Trondheim: Which Area to Base In
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Trondheim is compact enough that no base choice puts you more than about 20 minutes’ walk from the cathedral. The real decision is about atmosphere: central and practical, riverside and charming, or convenient for arrivals near the station.
Midtbyen: the classic first-timer base
The historic centre, on a peninsula looped by the Nidelva, puts the cathedral, the Torvet main square, shops, museums, and Stiftsgården all within easy walking distance. Everything here is walkable and stays lively into the evening.
Bakklandet and Solsiden: charm over convenience
Bakklandet, the old wooden-house quarter just across Gamle Bybro from Midtbyen, offers cafés, boutiques, and cobbled lanes, plus the start of the Trampe bicycle lift. Solsiden, in the nearby Nedre Elvehavn former shipyard district, is a redeveloped harbor quay of shopping, restaurants, and waterside dining, a good pick for an evening out.
Near the Central Station and Brattøra
The harborfront district right by Trondheim Central Station is convenient for arrivals and rail or coastal-ferry connections, with a more modern, business-oriented feel than Midtbyen or Bakklandet.
Named hotels worth knowing
The Britannia Hotel is Trondheim’s standout heritage stay, a 5-star property founded in 1870 that underwent a roughly $150 million restoration funded by Norwegian businessman Odd Reitan before reopening in April 2019; it’s now a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Clarion Hotel Trondheim, around 400 rooms at Brattørkaia in the Brattøra harbor district, sits next to the Pirbadet water park and works well for a station-adjacent stay. Scandic Solsiden, 155 rooms in Nedre Elvehavn, puts you near the Solsiden dining and shopping quay.
Book ahead for Olavsfestdagene
If any part of your trip lands near 28 July-3 August 2026, book well in advance. Olavsfestdagene fills Midtbyen’s rooms first, and prices across the city climb with the crowds.
| Area | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Midtbyen | First-time visitors, walkability | Cathedral, Torvet, Stiftsgården all close |
| Bakklandet/Solsiden | Atmosphere, evening dining | Across Gamle Bybro from the centre |
| Near the station/Brattøra | Arrivals, rail/ferry connections | More modern, business feel |
| Britannia Hotel | Heritage/luxury | Reopened 2019, Leading Hotels of the World |
| Clarion Hotel Trondheim | Convenience | ~400 rooms, next to Pirbadet |
| Scandic Solsiden | Mid-range | 155 rooms, near the Solsiden quay |
Compare current Trondheim hotel rates before committing to a neighborhood, especially around festival dates.
Read more: for what a festival week does to hotel demand across the city, see Trondheim’s festivals and events .
One concrete move: pick Midtbyen for a first trip unless you specifically want Bakklandet’s quieter evening streets. The walk between the two areas is short enough that you won’t be choosing your sights, only your evening atmosphere.