Things to do in Rättvik – 11 attractions and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | What is there to see and do in Rättvik in Dalarna? Everything awaits you here, from the famous Långbryggan and spectacular concerts at Dalhalla to dramatic nature experiences, crafts and beautiful views of Lake Siljan.

Discover Rättvik by Lake Siljan

Rättvik is one of the most well-known towns in the Siljan region and attracts many visitors, not least in the summer. We visited Rättvik during our motorhome trip around Lake Siljan and stayed for several days. Here we share our best tips for sights and experiences, both within the town and in the surrounding area.

1. Walk out onto Långbryggan in Rättvik

Långbryggan is perhaps Rättvik's most famous attraction and a place that almost feels obligatory to visit. The jetty extends a full 628 meters out into Lake Siljan and is thus one of the world's longest inland jetties. It was built back in 1895, both as a tourist attraction and as a docking point for steamboats.

The reason the jetty is so long is because the water outside Rättvik is very shallow. Here, the melting water of the ice sheet has helped shape the landscape and create the shallow areas by the shore. Siljan is also located in the geologically interesting Siljan Ring, which was formed by a huge meteorite impact around 380 million years ago.

We of course walked out onto Långbryggan and enjoyed the view over Lake Siljan. It's a special feeling to walk so far out over the water, while still having a view of Rättvik and the surrounding hills.

A fun detail is that the pier was renovated in the 1990s and that private individuals and companies could contribute by buying planks with their names engraved on them. Feel free to look down as you walk, and you may spot some of these names.

During the summer season, M/S Gustaf Wasa can also dock at Långbryggan. We have done a wonderful shrimp cruise on Siljan ourselves, but our trip started from Leksand. We will tell you more about that experience in our guide to Leksand.

2. Experience a concert at Dalhalla

Dalhalla is without a doubt one of the most spectacular concert venues we have visited. The arena is located in the middle of the forest, in an old limestone quarry outside Rättvik, and the environment alone makes the visit something truly special. The steep rock walls surround the stage and the audience, and at the bottom of the limestone quarry there is water that contributes to the dramatic setting.

The former limestone quarry was transformed into an outdoor arena in the 1990s, and today it hosts concerts and performances by both Swedish and international artists. Dalhalla is particularly known for its special acoustics and magnificent setting.

We had the opportunity to experience the musical We Will Rock You, with music by Queen. Among the artists were Sarah Dawn Finer, Viktor Norén, Dotter, Anton Ewald and Alexander Lycke. The performance was really good, and it was powerful to hear the well-known songs in this unusual environment.

The weather wasn't really on our side, however. It rained off and on during the performance, but it didn't ruin the experience. We were glad we had proper clothing with us, because Dalhalla is an outdoor arena and the weather can change quickly.

If you have the opportunity to go to a concert here, we really think you should take the chance. It's not just the music that makes the experience special, but the whole environment around it.

3. Discover the dramatic nature of Styggforsen

About 19 kilometers north of Rättvik lies Styggforsen, a nature reserve that offers a completely different type of experience than the quiet beaches of Lake Siljan. Here you will encounter dramatic rock walls, deep ravines and a waterfall that plunges down through the unique nature.

The special landscape has been shaped by the geological forces that affected the area during the large meteorite impact that created the Siljan Ring. The rock layers have been pressed up and twisted, and today you can see clear traces of this in the steep cliff walls.

When we visited Styggforsen there wasn't much water in the falls themselves, but we still thought the place was fantastic. It is mainly the dramatic surroundings that make the nature reserve so interesting. There are also traces of older activities in the area, including mills and grindstone manufacturing.

We walked the short circular path that leads through the area and past the waterfall. The walk is not very long, but there are stairs and uneven sections, so it is a good idea to have proper shoes. It can also be slippery when it rains.

