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 |
Cold and dark, with highs of 0.4°C, lows of -4.8°C, 17 wet days and 1.8 sun hours. It scores low, but suits travellers who want real winter.
Still wintry. Highs reach 1.4°C, lows -3.9°C, with 15 wet days and 4 sun hours. It scores low because of cold and short days.
Slightly brighter, with 6.6 sun hours, but highs are only 4.1°C and nights freeze at -2.5°C. There are 15 wet days, so it still scores low.
Spring starts slowly. Highs are 7.7°C, lows near 0°C and there are 15 wet days. It still scores low, though days are much longer.
A fair month. Highs reach 13.1°C, with 11.6 sun hours and 15 wet days. Mild but changeable weather gives it an OK score.
Good time to go. Highs of 16.7°C and lows of 9°C, but expect 16 wet days. Pack a rain jacket.
The best-scoring month. It is warmest, with highs of 18.1°C, but also has 17 wet days and 109 mm of rain.
Still good, with highs of 17.6°C and 16 wet days. It gets wetter, with 129 mm of rain, so expect showers.
Cooler at 14.4°C and the wettest month, with 139 mm of rain over 17 days. Mixed weather gives it an OK score.
Tough weather: 19 wet days, 135 mm of rain, highs of 8.7°C and short days. The score drops sharply this month.
Dark and chilly, with highs of 3.6°C, lows of -0.9°C, 14 wet days and 2.6 sun hours. It scores low for cold, grey weather.
The lowest-scoring month: only 0.9 sun hours, highs of 1.4°C and 17 wet days. It suits travellers who enjoy long, dark winter evenings.
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.
A clear broth with pieces of mutton or beef, small meatballs and root vegetables. It is the classic Trøndelag party dish, served at confirmations, weddings and on Norway's national day.
A soft, thin flatbread from the Trøndelag region, spread with a sweet butter, sugar and cinnamon filling and folded. Locals eat it with coffee, and you find it in bakeries and supermarkets.
A smoky homebrewed ale made from home-malted barley in the Stjørdal area near Trondheim. It is a long local tradition, and a few city bars and beer festivals serve it.
A rich sour-cream porridge topped with butter, cinnamon and sugar. In Trøndelag it is often served with cured meats and flatbread at family gatherings and traditional restaurants.
Trondheim sits on a fjord, so creamy fish soup and fresh cod, salmon and shellfish are everyday food. Look for them at seafood restaurants and fish shops near the harbour.
July and August are the best months to visit Trondheim. They are the warmest months, with average highs of 18.1°C in July and 17.6°C in August. They also get 11.3 and 9.9 hours of sun a day. Pack a rain jacket, though. July has 17.4 rain days and August has 16.3, so showers are common even in summer.
December in Trondheim is cold, dark and wet, so it suits travellers who enjoy winter conditions. The average high is 1.4°C and the low is -3.2°C. There is only 0.9 hours of sun a day, the lowest of the year. Expect 16.7 rain days and 124 mm of precipitation. January is similar, with a high of 0.4°C and a low of -4.8°C.
Both are fair shoulder-season choices, but May is drier. May has highs of 13.1°C and only 74 mm of rain, the lowest total of the year, with 11.6 hours of sun a day. September is a little warmer at 14.4°C. However, it is the wettest month at 139 mm, and sunshine drops to 7.2 hours a day.
Trondheim is rainy all year, with between 14.2 and 18.7 rain days every month. October has the most rain days at 18.7. September and October bring the most rain, at 139 mm and 135 mm. May is the driest month with 74 mm. Pack waterproofs whatever month you travel.
Plan for more than one day if you want to see the main sights at an easy pace. In Midtbyen, Nidaros Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace take 1–2 hours each, and Stiftsgården takes 1 hour. Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum and Munkholmen each need half a day. Rockheim and Ringve Music Museum and Botanical Garden need 2–3 hours each.
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