8 Things To Do In Drammen, Norway

07.08.2023 - 11:53 / forbes.com

Drammen is the seventh most populous municipality in Norway but most international tourists only know the city’s name because it’s the terminus of the Oslo Airport express train.

Once derided as little more than an industrial eyesore, Drammen has come a long way in recent years. While still off the tourist trail, more than 100,000 people live in Drammen and there is plenty to do should you find yourself looking for a family-friendly day trip from Oslo.

There’s a lot more to Drammen museum than first meets the eye. While the fine art and religious history exhibits inside the former manor house hold some interest, it’s the grounds of the museum where the real gems lie.

This area of Marienlyst was once home to many more manor houses and the well-kept grounds of the museum give an impression of what the area was once like. This feeling is enhanced by the handful of historic rural buildings forming an open-air museum, some of which are open to explore during the summer.

Behind the adjacent building housing the museum cafe, a small Japanese garden provides the perfect spot to rest and reflect.

The Drammensfjord links the town with the Oslofjord and the city has grown up on both sides of the waterway. As such, several bridges link the two parts of the city while waterfront walks on both sides provide recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

The waterfront walks and bridges are also ideal for surveying the changing face of Drammen, where modern development sits alongside historic architecture. Ypsilon bridge, which links Drammen Park with the regenerated Brygge district, is the most eye-catching of the bridges.

Located in historic waterfront factory buildings, Aass claims to be Norway’s oldest brewery that is still active. The brewery does offer tours and tastings but these have to be booked in advance, so your best bet is simply to discover Aass in one of Drammen’s watering holes.

A real centerpiece of Drammen, the 210-foot-tall Bragernes church stands at the top of a long public area leading down to the fjord.

The brick-built Gothic church consecrated in 1871 replaced the former Bragernes church, which burned down five years earlier.

The church is only open for a few hours each day in the summer season, but it’s worth timing your visit for a look inside if you can. The altarpiece painting ‘Resurrection’ by Adolph Tidemand has since been copied in many Norwegian churches.

Drammen is home to one of Scandinavia’s largest swimming halls. Drammensbadet offers its guests nine pools, four of them outdoor. Water slides, a wave pool and even a weekend obstacle course means there’s plenty to keep kids busy.

The center is open daily and costs about $20 for an adult to enter, or $28 if you also want to