10 Cheap Things to Do in Trondheim
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10 cheap things to do in Trondheim
Trondheim is one of the world’s most expensive cities to eat and sleep in, but a surprising share of its best sights cost nothing at all. The list below runs from completely free to genuinely cheap, with what the paid alternatives actually charge so nothing surprises you at the till.
- Stand at Nidaros Cathedral’s west front, free. The world’s northernmost medieval cathedral, built over St. Olav’s grave, is free to view from outside; only the interior, the crown-regalia exhibit next door, and the summer tower climb are ticketed. It’s a working cathedral and Norway’s national shrine, not a museum piece, worth remembering when you’re inside.
- Cross the Gamle Bybro, free. The 1681 Old Town Bridge, also called Lykkens Portal, links the centre to Bakklandet and is one of the most-photographed spots in the city. Free, always open.
- Wander Bakklandet, free. Colourful wooden houses, cobbled car-free lanes, and a lookout called Krana (between Nedre Bakklandet 10 and 18) for the best view of the old wharves leaning over the Nidelva.
- Ride the Trampe bicycle lift, free. Built in 1993 at Brubakken, this is the world’s first bicycle lift: rest a foot on a footplate and it pushes you up the steep hill instead of pedalling. Genuinely only-in-Trondheim, and it costs nothing to use.
- Walk Kristiansten Fortress’s grounds, free. The star-shaped hilltop fortress dates to 1681 and gives wide views over the city; the grounds are free, though the small Donjonen tower museum has its own hours and ticket.
- Browse Ravnkloa fish market, free. The harbourside market (roughly March-October) sells fresh dockside seafood; you don’t have to buy anything to walk through, and it’s also the departure point for the Munkholmen ferry below.
- Ride the Gråkallbanen to Lian, tram fare only. The world’s northernmost tramway, running since 1924, takes about 21 minutes from the centre into Bymarka forest, a cheap half-day out that isn’t just transit.
- See Stiftsgården’s exterior, free. One of the largest wooden palaces in Northern Europe and the royal residence when the family visits Trondheim; the guided interior tour is ticketed, roughly NOK 100-150 (verify), but the building and forecourt cost nothing to see.
- Take the Munkholmen ferry, roughly NOK 95 (verify). The island’s history runs from a Viking-age execution site to a monastery to a state prison to WWII gun emplacements, genuinely more layered than the modest ferry fare suggests.
- Visit Rockheim, ticketed. Norway’s national museum of pop and rock music sits in a converted harbourside grain warehouse; not free, but a reliable rainy-day pick when the free outdoor list above isn’t an option.
What the paid sights actually cost
| Sight | Cost (verify) | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Nidaros Cathedral entry | NOK 120-150 | 30-45 minutes |
| Nidaros tower climb (summer only) | NOK 70 | ~30 minutes |
| Munkholmen ferry | NOK 95 | Half day round trip |
| Stiftsgården guided tour | NOK 100-150 | ~45 minutes |
| Rockheim | NOK 130-200 | 1-2 hours |
| Ringve Music Museum | NOK 130-200 | 1-2 hours |
Is a Trondheim sightseeing pass worth it?
Only if you’re stacking three or more paid museums into one visit; the free list above already covers a full day without one, and Trondheim’s paid sights are individually ticketed rather than bundled the way some larger European cities do it. Check current pass terms directly before assuming it pays for itself.
Pair the free half of this list with one paid museum rather than trying to see everything ticketed in a single day, since Trondheim’s real cost sits in food and lodging, not entry fees. The best places to eat guide and the main Trondheim guide cover the rest of the budget.