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Municipality in Buskerud, Norway
Photo: Knut Arne Gjertsen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Drammen is a city in Viken, previously 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.
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The city's beautiful main church.
Town museum, with different exhibitions, an open-air museum at Spiralen and the Austad estate from 1808 overlooking the city.
Drammen Theatre
Theater built in new renaissance style.
A vehicle tunnel in the hills, built like a corkscrew. It provides easy access to the hills above Drammen, for those coming by a vehicle. From the top it is a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings. At the top of the spiral is also an excellent starting point for hiking, and cross-country skiing, in the winter. Entry inside the tunnel is permitted to vehicles only; attempting to walk in the tunnel will result in a stop by the police. Those on foot should hike towards the end of the tunnel. A local bus makes trips through the tunnel. A nice photo can be taken of the Spiralen sign at the entrance on the bottom.
Cable-stayed pedestrian bridge over Drammenselva, connecting Bragernes and Strømsø. Its name is from its special Y-shaped form.
Drammen's cultural hotspot, situated in the old paper-factory Union's production halls.
Bowling hall.
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.
18-hole golfcourse, par 71.
City Cinema
Galleri Athene is one of 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 well known, established and the unknown but talented and ambitious. Welcome to an art experience in the heart of Drammen.
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.
Good steaks.
French and Italian snack.
Pizza and pasta.
American restaurant with bar, serving pizza, burgers, lasagne, salads, etc.
Nice location by the riverdocks.
Also along the river, this restaurant offers a more contemporary menu.
Enjoy the view, over the city.
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.
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.
One of Drammen's oldest pubs dating from 2l1970, and is a classical waterhole still going strong.
Sports pub, mainly showing soccer matches.
Wide selection of beer.
Comfort Hotel Union Brygge is a stylish rock-themed hotel in Drammen’s regenerated and reinvigorated riverside district, Union Brygge
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
A mall with 65 shops, including a pharmacy, book store and optician
By rail
Most long-distance trains from Oslo travelling in the western and southern directions pass through Drammen.
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.
By foot
The city centre is compact and easy to get around by foot. The river separates the two halves of the city.
By taxi
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Sandefjord(Torp) · International · TRF
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