1 Visit Nidaros Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral is the most famous landmark in Trondheim and one of the most important historical sites in Norway. The cathedral dates back to the Middle Ages and has an impressive Gothic design that feels surprisingly grand for a relatively small city. Even if you’re not usually interested in churches, it’s worth visiting both inside and outside. The area around the cathedral is also beautiful to walk around, especially in the evening when the light becomes softer and the city feels particularly calm.

2 Walk through Bakklandet

Bakklandet is easily the most charming part of Trondheim. This historic neighborhood is filled with colorful wooden houses, cozy cafés, small boutiques, and quiet streets running alongside the river. Compared to Oslo or Bergen, the atmosphere here feels much more local and relaxed. This is the perfect area to slow down for a couple of hours, grab coffee, and wander without a strict plan. Crossing the famous Old Town Bridge also gives you one of the best views in the city.

3 Walk along the Riverfront

One of the nicest things to do in Trondheim is simply walking along the river. The colorful wooden buildings lining the water are one of the city’s most recognizable views, and the entire area has a calm, almost cozy atmosphere, especially in the evening. This is also one of the best places for photography in Trondheim. Sunset and blue hour are particularly beautiful here.

4 Enjoy the Cafe Scene

Trondheim has a surprisingly good café culture, and honestly, one of the best ways to experience the city is simply slowing down for coffee and pastries between sightseeing. Because Trondheim is a university city, the atmosphere feels younger and more relaxed than many other places in Norway. On rainy days especially, the city feels incredibly cozy – the kind of place where sitting in a café for two hours somehow feels completely acceptable. A few places worth checking out:

• Dromedar Kaffebar → It’s a chain with several locations. Probably the city’s best-known coffee spots, great if you care about genuinely good coffee
• Bakklandet Skydsstation → more traditional and atmospheric, perfect for pastries or lunch in a historic wooden building
• Sellanraa Bok & Bar → one of the coolest café spaces in the city, combining books, coffee, and a very Scandinavian minimalist vibe

How to get there

By Car | Trondheim is also a great stop on a longer Norway road trip, especially if you’re driving north from the fjords or continuing toward Lofoten. Driving gives you much more flexibility for scenic detours and smaller stops along the way, but keep in mind that distances in Norway are much longer than they appear on the map. Roads are generally excellent, though mountain weather can change quickly outside summer.

By Plane | If you’re short on time, flying is the fastest and most practical way to reach Trondheim from cities like Oslo, Bodø, or Tromsø. Trondheim Airport Værnes is located around 30–40 minutes from the city center and is well connected by airport buses and trains.

By Train | One of the best ways to reach Trondheim is by train, especially if you’re already traveling through Norway. The city is well connected to the Norwegian rail network and fits perfectly into a route between western Norway and the Arctic north. Arriving by train also allows you to experience some of the country’s most scenic landscapes along the way, particularly if you’re coming from Åndalsnes via the Rauma Railway. Compared to flying, train travel in Norway feels much more relaxed and is honestly part of the experience itself. Expect changing mountain scenery, rivers, valleys, and long stretches of untouched nature throughout the journey. Trondheim Central Station is located very close to the city center, so arriving without a car is extremely easy.

By Coastal Ferry (Hurtigruten) | Trondheim is also a stop on Norway’s famous coastal ferry route operated by Hurtigruten. This is a much slower and more expensive way to travel, but also one of the most scenic and iconic ways to experience the Norwegian coastline. Many travelers use Hurtigruten to continue north toward Bodø, Tromsø, or even the North Cape.

How to Get Around

One of the best things about Trondheim is how easy it is to explore without a car. The city center is compact, walkable, and much smaller than Oslo, which means most attractions, cafés, and neighborhoods can easily be reached on foot. In fact, walking around is one of the best ways to experience Trondheim because so much of the charm comes from the atmosphere rather than specific attractions. The areas around Bakklandet, the riverfront, Nidaros Cathedral, and the harbor are all within comfortable walking distance from each other.

Where to stay in Trondheim

Britannia Hotel (Luxury) | One of the most famous hotels in Norway, Britannia combines historic elegance with modern comfort right in the center of Trondheim. Perfect if you want a more elevated stay.

Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel (Midrange) | A very solid option right by the river with a great central location and easy walking access to Bakklandet, the waterfront, and the train station. Some rooms also have beautiful river views, and overall it’s one of the most convenient bases for exploring Trondheim without needing transport.

City Living Sentrum Hotel (Budget / Midrange) | A simple but very central option within walking distance of most attractions, cafés, and the train station. Great for shorter stays.