Drammen
Drammen is a city in Buskerud, 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Oslo. Drammen is where the Drammen river runs into the Drammensfjord, an arm of the Oslofjord. The part north of the river is called Bragernes, the part south of the river is called Strømsø. Drammen is promoted as "the river city". Drammen earlier had a reputation for being a grim industrial town. The city was also dubbed the biggest road intersection in Norway, due to the heavy traffic. Today the industry is gone or cleaned, and the traffic passes on highways outside the city. So Drammen today is a nice city, and a pleasant side-trip from Oslo. Or a destination of its own. The city has a long history as a centre for timber-trade and paper production. The paper mills however are closed today.
Get in
By plane
- For more information on facilities at and around Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, see the Oslo Airport, Gardermoen article.
Either Oslo Airport, Gardemoen (OSL IATA) or Sandefjord airport Torp (TRF IATA). They are both approximately one hour driving from Drammen. From Oslo Airport, Gardermoen there are several direct trains. There are 3 airport express trains per hour, these cost 250 kr one way and take exactly one hour. Then there's one InterCity and one regional train per hour, leaving the airport at 08 and 38 respectively, which take about 1 hr 15 min and cost 182 kr one way. There are also bus connections to Drammen from both airports.
By rail
Most long-distance trains from Oslo travelling in the western and southern directions pass through Drammen. The following line passes Drammen: the Oslo-Skien line, the Oslo-Bergen line and the Oslo-Kongsberg-Kristiansand-Stavanger line. Drammen also has frequent local trains from Oslo. The railway station, 1 Drammen Stasjon is located at Strømsø Torg 1, across the river from the central square.
By car
E18 from Oslo, Larvik and Kristiansand. It is a 40-min drive from Oslo, depending on the traffic. E134 connects Drammen with Kongsberg. E134 continues to Notodden and Haugesund. Norwegian National road 23 leads through a sub sea tunnel from Drøbak at the east side of the Oslofjord.
Get around
By bus
Local buses are operated by Nettbuss.
By foot
The city centre is compact and easy to get around by foot. The river separates the two halves of the city. There are two main bridges for pedestrians: the old city bridge, which often carries heavy traffic, and the new Ypsilon bridge which is for pedestrians and cyclists only, and therefore makes a pleasant alternative. The city of Drammen has many walking paths along the river on both sides. These are very popular and pleasant. In addition, there are many walking trails in the hills behind the city, including the Zig-Zag path up to Spiralen, which is accessed just behind the main church.
See
The central square is Bragernes Torg, one of Europe's biggest town squares. It was laid out very wide after the great fire of 1866 to prevent future fires from spreading from one half of the city to the other. It has a small market on most days, and is the focal point for the city's pubs and clubs, with plenty of outdoor drinking in summer.
- 1 Bragenes Church, Cappelens gate 9. The city's beautiful main church.
- 2 Drammens Museum, Konnerudgate 7, ☏ +47 32200930, post@drammens.museum.no. Tu W 11:00-15:00, Th 11:00-20:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00. Town museum, with different exhibitions, an open-air museum at Spiralen and the Austad estate from 1808 overlooking the city.
- 3 Drammens Teater (Drammen Theatre), Øvre Storgate 12, ☏ +47 32213100 (Box Office), billettbestilling@drammensteater.no. Theater built in new renaissance style.
- 4 Spiralen. A tunnel in the hills, built like a corkscrew. It provides easy access to the hills above Drammen. From the top it is a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings. This is also an excellent starting point for hiking, and cross-country skiing, in the winter.
- 5 Ypsilon. Cable-stayed pedestrian bridge over Drammenselva, connecting Bragernes and Strømsø. Its name is from its special Y-shaped form.
Do
- 1 Union Scene, Grønland 60 (a short walk from the Ypsilon bridge on the Strømsø side of the river, close to bus and train stations), ☏ +47 32213100. Drammen's cultural hotspot, situated in the old paper-factory Union's production halls.
- 2 Bowling 1, Austadgata 21, ☏ +47 32260040, fax: +47 32260049, stefan@bowling1.no. Bowling hall.
