Trondheim, Norway: travel guide
A medieval capital with Nidaros Cathedral and timber wharves on the Nidelva
Norway's medieval capital on the Nidelva river — home to the great Nidaros Cathedral, colourful Bakklandet wharves, the Old Town Bridge and a big student population.
About Trondheim
Trondheim is one of Norway's oldest cities, sitting on a loop of the Nidelva river, and it served as a medieval capital. Nidaros Cathedral, a large Gothic church, is the centrepiece and the end point of the pilgrim route known as St Olav's Way.
Things to do in Trondheim include crossing the Old Town Bridge into Bakklandet, with its colourful timber houses and cafes, climbing to Kristiansten Fortress for views, and taking a short boat ride to Munkholmen island. A large student population keeps the city lively.
Trondheim suits history lovers and slower travellers heading along the coast. Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable time to visit.
- Country
- Norway
- Currency
- NOK
- Time zone
- Europe/Oslo
- Nearest airport
- TRD
Last updated
Top places to visit in Trondheim
Rockheim
music museum · about 1.5 h · entry kr150 (≈ ₹1,500)
The national museum of popular music in a waterfront warehouse topped by a glowing "attic", tracing Norwegian pop and rock from the 1950s with interactive exhibits.
Nidaros Cathedral
cathedral · about 1.5 h · entry kr130 (≈ ₹1,300)
The northernmost medieval cathedral in the world, begun in 1070 over the grave of St Olav, with a spectacular carved west front — Norway's coronation church and a major pilgrimage goal.
Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro)
bridge · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A red-portalled wooden bridge over the Nidelva, framing the classic view of the colourful Bakklandet wharves — known locally as the "Gate of Happiness".
Bakklandet
old quarter · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A charming quarter of crooked wooden houses, cafés and antique shops along the river below Kristiansten Fortress — the prettiest strolling area in Trondheim.
Kristiansten Fortress
fortress · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A 1680s hilltop fortress that saved Trondheim from Swedish siege, now a free viewpoint over the cathedral, river and city rooftops.
Archbishop's Palace (Erkebispegården)
palace museum · about 1 h · entry kr120 (≈ ₹1,200)
The oldest secular building in the Nordics, beside Nidaros Cathedral, housing the crown regalia and museum finds from the cathedral's construction.
Torvet & Olav Tryggvason Statue
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Trondheim's central market square, laid out in 1681, with a tall column crowned by the statue of city founder Olav Tryggvason acting as a giant sundial.
Munkholmen
island fort · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A small islet off Trondheim, once a Benedictine monastery and later a prison and fort, reached by a short summer boat trip and popular for swimming and picnics.
Things to do
- Nidaros Cathedral Guided Tour Cultural · 1 h · from NOK 200 per person
- Trondheim & Bakklandet Walking Tour Cultural · 2 h · from NOK 300 per person
- Nidelva River Kayak Tour Water Sports · 2 h · from NOK 650 per person
- Trondheim Food & Craft Beer Tour Food · 3 h · from NOK 1,100 per person
- Munkholmen Island Boat Trip Sightseeing · 2 h · from NOK 250 per person
Where to stay in Trondheim
- Midtbyen about NOK 1,700 per night
Trondheim's central island, home to the cathedral, market square, shops and river wharves.
- Bakklandet about NOK 1,600 per night
A charming riverside quarter of wooden houses, cafés and antique shops below Kristiansten Fortress.
Hotels
- Britannia Hotel 5-star · NOK 3,000 to NOK 7,000 per night
- Scandic Nidelven 4-star · NOK 1,600 to NOK 3,000 per night
- Clarion Hotel & Congress Trondheim 4-star · NOK 1,500 to NOK 2,900 per night
- Thon Hotel Trondheim 3-star · NOK 1,200 to NOK 2,200 per night
- Comfort Hotel Trondheim 3-star · NOK 950 to NOK 1,600 per night
- Trondheim Vandrerhjem Rosenborg 2-star · NOK 400 to NOK 1,200 per night
Where to eat
- Fagn New Nordic, Norwegian · about NOK 2,200 per person
- Baklandet Skydsstation Norwegian, Cafe · about NOK 330 per person
- To Rom og Kjøkken New Nordic, Norwegian · about NOK 900 per person
- Ravnkloa Fish Market Seafood, Norwegian · about NOK 220 per person
- Sellanraa Bok & Bar Cafe, Bistro · about NOK 200 per person
- Bror Bar Bistro, Small Plates · about NOK 420 per person
Getting to Trondheim
Airport: Trondheim (TRD)
How visitors arrive in Trondheim
- Flight into Trondheim Airport, Vaernes By air from Oslo, Bergen, European cities · common
Frequent flights from Oslo and several Norwegian and European cities; a train links the airport with the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Dovre line train from Oslo By train from Oslo · common
Trains from Oslo run on the Dovre line to Trondheim Central Station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Drive on the E6 By road from Oslo · common
The E6 runs through Trondheim from Oslo. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Nordland or Meraker line trains By train from Bodo / Ostersund · possible
Services arrive from Bodo in the north and from Ostersund and Are in Sweden. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Hurtigruten coastal ship By ferry from Bergen / Kirkenes · possible
The Hurtigruten calls at Trondheim between Bergen and Kirkenes. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Train from Værnes airport
A local train runs from a platform entrance beside baggage belt 2 to Trondheim S, the central station. Source: avinor.no
- Værnes-Ekspressen airport express
The express bus stops right in front of the baggage carousel and runs into the city. Source: avinor.no
- AtB city bus lines 70 and 311
Regular AtB buses serve the stop Trondheim lufthavn and take a slower route to the city. Source: avinor.no
- Taxi from Værnes
Taxi companies such as Trøndertaxi and Norgestaxi serve the airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
AtB runs Trondheim's bus network, which covers almost the whole city, and the same tickets work on buses, the tram and local trains within the zone.
- Tram
The Grakallbanen tram runs from St. Olavs gate near the centre up to Lian in the Bymarka forests, with views over the city on the way.
- Walking
Best time to visit Trondheim
- Jan 1°C
- Feb 2°C
- Mar 5°C
- Apr 9°C
- May 14°C
- Jun 17°C
- Jul 20°C
- Aug 19°C
- Sep 15°C
- Oct 9°C
- Nov 5°C
- Dec 2°C
More in Norway
Frequently asked questions about Trondheim
- What are the main places to visit in Trondheim?
- Places covered in our Trondheim guide include Rockheim, Nidaros Cathedral, Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro), Bakklandet, Kristiansten Fortress.
- Where should I stay in Trondheim?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Trondheim: Midtbyen, Bakklandet.
- How do I get around Trondheim?
- Ways to get around Trondheim covered in our guide: City bus, Tram, Walking.
- What is the weather like in Trondheim?
- Average daytime highs in Trondheim run from 1°C in Jan to 20°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Trondheim?
- The nearest airport to Trondheim has the code TRD.