Bakklandet Riverside Guesthouse
A cozy guesthouse among the colorful wooden houses of Bakklandet, a short walk over Gamle Bybro from the cathedral and Old Town.
Trondheim · Plan your family stay
Don't search the city. Build your family trip.
Plan a complete stay in Trondheim — Norway's historic former capital on the Nidelva river and fjord, home to the Gothic Nidaros Cathedral, the colorful wharves of Bakklandet, the world's first bicycle lift up to Kristiansten Fortress, and a lively student-city energy from NTNU, all serving as a natural gateway for fjord trips into Trøndelag.
Explore the options, mark what you want, and we'll turn it into a day-by-day plan.
Choose the right base for the family.
A cozy guesthouse among the colorful wooden houses of Bakklandet, a short walk over Gamle Bybro from the cathedral and Old Town.
A modern hotel on the main square, within easy walking distance of Nidaros Cathedral, the shopping streets and the train station.
Budget-friendly rooms near the NTNU campus, popular with young travelers who want a taste of Trondheim's student-city energy.
A self-catering apartment on the hill near Kristiansten Fortress, with panoramic views over the city, river and fjord.
A spacious apartment near the harbor pier where boats depart for Munkholmen island, with a kitchen for longer family stays.
A practical hotel near Trondheim Værnes Airport with a direct airport express train link into the city center in about 35-40 minutes.
Smooth movement for family and luggage.
Trondheim's airport sits about 30 km from downtown, connected by a direct airport express train (Værnesekspressen) taking roughly 35-40 minutes.
AtB operates Trondheim's bus network; tickets are bought through the AtB Mobillett app, with day and multi-day passes available.
Trondheim's center is small and largely flat along the river, with the cathedral, Bakklandet and the main square all within a 15-20 minute walk.
The world's first bicycle lift, Trampe, tows cyclists up the steep Brubakken street toward Kristiansten Fortress without pedaling.
The red wooden Old Town Bridge links the center to Bakklandet across the Nidelva, with the 'Gate of Happiness' portal offering a classic river view.
The central station connects Trondheim to Oslo via the Dovre line and north toward Bodø, alongside regional and airport express trains.
Plan meals without stress.
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Café Løkka is a cafe, rated 4.3 from 1321 reviews.
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Support children of different ages.
A short summer ferry from the harbor takes families to Munkholmen, a former monastery and fortress islet with swimming spots and a café.
An interactive museum in a converted harbor warehouse tracing Norwegian pop and rock history with listening stations and instruments to try.
A historic manor housing a museum of musical instruments through the ages, set within Trondheim's botanical garden grounds.
A 17th-century hilltop fortress with open grounds, cannons and sweeping panoramic views over the city, river and fjord — free to explore outdoors.
Scandinavia's oldest secular building, next to Nidaros Cathedral, houses museums on medieval history and Norway's royal crown jewels.
A car-free riverside district of brightly painted wooden houses, cafés and craft shops, easy and safe for children to wander.
Add memorable cultural experiences.
The northernmost Gothic cathedral in the world, built over the burial site of Norway's patron saint Olav — a pilgrimage destination and the site of Norwegian royal coronations.
A narrow stair climb up the cathedral's central tower rewards visitors with sweeping views over the old town, river and fjord.
The largest wooden palace in Scandinavia, an 18th-century royal residence used by the Norwegian royal family during visits to Trondheim.
Historic wooden warehouses lining the river, once used for goods storage and trade, now among the most photographed views in the city.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology fills Trondheim with a young, energetic student population, cafés and a lively evening scene.
Throughout the year Trondheim hosts music, food and cultural festivals in and around the city center, especially concentrated in the summer months.
Support religious, spiritual and heritage visits.
Nidaros Cathedral marks the endpoint of St. Olav's Way, a centuries-old pilgrimage route, and remains an active site of Christian worship today.
The medieval Archbishop's Palace adjoining the cathedral reflects Trondheim's role as the ecclesiastical center of Norway during the Middle Ages.
Regular services are held at Nidaros Cathedral, welcoming visitors wishing to attend an active Lutheran service in a Gothic setting.
The small island of Munkholmen once housed a Benedictine monastery before being converted into a fortress and prison, now a peaceful heritage stop.
The riverside paths near Bakklandet offer a calm, unhurried setting for quiet reflection away from the cathedral crowds.
A pilgrim information center near the cathedral supports walkers finishing the historic St. Olav's Way route from Oslo, offering credentials and guidance.