- Downhill skiing. Drammen has two ski centres. The Haukås centre is on the west side of the river in the city centre offering one relatively steep and short run and a children's/beginners' slope. Drammen Skisenter, also known as Aron, on the east side offers multiple runs and a park. Both centres have flood lights for evening opening hours. Aron also has a cafe and ski shop with rental, and offers high class downhill biking during summer season on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Full bike and gear rental.
- 3 Drammen Skisenter, Kristian Brennersvei 140, ☏ +47 32822360, fax: +47 32825019, firmapost@drammen-skisenter.no. M-F 10:00-21:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00. Daypass: adults: 295 kr, children: 240 kr.
- 4 Haukåsløypa, Kollenveien, Haukåsløypa, ☏ +47 32838282, fax: +47 32825019, lrolsen.olsen@gmail.com. M-F 06:00-21:00, Sa Su: 10:00-16:00.
- 5 Skoger Golfbane (7 km south of the city), ☏ +47 32880303, post@skogergolfbane.no. 18-hole golfcourse, par 71. Greenfee: 350-400 kr.
- 6 KinoCity (City Cinema), Bragernes Torg 2, ☏ +47 820 30 080.
- 7 Galleri Athene, Gjetergata 8 (by Grev Wedels plass), ☏ +47 32 89 18 09. W-Su 12:00-18:00. Galleri Athene is one the largest private galleries in Norway. 5 floors makes 500 m² in Gjetergata 8 at Grev Wedels Plass i Drammen. The gallery exhibits art of different tecniques and artists, both wellknown, established and the unknown but talented and ambitious. Welcome to an art experience in the heart of Drammen.
- 8 [dead link] Mountain biking, Neumanns gate 17, ☏ +47 32260040, hans@giantdrammen.no. M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-15:00. Drammen is known as a very good bike spot, especially for the varied mountain bike trails on both sides of the river. Trails range from flat gravel paths along the water to rocky technical single trails in the 600 m (1900 ft) high hills surrounding the city. Local guides are available on a voluntary basis if contacted in advance though the terrengsykkel.no forum or local bike shops. Get started at the Giant Bike Store, a fully equipped bike shop with mountain bike and road bike rentals. Friendly and enthusiastic staff that will recommend trips to all levels of riders from scenic routes along the water to full-on lift based downhill biking.
Buy
- 1 Glasshytta, Grønland 57, ☏ +47 91619270. M-F 11:00–17:00, Sa 11:00–15:00. Glasshytta in Drammen makes art out of glass - drinking glasses, carafes, candle sticks, vases, saucers, plates and so on. Run by artist Kari Ulleberg since 1982. Studio and shop on the same premises
- 2 Magasinet Drammen, Nedre Storgate 6, ☏ +47 32213990. M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-18:00. A mall with 65 shops, including a pharmacy, book store and optician
Eat
- 1 Bighorne Steakhouse, Nedre Torggate 11, ☏ +47 32831888, fax: +47 32831887, drammen@bighorn.no. M Tu 16:00-22:00, W Th 16:00-22:30, F Sa 16:00-23:00, Su 15:00-22:00. Good steaks.
- 2 Cafe Picasso, Erik Børresens Allé 5A, ☏ +47 32890708. M-Sa 11:00-22:30, Su 14:00-22:00. French and Italian snack.
- Hannas Kjøkken, Gamle Kirkeplass 3 (at Rica Park Hotel). M-Sa 17:00-23:00.
- 3 Jonas B Gundersen, Bragernes Torg 8, ☏ +47 32890580, drammen@jbg.no. M-Th 11:00-00:00, F Sa 11:00-01:00, Su 13:00-00:00. Pizza and pasta.
- 4 Pavarotti Gastropub, Nedre Torggate 9, ☏ +47 32825530, post@pavarottirestaurant.no. M-Sa 15:00-22:30, Su 15:00-22:00.
- 5 Peppes Pizza, Strømsø Torg 1 (next to the railway station), ☏ +47 2222 5555. American restaurant with bar, serving pizza, burgers, lasagne, salads, etc.
- 6 Skutebrygga, Nedre Strandgate 2, ☏ +47 32833330, fax: +47 32832016, post@skutebrygga.no. M-Sa 11:00-22:30, Su 13:00-19:00. Nice location by the riverdocks.
- Glass Grill & Bar, Nedre Strandgate 4, ☏ +47 32 82 00 70. Also along the river, this restaurant offers a more contemporary menu.
