Summer in Trøndelag: Tips and Inspiration for Summer 2026

Nidaros Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace

Nidaros Cathedral is the world’s northernmost pilgrimage destination, something you will actually feel when standing there. The cathedral was raised over the presumed grave of Saint Olav, and since the Middle Ages people have walked towards Trondheim to reach this spot, which became one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage sites.

The building is the result of several centuries of work, fires, and rebuilding – and that is exactly why it carries layer upon layer of history. Look closely at the Gothic details, the sculptures, and the rose window: each one tells a story about faith, power, and a kingdom in the making.

Right next to it lies the Archbishop’s Palace, which today offers one of the most tangible encounters with Norway’s medieval history. The crown regalia, including the king’s crown, are kept here as part of Norway’s royal history.

Together they form a place that needs no grand words to explain why it matters. Being there is enough.

Stiklestad National Culture Center

Stiklestad National Culture Center may be one of the most decisive historic sites in Norway. After the Battle of Stiklestad, where Saint Olav fell, Norway’s future changed for good.

Almost 1,000 years later (Norway’s national millennium is in 2030!), Stiklestad remains an important part of cultural and historical Norway. It’s a living cultural arena where history is told through performances, exhibitions, and experiences you actually take part in.

Every summer, The Saint Olav Drama (Spelet om Heilag Olav) is performed, and the whole area is transformed into a stage where thousands of visitors come to watch the story unfold in the landscape where it actually happened.

Olavsfest

Every summer, Olavsfest in Trondheim becomes one of the most distinctive cultural events in the Nordics, where live music, Nordic history, art, food, and much more gather around the Nidaros Cathedral.

Rooted in the historic Olsok celebration honoring Saint Olav, the festival draws visitors from all over Norway and Europe with concerts inside Nidaros Cathedral, outdoor performances, pilgrimage events, family activities, and internationally known artists.

This year, Olavsfest takes place from July 28th to August 3rd. Will you join the celebration?

Saemien Sijte

Winner of “Museum of the Year 2026”, Saemien Sijte is the national museum for South Sámi history and culture, and an important place for understanding Sámi culture in Trøndelag.

The museum is located in Snåsa and presents history as something living, carried on through families, traditions and everyday life, rather than something distant and finished. With a focus on language, reindeer herding, and the deep connection between people, landscape and nature, Saemien Sijte offers a rare opportunity to experience a part of Trøndelag where Sámi identity is both preserved and actively lived today.

Musk ox safari in Oppdal

In Oppdal, the landscape opens into broad valleys and mountains, and somewhere out there the musk ox roams free. A musk ox safari here gives you a rare chance to see one of Europe’s most unique animals in its natural habitat, often fairly close up

It’s impressive to meet them up in the mountains: large, slow-moving, and with a calm presence. Make no mistake, though – they’re also highly territorial. That’s why every safari is led by experienced guides who know both the terrain and the animals, and who always make sure that you keep a safe, respectful distance.

Usually, patience is key on this type of experience. You move quietly through the landscape, scanning for movement, until a dark silhouette slowly takes shape. And suddenly you realize how close you really are: close enough to see the details, far enough away to know this is still their territory.

That balance is what makes Oppdal such a special place to see the musk ox: a chance to get close to something wild without disturbing the animals’ natural life in the mountains.

Park Nordica in Namdalen

In Namdalen, Park Nordica offers a different kind of wildlife experience: closer, quieter, and more intimate than what you find in the open mountain areas.

Here, animals are not something you merely watch from a distance. You walk through a forest landscape where the enclosures blend into the surroundings, and the focus is on calm, respectful encounters. It feels less like a traditional zoo and more like stepping into a living forest, where you can watch wildlife on its own terms.

At Park Nordica, you can expect to meet a wide range of northern forest animals, including large predators like bears, wolves and lynx, along with moose and other species typical of the region’s ecosystems. The surroundings make it possible to experience the animals up close, but still in a natural way, often just beyond the edge of the forest or moving quietly through the terrain.

