Everything You Need to Know When Visiting Nidaros Cathedral
Here’s my detailed guide for Nidaros Cathedral, including history & what you can see inside.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 202,000 / 63.2 degrees north
Trondheim, Norway
Trondheim is Norway’s third-largest city and today one of the most important university towns in the country. However, Trondheim is the original capital of Norway and therefore an important historic centre.
About Trondheim
Latitude: 63.2 degrees north
Population: 202,000
Hottest month: July
Coldest month: January
Wettest month: July
Windiest month: January
Annual precipitation: 575mm
Trondheim Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Map of Trondheim
Uniquely Trondheim
Here are some things that you must do and try in Trondheim
Historic Site / Nidarosdomen
Nidaros Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral is the most important cathedral in Norway. The first cathedral here was built in the 12th century and was the place where St. Olav’s Casket was kept. The cathedral has changed many times over the centuries, but today is a historic site and active church.
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Trondheim
Archaeological Museum
Archbishop's Residence
The Archbishops Residence is an important historic museum containing original pieces from Nidaros Cathedral as well as finds from excavation sites. The site was discovered during excavations in the 1990s, including original sculptures from Nidaros Cathedral. Here you can also see the Crown Regalia, created in 1818 after Norway separated from Denmark.
Open-Air Museum
Sverresborg
Located around the ruins of a castle from the 12th century, The Sverresborf open-air museum contains various buildings from central Norway, including Sami homes. One of the highlights is the Haltdalen Stave Church from 1170. In the summer months it’s possible to enter some of the buildings and there are actors dressed up to talk about life in old times.
Historic Museum
NTNU Museum
The NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology (Vitenskapsmuseet) has a number of artefacts that have been found in Trondheim during excavations. Items date back to the Stone Age and Iron Age, such as Viking swords and buckles, and there are changing exhibitions.
Historic Museum
Jewish Museum
Trondheim is home to one of two synagogues in Norway. The synagogue is still in use, but it now forms part of the Jewish Museum of Trondheim. The exhibition in the basement covers the lives and traditions of the Jewish families in Trondheim, and there’s a special exhibition for those who were executed during the Holocaust.
Historic Home
Stiftsgården
This is the largest wooden palace in Europe and was built in the 1700s for a widow, who never actually lived there. Today it is the Trondheim residence of the royal family of Norway. In the summer months the palace is open to the public and it’s possible to join a guided tour.
Music Museum
Rockheim
Rockheim is a museum showcasing the history of Norwegian rock music through to modern times.
Historic Site
Kristianstan Fortress
Kristiansten Fortress is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Norway and was built in the 17th century to defend the city against the Swedes. Today it is a park with some nice walking trails.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Please note – the links provided are affiliate links. I only recommend experiences that I have researched and/or tested and focus on providing unique, local things to do!
Walking Trail
Pilgrims Route
It is possible to follow the Pilgrims route from Oslo all the way to Trondheim. It’s only 640km (400 miles)!
WWII Site
Falstad Centre
Located just outside of Trondheim, the Falstad Centre is one of the surviving concentration camps from World War II.
Historic Site
Stiklestad
Stiklestad is a couple hours north of Trondheim but worth visiting. It is the site where Olav fell in battle in 1030 and later became a saint.
Experience
Kayaking in Trondheim
Taking a kayak down the River Nid is a wonderful way of viewing the city. You will see all of the city’s highlights from the river, and maybe you’ll even see people fishing! You can join a guided tour by clicking the link to the right.
Historic Site/Park
Munkholmen
In Viking times, Munkholmen was an execution ground. The site later became a Benedictine monastery, a prison, and then a fortress. Today it is a park where you can go swimming, walking, or enjoy the cafe. To get there you need to take a boat from the city centre.
Historic Neighbourhood
Bakklandet
Bakklandet is the best-preserved area of Trondheim. Here you’ll find a collection of 18th century houses that have been well-preserved and now have some of the best shops, cafes, bars and restaurants in the city.
hike
Bymarka
Bymarka is the forested area just out of Trondheim, and here you’ll find many hiking trails. As you wander the forest, you’ll pass waterfalls, climb wooden steps, and can reach the Theisendammen reservoir.
Guided Tour
Trondheim Walking Tour
Join a guided walking tour around Trondheim.
Road-Trips
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Trondheim
The E6 from Oslo to Trondheim
The E6 is the main highway that runs the entire length of Norway. The section from Oslo to Trondheim is the busiest, passing through the Gudbrandsdalen valley before crossing the mountains towards central Norway. Along the way are many historic sites and points of interest, making it an interesting drive to take.
The E6 Highway from Trondheim to Narvik
The E6 highway is the longest highway running through Norway, beginning south of Oslo and ending at Kirkenes. This stretch of the E6 covers the long, skinny part of Norway in the middle of the country – the region of central Norway and the lower part of Northern Norway.