- 7 Spiralen Cafe og Restaurant, Spiraltoppen 1 (on top of Spiralen), ☏ +47 32898600, spiralen@online.no. Enjoy the view, over the city.
- 8 [dead link] Åspaviljongen, De Eldres vei 10, ☏ +47 920 21 481, fax: +47 32831837, post@aaspaviljongen.no. Classic restaurant, situated halfway up the hill behind Bragernes Town Square. Very nice hiking paths. Very nice views of the whole Drammen valley from the outdoor deck.
Drink
- 1 Aass Brewery, ☏ +47 32 26 60 00. The city has Norway's oldest brewery with a somewhat embarrassing name when said in English. But if you like beer it's well worth a try. And the name: it is the name of the family who owns the brewery, Aass or Ås is Norwegian for hill. This is the only brewery in Norway which hasn't been sold to a foreign company.
- 2 Dickens Pub, Øvre Torggate 8, ☏ +47 32838015. One of Drammen's oldest pubs dating from 2l1970, and is a classical waterhole still going strong.
- 3 Goggen Sportspub, Bragernes Torg 9, ☏ +47 32899210, drammen@goggensportpub.no. M Tu 15:00-01:00, W-F 15:00-03:30, Sa 13:00-03:30, Su 13:00-01:00. Sports pub, mainly showing soccer matches.
- 4 Kings Arms Pub, Tollbugata 10, ☏ +47 32835993.
- 5 Lauritz Restaurant og Bar, Bragernes Torg 2 A, ☏ +47 32837722, post@lauritz.no. M Tu Th 13:00-01:30, W 13:00-03:00, F Sa 11:00-03:30, Su 11:00-01:30. Wide selection of beer.
Sleep
- 1 Comfort Hotell Union Brygge, Grønland 64, ☏ +47 32217000, co.unionbrygge@choice.no. Comfort Hotel Union Brygge is a stylish rock-themed hotel in Drammen’s regenerated and reinvigorated riverside district, Union Brygge
- 2 [dead link] Clarion Collection Hotel Tollboden, Tollbugata 43, ☏ +47 32805100.
- 3 Scandic Ambassadeur Drammen, Strømsø torg 7, ☏ +47 31012100, fax: +47 31012111, ambassadeur@firsthotels.no.
- 4 Scandic Park Drammen, Gamle Kirkeplass 3, ☏ +47 32263600.
Connect
- 1 [dead link] The Tourist Office (Drammen turistinformasjon), Engene 1, ☏ +47 32 21 64 50.
Go next
- Blåfarveværket in Åmot. An old mining industrial complex, made to museum and art galleries. The old mines are also open to the public. In the period 1770-1857 cobalt blue was manufactured here.
- Drøbak along Norwegian National Road 23 on the other side of the Oslofjord through a sub sea tunnel. Visit this picturesque, small town and the historical Oscarsborg fortress.
- Kjøsterudjuvet
Try gorge jumping at Kjøsterudjuvet The Kjøsterudjuvet is a 10,000-year-old gorge just ten minutes from downtown Drammen. This ravine in the mountain side is 1,300 metres long with a rise of 250 metres. The vertical walls are up to 60 metres high and the ravine is only 4 metres wide at its most narrow part. Contact arrcom.no.
- Visit a farm
Bring the children to one of the many open farms in the region. Here, they can go riding and play in the hay. At Sand Farm in Hurum they have hens, sheep, pigs, ducks, rabbits, turkeys, horses and cats. The farm also has a small café selling delicious cakes and bread.
- Arena Vestfossen
Arena Vestfossen in Øvre Eiker gives room to several contemporary artists. Paintings, photos, installations, furniture, design, performances and other visual art. Studios and galleries with possibilities of direct sales.
- Haugiani Glass/Maria og Magnus Hesslid
At Haugiani Glass in Øvre Eiker you can see the making of glass and buy goods directly from the artists’ own store. They accept all kinds of commissions, also hand engraving. Haugiani Glass lies in Shoddyhuset, where also Galleri Møllabekken is located.
| Routes through Drammen |
| Kristiansand ← Horten ← | W  E |
→ Oslo → Karlstad |
| Haugesund ← Notodden ← | W  E |
→ End |