What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Trondheim, Norway.
Photo: Gunnar Ridderström / Pexels
Trondheim is a coastal city in Norway with a population of 198,777. Most first-time visitors stay in Midtbyen, the centre, where Nidaros Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and Stiftsgården stand. Cross the Old Town Bridge to Bakklandet, an area that suits café lovers and photographers. Solsiden is the place for food, nightlife and waterfront views. Munkholmen, out in the Trondheimsfjord, takes half a day. The best months to visit are July and August.
The central sights, such as Nidaros Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace, take 1–2 hours each, so Midtbyen and Bakklandet fit into a full day. Sverresborg and Munkholmen each need half a day, so plan extra time for them.
Midtbyen
Norway's national shrine, a large Gothic stone cathedral built over the grave of Saint Olav. It is still the end point of the St Olav pilgrim routes. Come for the carved west front, the stained glass and, if you have the energy, the climb up the tower.
Midtbyen
The medieval home of Norway's archbishops, right next to the cathedral. Its museum covers the site's history, and the Norwegian crown regalia are on display here.
Bakklandet
A red wooden bridge over the Nidelva river, known locally as Gamle Bybro. From the bridge you get the classic view of the colourful wooden warehouses on stilts along the river.
Bakklandet
An old district of painted wooden houses and cobbled lanes just across the Old Town Bridge. It is full of small cafés and shops, and it is where you will find Trampe, a lift that pushes cyclists up a steep hill.
Kristiansten
A white hilltop fortress above Bakklandet, built to defend the city. The walk up is steep but short, and the grounds give one of the best views over Trondheim, the river and the fjord.
Byåsen
An open-air museum with old farmhouses, town buildings and a stave church moved here from around the region. It sits next to the ruins of King Sverre's castle and shows how people in central Norway lived in the past.
Brattøra
Norway's national museum of popular music, in a converted harbour warehouse with a glowing roof box. The exhibits are hands-on, so you can mix tracks, play instruments and follow Norwegian pop and rock through the decades.
Midtbyen
A very large wooden mansion on the main street, used as the royal residence in Trondheim. Guided tours take you through its formal rooms, and the garden behind it is open to walk in.
Trondheimsfjord
A small island in the fjord just off the city. Over the centuries it has been an execution site, a monastery, a fortress and a prison. Boats run from the harbour in the warmer months, and people come for the history, a swim and the view back to town.
Lade
A manor estate on the Lade peninsula with a large collection of musical instruments from around the world. Guides often play some of them during tours. The botanical garden around the manor is a quiet place for a walk.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Sea temp | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C / -5°C | 17 days (109 mm) | 1.8 h/day | 4°C | 0.5/10 |
| February | 1°C / -4°C | 15 days (86 mm) | 4.0 h/day | 4°C | 1.0/10 |
| March | 4°C / -3°C | 15 days (91 mm) | 6.6 h/day | 4°C | 1.7/10 |
| April | 8°C / 0°C | 15 days (80 mm) | 9.6 h/day | 6°C | 2.1/10 |
| May | 13°C / 5°C | 15 days (74 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 10°C | 4.6/10 |
| June | 17°C / 9°C | 16 days (96 mm) | 11.5 h/day | 13°C | 6.4/10 |
| Best month: July | 18°C / 11°C | 17 days (109 mm) | 11.3 h/day | 17°C | 7.0/10 |
| Best month: August | 18°C / 11°C | 16 days (129 mm) | 9.9 h/day | 16°C | 6.8/10 |
| September | 14°C / 8°C | 17 days (139 mm) | 7.2 h/day | 14°C | 5.0/10 |
| October | 9°C / 4°C | 19 days (135 mm) | 4.8 h/day | 10°C | 1.5/10 |
| November | 4°C / -1°C | 14 days (95 mm) | 2.6 h/day | 7°C | 0.8/10 |
| December | 1°C / -3°C | 17 days (124 mm) | 0.9 h/day | 5°C | 0.2/10 |
Highs hover near 0.4°C with lows around -4.8°C, and rain or snow falls on about 17 days. Sun is scarce at 1.8 hours a day. Scores rate this a tough, dark winter month.
Still cold, with highs of 1.4°C and lows near -3.9°C. Rain or snow falls on 15 days, and sun stays thin at 4 hours. Scores keep this as a low-rated winter month.
Highs climb to 4.1°C but lows still dip to -2.5°C. Expect rain on about 15 days, with sun improving slightly to 6.6 hours. Scores still mark this a weak month weather-wise.
Highs reach 7.7°C and lows rise above freezing to 0.1°C. Rain falls on 14.6 days, sun hours grow to 9.6. Scores call this an improving but still so-so month.
Highs of 13.1°C and lows of 4.8°C bring a real spring feel. Rain days drop to 15.1 and sun hits 11.6 hours. Scores rate May as an okay month to visit.
