Photo: Tatiana Popova
Fjord Tours Articles / 25 Oct 2021

Trondheim - the Old Capital

The historic city of Trondheim has plenty to offer visitors and explorers from both near and far. Located on the Trondheim Fjord, the old capital of Norway is a fantastic place to explore some of the interesting local history and culture – and of course, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.

Where is Trondheim?

Trondheim is located in Trøndelag in central Norway. Trondheim is the third-largest city in Norway. It is situated on the southern shore of the Trondheim Fjord, at the mouth of the Nidelva river.

It’s easy to get to Trondheim, as it’s well-connected with daily flights from a number of locations. There are also regular trains and buses to Trondheim from other cities in Norway. If you’re flying from Oslo, the travel time is about 50 minutes, while driving or taking the train from the capital will take around 7 hours.

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Photo: Raafoto/Visitnorway.com

What to do in Trondheim?

Trondheim has a lot of interesting attractions and activities for travelers hoping to experience the city to the fullest. The Nidaros Cathedral is Norway’s largest church. The stunning Gothic cathedral represents an important attraction for a lot of visitors to the fair city of Trondheim. Nidaros Cathedral has been a key pilgrimage destination in Northern Europe for centuries, and many people still take on the journey every year.

Kristiansten Fortress is well worth a visit as it is one of the city’s most important landmarks. This historic fortress dating back to 1681 is located in the east of Trondheim and was built to protect the city against attacks.

As with many other places in Norway, the possibility of seeing the northern lights dancing across the sky is a big attraction for visitors to Trondheim. During the winter, Trondheim offers fantastic opportunities for seeing the northern lights and snapping some great photos of this beautiful natural phenomenon.

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Photo: Sven-Erik Knoff/Visitnorway.com

The history of Trondheim

Trondheim has played an interesting part in Norway’s history. In fact, Trondheim was the first capital of Norway. The city was founded by the Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997 and served as Norway’s capital for 200 years.

Trondheim’s past as a medieval city is still evident as you wander through charming cobbled streets and traditional wooden buildings, but the old capital is also a young and vibrant city. With a large student population, there are tons of interesting cultural events, festivals, and concerts to be enjoyed in Trondheim.

Trondheim is now known as Norway’s capital of knowledge since the city has established its position as a center of innovation. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) attracts some of the best and brightest minds, making Trondheim a true hub of knowledge and advancement.

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Photo: FotoKnoff

Visiting Trondheim?

If you are planning a visit to Trondheim, be sure to check out one of our great hotels in this historic city! Find all hotels available in Trondheim here.