At a glance
- Best for
- History, food, relaxed city walks and pilgrim routes
- Airport
- Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD), about thirty five minutes from the centre by train
- Time needed
- Two days
- Best season
- May to September, and late July for St Olav's Festival
- Getting around
- Walking, city bikes, buses and the Gråkallbanen tram
- Good base for
- Munkholmen, Røros, the coastal ferries and the trains north
Why go
Trondheim is small, friendly and easy to love. It gives you real history without the crowds of Oslo and Bergen, a lively student atmosphere and a food culture built on local farms and fjords. It also sits on the main rail line between south and north, so it slots neatly into a longer trip.
The main sights
**Nidaros Cathedral** is the largest medieval building in Scandinavia, with a richly carved west front and stained glass. You can climb the tower in season, and the **Archbishop's Palace** next door holds the Norwegian **crown regalia**. The **Old Town Bridge**, Gamle Bybro, crosses the Nidelva river to **Bakklandet**, a lane of wooden houses, cafés and the bicycle lift Trampe. Above it, **Kristiansten Fortress** gives the best view over the city.
The **Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum** gathers old farm buildings and a stave church, and **Rockheim** is the national museum of popular music, inside a converted warehouse with a glowing roof. The **Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum** has a strong design collection. In summer, boats run out to **Munkholmen**, a small island with a former monastery, prison and fortress and a popular swimming spot.
Food and drink
Trondheim and its region of Trøndelag have become a destination for food lovers, with several restaurants that serve tasting menus built on local produce, and plenty of simpler places too. Look out for local cheeses, fish, game, flatbreads and the regional dish **sodd**, a light meat and dumpling soup. **Solsiden**, the former shipyard district, is full of bars and restaurants by the water. Coffee culture is strong, especially in Bakklandet.
Festivals
**St Olav's Festival**, Olavsfestdagene, fills the city around late July with concerts, a medieval market and church services marking the saint's day. The **Trondheim Christmas Market** in the main square runs in December.
Pilgrim routes
The **St Olav Ways** are a network of pilgrim paths to Nidaros, including the long Gudbrandsdalen path from Oslo. Many people walk the last few days into Trondheim and collect a certificate at the Pilgrim Centre.
Day trips
**Røros**, a UNESCO listed copper mining town of wooden houses, is reachable by train and is magical in winter. The coast north and south of the city has islands and fishing villages, and the **Hurtigruten** and **Havila** coastal ships call at Trondheim on their way north.
Where to stay
Stay in the **Midtbyen** centre, near the cathedral and the main square, for easy walking. **Solsiden** suits nightlife lovers, and **Bakklandet** has a few small stays. Book ahead for St Olav's Festival and big student events.
Getting around
Trains run from the airport to the central station, Trondheim S. The centre is compact and walkable, buses cover the suburbs, and the **Gråkallbanen**, one of the most northerly trams in the world, runs up to the forest of Bymarka for walks and skiing.
Questions about Trondheim
How many days do I need in Trondheim?
Two days covers the cathedral, Bakklandet, the museums and good meals. Add a day for Røros or Munkholmen.
How do I get to Trondheim from Oslo?
Take the train through the Gudbrandsdalen valley, which takes most of a day and is scenic, or a short domestic flight.
Can I see the northern lights in Trondheim?
Sometimes on strong nights away from city lights, but it is not reliable. For a real chance, travel further north to Tromsø or Lofoten.
Is Trondheim worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you enjoy history and food. It is calmer than Oslo and Bergen and links neatly with trips to the north.
What should I eat in Trondheim?
Try sodd, the light meat and dumpling soup of the region, local cheeses, fresh fish from the fjord and the cinnamon buns in the cafés of Bakklandet. The food hall and market stalls in the centre are a good way to taste local produce without a big restaurant bill, and Solsiden has relaxed places by the water.
Is Trondheim good for families?
Yes. The centre is safe and walkable, the folk museum and Rockheim are fun for children, and summer boat trips to Munkholmen and the tram to Bymarka make easy outings.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