Highs of 16.7°C and lows of 9°C make for comfortable days. Rain falls on 16.1 days, sun runs 11.5 hours, and sea temps reach 13.2°C. Scores rate June a good month.
Peak warmth arrives with highs of 18.1°C and lows of 11°C. Rain is slightly more frequent at 17.4 days, sun holds at 11.3 hours, and sea temps hit 16.6°C. Scores mark this the best month.
Highs stay warm at 17.6°C with lows of 10.6°C. Rain days are similar at 16.3, though rainfall totals rise to 129 mm. Sea temps peak near 15.8°C. Scores keep August rated good.
Highs cool to 14.4°C and lows to 8.3°C. Rain days are 16.6 with 139 mm falling, the wettest total of the year, and sun drops to 7.2 hours. Scores call this an okay month.
Highs fall to 8.7°C and lows to 3.5°C. Rain is frequent, 18.7 days, with sun down to 4.8 hours. Scores mark October as a weak month as autumn turns damp and dark.
Highs drop to 3.6°C and lows to -0.9°C. Rain or snow falls on 14.2 days, and sun almost disappears at 2.6 hours. Scores rate November a tough month heading into winter.
Highs sit at 1.4°C and lows at -3.2°C, with rain or snow on 16.7 days. Sun is nearly gone at just 0.9 hours a day. Scores rate this the lowest month, dark and cold.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Norway →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, sightseeing, shopping
The city centre sits on a river peninsula, with the main square, shopping streets and Nidaros Cathedral all within walking distance. It is the easiest base for a short first visit, as most sights and restaurants are on your doorstep. Streets near the bars can be loud late on weekend nights.
Good for couples, café lovers, photographers
Across the Old Town Bridge, this area has old wooden houses, cobbled lanes and small cafés by the river. It feels calm and historic but is still a short walk from the centre. There are few places to stay, and the cobbles and steep side streets can be hard with heavy luggage.
Good for nightlife, food lovers, waterfront views
A former shipyard turned modern waterfront area, lined with restaurants and bars along the canal. It suits travellers who want dining and evenings out close by. It is lively and can be noisy on weekends, and it has less old-town character than other areas.
Good for transport links, late arrivals, ferry travellers
This harbour area is next to Trondheim Central Station and the coastal ferry quay, so it is practical for trains, airport buses and boats. The centre is a short walk away over the canal. It feels more functional than charming, with office blocks and roads instead of old streets.
Good for budget travellers, longer stays, local feel
East of Bakklandet, this residential area has rows of colourful wooden houses and a relaxed student atmosphere. It gives a more local feel and is close to both Solsiden and the centre on foot. Stays are mostly private apartment rentals, and student parties can bring noise on some nights.
Good for families, quiet, seaside walks
West of the centre, Ila is a quiet residential area with parks and easy access to the fjord shoreline. It suits travellers who want calm evenings and green space. You will walk or take a bus into the centre, and there are fewer restaurants and shops nearby.
Trondheim sits on the coast, so cod, salmon and shrimp show up often on local menus. Harbour-side restaurants serve catches brought in that day.
This is a clear mutton or lamb broth with meatballs, often served with flatbread. It is a traditional Trøndelag dish, especially popular in colder months.
A caramel-coloured goat or cow's milk cheese, sliced thin and eaten on bread or waffles. It is a breakfast staple across Norway, including Trondheim.
Fermented trout or char, served cold with flatbread, sour cream and onion. It is more common in autumn and winter, tied to older Norwegian food traditions.
A large, soft cinnamon bun, often eaten with coffee at a café. Bakeries around the city centre sell them fresh throughout the day.
Yes. August scores 6.8 out of 10, a "good" month. Highs reach 17.6°C and lows 10.6°C, so days feel warm. Sea temperature is 15.8°C, the second-warmest of the year. There is some rain, with 16.3 rain days and 129mm, so pack a layer for showers.
July and August are the best months, both rated "good". July scores highest at 7 out of 10, with highs of 18.1°C, lows of 11°C, and 11.3 hours of sun. August follows at 6.8, slightly cooler but with the warmest sea temperature of the year at 15.8°C.
Yes. January is the coldest month, with a high of just 0.4°C and a low of -4.8°C. Sunshine is minimal at 1.8 hours a day, and there are 17.2 rain or snow days. The month scores 0.5 out of 10, marked "avoid" for typical sightseeing, though it suits travellers after snow or dark-season atmosphere.
Two to three days cover the main sights. Nidaros Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, and Bakklandet each take 1–2 hours, while the Sverresborg Folk Museum and Munkholmen need half a day. With 10 attractions in total spread across Midtbyen, Bakklandet, and nearby areas, three days gives a relaxed pace without rushing.
Only in summer. Sea temperature peaks at 16.6°C in July and stays close to that at 15.8°C in August. Outside these months it drops fast, falling to 9.9°C in May and October and under 4°C from December through February, too cold for casual swimming.
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