Things to Do in Trondheim — Nidaros Cathedral & Norway's Best Sauna Scene

Trondheim is the kind of city that takes you by surprise. Norway’s third-largest city lacks the capital status of Oslo and the fjord-gateway drama of Bergen, yet it has an authenticity and a cultural depth that draws visitors back again and again. It was Norway’s medieval capital, home to Scandinavia’s largest Gothic cathedral, and today it houses one of Norway’s leading universities — a combination that gives the city a lively, year-round energy and a sauna scene that has quietly become one of the best in the country.

Sauna Culture in Trondheim

Trondheim’s sauna culture is centred on the Nidelva river and the Trondheim Fjord shoreline, and what has developed here over the past few years is genuinely impressive. The city now offers a varied mix of community saunas, waterfront bathing spots, and hotel spa facilities that together make it one of the strongest sauna cities in Norway.

Brattøra Badstu is one of the waterfront saunas that has become central to Trondheim’s bathing culture — located near the Brattøra district, it offers fjord access alongside the sauna and attracts a strong community of regular bathers. Bunker Sauna is a more unusual offering, making creative use of existing urban infrastructure to deliver a sauna experience with genuine character — it’s worth seeking out for the setting alone.

For a high-end experience, Britannia Spa at the Britannia Hotel — one of Norway’s most storied grand hotels, fully restored in recent years — provides a luxurious and beautifully appointed sauna and spa facility in the heart of the city. Solsiden Spa on the east side of the river offers another established option with a loyal local following, convenient for the Solsiden shopping and dining district.

Damp Trondja brings the steam sauna format to the city’s waterfront, a welcome variation from the dry heat of traditional saunas. Naust Sauna — the name means “boathouse” in Norwegian — captures the maritime atmosphere of the Nidelva beautifully, while Sjøbadet Trondheim is one of the city’s most beloved outdoor swimming and sauna facilities, combining a storied history with genuine everyday use by locals. For those visiting Havet Arena, the city’s striking new aquatics complex, Havet Arena Sauna provides a first-class facility in a world-class setting.

Day-trippers to the surrounding region should note that Aurora Sauna Inderøy, about an hour north of Trondheim in the scenic Inderøy peninsula, offers one of Central Norway’s most atmospheric sauna experiences — a genuine detour worth planning around.

Outdoor Activities & Nature

Trondheim’s setting at the mouth of the Nidelva, where river meets fjord, gives it an unusually varied outdoor landscape within easy reach of the city centre. The most popular active pursuit in the city is cycling or walking the Nidelva river path, which winds from the fjord through the historic Nedre Elvehavn and Nedre Ila neighbourhoods and out into the forested valleys beyond. It’s flat, scenic, and beautifully maintained.

Munkholmen, a small island a short boat ride from the Ravnkloa fish market, is a popular summer destination that combines a sandy beach with one of Norway’s more unusual historical layers — the island has been a monastery, a fortress, and a prison at different points in its history. Boats run regularly in summer.

The Bymarka forest west of the city offers hiking and mountain biking in summer and ski trails in winter, with the Gråkallen ski area providing a small but genuine alpine experience. The Trondheim Fjord itself opens up possibilities for sea kayaking and boat trips, particularly in the quieter months.

For a longer excursion, the Inderøy peninsula to the north of the city — sometimes called the “Golden Road” — is one of Central Norway’s most rewarding day trips, combining scenic farmland, fjord views, local food producers, and the exceptional sauna experience at Aurora Sauna Inderøy mentioned above.

Local Food & Culture

Nidaros Cathedral is the undisputed centrepiece of Trondheim’s cultural life — the northernmost Gothic cathedral in the world, built over the burial site of St Olav, and for centuries the destination of one of Europe’s great pilgrimage routes. Even visitors with no particular religious interest find the building astonishing: the west facade alone, with its carved stone figures, is one of the finest pieces of medieval architecture in Scandinavia. Admission is paid; the Archbishop’s Palace museum next door is included and well worth the time.

Bakklandet, the neighbourhood of colourful 18th-century wooden houses on the east bank of the Nidelva, is Trondheim’s most charming quarter. The bicycle lift (Trampe) that hauls cyclists up the steep Brubakken hill is a quirky local landmark, and the streets themselves are lined with independent cafés, small galleries, and craft shops. Sunday morning in Bakklandet is a particularly good time to explore.

The Ringve Music Museum, set in a historic estate just outside the city centre, houses an internationally significant collection of musical instruments and offers live demonstrations that are genuinely engaging for visitors of all ages. The grounds and gardens are lovely in summer.

Trondheim’s restaurant scene is anchored in strong local produce from the Trøndelag region — widely considered Norway’s best agricultural region, producing excellent lamb, dairy, potatoes, and the berries that flavour some of the best desserts you’ll eat in Norway. The Mathallen food market in Solsiden is a good place to graze and pick up provisions.

Getting There & When to Visit

Trondheim Vaernes Airport is served by regular flights from Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger, as well as some international routes. The Flybussen airport express takes around 40 minutes to the city centre. Alternatively, the Dovre Railway from Oslo — passing through the dramatic Dovrefjell mountain plateau — is one of Norway’s great train journeys at around six and a half hours.

Trondheim is an excellent destination in every season. Summer brings long days, busy waterfront life, and easy access to the fjord and surrounding countryside. The Olsok festival in late July (marking the anniversary of St Olav’s death at the Battle of Stiklestad) fills the city with medieval markets, concerts, and pilgrimages, and is a uniquely Norwegian cultural experience. Winter is cold and often snowy, but the city handles it gracefully — the sauna scene comes fully into its own, and cross-country skiing in Bymarka starts from within the city limits.

Allow at least two full days for Trondheim itself, and consider extending with a day trip north to Inderøy or east to the Stjørdalen valley. The city is compact enough to explore on foot or by bike, and rewards wandering.