Best Co-Working Spaces in Trondheim for Remote Workers and Freelancers
Words by
Ingrid Johansen
The best co-working spaces in Trondheim are not just about fast Wi-Fi and ergonomic chairs. They are about finding a place where the coffee is strong, the people are interesting, and the light (even in November) somehow still finds a way through the windows. I have spent the better part of three years bouncing between shared offices Trondheim has to offer, and what follows is the guide I wish someone had handed me when I first arrived with a laptop and a vague plan to "work from somewhere cool."
1. DIGS at Solsiden
Address: Havnegata 9, 7010 Trondheim (Solsiden neighborhood)
DIGS Solsiden sits right along the Nidelva river, in a converted warehouse that still smells faintly of old timber if you catch it on a humid morning. This is one of the most established shared offices Trondheim professionals rely on, and the hot desk Trondheim freelancers book here fills up fast on Mondays and Tuesdays. The space has private offices, dedicated desks, and open hot desks, so you can scale up or down depending on your project load. I have met startup founders, UX designers, and a documentary filmmaker who edited an entire feature film from a corner desk on the second floor.
What to Book: A hot desk on the second floor near the river-facing windows. The natural light there is unmatched, and you can watch the ferries cross to Munkholmen while you work.
Best Time: Arrive before 9:00 AM on weekdays. The best desks go quickly, and the morning quiet before the lunch crowd arrives is when I get the most done.
The Vibe: Professional but not stiff. People actually talk to each other here, which is rare for co-working. The minor drawback is that the ground-floor meeting rooms can get booked solid by corporate teams, so if you need a private call space, reserve it the day before.
Local Tip: Walk two minutes down to the Solsiden shopping area for lunch. The food court there has a Thai place that most co-workers do not know about, tucked behind the main corridor. It is cheaper and better than anything on the ground floor of DIGS itself.
Trondheim Connection: Solsiden was once the industrial port district, and DIGS occupies a building that reflects Trondheim's shift from timber and shipping to tech and creative industries. You are literally working inside the city's economic reinvention.
2. IKEA Business Meeting at IKEA Leangen
Address: Strandveien 159, 7053 Ranheim (Leangen, near IKEA Trondheim)
This one surprises people. IKEA Business Meeting is a co-working and meeting space operated by IKEA, located inside the IKEA store in Leangen, about a 10-minute drive from the city center. It offers hot desk Trondheim remote workers can use on a drop-in basis, along with bookable meeting rooms and a surprisingly well-equipped kitchen. The coworking membership Trondheim freelancers can purchase here is one of the most affordable in the city, and the space is clean, modern, and genuinely functional. I have used it when I needed a quiet place to record a podcast episode, and the soundproofed meeting pods worked perfectly.
What to Use: The bookable meeting pods for phone calls or video meetings. They are free for members and have excellent acoustic insulation.
Best Time: Weekday afternoons between 1:00 and 4:00 PM. The store is quieter then, and you will not compete with families shopping for KALLAX shelves.
The Vibe: Corporate Scandinavian minimalism. Everything is white, functional, and slightly surreal when you realize you are working inside a furniture store. The downside is that the location is not walkable from central Trondheim. You need a car or a bus.
Local Tip: The IKEA restaurant offers a weekday lunch deal for around 69 NOK that includes a main, salad, and drink. It is the cheapest proper meal you will find near any co-working space in the city.
Trondheim Connection: Leangen is one of Trondheim's major commercial zones, and the IKEA location anchors a cluster of big-box retail that has reshaped how residents in the eastern suburbs live and shop. Working here gives you a side of Trondheim that tourists never see.
3. Work Work Work at Fjordgata
Address: Fjordgata 26, 7010 Trondheim (Lademoen area, near the city center)
Work Work Work is a smaller, more intimate co-working space that caters to freelancers, consultants, and small teams. It is one of the shared offices Trondheim locals recommend when they want something quieter than the bigger hubs. The hot desk Trondheim visitors can rent here comes with access to a shared kitchen, printing facilities, and a small lounge area where people actually take real breaks instead of just staring at their phones. I spent a full month here during a writing project and appreciated the lack of pretension. Nobody pitches you a startup idea in the coffee line.
