Even Norway's largest cities are small compared to other European metropolises. They are easy to get around in and have a lot to offer visitors. Each city has its own character. Many of them bear the marks of their contact with other countries via trade and shipping.

Trondheim
 

Founded by King Olav Tryggvason of Viking fame more than a thousand years ago in 997, Trondheim holds a special place in Norwegian history and culture. It was the first Norwegian capital and is still the city where kings receive their ceremonial blessing.

Situated by the Trondheim Fjord, it is surrounded by lovely forested hills, with the Nidelva River winding through the town. It has been and still is a popular pilgrimage site, an ecclesiastical centre, a regional capital, a centre for commerce and administration- and last, but not least, a city of education and research.

Today Trondheim is the third largest city in Norway with 150000 inhabitants, and it holds a special place in the country's history and culture. It is also a modern city. Trondheim is a major university city with more than 25000 students and one of the largest high-technology centres in Europe. Trondheim's well established and internationally renowned university and research community provides resources for many types of business and industry.

Here, the past and present live side by side in a particularly harmonious fellowship, in a place one can call either a big town or a small city.

Historical links from ancient times to today's high-tech environment are evident throughout the city, and the intimate town centre is framed by one of the best salmon rivers in Norway. Conveniently located attractions and leisure activities enable visitors to make maximum use of their spare time. Some attractions worth a visit is the Nidaros Cathedral, Norway's national sanctuary, built over the grave of St.Olav. Constructions started in 1070, but the oldest parts still in existence are from the middle of the 12th century. Mainly in the Gothic style, with the oldest parts around the transept in Roman style. The Archbishop's Palace, (Next to the Cathedral). The oldest secular building in Scandinavia. Work on it started in the second half of the 12th century, and it was the Archbishop's Residence until the reformation in 1537.

Situated in central Norway, only 500 km north of Oslo, Trondheim is easily accessible whatever your choice of transportation. By plain you will arrive at Trondheim's modern airport at Værnes (around 30km from the city). There are about 30 daily flights between Oslo and Trondheim, and a non-stop flight between Trondheim and Copenhagen. In addition you also find several connections with other cities in Norway.
If you arrive by train you can relax and enjoy the unique Norwegian countryside. If arriving by car from the south of Norway you may drive through the majestic mountains of Dovre. Another special way to visit Trondheim is by the coastal steamer, which can take you from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the north, and give you a chance to experience Norway's special and beautiful coast.

Welcome to Trondheim - THE HISTORICAL CAPITAL

The Mountains
 

 Over half of Norway's total area lies above the timberline. When you are far out at sea, you will see mountains all along the western coast. The mountain landscape changes, however, as you follow the coast north. While the valleys of western Norway are narrow and closed-in by mountains, the north is freer and more open, though still magnificent. And despite the harsh climate, forests thrive north of the Arctic Circle. Even though summers are short in the north, plant life grows 24 hours a day since the sun never sets.

Attractions and special interests

Farm Holiday

A farm holiday eases the soul and gives you that feeling of getting back to basics. You can choose by yourself whether you want to just sit and listen to the crops growing, or get to know the people and their animals by participating in the farm's daily routines.

A farm holiday can be a lay-around-and-take-life-easy holiday or the starting point for exciting outings to different attractions and activities.

A farm holiday is especially fine for children but also for adults who want to rediscover the child in themselves and relive childhood memories of their own trips to the farm. If you are not looking to stay long, there are also a number of farms where you can visit for a day, and they will gladly take you on a tour and tell you about the old methods of production and food traditions among many other things.

Norwegian farms include everything from small mountain farms to large flatland enterprises. Even the smallest kind of farm will often take you as a guest if you ask. Some mountain farms even hold courses where you can try your hand as an old-fashioned milkmaid.

Boat trips

Whether you are near a lake, river or a fjord, there is never a problem getting out on the water. Excursions up the rivers of Finnmark in Sami riverboats are especially popular. Inland on Lake

Mjøsa you can take a trip on the world's oldest operating paddlesteamer, «Skibladner», or you can take the Telemark canal trip that starts at sea level and winds its way into the mountainous area of Telemark county. Many of the country's lakes are available to you by boat. On the coast there are both large and small boats that offer coast and fjord tours. Some of them are truly unique old boats with lots of character.