Sea eagle safari on Frøya

Sail where the sea eagles soar. On Frøya, you can.

At the far edge of the Trøndelag coast lies Frøya, offering a special chance to see the sea eagle in its natural element. You head out by boat through the island realm, moving slowly between small islands. This is the kingdom of the sea eagle, often called “the king of the coast”.

The guides know the area well and sometimes use fish to draw the eagles closer. This gives you a rare chance to see the sea eagle up close – close enough to see its details, but always at a respectful distance so the animals can remain undisturbed in their own territory.

Untamed coastal nature and encounters with one of Europe’s most majestic birds of prey on a single trip. That’s exactly what the Trøndelag coast delivers.

MiST: The Museums of South Trøndelag

If the name MiST doesn’t ring a bell, its museums most certainly will. The Museums of South Trøndelag (MiST) is one of the region’s largest cultural institutions, made up of 12 museums spread across 31 visitor sites in Trøndelag.

Among the MiST museums you will find Ringve Music Museum and Rockheim, both nominated for Museum of the Year 2026, along with Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum – one of Norway’s best-known open-air museums. Farther south is Rørosmuseet, which includes Smelthytta, Olavsgruva and Sleggveien – some of Røros’ main attractions.

Whether you’re into art, history, or culture, MiST gives you access to some of the most important cultural stories in Trøndelag, gathered across the region.

Kulturkvartalet in Trondheim

Kulturkvartalet, “The Culture Quarter” in Trondheim, made up of PoMo, Britannia Hotel, and Nye Hjorten Teater, is an award-winning cultural hub. From the architecture to the experiences (theatre performances, a Michelin restaurant, and art collections that include both Picasso and Munch), the Culture Quarter is still fairly new, yet already a must when you visit Trondheim.

PoMo, a museum of modern and contemporary art, has already presented major names since it opened, including Pablo Picasso and Edvard Munch. Right next door, Nye Hjorten Teater offers another form of art through theatre experiences in Norwegian.

To complete this artistic quarter is the Britannia Hotel. A five-star hotel with several restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Speilsalen, makes it one of the most unique accommodation experiences in Trondheim.

Set jetting in Trøndelag

A completely different form of art and creativity can be found through films and TV series.

Trøndelag has often served as a filming location, and in recent years the region has appeared in cinemas and streaming services around the world. Follow the trolls’ footsteps in Trondheim, explore the spots in Røros where Home for Christmas (Hjem til jul) was filmed, or visit Billionaire Island (Milliardærøya) on Frøya.

Set jetting, traveling to places you’ve seen on film or TV, is a trend taking the travel world by storm. In Trøndelag, you get to experience Norway through the camera lens and visit well-known filming locations.

Den Gyldne Omvei (The Golden Road)

The Golden Road is a well-known food and culture destination in Inderøy, where local producers, farm shops, cafés, and galleries are connected across a beautiful peninsula in Trøndelag.

Here, small-scale food production and real encounters with the people behind it goes hand-in-hand – from local cheeses and baked goods to local dining and arts and crafts. Surrounded by farmland, fjords, and quiet country roads, you get a concentrated taste of Trøndelag, all within short distances.

A taste of Michelin in Trøndelag

Trøndelag hosted Bocuse d’Or in 2024 and is known as Norway’s food region – with good reason.

Across the region, restaurants draw on local ingredients from fjords, forests, and farmland, which means the taste of Trøndelag is never far away. From small local eateries to exclusive dining experiences, you will notice the focus on quality ingredients and strong food traditions.

Trøndelag is also home to two Michelin restaurants: Speilsalen in Britannia Hotel and Fagn. Together, they showcase the quality of Trøndelag’s ingredients as well as the creativity and craftsmanship of the region’s chefs and restaurants.

If you appreciate fine dining, creative gastronomy and some of the best food experiences Trøndelag has to offer, both Speilsalen and Fagn deserve a spot on your bucket list.