What to Order: The coffee is included in the daily rate, and it is roasted by a local Trondheim roaster. Ask the staff which blend they are using that week. It changes seasonally.
Best Time: Midweek, Tuesday through Thursday. Mondays and Fridays tend to be quieter because many members work from home on those days, which sounds counterintuitive but means you get more space to yourself.
The Vibe: Calm, focused, almost library-like. The trade-off is that the social energy is low. If you are looking for networking events or community mixers, this is not the place.
Local Tip: Fjordgata is a five-minute walk from the Ladestien trail, a beautiful walking and cycling path along the coast. I used to take a 20-minute walk there at lunch to clear my head, and it became the best part of my workday.
Trondheim Connection: Lademoen has historically been a working-class neighborhood, and the presence of spaces like Work Work Work reflects the area's gradual shift toward creative and knowledge-based work. You can still see the old wooden houses standing right next to modern apartment blocks.
4. Trondheim Science Park (NTNU Innovation)
Address: Klæbuveien 194, 7030 Trondheim (Gløshaugen campus area)
The co-working facilities at Trondheim Science Park, closely linked to NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), are designed for researchers, tech startups, and innovation-driven companies. This is not a casual hot desk Trondheim tourists would wander into, but if you are a remote worker in tech, biotech, or engineering, the coworking membership Trondheim offers through this network gives you access to labs, prototyping equipment, and a community of people building actual products. I visited a friend who was developing a marine robotics prototype here, and the energy was unlike any other workspace in the city.
What to See: The innovation showcase in the main lobby, where current resident companies display prototypes and project summaries. It is open to visitors and genuinely interesting.
Best Time: Weekday mornings. The campus is alive then, and the canteen serves a solid breakfast for around 50 NOK.
The Vibe: Academic-meets-startup. People are serious about their work, and the dress code leans toward "smart hoodie." The drawback is that access can be restricted depending on your membership tier, and some areas require an NTNU-affiliated sponsor.
Local Tip: The Gløshaugen campus has a network of indoor walkways connecting buildings, which is a lifesaver in winter. You can get from the co-working space to the canteen to the library without stepping outside.
Trondheim Connection: NTNU is the engine of Trondheim's identity as a technology and research city. The Science Park is where academic ideas become commercial products, and working here even for a day gives you a sense of why Trondheim punches above its weight in Nordic innovation.
5. Krambua
Address: Øvre Bakklandet 12, 7016 Trondheim (Bakklandet neighborhood)
Krambua is technically a cafe, but it functions as one of the most beloved informal shared offices Trondheim has. Located in the heart of Bakklandet, the city's oldest neighborhood of colorful wooden houses, Krambua has long tables, strong coffee, and a steady stream of students, writers, and freelancers who treat it as their office. There is no formal coworking membership Trondheim system here. You buy a coffee, claim a seat, and work. The Wi-Fi is reliable, and the atmosphere is the kind of cozy that makes you forget it is minus eight outside.
What to Order: The filter coffee, which they rotate between Nordic roasters. Pair it with a cinnamon bun from the counter. It is around 85 NOK for both, which is reasonable by Trondheim standards.
Best Time: Late morning, around 10:30 AM. The early rush of parents with strollers has cleared, and the lunch crowd has not yet arrived. On Saturdays, the place is packed by 11:00 AM, so get there early.
The Vibe: Warm, slightly chaotic, deeply local. The downside is that power outlets are limited, and the tables near the window are claimed within minutes of opening. If you need to charge a laptop, scout your seat carefully.
Local Tip: Bakklandet is best explored on foot, and the narrow streets behind Krambua lead to some of the oldest buildings in Trondheim, including structures dating to the 1700s. Take a 10-minute walk up the hill after work and you will feel like you have stepped into a different century.
Trondheim Connection: Bakklandet survived the great fires and wars that destroyed much of central Trondheim. Working here, surrounded by 18th-century timber houses, connects you to the city's resilience in a way that a glass-walled office in Solsiden never could.
