My latest Scandinavian adventure brought me to the Norwegian region of Trøndelag to experience the charming Christmas markets of Trondheim and Røros. It was a trip packed to the brim with festive cheer and snow-based activities, as well as scenic rail journeys winding through the mountains of Norway’s central interior – a wild, remote and beautifully unspoilt region. In December, the first heavy snowfall of the year tends to arrive, and excitement builds as locals and visitors alike embrace the festive spirit and look forward to the winter season that lies ahead.
Part one: A taste of Trondheim
Exploring Trondheim's colourful wharves and the majestic Nidaros Cathedral
We began our trip with a stay at the iconic Britannia Hotel in Trondheim, which was established in 1870. Despite arriving late in the evening, our spirits were lifted as we arrived at this prestigious five-star hotel and settled into our splendid suites. After a rejuvenating slumber, a wonderful breakfast spread awaited in the grand Palmehaven dining room, featuring a wide selection of pastries, fresh fish and eggs to order. It’s no wonder that the Britannia Hotel has won Norway’s Best Breakfast award five years running, from 2020 to 2025. A guided tour of the hotel followed our breakfast and we were told many interesting facts and stories of famous guests from years gone by.
The Britannia Hotel decked out in Christmas colours
We then enjoyed a fantastic guided tour of the city with a guide from Visit Trondelag. With the advent of Havila Voyages docking in Trondheim on their northbound journeys, the city has welcomed many visitors in the last few years, and many people are now opting to spend a night or two soaking up the city’s understated beauty, relaxed ambience and burgeoning culinary scene.
A boat trip on the Nidelva River
In the afternoon, we took a traditional boat journey up the Nidelva River to admire the multi-coloured wharf buildings of Trondheim’s waterfront, which nowadays serve as hotels, offices, and houses, but were previously used by fishermen and merchants. After our boat journey we enjoyed the Britannia Spa’s immersive sauna, cold plunge and swimming pool. It would be easy to spend a whole afternoon unwinding in the hotel spa but as we had evening plans, this was just a quick hour of wellness to recharge before our next outing.
In the evening, we enjoyed browsing for gifts at the Christmas Market – one of Norway’s finest – and enjoyed some local beers and reindeer burgers in a traditional lavvu (tent) in the main square. This was followed by a captivating performance of the JS Bach Christmas Oratorio in the legendary Nidaros Cathedral from the city’s local choir and orchestra. Completed in 1300, the cathedral is built over the burial site of King Olav II and can seat 1,850 people. It truly is an incredibly impressive structure. After the concert, we enjoyed a traditional festive dinner at a local restaurant, Bifrons, with a warm, convivial atmosphere and many locals also enjoying their Christmas parties.
Part two: Into the mountains of Trøndelag
Exploring the snow-blanketed mountains of Trøndelag
The following day, it was time to bid farewell to Trondheim after an outstanding stay at Britannia Hotel. We took the train into the mountains and alighted at Haltdalen after a scenic two-hour journey passing by picturesque villages and fast-flowing river rapids. Here, we headed high up into the mountains for a one-night stay at the family-run Nordpå Fjellhotell. After meeting the owners and being shown around the cosy hotel rooms, we tucked into a hearty lunch of moose stew with potatoes and lingonberry sauce – a perfect meal before our snowshoeing excursion.
Nordpå Fjellhotell
We took a one-hour snowshoeing guided tour into the mountains to enjoy the beautiful snow-capped vistas and gloriously crisp air before spending the rest of the afternoon taking advantage of the hotel’s sauna and hot tub, accompanied by some refreshing drinks. The main event during our stay was the festive dinner, consisting of a platter of roasted local meats such as pork, reindeer and moose. The food in general at Nordpå was excellent and the inviting lounge area was the perfect place for us to relax and share stories long into the evening.
In the morning, the owner kindly showed us a perfect hill behind the hotel where we could toboggan and sled for an hour after breakfast ahead of our onward train journey to Røros. The hotel specialises in hiking and cross-country skiing but can also arrange special husky sledding excursions, so you can enjoy some of Norway’s traditional snow-based activities while staying at this relatively undiscovered and superb value hotel.
Part three: The UNESCO town of Røros
The colourful streets and town church of Røros
A short train journey took us to Røros – a historic mining town that holds UNESCO status – to experience the last day of their fabulous Christmas Market, which ran from 4th – 7th December 2025. This event brings the very best artisans and farmers from across Norway to bring their produce to Røros, with stalls selling a variety of products from woollen jumpers, hats and mittens to cured reindeer and freshly made waffles.
Dinner at Restaurant 1897 in Bergstadens Hotel
We enjoyed a one-night stay at Røros Hotell, the highlight being their indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. After yet another rejuvenating afternoon of wellness we headed back into Røros for an excellent three-course dinner at Restaurant 1897 in the Bergstadens Hotel, located in the heart of the town. We enjoyed excellent and refined Nordic cuisine and it was our best dinner of the whole trip.
On our last day, we enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of Røros, taking in highlights such as Røros Church (one of the largest churches in Norway) and the Røros Museum, as well as a horse-sleigh ride through the town’s historic centre. We then rounded things off with a final lunch at Skanckebua Bar & Restaurant ahead of our journey home.
Final reflections
Snowy scenes in Røros
Overall, this festive pre-Christmas long weekend was absolutely terrific and I would highly recommend exploring the region at any time of the year, especially including a stay at the luxurious Britannia Hotel in Trondheim. The Britannia provides a perfect base for exploring Trondheim, either for a long weekend or as part of a wider tailor-made trip to Norway. After taking a short two-night Havila Voyage from Bergen to Trondheim, a stay at the Britannia for two nights would be well worth it. Alternatively, you could arrive in Trondheim after a road trip combining Ålesund, Geirangerfjord and the Atlantic Road – another great option if you have more time. As for Røros, it’s a lovely place to soak up the Christmas festivities, and the town’s rich history as a copper mining community makes it a thoroughly interesting place to explore. I’d recommend spending a night, but it’s also possible to visit Røros as a day trip from Trondheim by train.
