot about the entrepreneurial spirit that has characterized the area.

11. Have fun at Leksand Sommarland

Leksand Sommarland is a large summer activity area by Lake Siljan, just outside central Leksand. There are lots of activities here for families with children and others who like swimming, playing and fast-paced experiences.

A large part of the complex consists of a water park with pools and water slides. There are also carousels, trampolines, a zipline and a high-altitude course. You can spend a whole day here with various activities, and there are also restaurants and cafes in the area.

We haven't tried the attractions ourselves, but for families with children visiting Siljansbygden, Sommarland can be a popular part of their holiday. There are also camping and other accommodation options in the area, making it possible to stay close to the activities.

12. Experience Leksand in winter – hockey and skiing

Leksand is not just a summer destination. During the winter there is the opportunity for both skiing and ice hockey, and the town has a strong tradition in winter sports. The most famous sports team is of course Leksands IF, which has a large and committed fan base. The team plays its home games in Tegera Arena, and for those interested in hockey, a match can be a really fun experience.

For those who prefer to be active themselves, there is the Granberget ski resort, just outside Leksand. It offers downhill skiing with several slopes and lifts, and the area also has cross-country ski trails.

When we visited Granberget it was summer, and the ski slopes had been transformed into green slopes filled with meadow flowers. It was almost hard to imagine how different the environment must be when the snow is deep.

During the winter, Granberget is a popular option for both locals and visitors, but as always when it comes to skiing, operations are dependent on snow and weather conditions.

13. Drive the beautiful tourist route between Leksand and Rättvik

If you are traveling by car or camper between Leksand and Rättvik, we think you should consider choosing the smaller tourist route instead of the fastest route. The tourist route goes via Laknäs, Tällberg and Plintsberg and offers a number of beautiful environments. Here you pass small villages with traditional valley houses, open landscapes, forest areas and beautiful views over Lake Siljan.

We drove this road with the camper and found it incredibly charming. It really has a lot of what you associate with Dalarna, with red wooden houses, well-kept farms and a landscape where the lake is always nearby.

Along the way there are several places where you can stop, not least in Tällberg. Here is also Tällbergs golf club, where we have parked with the camper and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. This is a road that is worth taking some time on. For us, the drive itself became part of the experience of Siljansbygden.

More excursions near Leksand

If you are traveling around Dalarna by car or camper, there is of course even more to discover. During our trip, we visited two interesting places south of Leksand.

Church bridge in Dala-Floda

In Dala-Floda there is a beautiful old wooden suspension bridge over the Västerdalälven River. The church bridge was built in 1922, destroyed in a fire in 1980 and rebuilt a few years later. At 158 meters, it is known as Sweden's longest wooden suspension bridge for car traffic. The bridge has a weight limit of two tons, so we parked our camper and contented ourselves with admiring it from the side.

The meeting of rivers – where two rivers become one

Another interesting place is Älvmötet, also known as the Association of Rivers. Here the Västerdalälven and Österdalälven rivers meet and continue together as the Dalälven. We stopped to see the place where the two large rivers unite – a slightly different excursion destination for those who enjoy geography and beautiful natural environments.

Where can you stay in Leksand or park your camper?

There are many different accommodation options in Leksand and the areas around Lake Siljan. Those who want to be close to the city center can choose hotels or other accommodations in Leksand, while Tällberg and Siljansnäs attract with beautiful views and quieter environments.

Campsites and pitches

Tällberg campsite is very beautifully located on the shore of Siljan. We thought it was a charming and relatively simple campsite, with a fantastic location near the water. We appreciated the friendly service and thought the campsite was good value. For those who want to be close to both the lake and the beautiful village of Tällberg, it is a nice alternative.

We have also parked the camper at Tällberg Golf Club, which is located at Plintsberg above Lake Siljan. Here there is a camping site with beautiful surroundings and proximity to the golf course. When we were here we felt that the price was slightly higher than at Tällbergs camping, even though the service was more limited.

Another place we have stayed with the camper is Ancient village Långbrygga in Siljansnäs. There is a rest area here with a very nice view of Lake Siljan. We really appreciated the environment by the water. When we visited the site, voluntary contributions were welcomed via Swish. Check the current parking and overnight stay regulations before visiting, as these may change.

Vid Leksands Knäckebröds bakery shop There is a special campervan parking lot with a total of 25 parking spaces, some of which have electricity. There is also the possibility of, among other things, refilling fresh water and emptying grey water. It is a practical option for those who want to combine a visit to the bakery shop with an overnight stay. Check current prices and conditions before you stop.

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