Carl Martin Faurby
THE LOCALS’ GUIDE TO TRONDHEIM
Top insider tips
Norway’s third-largest city Trondheim has a thriving cultural scene. Think cool neighbourhoods with lots of art, charming cafés, and locally produced food, but also plenty of outdoors activities like hiking and skiing. Plus the world’s northernmost Gothic cathedral!
Here’s how to spend a long weekend in true Trondheim style: cultural Friday, Saturday with the locals, and urban Sunday walks.
Cultural Friday
“Trondheim probably has the fastest growing cultural scene in Norway right now”, says Carl Martin Faurby.
Faurby moved to Trondheim from Copenhagen in 2016. He works as a program curator at Kunsthall Trondheim and is a regular visitor at the city’s many cultural events.
Faurby’s tips for cultural experiences in Trondheim
Gothic moment: You have to see the Nidaros Cathedral, the world’s northernmost Gothic cathedral. It’s a good idea to combine your visit here with a walk along the marina.
Art highlights: PoMo Museum has already established itself as one of Norway’s leading art museums, presenting ambitious exhibitions that bridge art, design, and architecture. Just next door, Trondheim Kunstmuseum holds one of the country’s most significant collections of local and national art, ranging from historical works to modern classics. A short walk away you’ll find K.U.K. – Kjøpmannsgata Ung Kunst, a spectacular Snøhetta-designed building with exhibitions, studios, and a café. For contemporary art with free admission, don’t miss the Trøndelag Centre forContemporary Art (TSSK), Kunsthall Trondheim, and Babel Art Space – three hubs that bring both local and international artistic practices to Trondheim.
Urban art: Trondheim showcases heaps of fine outdoor art – for example in Ilsvika, only a ten-minute walk from the city centre. Here you’ll also find the inspiring artists’ studio Atelier Ilsvika, housed in an old factory.
Performing arts: Experience fantastic dance and theatre performances at Trondheim’s newest stage, Rosendal Teater. This is also a great place to hang out over a bite to eat or a coffee at reasonable prices.
Nyhavna pulse: Head to Havet Arena at Nyhavna, a cultural powerhouse by the waterfront, where concerts, club nights, sauna, and year-round sea bathing bring the city together. Within walking distance you’ll also find Babel Art Space and the alternative district Svartlamon, both important arenas for grassroots culture and experimental art in Trondheim.
While you’re here: Trondheim offers a wide range of events throughout the year. Check out our event calendar (make sure to filter your search by selecting Trondheim).
Saturday with the locals
“Trondheim oozes charm and personality. The weekends are buzzing and there are lots of exciting neighbourhoods to explore”, says Ida Vie.
She is the general manager at Tyven nightclub and knows the city like the back of her hand.
Ida Vie
Vie’s tips for a Saturday with the locals in Trondheim
Svartlamon: One of Trondheim’s most interesting neighbourhoods is Svartlamon. Pop into Gratisbutikken, a shop that can offer clothes for free thanks to volunteers and donations. Check out the buildings in the Experimental Housing project, which aims to make ecologically sustainable houses. End your visit with a satisfying meal at Ramp Pub & Spiseri, or continue to Bakklandet.
Bakklandet: This area is the very heart of Trondheim. My top tip for delicious food and drinks is Baklandet Skydsstasjon, a peaceful little place in a building that is estimated to have been built in 1791.
Kulturkvartalet: Gamle Bybro connects Bakklandet with Kulturkvartalet, which consists of a cluster of cultural institutions. Take a break at Sellanraa Bok & Bar, which among other things serves various bread baked with “urkorn” (literally “ancient grain”, in other words, grains that have been processed as little as possible). They also have an impressive tea selection and the best homemade soft drinks in the city.
Central Trondheim: Music lovers should definitely pay a visit to All Good Clean Records, the Crispin Glover Record Store, and Todal Musikk & Hermetikk. Two vintage shops also deserve a special mention: Arven and LIVID Jeans, who sell top-quality denim as well as high-quality vintage items downstairs.
Ila: From the city centre, head towards the industrial area Ila. In the alley between Spikerfabrikken (the old nail factory that now houses Atelier Ilsvika) and the steel manufacturer Smith Stål, you’ll find the result of Trondheim’s street art festival. Admire colourful murals by a mix of local and international artists.