4. Enjoy the view from Vidablick

Vidablick is one of the places in the Rättvik area where you really get a sense of how beautiful the Siljan landscape is. Here is a 28-meter-high observation tower, which has long been a popular excursion destination. From the area you have a fantastic view of Siljan, Rättvik and the surrounding forests and mountains.

We drove up to Vidablick and enjoyed the views. It was truly beautiful to see how the lake spread out far below us, with the characteristic landscape all around.

Vidablick has previously had both a café, a craft shop and other activities. However, the facility has been closed for a period and is undergoing renovations, so you should check current availability before planning a visit. Above all, you should not count on the observation tower being always open. Even without going up the tower, the view from the top is an experience in itself.

5. Visit Rättvik Church and the old church stables

Rättvik Church is beautifully situated on Kyrkudden, right next to Lake Siljan. The church dates back to the Middle Ages, and the oldest parts date back to the 13th century. The building has changed over the centuries and mainly took on its current appearance in the late 18th century.

The place also has an important connection to Swedish history. According to tradition, Gustav Vasa came to Rättvik in December 1520 and spoke to the common people on the church hill in an attempt to gather support against the Danish king Christian II. On Kyrkudden is the Vasa Stone, which commemorates the events of this dramatic time.

We looked inside the church, which is also beautiful on the inside, but what fascinated us the most were actually the church stables. There are a total of 87 preserved stable buildings here, and the oldest dates from the 1470s.

In the past, people from the surrounding villages would come to the church by horse and cart or sleigh. Since church visits could take a long time, the horses needed somewhere to stand, and that is why the church stables were built. Today they form a very special historical environment, with rows of small timbered buildings that tell the story of life in the Siljan region in the past.

We found it very interesting to walk around here and imagine what the place looked like when people gathered for church holidays and markets.

6. Stroll around Rättvik – ice cream, crafts and local specialties

Rättvik is a nice place to walk around, especially if you like crafts and local products. In the center there are several small shops and businesses that are connected to Dalarna's strong craft traditions.

In the square there is a timbered house where Rättviks Hemslöjd and The Handshake craft cooperative has offered both traditional and more modern handicraft products. We took the opportunity to browse through everything from textiles and wooden objects to other locally made things. Dala Wärdshus Hantverksbyn is another name associated with the region's handicrafts and home crafts.

Another local specialty is flatbread. Rättvik has a long tradition of baking flatbread, and here you can find, among other things, tutul, a soft flatbread that is typical of the Siljan region. We had planned to visit Rättvik's flatbread bakery, but unfortunately it was closed when we got there.

One thing we did manage to do, however, was eat. Rättviks ice cream! We are very fond of ice cream and took the opportunity to try it several times during our trip around Siljan. The ice cream was delicious and creamy, and our common favorite flavor was egg liqueur.

In central Rättvik is also the cultural center at Enån, with a library, art gallery, nature museum and photo archive. It was not open when we passed by, but may be interesting for those who want to delve into the art, nature and history of the area.

7. Discover Rättvik's Old Farm

Rättviks Gammelgård is a nice local history museum where you can experience older buildings and gain an insight into how people lived in the area in the past. There are around thirty buildings here, including old residential buildings and outbuildings, which together form an interesting cultural and historical environment.

Several of the buildings are very old, and the oldest dates back to the late 16th century. The local history museum also has extensive collections of objects that tell the story of everyday life, agriculture and traditions in Rättvik.

While we were here we also visited Kafé Nyfiket, which is located in the old environment and offers coffee and light meals during the summer season. On that particular day, the area was also full of activity, as a theater group was rehearsing for a performance of Emil in Lönneberga. It gave the visit an extra charming setting, of course!

8. Visit Nittsjö Ceramics

In the village of Nittsjö, just outside Rättvik, lies Nittsjö Ceramics, one of Sweden's long-established ceramic craft companies. The business has roots far back in time and has become particularly known for its ceramics with traditional shapes, patterns and glazes.

