Overview
Trondheim pairs Nidaros Cathedral with Kristiansten Fortress and museums of folk traditions and music. Munkholmen offers an island outing with monastery ruins and swimming.
History · Architecture · Museums · River · Nightlife
Did you know?
- Nidaros Cathedral was built over St. Olav's grave.
- Rockheim explores the history of Norwegian music.
- Gråkallbanen links the city to hiking in Bymarka.
Why Go
Trondheim is Norway's oldest major city, a key destination in central Norway with a rich cultural heritage centered around Nidaros Cathedral—the second-largest church in Northern Europe and the only Gothic cathedral in Norway. The city is home to NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), with 42,000 of the city's 210,000 inhabitants being students, creating a lively atmosphere of music, arts, alternative politics, nightlife, and cultural events year-round. The city centre sits beautifully inside a large river bend where the Nidelva meets the Trondheimsfjord, offering scenic walks and a compact, walkable historic core.
Getting In
Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD) serves both international and domestic flights with regular connections from Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and other Norwegian cities, plus some international routes. Trondheim S is the main railway station offering connections across Norway. The coastal steamer (Hurtigruten) stops here, and a catamaran passenger boat service runs between Trondheim and Kristiansund. Within the city, Norgestaxi and Jip apps provide address-based routing with calculated prices.
Getting Around
Trondheim has a public bus system with light green buses, and the city is served by Gråkallbanen—the only tram line, which also connects to Bymarka for hiking. The city is compact enough to walk most places, with the centre roughly defined by the meandering Nidelva. For finding specific locations, the Yellow Pages website (gulesider.no) offers more detailed maps than popular alternatives.
When To Go
Trondheim has an oceanic climate warmed by the Gulf Stream, making winters milder than expected at 63° north—temperatures above +10°C can occur well into October. Summers are cool (highs of 17-20°C in June-August) and rarely rain-free, so bring a jacket even in summer. Snow falls in winter but is less severe than at similar latitudes in Canada or Finland. Strong winds are common year-round. The Minimalen Short Film Fest in March showcases Norwegian, Nordic, and international short films.
Where To Stay
Accommodation in Trondheim is expensive, typical of Norway. Budget options include Trondheim Hostel (from kr 390), Pensjonat Jarlen (dorm kr 320, double kr 690), and Singsaker Sommerhotell (dorm kr 260, double kr 698-889, open mid-June to mid-August). Several camping options exist east and south of the city including Flakk Camping, Øysand Camping, and Storsand Gård Camping. Mid-range options include Thon Hotel Trondheim (kr 695/895 single/double) and Best Western Chesterfield Hotel.
Food And Drink
Eating out in Trondheim is very expensive. Budget options include Studentersamfundet with affordable café and burger options, nine student canteens around town (day card kr 60 for students), and numerous kebab shops—most authentic is Istanbul Döner Chef. Street food hall Lager 11 offers casual inexpensive food from 8 stalls. Upscale dining includes Fagn and Credo (both Michelin-starred). The city has Norway's best café scene with Dromedar Kaffebar standing out. Drinking culture involves pre-parties (Vorspiel) due to high bar prices; beer only (4.7% or less) from regular shops after 20:00 weekdays, 18:00 Saturdays, not at all on Sundays. Vinmonopolet state stores sell wine and spirits.
Things To Do
Nidaros Cathedral (kr 140) is the defining landmark and Norway's national cathedral, built over St. Olav's grave with coronations of Norwegian kings. Other sights include Kristiansten Fortress overlooking the city, Munkholmen island (guided tour kr 40) with swimming and monastery ruins, Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum (kr 125 adults), Ringve Music Museum (kr 100 adults), and Rockheim (kr 170 adults) showcasing Norwegian music history. For views, Tyholt tower offers free access to a TV tower with rotating restaurant. The world's first and only bike lift (Trampe) is free to use.
Go Next
The two main hiking areas are Estenstadmarka (bus #3 to Dragvoll) and Bymarka (reachable via Gråkallbanen tram). Terrains in Trøndelag tend to be very wet, so good boots are essential. Hell station is just a short ride away—a quirky name worth visiting. The Fosen peninsula is accessible via ferry from Flakk with camping available nearby.