6. StartupLab at NTNU
Address: Richard Birkelands vei 2B, 7030 Trondheim (Gløshaugen, near NTNU)
StartupLab is a startup incubator and co-working space affiliated with NTNU, and it is one of the most dynamic shared offices Trondheim offers for early-stage companies and solo founders. The hot desk Trondheim entrepreneurs can access here comes with mentorship programs, pitch events, and a community of people who are actively building businesses. I attended a demo night here where five startups presented to a room of investors, and the quality of the pitches was genuinely impressive for a city of Trondheim's size.
What to Attend: The weekly community lunch, which is open to members and a great way to meet people. The food is basic, but the conversations are not.
Best Time: Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, when most community events and workshops are scheduled. Mondays are quieter and better for focused solo work.
The Vibe: Energetic, optimistic, slightly exhausting if you are an introvert. Everyone is working on something ambitious, and the social pressure to "hustle" can be intense. The minor complaint I have is that the open-plan layout means phone calls from neighboring desks are distracting.
Local Tip: The Gløshaugen area has a student-run cafe called "Sito" that serves coffee for around 25 NOK, which is half the price of most city-center cafes. It is a well-kept secret among NTNU students.
Trondheim Connection: StartupLab embodies Trondheim's ambition to be Norway's technology capital. The city has produced more startups per capita than almost any other Norwegian city, and much of that energy flows through this building.
7. Litteraturhuset (The House of Literature)
Address: Ørjaveita 4, 7010 Trondheim (City center, near the Nidelva river)
Litteraturhuset is not a co-working space in the traditional sense, but it is one of the best places in Trondheim to work quietly among books, good light, and interesting people. The building has reading rooms, a cafe, and event spaces, and it is free to sit and work in the public areas. For remote workers who do not need a formal coworking membership Trondheim setup, this is a perfect alternative. I have written entire articles at the long tables on the upper floor, surrounded by Norwegian literature and the occasional poetry reading drifting up from below.
What to See: The rotating art and literature exhibitions on the ground floor. They change every few months and are always free to view.
Best Time: Weekday mornings, before 11:00 AM. The space is quietest then, and the cafe has fresh pastries. Avoid Thursday evenings, which are often booked for author talks and events that fill the building.
The Vibe: Serene, intellectual, slightly hushed. You will not want to take a loud phone call here, which is either a pro or a con depending on your work style. The lack of dedicated power outlets on the upper floor is a real limitation for longer work sessions.
Local Tip: Litteraturhuset is a two-minute walk from the Nidelva river and the old town bridge (Gamle Bybro). The view from the bridge at sunset is one of the best in Trondheim, and it makes for a perfect end-of-workday ritual.
Trondheim Connection: Litteraturhuset represents Trondheim's commitment to culture and public space. In a city that could easily define itself only through technology and engineering, this building insists that literature and the arts matter just as much.
8. Coffeestain at Olav Tryggvasons gate
Address: Olav Tryggvasons gate 31, 7011 Trondheim (City center)
Coffeestain is a specialty coffee shop that has become an unofficial hot desk Trondheim freelancers gravitate toward. Located on one of the main pedestrian streets in the city center, it has excellent coffee, a few long tables, and a laid-back atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in for a few hours. There is no formal coworking membership Trondheim system, and the Wi-Fi password is written on a chalkboard near the counter. I have spent many afternoons here editing photos and answering emails, and the baristas never once made me feel rushed.
What to Order: A flat white made with their house espresso. It is around 52 NOK and consistently one of the best in the city. The avocado toast is also solid if you need a light lunch.
Best Time: Weekday afternoons between 1:00 and 4:00 PM. Mornings are busy with the coffee-to-go crowd, and evenings see a mix of students and after-work socializers that makes it harder to focus.
The Vibe: Casual, urban, unpretentious. The downside is that seating is limited, and on rainy days every table is taken by 10:00 AM. There is also no dedicated quiet zone, so expect background music and conversation.