The E39 from Ålesund to Trondheim
Follow the northernmost stretch of the E39 from Ålesund to Trondheim, passing by the coastal towns of Molde and Kristiansuns along the way.
The Fv30 from Trondheim to Røros
Take this scenic route from Trondheim to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Røros.
Self-Guided Walks
Trondheim from the Coastal Ferry Self-Guided Walk
Follow this self-guided walk from the coastal ferry pier passing all the major sites of Trondheim, including Stiftsgården, the old square, Nidaros Cathedral, Gamle Bybro, Bakklandet and more!
Trondheim on YouTube
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Trondheim
Mo i Rana to Trondheim on the E6
Follow the drive from Mo i Rana to Trondheim on the E6
History of Trondheim
Trondheim was founded in 997 as a trading post and served as the capital of Norway throughout the Viking Age. It was also the centre of Christianity in Norway.
You can read more about Trondheim’s history on our dedicated page below.
Trondheim Today
Trondheim is home to NTNU, one of the leading universities in Norway.
St. Olav’s University Hospital is the regional hostpial for Central Norway and cooperates closely with NTNU.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Trondheim has a major international airport with flights to London, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. There are also flights to small towns across Norway.
Drive: Trondheim is located on the E6 highway running along the entirety of Norway. Trondheim is approximately 534km (332 miles) from Oslo and 662km (441 miles) from Bergen.
Train: Trondheim has a train station and is the ending point for the Dovre Line from Oslo (approx. 7 hours) and the beginning point for the Nordland Line to Bodo (approx. 9 hours). Trains also connect Trondheim with Roros in the east.
Ferry: Trondheim is a port of call for the coastal ferry, with both the northbound and southbound ships stopping in the morning.
Getting Around
Trondheim is very walkable, but it does have a public bus network operated by AtB.
Shops
Arven Vintage is a large collection of vintage goods, including jeans.
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Jacobsen og Svart – crafted coffee drinks
Onkel Svanhild – Quirky cafe & bakery
Cafe Le Frere – here they serve strong coffee!
Quick Bites
Ravnkloa Fish Market has a cafe and takeaway options, or you can sit down for proper meals.
Reasonable Restaurants
Båkgarden is a Spanish tapas restaurant in a hidden courtyard.
Sot Burger og Bar is a busy bar and great spot for local burgers.
Dognvill is known to have some of the best burgers in town.
High End & Unique Eats
Bakklandet Skydsstasjon is the best place for Norwegian dishes. The building is an 18th century coaching inn.
Havfruen is an upmarket seafood restaurant.
ØX tap room – beer lovers should hear here. They brew their own beers and offer a selection of local beers.
Places to Stay
Camping
Flakk Camping is by the Trondheimfjord about 10km outside of Trondheim.
Cabins & B&Bs
Pensjonat Jarlen is a guesthouse that caters to those travelling on a budget.
Chains & Mid-Range
The Radisson Blu Royal Garden is located in an excellent spot by the Nidelva River. Click here to view rates & book
Scandic has many options here – I have stayed at Scandic Solsiden which is far from Nidaros but in a perfect spot if you want to venture out to Trondheim’s hip eateries.
Click here to view rates & book
There are also many Thon hotels – I’ve stayed at the Thon Hotel Trondheim which is budget friendly but in a great spot.
High End & Unique Properties
Britannia is the hotel in Trondheim. Rooms start at around 3000 NOK a night, but the quality of the hotel warrants it.
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 9:38am
Sunset: 3:17pm
Average Temperature: -1.3C (29.7F)
February
Sunrise: 8:11am
Sunset: 4:54pm
Average Temperature: -1.1C (30F)
March
Sunrise: 6:37am
Sunset: 6:18pm
Average Temperature: 0.7C (33.3F)
April
Sunrise: 5:51am
Sunset: 8:48pm
Average Temperature: 4.8C (40.6F)
May
Sunrise: 4:12am
Sunset: 10:19pm
Average Temperature: 9.1C (48.4F)
June
Sunrise: 3:04am
Sunset: 11:34pm
Average Temperature: 12.1C (53.8F)
July
Sunrise: 3:41am
Sunset: 11:05pm
Average Temperature: 15C (59F)
August
Sunrise: 5:12am
Sunset: 9:30pm
Average Temperature: 14.2C (57.6F)
September
Sunrise: 6:41am
Sunset: 7:44pm
Average Temperature: 10.6C (51.1F)
October
Sunrise: 8:05am
Sunset: 6pm
Average Temperature: 5.9C (42.6F)
November
Sunrise: 8:39am
Sunset: 3:25pm
Average Temperature: 2C (35.6F)
December
Sunrise: 9:55am
Sunset: 2:31pm
Average Temperature: -0.8C (30.6F)
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