For 800 years, Sala was one of Sweden's most important silver mines. Today the city offers Swedish cultural history, healing spring water and beautiful scenery.
Nowhere else in Sweden has for so long been so strongly associated with silver as Sala. Although the mine is no longer active, a trip to Sala still offers a journey into the world of mining for tourists and mining speculators alike. Sala also offers cultural history and some invigorating outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, bird watching, swimming and skiing.
Sala was not founded as a town until 1624, but its history stretches much farther back. Sala was an active mining community from as early as the 1100s, and its rapid expansion during the 1500s was the likely basis for the decision to found a new city and move the population.
Sala is particularly easy to reach thanks to its excellent location along the railway line. The trip from Uppsala takes only 40 minutes, while the journey from Stockholm can be made in under an hour and a half. The city is also no more than 50 km from the Stockholm Västerås Airport.
No visit to Sala would be complete without a trip to the Sala Silver Mine. This is one of the world's best preserved mining environments, and with the help of the mine's professional guides, you can explore a large number of tunnels, 155 metres underground. But the mine also offers several other activities. If you prefer being high in the sky to under the ground, there is a high rope course that makes a nice change to the dark underworld beneath your feet.
When you visit the Sala Silver Mine, be sure not to miss the exhibitions at the Mining Museum or to take a closer look at Sala Mining Village for a glimpse of the old Sala that flourished during the time of Gustav Vasa.
If it’s wellness and relaxation you seek, be sure to visit Sätra Brunn, whose healing spring waters attracted the European aristocracy in the 1700s. Visitors today can both engage in the traditional practice of "taking the waters" while also enjoying some more conventional spa treatments as well. For something a bit more modern, but equally relaxing, visit the Östanbäck Monaster, known for the beautiful candles produced by its monks.
While all nature is always appreciated in Sala, the most popular area is probably Svartådalen. Part of the attraction is its rich bird life, but also the excellent fishing that includes perch, pike and crayfish.
Whether you come for the mine, for relaxation or for outdoor activities, a holiday in silvery Sala is worth its weight in gold.
