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Trondheim

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Colorful history on the Nidelva

Trondheim stands as Norway’s third-largest city, located along the scenic banks of the Nidar River where it meets the Trondheim Fjord. Founded over a thousand years ago, it carries centuries of history through its medieval cathedral and preserved wooden houses. The city balances old traditions with modern life, featuring vibrant markets, cultural festivals and easy access to nearby natural beauty like forests and islands. Its compact size makes walking convenient while providing plenty of opportunities for exploring local cuisine, museums and outdoor activities throughout the year.

City in Norway
Climate zone: Boreal

Boreal: Cool-summer subarctic climates with brief mild seasons, long cold winters and coniferous forests adapted to low temperatures.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 8.8
General Safety:9
Health & medical:9
Accessibility:6
Tap water:9
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English is widely spoken, especially among younger people, students, and in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Signage is often bilingual, and communication is easy for international visitors.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Trondheim Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
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Strong for history and coastal city life. Visit the famous cathedral, explore colorful harbor districts, cycle riverside paths and enjoy local seafood.
Place score
7.1
Best at:
Spotless
8
Walkable
7
Large cities
6
Cosy towns
6
Rivers
6
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 6
Families
🧓 6
Seniors
👩 8
Solo
♻️ 8
Sustainability
Norway – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
£1 ≈ NOK 12.42
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Norway is a highly cashless society. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and many places even prefer card payments over cash.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory in Norway, though it is appreciated. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is common. Taxi drivers expect small tips, and hotel staff appreciate small gratuities.
Public drinking: Public drinking is allowed in Norway in some areas, such as designated outdoor events. However, it is prohibited in public places like parks and streets in many cities.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited indoors in all public places, including restaurants and public transport. Designated outdoor smoking areas are available in most public spaces.
Norwegian Constitution Day
(May)
A national holiday with celebrations, especially in Oslo, expect crowded areas and festivities.
Christmas
(December)
Christmas celebrations are widespread, with Christmas markets and festive events, but expect crowded cities and higher accommodation prices.
Midsummer
(June)
Midsummer celebrations take place with outdoor events, festivals, and celebrations.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Uber, Bolt
Other: Norway is a beautiful country with extensive natural landscapes. Be prepared for variable weather and pack accordingly, especially if you plan to explore the outdoors.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Trondheim, Norway
🌦️
Jan
🌦️
Feb
❄️
Mar
🌥️
Apr
🌤️
May
🌥️
Jun
🌦️
Jul
🌦️
Aug
🌦️
Sep
🌦️
Oct
🌦️
Nov
🌦️
Dec
High season: June - Aug.
Shoulder season: May, Sep.
Crowdedness: 7 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
St. Olav Festival (Olavsfestdagene) around 29 July to early August, centred on Nidaros Cathedral
Nights stay light mid May to late July, with no full darkness
Northern lights possible late September to March but weaker than further north, around Tromsø

Why travel to Trondheim?

Trondheim is Norway’s third-largest city, but it feels more like a friendly, walkable town. The showstopper is the Nidaros Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and a pilgrimage site for centuries. The old Bakklandet district is packed with charm – think cobbled streets, riverside cycling and cafés in pastel-hued houses. You’ll find a thriving food scene focused on local ingredients, fascinating museums (like Rockheim and the Archbishop’s Palace) and plenty of green space, from the city’s parks to the vast Bymarka forest just outside the center. Winters can be cold and dark, but the city comes alive with festivals and cozy spots to warm up. Just be prepared for steep hills, unpredictable weather and higher prices than many European cities. In winter, pack for icy sidewalks and short days, but don’t let that stop you-Trondheim’s warmth comes from its people.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Archbishop's Palace
  • 2 Nidaros Cathedral
  • 3 Old Town Bridge
  • 4 Stiftsgården
  • 5 Rockheim
  • 6 Bakklandet
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Ringve Musikkmuseum
  • 2 Munkholmen
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Estenstadmarka
  • 2 Marinen
  • 3 Nidelva
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Trondheim Torg
🎈Events
  • St. Olav Festival
  • Trondheim Jazz Festival
  • Trondheim International Film Festival (Kosmorama)
  • Pstereo Music Festival
  • UKA Student Festival
  • Trondheim Chamber Music Festival
  • Trondheim Calling (music)
  • Christmas Market
  • Trondheim Marathon
  • Kulturnatt (Culture Night)

Knowledge before you go

  • Pack layers; weather shifts quickly, even in summer.
  • Walk the riverside to Bakklandet; colorful houses, cafés and great photos await.
  • Visit Nidaros Cathedral early to avoid crowds and catch softer light outside.
  • Try the Trampe bicycle lift on Brubakken Hill – locals use it and it’s uniquely Trondheim.

How to travel to Trondheim

Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD) is about 30 minutes from the city by train or airport bus. Direct trains connect Trondheim to Oslo and northern Norway and the city is a stop on the Hurtigruten coastal cruise route. Buses link to regional destinations. The city is well connected, but weather can sometimes disrupt travel, especially in winter.

Access summary

  • From Trondheim Airport (TRD): airport bus or train, about 30–45 minutes.
  • From Oslo: direct flights under 1 hour; trains or buses 6–7 hours.
  • From Bergen: short domestic flights about 1 hour; long scenic bus routes.

Where to stay in Trondheim

Trondheim offers everything from boutique hotels and cozy guesthouses to stylish hostels and business hotels. Most options are in or near the city center, making it easy to explore on foot. Book ahead for festivals or summer weekends, as rooms can fill quickly.

How to get around Trondheim

Trondheim’s center is compact and walkable, but be ready for hills and cobbles. Buses and trams connect neighborhoods and outer districts and cycling is popular in warmer months. The city is student-friendly, so public transport is frequent and reliable. Taxis are available, but expensive. In winter, sidewalks can be icy-wear shoes with good grip.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+53 %
Daily expenses in Trondheim are around 53% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to NOK) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£70
£170
£479
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£15
£49
£107
🍝 Food per day
£41
£108
£335
🚕 Transportation per day
£14
£13
£37
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£47
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£16
🍟 Fast food combo
£11.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£14
☕ Cappuccino
£3.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£9
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£3.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.70
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£29
🤧 Cold medication
£7.50
💇 Basic haircut
£37

Safety information overview

General safety
9
Trondheim is very safe, with low crime rates. Standard precautions apply — watch your belongings in busy areas. In winter, icy sidewalks are the main hazard; walk carefully and wear shoes with traction.
Health & Medical
9
Medical care is excellent, with modern hospitals and pharmacies. No special vaccinations needed. Tap water is safe to drink. In winter, be prepared for cold and slippery conditions.
Accessi­bility
6
Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but some cobbled streets and hills can be challenging. The city is improving accessibility, but check ahead if you have mobility needs.
Tap water
9
Tap water is safe, clean and tastes great. Public fountains are available in parks and squares, so refill your bottle as you go.

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