Combine work and travel.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology anchors a strong tech and engineering research ecosystem, hosting visiting academics and researchers.
One of Scandinavia's largest independent research organizations, based in Trondheim alongside NTNU, focused on applied technology and industry research.
Coworking hubs near the city center offer fast internet, meeting rooms and flexible desks for remote-working travelers.
Trondheim's largest event and convention venue hosts conferences, trade fairs and sporting events year-round.
Trondheim's fjord-side location supports a strong maritime, offshore and ocean-technology industry cluster tied to NTNU and SINTEF research.
Central hotels near Torvet and the station offer business centers with printing, meeting rooms and fast WiFi for short work sessions.
Create trust and safety.
Dial 112 for police in a life-threatening emergency anywhere in Norway; 113 reaches ambulance services directly, and 110 reaches the fire brigade.
Trondheim's main university hospital handles emergencies 24/7 and is one of Norway's largest regional medical centers.
Apotek pharmacies are found around the center and near Torvet; a rotating late-night pharmacy stays open outside normal hours.
Norwegian healthcare is modern and excellent but not free for visitors — confirm travel insurance covers medical costs before traveling.
Trondheim's winter brings icy sidewalks and very short daylight hours (September-March) — wear grippy footwear and plan outdoor activities around daylight.
Boat trips to Munkholmen run only in favorable summer weather — check conditions and dress in layers as it can be cooler and windier on the water.
Personalize the trip through interests.
Trondheim is a cyclist-friendly city with dedicated paths, capped off by the novelty of the world's first bicycle lift up to the fortress hill.
Guided fishing boat trips on Trondheim Fjord offer a chance to catch cod, mackerel and other local fish in scenic surroundings.
Bymarka, the large forested hill area just west of the city, offers easy-to-moderate hiking trails and lake swimming spots in summer.
On clear nights between September and March, guided outings away from city lights offer a chance to see the Aurora Borealis over the fjord.
Around the summer solstice, Trondheim's long daylight hours allow late evening walks, cycling and outdoor dining well past 10pm.
The waters around Munkholmen island offer a rare in-city swimming spot in summer, alongside grassy areas for sunbathing and picnics.
Reduce friction for premium families.
A certified local guide for a private walk through Nidaros Cathedral, Bakklandet and the Archbishop's Palace, with historical context beyond the signage.
A private door-to-door transfer with a meet-and-greet driver at Trondheim Værnes Airport, saving time versus the airport express train.
Norwegian SIM cards are available at the airport and city center shops, offering good-value EU-style data roaming for the whole trip.
Store bags at a certified facility near the central station or old town to explore the cathedral and Bakklandet freely before check-in or after checkout.
A dedicated local fixer for Munkholmen ferry timing, restaurant reservations, fjord tours and any last-minute request.
Local photographers offer family photo sessions among Bakklandet's colorful wooden houses and the Gamle Bybro bridge as a backdrop.
Make the itinerary realistic for the dates.
June through August bring Trondheim's mildest, brightest weather and the long daylight hours of the midnight sun period, ideal for walking and boat trips.
From late May to mid-July, Trondheim experiences near-continuous daylight, allowing late evening sightseeing and altered typical daily rhythms.
From September through March, dark clear nights create a chance to see the Northern Lights away from city center light pollution.
Between November and January, daylight hours shrink dramatically in Trondheim — plan outdoor sightseeing for the limited midday window.
November combines short daylight, cold rain and unpredictable Northern Lights visibility, making it Trondheim's least rewarding month for most visitors.
May and September offer milder crowds and lower accommodation prices than peak summer, with reasonably long daylight hours still in place.
The trusted local knowledge layer.
Even if you're not cycling far, ride the Trampe bicycle lift up Brubakken street once just to experience the world's first bicycle lift.
Restaurant prices in Norway are steep; save by buying groceries at supermarkets like Kiwi or Rema 1000 and eating your main meal at lunch, when set menus are cheaper.
The Munkholmen boat only runs in summer on a limited schedule — confirm departure times before planning your day around it.
The classic Trondheim photo is the colorful wharves of Bakklandet seen from the middle of the red Old Town Bridge, best in soft morning or evening light.
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights between September and March, head just outside the city center where light pollution is lower.
Download the AtB Mobillett app before your trip — buying tickets on board is pricier and sometimes cards or cash aren't accepted by the driver.
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A day-by-day plan built from your choices
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