Local Tip: Olav Tryggvasons gate is Trondheim's main shopping street, but if you walk two blocks north toward the cathedral (Nidarosdomen), you will find smaller, quieter streets with independent shops and galleries that most visitors walk right past.
Trondheim Connection: Coffeestain sits in the commercial heart of Trondheim, a street that has been a center of trade and social life since the medieval period. The specialty coffee culture that shops like this represent is a relatively new layer on top of centuries of commerce.
When to Go and What to Know
Trondheim's co-working scene is most active from September through May, which aligns with the academic year and the traditional work calendar. Summer (June through August) is quieter, and some spaces reduce their hours or close entirely. If you are planning to use a coworking membership Trondheim providers offer, check their holiday schedules carefully around Easter and Christmas, as Norway essentially shuts down for several days during both periods.
Most shared offices Trondheim operates on require at least a day pass, which typically costs between 200 and 400 NOK. Monthly coworking membership Trondheim options range from around 2,500 to 5,000 NOK depending on whether you want a hot desk or a dedicated desk. The hot desk Trondheim freelancers use at larger spaces like DIGS or Work Work Work usually includes Wi-Fi, printing, and kitchen access.
Public transport in Trondheim is reliable. The bus system covers the entire city, and a single ride costs around 40 NOK (or less with the AtB app). If you are staying near the city center, most of the places listed above are within walking or cycling distance. Winter cycling is more common than you might expect. Trondheim residents bike year-round, and the city maintains cleared cycling paths even in heavy snow.
One practical note: Norwegians value personal space and quiet in shared work environments. Phone calls in open co-working areas are frowned upon. Use meeting rooms or step outside. This is not just politeness. It is an unwritten rule that, if broken, will earn you a room full of silent judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable neighborhood in Trondheim for digital nomads and remote workers?
The city center (Midtbyen) and Solsiden are the most reliable neighborhoods, with the highest concentration of co-working spaces, cafes with Wi-Fi, and good public transport connections. Bakklanden and Lademoen are also strong options, offering a more local atmosphere with several smaller work-friendly cafes and at least one dedicated co-working space. Gløshaugen is ideal for those affiliated with NTNU or working in tech and research.
Is Trondheim expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier daily budget in Trondheim runs approximately 1,200 to 1,800 NOK (roughly 110 to 165 USD). This includes a hostel or budget hotel (600 to 900 NOK), meals at casual restaurants or cafes (300 to 500 NOK for two meals and coffee), local transport (80 to 120 NOK), and a co-working day pass (200 to 400 NOK). Groceries from Rema 1000 or Kiwi can cut food costs significantly if you have kitchen access.
How easy is it to find cafes with ample charging sockets and reliable power backups in Trondheim?
Most specialty coffee shops and larger cafes in central Trondheim offer Wi-Fi and at least a few charging sockets, though availability varies significantly by location and time of day. Dedicated co-working spaces are far more reliable for consistent power and connectivity, with most offering individual power strips at each desk and backup internet connections. Cafes in Bakklandet and the city center tend to have fewer outlets per square meter compared to purpose-built workspaces.
Are there good 24/7 or late-night co-working spaces available in Trondheim?
Trondheim does not have many true 24/7 co-working spaces. Most shared offices close by 6:00 or 7:00 PM on weekdays and have limited or no weekend hours. Some spaces affiliated with NTNU offer extended access to members with key cards, but this is generally restricted to registered tenants. For late-night work, cafes like those in the Rema 1000 or some hotel lobbies are more practical options, though they are not designed for productivity.
What are the average internet download and upload speeds in Trondheim's central cafes and workspaces?
Dedicated co-working spaces in Trondheim typically offer download speeds of 100 to 500 Mbps and upload speeds of 50 to 200 Mbps, depending on the provider and plan. Cafes in the city center generally provide download speeds of 30 to 100 Mbps, which is sufficient for video calls and standard remote work but can slow during peak hours. Norway's national broadband infrastructure is among the best in Europe, so connectivity issues are rare in central locations.
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