We visited the shop and were really impressed by the wide range of products on offer. There were lots of beautiful ceramic items, both decorative and everyday items. A popular part of the sale is the second-hand section, where you can find products with minor cosmetic defects at lower prices. It seemed to be popular with visitors when we were there.

We actually got quite tempted to buy, but managed to control ourselves. When you live on a houseboat and also travel by motorhome, you have to think a little extra about how much stuff you collect!

9. Find the strange Springkällan

The spring is one of the more unusual excursion destinations in the Rättvik area, and we were naturally curious when we heard about it. After our concert at Dalhalla, we free-camped for a night in a gravel parking lot out in the forest. The next day we set off to look for the strange spring, which has a rather unlikely history.

In 1869, people began drilling for oil in the area. No oil was found, but the drilling did hit water under such high pressure that it began to squirt out of the ground. And it has continued to squirt ever since!

It is not a natural geyser in the usual sense, but a water source that emerged through a borehole. The water comes from a groundwater reservoir where pressure forces it up through the borehole.

When we arrived, we saw the strange phenomenon with our own eyes. In the middle of the forest, the water spurts up, year after year. During cold winters, large ice formations can also form around the water jet. The spring may not be the most spectacular sight in Dalarna, but it is definitely special.

10. Go summer tobogganing or skiing in Rättviksbacken

Rättviksbacken is an activity area where you can go downhill during the winter and try other activities during the warmer part of the year.

In winter, there is the opportunity for alpine skiing, while summer tobogganing is one of the most popular summer activities. There are parallel toboggan runs here where you ride down the hill in small carts and you can control your speed using the brake. We didn't try summer tobogganing ourselves when we were here, but we saw that the activity was very popular. It certainly looked fun when people whizzed down the hill!

The facility has undergone renovations and available activities may vary between seasons, so it is wise to check current opening hours and what activities are offered before your visit.

11. Cycling and hiking in the Rättvik area

Rättvik is located in a beautiful landscape with forests, lakes and hills, and there are many opportunities here for those who enjoy being active outdoors.

A popular bike ride is Dalhallar tour, an approximately 26 kilometer long loop that starts from Rättvik's travel center. The tour takes approximately two to four hours and passes several of the area's attractions, including Rättviks Gammelgård, Nittsjö Keramik and Dalhalla.

For those who prefer to hike, there are both shorter walks and longer trails. The Enåleden is an approximately 4.5 kilometer long trail that follows the Enån River and provides an opportunity to discover nature near the center of Rättvik. Another alternative is the beach walk between Vikarbyn and Rättvik, which is approximately nine kilometers long and offers fine views of Lake Siljan.

For those looking for a longer challenge, there is The Siljan Railway, a hiking trail of about 340 kilometers that runs through large parts of the Siljan region. Of course, you don't have to walk the entire trail, but you can choose one or more shorter sections. We haven't tried all of these trails ourselves, but they show that Rättvik has a lot to offer even for those who want to spend their vacation hiking and cycling.

Where can you stay in Rättvik or park your campervan?

In Rättvik there are several accommodation options, both within the community and in scenic surroundings by Lake Siljan. For those who want to be close to restaurants, shops and Långbryggan, it is practical to live centrally, while the areas outside the community offer quieter environments and nice views.

Campsites and camping sites in Rättvik

In Rättvik there are two campsites run by First Camp: First Camp Enåbadet – Rättvik and First Camp Siljansbadet – Rättvik. Enåbadet is located by the winding Enån River, while Siljansbadet has a nice location by Lake Siljan and near the shallow beach. Both offer different types of camping accommodation and are suitable for those traveling with a camper, caravan or tent.

We chose to park our campervan on Rättviksgården's parking lot, which has a very good and central location. It was convenient to be close to the center of Rättvik and be able to walk to several of the sights. We especially appreciated the opportunity to leave the camper and explore the town on foot, even though we thought the price was high.

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