Trondheim, Norway

one Glorious Day

It might have been the cloudless sky & sunshine.

Or being close to the sea & surrounded by mountains.

Or visiting a city after a month in the countryside, working on a farm.

But, I really loved this city.

I walked around Trondheim for one day thinking to myself, “I could live here.”

A feeling my nomadic ways rarely give into.

It might have also been that everything just went so very right.

I was sent off from my first Work Away experience with a jar of homemade blackberry jam and a pair of handmade socks, the color of which I had unknowingly chosen weeks before: pink and purple.

An epic train ride followed the hugs and good byes. Eight hours through stunning landscapes. Norway is a very large, very long country. A train journey is a particularly dreamy thing, even when sat next to someone who wants to talk for hours when you just want to look out the window. I refused to be annoyed, entertained the conversation, and still had four hours to share with my window, once my neighbor fell asleep.

After arriving, luck, fate, the universe, whatever force it was setting everything in motion would guide me to my first couch surfing spot: a tiny house built by a young couple in a very funky neighborhood. To use a very Scandinavian descriptor, it was the most cozy spot imaginable. Upon which I awoke to a gloriously cold, brilliantly sunny day in Trondheim.

This tiny house couch surfing spot was so magical I am writing up the whole story, stay tuned.

The day I spent in Trondheim was no different than any other city dwelling day. I walked around beautiful neighborhoods, drank coffee, peeped in shops, bookstores, and groceries, visited the cathedral, walked along the seaside boulevard, and ate falafel. I walked until I had a blister on one little toe, until my phone died from taking too many pictures in the cold, until it was dark. Then my one day in Trondheim ended sitting by the fire with new friends and a little mug of whiskey.

A few special spots around trondheim

The Wharves

found along the nidelva river, the trondheim wharves are iconic & represent the history of this city. Built in the 18th century when trondheim was an influential trading post in norway & scandinavia. once storage houses, they now house apartments, restaurants and store fronts.

nidaros cathedral & grounds

the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world, the second largest cathedral in scandinavia, and the most important gothic monument in norway. this massive structure is actually a grave and PILGRIMAGE site honoring st.olav, the patron saint of norway.

A cathedral is always a good place to start when exploring a city, as they often draw you into the downtown area. unfortunately, it was closed during my visit but the grounds offered a lovely place to stroll.

The Boardwalk & Swimming steps

These epic steps lead right into the freezing cold Norwegian sea. the water is way too cold, but on a summer’s day this is where I would be hangin’ out. Probably still very cold, but epic.

the Skansen marina

i stumbled upon the marina & really enjoy poking around all the beautiful boats. I walked up and down each dock enjoying the water, distant mountains and fantasizing about sailing the norwegian fjords.

coffee spot - café soil

A very sweet cafe nestled in the beautiful neighborhood of Bakklandet.

The window seats are ideal for people watching or reading through some of the magazines they have scattered around. Most important of all, the coffee & carrot cake were delicious.

lunch spot - falafel Kompaniet

RECOMMENDED by many people on Happy Cow (an amazing resource for finding vegan spots & health food stores around the world) I headed here for a late lunch.

The vibe is cozy & casual, with an open kitchen it almost feels like you are eating at someone’s house. the space is filled with green plants & afternoon sunlight poured through the big front windows. The food was really good, though compared to my favorite falafel spot back in Frankfurt, GERMANY it didn’t quite compare.

That said, it was hearty, warm and healthy. I had a wrap with falafel & a spicy sauce (so far in europe it is never really spicy, but it was tasty!) the have a selection and warps and bowls, & It is ever so slightly less expensive to get take out.

Neighborhoods to wander

Trondheim has some really beautiful neighborhoods, perfect for my favorite solo-traveling past time, aimless wandering. Several old school neighborhoods with colorful timber houses, cobble stone streets, dotted with sweet gardens, cafes & a friendly cat or two looking for a pet, if you are lucky.

Bakklandet - on the east side of the Nidelva river is particularly special and very close to The Wharves, the old wooden structures lining the river (the image that began this post). The neighborhood expands up a hill farther east, for more wandering and some views over the city.

lademoen - east of downtown, a super funky, alternative area with COOP vibes. this is where i stayed in a tiny house, and it is filled with cool ARCHITECTURE. DEFICIENTLY worth strolling aorund.

hospitalsgata - a street in the downtown area linned with more charming, wooden homes.

Ila - west of downtown, this little NEIGHBORHOOD has some really sweet streets. It is also close to the marina & boardwalk, both of which are good spots for wandering.

-lil