Trondheim City Guide
Image by Artem Shuba via unsplash

Norway

Trondheim City Guide

Trondelag

Trondheim is a city in Norway's Trøndelag region known for its history, student vibe, and growing tech scene. It sits by the Nidelva River, boasting wooden houses and a famous cathedral. The city offers high living standards and great natural surroundings, but costs can be higher than average.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Local dishes like fårikål and kjøttkaker are must-tries. Good international options exist. Vegan and vegetarian choices are growing. Late-night dining is limited mostly to fast food and kebabs.

Local Dishes:
Fårikål, Kjøttkaker, Seafood from Trondheimsfjord
International Cuisine:
Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Nightlife centers around students with many bars and clubs, mainly near Solsiden and downtown.

Coffee Culture
Excellent
8

Strong specialty coffee scene with several third-wave shops and local roasters. Coffee culture is relaxed and popular.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is optional and not expected because service charges are included and staff are well-paid. Rounding up or small tips for excellent service appreciated.

Top Attractions
Nidaros Cathedral
heritage
Large historic cathedral and city landmark.
Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro)
sightseeing
Iconic bridge offering city views.
Bakklandet
neighborhood
Historic neighborhood with wooden houses and cafes.
Rockheim
museum
National museum of popular music.
Ringve Music Museum
museum
Museum focused on music history.
Kristiansten Fortress
heritage
Historic fortress with panoramic views.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at convenience stores, electronics shops, and provider stores. Telenor, Telia, and Ice are main providers. eSIMs are available. Passport or ID is needed for registration.

Available at:
Narvesen
7-Eleven
Elkjøp
Telenor
Telia
Recommended Apps
AtB Mobillett(transport)
Vipps(finance)
Yr(weather)
Too Good To Go(food)
Foodora/Wolt(food)
Google Maps(navigation)
Entur(transport)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
9

The city is very clean with efficient waste and recycling systems.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

24/7 services are limited. Some convenience stores stay open late, but full 24-hour places are rare. Night clinics handle urgent but non-life-threatening issues.

Groceries
Rema 1000
Kiwi
Coop
Meny
Bondens Marked

Supermarkets offer a good range of international products. Chains like Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop, and Meny are common. Local markets provide fresh produce. Stores usually open 7-11 on weekdays and Saturdays but close Sundays and holidays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cash is rarely used.

ATMs

ATMs are common in banks and malls. Norwegian banks like DNB and SpareBank 1 usually don't charge withdrawal fees, but your home bank might.

Schools
International

Trondheim International School teaches in English. Local public schools teach in Norwegian. Contact schools early for admission info.

Available Schools:
Trondheim International School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
Digs (Innovation Dock)
Modern coworking with tech focus. Some 24/7 access.
24/7 Access
Work-Work
Professional space with meeting rooms.
Impact Hub Trondheim
Community-driven coworking.
Regus
Flexible office and meeting spaces.
Davinci Meeting Rooms
Meeting rooms and coworking.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Dromedar Kaffebar
Multiple locations, good coffee, and Wi-Fi.
Jacobsen & Svart Kaffe
Specialty coffee with work-friendly spaces.
Sellanraa Bok & Bar
Quiet spot with Wi-Fi.
Mormors Stue
Cozy cafe suitable for work.
Godt Brød
Chain bakery/cafe with Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Trondheim Public Library
Quiet workspaces and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Many offer comfy seating and Wi-Fi.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
4

Nomad community is small but growing. Tech and university sectors offer networking. Co-working spaces and cafes provide work spots.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
9

Large green areas along the river and parks, plus forested Bymarka nearby.

Running
Excellent
9

Great running routes along the river and in Bymarka forests. Safe day or night with running clubs and annual marathon.

Gyms
Available

Plenty of gym options including student facilities.

Available Gyms:
SATS
3T Trening
Fresh Fitness
SiT Trening (student gyms)
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts and growing number of padel courts with online booking and coaching available.

Padel
Limited
5

Padel courts becoming more common; clubs offer bookings and coaching.

Yoga
Good
7

Several studios offer various styles like Hatha and Vinyasa, with English-speaking instructors and drop-in classes.

Martial Arts
Good
7

Various clubs offer BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Karate, and Taekwondo with English-speaking instructors and competitions.

Skiing
Good
7

Nearby ski resorts include Vassfjellet and Gråkallen. Slopes suit beginners and intermediates. Cross-country skiing is popular in Bymarka.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing popular on the river and fjord in summer. Rentals and guided tours available.

Surfing
Poor
1

No surfing spots in Trondheim due to sheltered fjord location. Surf breaks require long drives.

Diving
Good
6

Diving in the Trondheimsfjord with local clubs. Conditions vary but can be good in summer. Equipment rentals and certification available.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
9

St. Olavs Hospital is the main hospital with English-speaking staff. Both public and private healthcare are high quality. Pharmacies are well-stocked but may close on Sundays and holidays.

Hospitals:
St. Olavs Hospital
Pharmacies:
Apotek1
Vitusapotek
Boots Apotek
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is clean and safe to drink.

Common Scams
Online scams like phishing and fake sales are most common. Street scams are rare.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Many playgrounds and family-friendly cafes. Baby supplies easy to find. Popular attractions include the water park Pirbadet and the science center Vitensenteret.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
9

Highly accepting city with strong legal protections and annual Pride event. Safe and inclusive venue options.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Pet-friendly with good vet care, dog parks, and pet stores. Import rules are strict.

Communities
Expats in Trondheim (social)
Trondheim International Community (social)
What's On Trondheim (events)
Buy/Sell/Give Away Trondheim (marketplace)

Quick Facts

Population
212,660
Power Reliability
Excellent
10/10

Power outages are very rare. The grid is solid and well-kept.

Beach Access
Available

Small beaches and swimming spots like Kyvannet are nearby, good for summer recreation.

Mountains
Available

Surrounded by hills and forests called Bymarka with many hiking trails and easy access by public transport.

Languages
Norwegian(95%)
English(85%)
Emergency
113
Medical Emergency
112
Police
110
Fire

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Cold and limited daylight
November, December, January, February, March
Winter brings snow and short days.
Mild summers
June, July, August
Summers are mild with long daylight hours.
Localized flooding
Spring, Autumn
Occasional flooding during heavy rain or snowmelt.

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