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 beeing 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 pleasent 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.
Either Oslo airport Gardemoen (IATA: OSL) or Sandefjord airport Torp (IATA: TRF). 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 NOK 250,- 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 1hr 15mins and cost NOK 182,- one way.
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.
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.
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 in recent years built 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.
Bragernes Torg (Bragernes Square). The town square. This is 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.edit
Drammens Museum, Konnerudgate 7, ☎ +47 32200930 (post@drammens.museum.no), [2]. Tu,W: 11AM-3PM Th: 11AM-8PM Sa,Su: 11AM-5PM. Town museum, with different exhibitions.edit
Drammens Teater (Drammen Theatre), Øvre Storgate 12, ☎ Boxoffice: +47 32213100 (billettbestilling@drammensteater.no). Theater built in new renesance style.edit
Spiralen. Is a tunnel in the hills, built like a corkscrew. It provides easy acess 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.edit
Ypsilon. Cable-stayed pedestrian bridge over Drammenselva, connecting Bragernes and Strømsø. Its name is from its special y-shaped form.edit
Galleri Athene, Gjetergata 8 (by Grev Wedels plass), ☎ 32 89 18 09, [4]. wed- sun 12-18. Galleri Athene is one the largest private galleries in Norway. 5 floors makes 500 squaremeters 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 artexperience in the heart of Drammen. edit
Galleri Athene, Gjetergata 8 (by Grev Wedels plass), [5]. wed - sun 12 - 18. Galleri Athene is one the largest private galleries in Norway. 5 floors makes 500 squaremeters 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 artexperience in the heart of Drammen. edit
Glasshytta (Kari Ulleberg), Grønland 57, ☎ +47 91619270, [6]. M-F 11–17,Sa 11–15.. Glasshytta in Drammen makes art out of glass - drinking glasses, carafes, candle sticks, vases, saucers, plates and so on. Studio and shop on the same premisesedit
Magasinet Drammen, Nedre Storgate 6, ☎ +47 32213990, [7]. M-F 9-20,Sa 9-18. A mall with 65 shops, including a pharmacy, book store and opticianedit
Peppes Pizza, Strømsø Torg 1 (Drammen Train station), ☎ +47 2222 5555, [9]. American restaurant with bar, serving pizza, burgers, lasagne, salads, etc.edit
Skutebrygga, Nedre Strandgate 2, ☎ +47 32833330 (post@skutebrygga.no, fax: +47 32832016). M-Sa: 11AM-10.30PM, Su: 1PM-9PM. Nice location by the riverdocks.edit
Spiralen Cafe og Restaurant, Spiraltoppen 1 (On top of Spiralen), ☎ +47 32898600 (spiralen@online.no). Enjoy the view, over the city.edit
Åspaviljongen, Bragernesåsen, ☎ +47 32833747 (post@aaspaviljongen.no, fax: +47 32831837). Classic restaurant, situated halfway up the hill behind Bragernes Town Square. Very nice hiking paths. Re-opened spring 2011 with new owners. Very nice views of the whole Drammen valley from the outdoor deck.edit
Aroma India, Øvre Torggate 4, ☎ +47 32838250, [10]. Su-Th: 3PM-10PM, Fr-Sa: 3PM-11PM. Indian food with comprehensive menu.edit
The city has a brewery with a somewhat embarrassing name, Aass. 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.
Lauritz Restaurant og Bar, Bragernes Torg 2 A, ☎ +47 32837722 (post@lauritz.no). M,Tu,Th: 1PM-1.30AM, W: 1PM-3AM, F,Sa: 11AM-3.30AM, Su: 11AM-1.30AM. Wide selection of beer.edit
Blåfarveværket [13] 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.
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.
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.[www.arenavestfossen.com]
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.
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