Holiday apartment in Leksand on Lake Siljan – discover culture and nature

Leksand lies on the shore of Lake Siljan and combines a rich cultural history with protected landscapes, cycling routes and distinctive natural features. Heritage museum farmsteads, Midsummer traditions, historic houses and the Siljan Geopark create a diverse picture of the municipality.

Nature and landscape

There are 33 nature reserves in Leksand Municipality, 15 of which were designated by the municipality. The wider natural area also includes the Siljan Geopark, Sweden’s first national geopark. It comprises 24 priority geosites, some of which are located in Leksand Municipality. Gropen, the well-known kettle hole, is also one of the distinctive landscape features: The glacial kettle hole known as Sammilsdal formed as the inland ice melted and is particularly significant for the Midsummer celebration in Leksand.

A 32-metre-high observation tower stands on Björkberget. From there, visitors can imagine the forces that shaped the landscape of the Siljansbygden region. The Siljansnäs Nature Reserve can be explored via hiking trails. The forest trail is about 1.6 kilometres long and runs through spruce forest and a meadow overlooking Siljansnäs. Naturum Dalarna offers exhibitions about nature in Dalarna, wolves, the formation of Lake Siljan through a meteorite impact and the Dalälven River.

For hiking trails, cycling routes, and natural and cultural landscapes, Leksand Municipality directs visitors to the Naturkartan app.

Culture and tradition

There are six heritage museum farmsteads in the municipality, open to visitors in summer; some offer guided tours every day. The Leksands Hembygdsgårdar by the church are considered the oldest heritage museum farmstead in Dalarna. They are located near the church above the riverbank slopes along the Österdalälven and comprise numerous wooden buildings from different centuries.

The Midsummer celebration in Leksand includes church boats, folk musicians, ring dances, traditional costumes and dancing around the maypole. Every year, it attracts around 30,000 visitors to the town centre. Hildasholm preserves a house dating from 1910, as well as gardens influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and associated with Axel and Hilda Munthe. Guided tours of the house and garden are offered there.

Alfvégården preserves Hugo Alfvén’s home; it also houses the largest collection of his art. In summer, Alfvégården hosts concerts and offers summer guided tours. Leksand Church is one of Sweden’s largest rural churches and has a distinctive onion-shaped dome. Via Sacra, a short pilgrimage route along the picturesque church peninsula, begins at its bell tower.

Käck & Hedbys Smide has preserved its smithy in its original condition and welcomes visitors to observe the manufacturing process.

Regional specialities and experiences

The bakery shop and café of Leksands Knäckebröd sell crispbread as well as locally produced cheese, milk, sausages, smoked delicacies, jams and fruit drinks. Knäckerian serves pizzas made with Leksands Knäckebröd’s own crispbread. Leksand Sommarland offers 48 attractions and activities, including a water park and carousels.

Cycling and routes

Leksandsturen consists of cycling loops that start and finish at Kyrkallén in central Leksand and range from 30 to 40 kilometres depending on the route. The eastern Leksandsturen is an approximately 30-kilometre family-friendly cycling route through open natural and cultural landscapes.

Siljansnäs has four cross-country cycling trails with varying topography. They run through ancient forest and cultural landscapes and offer views of Lake Siljan. The cycling loops in Siljansnäs start and finish at the cabin of the Siljansnäs Skid- och löparklubb, about 300 metres from the village church.

More local pages: Insjön, Leksand, Siljansnäs, Tällberg, Hjortnäs, Djura.

To the higher-level travel overview: Dalarna County.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Mora, Vansbro.