Local breweries: Trondheim is known for its many microbreweries, including Monkey Brew, ØX, and Austmann. At ØX and Austmann, you can watch the brewing as it happens and say hello to the friendly staff.
Dig into a meal: Trondheim has a strong food culture, and the city is choc-a-bloc with restaurants that focus on traditional dishes with a modern twist based on locally produced ingredients. If you’re after a meal out of the ordinary, a few options are Spontan, Bula Neobistro, Kombo, Klempe y Dons, Le Bistro and Olgas.
Out and about: Thanks to the student population, Trondheim has a great selection of bars and nightclubs. Antikvariatet hosts a mix of concerts and other cultural events. Spontan Vinbar has the city’s most refined wine list, while Tyven takes its music selection, wines, and cocktails based on local ingredients seriously. With a wide international programme featuring jazz, soul, disco and electronic music, you might be lucky enough to catch some of the world's most influential DJs on the weekend. Beer connoisseurs will love Habitat, which is like a jungle of plants and exciting brews.
While you’re here: Trondheim invests heavily in locally produced food and drink, and offers many opportunities to taste short-distance specialities. Explore the city’s cafés, bars, and eateries.
Sunday city walks
“In Trondheim, you can follow up a quiz in Bakklandet with a long walk in serene nature. There are many hiking opportunities, and it’s easy to get there”, says Solveig Davies Vittersø.
In addition to studying Industrial Design at NTNU, Vittersø is an active member of the hiking group KonTur. She is a self-proclaimed Norwegian champion in having fun on hiking trips. Her speciality is to combine long or short excursions with local food experiences.
Solveig Davies Vittersø
Vittersø’s tips for urban Sunday walks
Along the Nidelva river: If you’re visiting for the first time, this is a great walk to start getting to know your way around. Follow the river via Bakklandet, Øya and Skansen to Kalvskinnet, where you’ll find a special garden called Tantes hage, tucked away at the end of Elvegata. This garden is full of old antique goods, and birds like peacocks and chickens wander freely around the backyard. On Sundays, the owners open their home to the public and transform it into cozy café, serving all sorts of homemade food and drinks. Along Nidelva, you can rest your legs and enjoy the view on one of the many benches.
Ladestien: This is one of Trondheim’s most popular hiking trails, with plenty of lovely rest areas en route. Bring a packed lunch or stop at Ladekaia and Sponhuset when you’ve built up your appetite. Remember to take a picture in Talerøret, a wonderful art installation and Instagram-friendly tunnel shaped like a megaphone. When you arrive at Rotvollfjæra, you can either keep going in the direction of the Botanical Garden at Ringve, or return to Lade and the city centre. If you want to combine the hike with some heat and salt water, you can visit an old bunker that has been transformed into a sauna, named Bunker’n Badstua, run by the Stu crew.
Kuhaugen: An easy walk with a marvellous view of the city. Only 20 minutes on foot from the city centre, you’ll suddenly find yourself in a beautiful postcard. Bring a coffee with you from a café at Bakklandet before you start the walk up. The view from Kuhaugen is always a great conversation starter.
Baklidammen and Geitfjellet: The trip to Theisendammen and further up to Baklidammen is a fab Sunday trip of medium length. Great for a picnic, mushroom picking, or just for soaking up the peace and quiet. The classic serving hut, Lavollen, is open most days. Check their Facebook page for updated opening hours. From Lavollen you can follow the path up to Geitfjellet, where you’re rewarded with a mighty 360-degree view of Fosen, Frosta, Stjørdal, and Selbufjellene.
In winter: Trondheim is a cross-country skiing paradise. Hop on the tram in the centre and get off at Lian. From here you have a wealth of possibilities. A safe bet is the easy trip to Grønlia with its charming restaurant and café where you can treat yourself to freshly baked delicacies. An option is to walk to Elgsethytta, which also serves food.
While you’re here: Trondheim has several lovely bathing spots. At Sjøbadet, which happens to be the most central option, you can dive straight into the Trondheimsfjord. From there you can go for a pleasant stroll along the pier. You can also start at Brattørkaia and go up to the local pub and café Ila Brainnstasjon for some Sunday jazz.
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