Trøndersk Matfestival

Organized by Oi! Trøndersk Mat og Drikke, Trøndersk Matfestival is one of Norway’s largest food festivals, held every year in Trondheim. With a focus on local ingredients, sustainable food culture, and Trøndelag’s identity as Norway’s leading food region, the festival is perfect for anyone who wants to explore food traditions from both Trøndelag and the rest of the world.

The festival brings together around 200 exhibitors from across Central Norway, including farmers, breweries, small-scale producers, bakeries, restaurants and much more, and attracts more than 200,000 visitors every single year.

During the festival, the Trondheim city centre is transformed into a vibrant food market with tastings, cooking demonstrations, street food, children’s activities and competitions such as “Product of the Year”.

The festival is also closely connected to Bryggerifestivalen (the Brewery Festival). Who can say no to great food paired with great drink experiences?

Sheep-shit bingo in Bessaker, Fosen

Yes, you read that right. In the small coastal village of Bessaker on the Fosen peninsula, you’ll find one of the most unusual and most talked-about experiences along the Trøndelag coast: the sheep-shit bingo.

It’s local, a little chaotic and rooted in the kind of humor you only really find in small coastal communities along the Trøndelag coast.

Bessaker may look small on the map, but it’s far from undiscovered. Throughout the year, thousands of guests pass through on the Hurtigruten coastal ferry and leave with an experience that stays with them for years.

Alpacawalks in Heim

The alpacas at Opplev Auna all have their own personalities, something you’ll notice when you take them on a walk through the countryside around Heim. Alpacas can be both curious and eager to greet new people, which makes this a great activity for anyone who loves animals and wants to try something a little different.

You get to meet the alpacas up close, learn more about their behavior and their small quirks, and perhaps best of all: you get to pet them and take photos together. The calm atmosphere and small groups keep the experience personal and relaxed, which suits anyone who comes to Trøndelag for silence and tranquility.

In addition to alpaca walks, Opplev Auna also lets you spend the night in one of Trøndelag’s most unusual places: a glass igloo surrounded by nature.

The Thams Pavilion in Orkanger

The Thams Pavilion in Orkanger is a great stop for visitors interested in Norwegian architecture and local history. Inspired by Norway’s traditional stave churches, the building stands out with detailed wood carvings, dragon heads, steep roofs, and a distinctive design, a style that has grown increasingly rare today.

What makes the Thams Pavilion especially remarkable is the story behind it. The pavilion was originally built for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, where it represented Norway and Norwegian craftsmanship to an international audience. After more than 100 years in the United States, the building was shipped back to Orkanger and carefully rebuilt close to the place where it was first made.

Today, you can step inside the pavilion and see the craftsmanship up close, from the timber construction to the decorative details inspired by Norway’s medieval churches. The Thams Pavilion sits centrally in Orkanger and is easy to reach by car or public transit, which makes it a fine stop for anyone who wants to take in both culture and history in Trøndelag.

Rypetoppen in Meråker, the Værnes Region

Rypetoppen Adventure Park in Meråker is one of Trøndelag’s most exciting destinations for anyone who likes active time outdoors. Surrounded by forest, mountains, and water, the park combines climbing, ziplines, and outdoor life with the calm scenery Teveldalen is known for.

Rypetoppen is especially known for its dramatic climbing courses that run through the treetops and along cliff faces, which makes the park unlike anything else in Norway. There are courses at different difficulty levels, whether you’re traveling with family, with friends, or just want to push yourself a bit harder. Several of the ziplines run high above the landscape, with views over the forest, the lakes, and the well-known Brudesløret waterfall (“the Bridal Veil”)

For those who want to stay longer, Rypetoppen also offers several special accommodation options close to nature, including glass domes, lavvus, and small cabins. That makes the area just as good for a relaxing weekend outdoors as for active days of climbing, paddling, and hiking.