Safety
Trondheim is generally very safe—little old ladies can walk safely in dark alleys, and people will go to great strides to return dropped wallets with cash and cards intact. The main concern is occasional groups of youths stumbling on weekends; as elsewhere, leaving drunk people alone usually ensures they leave you alone. Beggars exist but are usually related to excessive drug or alcohol use; Norway's social welfare system guarantees housing and approximately kr 5000/month minimum. Begging is not illegal.
Connectivity
Internet cafes are scarce as most residents are connected at home. Public computers are available at some museums, public buildings, and the public library (may have waiting times). Most accommodations offer free Wi-Fi. The Railway Station has an electronic information kiosk with limited browsing capability. The city uses standard European power plugs (Type C/F, 230V/50Hz).
Budget
Norway is extremely expensive for backpackers. Budget accommodation starts around kr 260-390 for dorms. Eating out at budget spots like student canteens or kebab shops costs kr 60-100 per meal. Public transport is reasonable with day passes available. Museum entry typically costs kr 90-170. A beer at a bar costs kr 55-60, but many pre-party at home to save money. Budget an absolute minimum of kr 500-700/day excluding accommodation.
Etiquette
Norwegians value punctuality, personal space, and modesty. Tipping is not expected in restaurants but rounding up is appreciated for good service. When invited to someone's home for Nachspiel (after-party), it's customary to bring a bottle of wine or beer. The alcohol regulations are strictly enforced—observe opening hours for shops and Vinmonopolet.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Eat
Bakklandet Skydsstation
The place to find one of Trondheim's best seafood collections, such as a herring buffet and baccalao (dried or salted cod). The restaurant is quite small with around ten small tables, so you might want to come a bit outside regular dining times to get a seat.
Eat
Credo
This is one of the best restaurants in Trondheim, with a stellar wine list and a creative take on local produce. One star in the Michelin guide.
Eat
Egon Tårnet
The rotating restaurant at the top of the Tyholt tv and Radio Tower, the tallest structure in Trondheim. Famous for their pizza buffet (everyday for people that arrive before 6pm), they also offer a vast menu of different options. There are other Egon restaurants around town as well, the most central being in Søndre gate, Prinsens gate and at the Solsiden mall.
Price when recorded: Pizza buffet 189kr (139kr for students), Mains 200-350kr. Ask for special student prices on parts of the menu.
Eat
Fagn
A gourmet restaurant which focuses on the produce of the Trøndelag region, it has one star in the Michelin guide in 2019.
Eat
Grafen
A café and bar with a varied menu of foods. The restaurant reinvented itself into Grafen and now serves up a luxurious Mediterranean-style offering rather than the more fast-food offering it previously had. It has dishes like steamed mussels. They have an extensive beer, wine and cocktail list (including local artisanal beers) and a quite popular place for just going out for a drink. It is best to come in the evening when the menu is larger.
Eat
Kebab shops
There are many kebab places in town. They are quite similar with regard to quality and price. The most authentic is Istanbul Döner Chef in Olav Tryggvasons gate 5.
Eat
Kvilhaugen gård
If you venture out of the centre to get your beer, make it here. Wonderful outdoor seating with views of most of Trondheim. Inside, it's an old farmhouse with plenty of atmosphere. It's also a restaurant with mains from kr 150-300 from the à la carte menu as well as four different 3-course menus starting from around kr 550 per person.
Eat
Lager 11
Street food hall and event center. Casual and inexpensive food is available from 8 different food stalls. Choices range from Greek, Mexican, and Vietnamese food.
Before you go
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi common in accommodations. Public computers at library and some museums. Standard European power plugs (Type C/F, 230V).
Culture
Strong student presence (42,000 at NTNU) creates vibrant nightlife and cultural scene. Pre-partying (Vorspiel) is essential due to high bar prices.
Food
Eating out is very expensive. Budget options include student canteens, kebab shops, and street food hall Lager 11. Fine dining includes two Michelin-starred restaurants.
Money
Norway uses Norwegian Krone (NOK/kr). Credit cards accepted almost everywhere. Budget travelers should expect kr 500-800+ daily minimum.
Safety
Trondheim is very safe. Main concern is occasional weekend youth groups. Beggars exist but are not aggressive. Norway has excellent social welfare.
Transport
Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD) has regular flights. Trains connect to Oslo and beyond. Local buses and single tram line (Gråkallbanen) serve the city.
Weather
Oceanic climate warmed by Gulf Stream. Winters milder than expected at 63°N. Summers cool (17-20°C) with frequent rain. Bring jacket year-round.