For a glimpse of Norway’s colourful side

Trondheim is a vibrant city that, while being the third biggest in Norway, feels considerably more personal than its size would suggest. The Nidelva river runs through the city, through the Nidaros Cathedral and past Bakklandet, a historical neighborhood located on its banks north of the Old Town Bridge.

An excise house, which is now a kindergarten, was located at one end of the bridge leading to Bakklandet's centre in Trondheim. The bridge and gates appear exactly the same now as they did in 1861, and photographers and artists from all over the world can attest to how gorgeous the setting is. Wander through the streets of Bakklandet, the newly trendy old town on the east side of the bridge, just off the river. Lots of restaurants and plenty of places to sit and contemplate life.

It's not grey up north. Make your way to Gamle Bybro, the Old Town Bridge, to explore Trondheim's most colorful neighborhood. From this massive red bridge, you can see storehouses ranging in color from mustard to navy blue, producing a rainbow of reflections in the Nidelven River. If enjoying the panorama from sunny Bybro improves your spirits, it's no wonder that the bridge is regarded as the 'Gate of Happiness'. After a disastrous fire in 1681, the bridge symbolized a new beginning for Trondheim. Bakklandet, one of Trondheim's most scenic streets, begins on the east side of the bridge. This cobblestone street is lined with pastel-colored shop fronts and cafés painted in bright red and pink.