11 Years, 11 Favorite Places in Trondheim (Because I Clearly Stayed for a Reason)

11 Years, 11 Favorite Places in Trondheim

In January 2026, I marked 11 years since I moved to Trondheim.

At the time, I didn’t know how long I would stay. Like many moves, it was meant to be temporary—an adventure, an experience, a chapter. But somewhere along the way, this place became something more permanent. More meaningful.

To mark the occasion, I recorded a podcast reflecting on some of my favorite places. Originally, I planned to share my favorite spots in all of Norway—but that quickly felt impossible. There are simply too many.

So instead, this is a list of the places that have shaped my life here in Trondheim. The ones I’ve returned to again and again. The ones that hold memories—big and small, joyful and difficult.

We recorded the podcast in January. I meant to write this then, too… and in February. And now, finally, here it is in March!

A Map of Moments

These places are more than locations on a map.

They are where I’ve experienced what I think of as glimmers- small moments of light, calm, or connection that stay with you. The opposite of stress or overwhelm. The kinds of moments that quietly anchor you, especially during more difficult seasons.

Because life here, like anywhere, hasn’t always been easy. Between burned-out teaching, starting a business, relationships (good and bad), and everything in between, there have been times when I needed space: to think, to process, to begin again.

And again and again, I found that space in these places.

We are incredibly fortunate to live in a place as safe and naturally beautiful as Trondheim, even as I recognize (and have started writing about) that there is MUCH room to grow and improve as a community.

A Few Notes Before We Begin

• Many of these are everyday places—walks, cafés, familiar routes

• There are quite a few café mentions (inevitable, really)

• And more than half of them are in Bymarka, which says a lot

None of these are sponsored - just places that have meant something special to me over the last 11 years.

1. Kristiansten Fortress: A First Day, A First Impression

My first visit to Kristiansten Fortress didn’t go entirely as planned.

On my first full day in Trondheim, I slipped on the ice and tore a brand-new pair of fancy wool tights - an abrupt, and slightly humbling, introduction.

But even that didn’t take away from the feeling of the place.

The fortress, the open views over the fjord and the city, the quiet paths that wind around it - it all felt expansive in a way I wasn’t used to. Coming from small-town USA, I was immediately struck by how much history and space could exist so close to the center.

Over time, it became somewhere I returned to in every season:

• In autumn, for the colors

• In winter, for the rare and welcome sunlight

• And year-round, for the sense of perspective it offers

2 & 3. My favorite corner of the sentrum

There’s a small area in the city center that, over time, became one of my most familiar and comforting places.

It starts at the Trondheim Public Library. https://biblioteket.trondheim.kommune.no/innhold/om-biblioteket/avdelinger/hovedbiblioteket/

Early on, this was where I went to find a sense of normalcy. A place where I could spend time quietly, surrounded by books, language, and people going about their day. The library offers a surprisingly wide selection of English titles, along with open, welcoming spaces.

Just inside the entrance, there’s also Isak Bakari. THE best bakery in town.

It was here, on one of first day, that I sat down with my new library card, a borrowed book, and a my first Norwegian cinnamon bun: small but VERY cozy details that marked the beginning of feeling settled.

Over time, the cafe on the other side of the library (Sellanraa) became something more than a café. A place for conversations, meetings, celebrations, and quiet resets in the middle of the day.

Just around the corner is Dromedar Kaffebar Nordre gate, which holds a different kind of memory. For over a year, I spent Saturday mornings there working through my master’s program - arriving early, sitting at the same table, and building a routine that carried me to my master's degree. Even now, passing by "my table" brings back a clear sense of that time: focused, structured, and quietly determined.

4. Midtbyrunden: Seeing the city from all angles

One of the simplest ways to understand Trondheim is to walk Midtbyrunden. https://ut.no/turforslag/1112251/midtbyrunden

This route has become part of my daily routine, sometimes a short mental health walk after lunch, sometimes the full loop. Often alone, but also great for a long walk-and-talk with a friend or a coaching client.

Along the way, the city reveals itself in layers:

• The river and fjord shifting with the light

• Bakklandet and its quiet charm

• And Nidaros Cathedral, seen from different angles each time

When I first arrived, the cathedral didn’t feel entirely real: more like something from a Disney movie than something I passed on an ordinary day. Even now, that feeling hasn’t completely gone away.

THIS spot pictured below on the Gable bybro (bridge) is great to catch some daylight, or if you're lucky, sun on a dark winter day.

To Be Continued: Into Bymarka

Many of the places that have meant the most to me lie just beyond the city, in Bymarka.

That’s where this story continues: through trails, seasons, and the spaces that offered both adventure and reflection when I needed them most.

👉 Continue reading: Finding Myself in Bymarka: Hikes, Healing, and Hidden Gems in Trondheim https://www.sturdy-coaching.com/post/finding-myself-in-bymarka-hikes-healing-and-hidden-gems-in-trondheim

My challenges to you :)

1. Take a trip to one of these spots and invite a friend!

2. What spots did I miss? What are your favorite spots in Trondheim? Send me a message or share in the comments!

3. Reflect: what support might I need to chase sunshine in 2026?

   Do you want more sparkle and sunshine in your everyday life - not just the fleeting kind, but the kind that sticks? Ready to stop shrinking and start shining (and maybe chase a bit more sunshine too)? Let’s talk. Book a 15-minute chat, and we’ll explore what your next chapter could look like and how I can support you (or your group) in creating Sustainable Sparkle. https://calendly.com/esturdy/quick-chat