Trondheim is a beautiful city, offering unique cultural sights, fantastic food and great nightlife.

I’d like to list whole books of info on all the places to check out in the city and its ecquisite surrounding countryside, but I want to be realistic. Most people who visit the city as tourists do so for a weekend only, so please read on to discover my condensed guide to a weekend in Norway’s fourth largest city, Trondheim.

Having visited the city recently, I want my guide to give a glimpse to would-be travellers into some of the fantastic sights and sounds which Trondheim has to offer, and I’ll strive to keep this guide updated with the latest recommendaitons. I hope you enjoy the guide.

Scandinavian Gothic

One of the first stops on your visit to Trondheim should undoubtedly be Nidaros Cathedral (Nidarosdomen): Built over the burial site of Saint Olav, Nidaros Cathedral is the largest church in Norway. Having travelled down from the Lofoten Islands far to the north, I was used to seeing small fishing villages clustered around tiny churches. To stumble across the Gothic western frontage of Nidaros (the old name for the city of Trondheim) is truly spectacular, putting me in mind of how the pilgrims must have felt when visiting the cathedral from the 14th century AD onwards.

The beautifully-carved western front, reminiscent of those at Salisbury and Wells in England, surprises visitors from around the world. More than 50 sculptured figures line three rows around the restored rose window.

You have to pay to go inside, and if you do make sure to make time to visit the crypt, the interesting archaeological museum, and the royal regalia featuring the coronation crowns of Norway's King and Queen.

Exploring the old town of Trondheim

Starting at Bakklandet

The closest thing Trondheim has to an old town, the cobbled streets and wooden buildings of the Bakklandet neighbourhood were saved from demolition less than fifty years ago. Head down from the cathedral and cross the wooden Old Town Bridge, with photo opportunities galore.

Similar to other Scandinavian towns I’ve visited, like Malmo in Sweden and Aarhus in Denmark, the old houses of Bakklandet are painted in beautiful pastel shades of blues, greens and reds. Many of the old houses, once built as small dwellings for craftspeople, traders and labourers, now serve as independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

Shopping in Bakklandet

The best way to experience the area is to take a stroll around the cobbled streets, stopping to view the 18th century wooden wharves and warehouses which line the Nidelva river.

The day I visited Trondheim had been an early start at 5am, so by this stage I was in need of caffeine and sugar in the form of a delicious pastry. Luckily, Bakklandet had what I needed in the form of Dromedar Kaffebar (I recommend the Thor’s Hammer coffee!), or Kaffebrenneriet.

There are small art galleries and design shops aplenty, as well as the fantastic Antikvariatet – a music café and book bar with live music and events almost every night.

Visit Solsiden on the sunny side of town

The former shipyard of Solsiden has been converted into a bustling waterside area with bars, restaurants and shopping streets.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting in the summer, sit out on one of the large outdoor terraces to enjoy the view and mix with the locals.

Popular spots include Trondhjem Mikrobryggeri for burgers and craft beers, To Rom & Kjøkken and Hagen for vegetarian and vegan choices.

Experience art in Trondheim

At Trondheim Kunstmuseum you can enjoy a mix of national, and international modern art. For contemporary art with free admission, you can also check out Trøndelag Centre for Contemporary Art and Kunsthall Trondheim.

Kulturkvartalet is the name given to a cultural network encompassing Kunsthall Trondheim, the book café and bar Sellanraa and the bakery and bar Isak Sellanraa. This means you can experience some fantastic art, enjoy excellent coffee and tuck into some local, freshly produced pastries and dishes.

Heading out of Trondheim

Like so many places in Norway, the surrounding countryside is some of the most beautiful and spectacular in all of Scandinavia. I recommend Ladestien, one of Trondheim’s most popular hiking trails, with plenty of rest areas on route.

You can stop off for a bite to eat at Ladekaia and Sponhuset when you’ve built up your appetite. 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.

Another possibility is Kuhaugen which offers an easy walk with a great view of the city. After just half an hour of trekking you’ll find yourself in gorgeous natural surroundings, with spectacular views back towards Trondheim.

If you're looking for unique city activities, I also recommend a kayak trip on the Nidelva river, or you can take the boat to a bathing and picnic area called Munkholmen just outside of Trondheim.

Trondheim in a weekend

There you have it, my short guide to getting the best out of Trondheim in one weekend.

I hope you enjoyed this guide and are able to use some of these recommendations in your visit to the city.

Did I miss anywhere off my list which you think is a must-see in Trondheim? Let me know!

Want to see more of Scandinavia?

Check out my guides to

The best Bakeries or Swimming Spots in Copenhagen

• The best Danish pastries (In my opinion!).

• Travelling via the Inlandsbanan railway in Sweden

• Or explore the rest of the Scandi Culture Experiences to find out what’s on offer.