Trondheim in 2 Days on a Budget (Real Costs)
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2 days covers Trondheim’s compact core, if you budget honestly
Trondheim is genuinely a 2-day city at its core: Nidaros Cathedral and Midtbyen on day one, Bakklandet and the harbor on day two. It’s also genuinely expensive, so this itinerary treats the money as seriously as the schedule. With more time, the 3-day itinerary adds a museum day on top of this exact core.
Book these before you go
- A room in Midtbyen or Bakklandet, since a very expensive country makes shoulder-season timing matter more here than most cities
- Nothing timed for Nidaros Cathedral itself, but confirm it isn’t closed for a service before you plan around it
- Warm layers regardless of season, since the weather here is genuinely changeable even in summer
Day 1: Nidaros Cathedral and Midtbyen
Start at Nidaros Cathedral, the world’s northernmost medieval cathedral, built over the grave of St. Olav. Entry runs roughly NOK 120-150 (verify); the summer-only tower climb is a separate roughly NOK 70 ticket, about 172 steps for a 360-degree city view. The Archbishop’s Palace next door holds the Norwegian crown regalia, its own separate admission. Walk the Torvet main square and the rest of Midtbyen, easily done on foot. Lunch at a casual spot (NOK 180-300); dinner mid-range in the centre.
| Day 1 cost (NOK, per person, verify) | Low | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Bed (hostel dorm / budget hotel) | 500 | 1200 |
| Breakfast | 100 | 200 |
| Nidaros Cathedral entry | 120 | 150 |
| Tower climb (summer only, optional) | 0 | 70 |
| Lunch | 180 | 300 |
| Dinner | 500 | 900 |
| Day 1 total | 1400 | 2820 |
Day 2: Bakklandet, Kristiansten, and Munkholmen
Cross the 1681 Gamle Bybro into Bakklandet, free to wander, and see the Trampe bicycle lift, the world’s first (1993), at Brubakken. Walk or take a short bus up to Kristiansten Fortress for free hilltop views. From Ravnkloa fish market, the summer passenger ferry to Munkholmen island runs roughly NOK 95 (verify); the island’s history runs from a Viking-age execution site to a monastery to a state prison. Lunch at Ravnkloa itself, dockside seafood; dinner back in Bakklandet.
| Day 2 cost (NOK, per person, verify) | Low | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Bed | 500 | 1200 |
| Breakfast | 100 | 200 |
| Munkholmen ferry | 95 | 95 |
| Lunch at Ravnkloa | 150 | 300 |
| Dinner | 400 | 700 |
| Transit (tram/bus to Kristiansten) | 0 | 40 |
| Day 2 total | 1245 | 2535 |
Getting around on 2 days: walk it or take the tram?
Midtbyen and Bakklandet are both walkable end to end; the only real transit decision is a bus or tram up to Kristiansten if you’d rather not climb on foot. Full transport details for arriving and getting around are in the main Trondheim guide .
Confirm the Munkholmen ferry’s current schedule before day two; it runs roughly May/June through August/September and is weather-dependent, so a backup plan (Rockheim or Stiftsgården instead) is worth having ready.