Karl Johans gate
Karl Johans gate
4
About
Oslo's bustling main street is filled with shops and cafes.
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Top ways to experience Karl Johans gate
The area
Neighbourhood: Sentrum
How to get there
  • Stortinget • 2 min walk
  • Nationaltheatret • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Hadrian M
    Kettering, United Kingdom305 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth doing once
    We had a one night stopover at Oslo Airport and decided to take the train into Oslo. The walk along Karl Johansen Street from Central Station to the palace was lovely in the June sunshine. It was busy but felt safe. Nice parks on either side and a water fountain but not a lot else other than shop’s & restaurants. Worth doing once, it was only a 30 minute slow walk each way.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 June 2023
  • BalkrishnaShroff
    Mumbai, India20,926 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Full of Life !!
    Karl Johans is to Oslo what Times Square is to New York and Oxford Sreet is to London. This beautiful pedestrian only street goes up to Royal Palace on one side. It is full of shops and restaurants on both sides beside Parliament Building and one small park. It's a great place to sit in a cafe over a drink and watch the world go by. Just don't miss it...
    Visited June 2023
    Written 8 August 2023
  • Traveler O
    Washington DC, District of Columbia1,068 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Walking street area
    Walking street area with lots of shops and restaurants. Be aware of the uneven pavement and cobblestones in places as it makes for a more difficult time with suitcases or strollers. Otherwise, fine for walking. Keep a close hold on your belongings when there's a crowd though as pickpockets do work the crowd during the busy season.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 August 2023
  • Coryy20
    Port of Spain, Trinidad4,837 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is the main street that leads to the Palace
    I love this street. When I visited there was a theme park or something similar happening here. There a a big ferris wheel and lots of excitement and games. The area is lined with lots no flowers growing in caldrons and is really clean to. If you are looking for the hop on hop off bus it is also on the street opposite the statue of the bike. The street has lots of restaurants, stores, and shops. It is a very lively and beautiful street.
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 26 August 2023
  • Eddie T
    Calgary, Canada109 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oslo's (more enjoyable) version of Drottninggatan
    The best known shopping street in Oslo. I found it to be a toned-down version of Drottninggatan in Stockholm, which in my opinion makes Karl Johans gate more enjoyable than its Stockholm counterpart since it offers a cleaner, less rushed-feeling, less stressful, more "local" experience. We felt more compelled to visit smaller coffee shops and stores along Karl Johans than we did at Drottninggatan. The fact that one end of the street leads right to the Royal Palace and the other end gets you to the train station makes it very useful for the purpose of orientation around the core areas of Oslo.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,758 reviews
Excellent
605
Very good
775
Average
314
Poor
51
Terrible
13

RiSha
London, UK495 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Friends
A busy street and part of the city, with lots of great shops available - a must-visit if you're looking to shop when visiting Oslo!
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eddie T
Calgary, Canada109 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
The best known shopping street in Oslo. I found it to be a toned-down version of Drottninggatan in Stockholm, which in my opinion makes Karl Johans gate more enjoyable than its Stockholm counterpart since it offers a cleaner, less rushed-feeling, less stressful, more "local" experience. We felt more compelled to visit smaller coffee shops and stores along Karl Johans than we did at Drottninggatan.

The fact that one end of the street leads right to the Royal Palace and the other end gets you to the train station makes it very useful for the purpose of orientation around the core areas of Oslo.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MNowosad
San Jose, CA179 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Friends
Karl Johans gate is the main commercial and dining artery of Oslo, with many stores and restaurants for the visitors to check. It also allows for a leisure walk from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace, passing by many beautiful buildings, like the Stortinget (the Norwegian Parliament), National Theatre and University of Oslo.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luciana
Indaiatuba, SP371 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Family
It is a pedestrian street, which is very nice. There are souvenirs stores and some brands stores. Not expensive shops to go.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad4,837 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Solo
I love this street. When I visited there was a theme park or something similar happening here. There a a big ferris wheel and lots of excitement and games. The area is lined with lots no flowers growing in caldrons and is really clean to. If you are looking for the hop on hop off bus it is also on the street opposite the statue of the bike.
The street has lots of restaurants, stores, and shops. It is a very lively and beautiful street.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Traveler O
Washington DC, DC1,068 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
Walking street area with lots of shops and restaurants. Be aware of the uneven pavement and cobblestones in places as it makes for a more difficult time with suitcases or strollers. Otherwise, fine for walking. Keep a close hold on your belongings when there's a crowd though as pickpockets do work the crowd during the busy season.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BalkrishnaShroff
Mumbai, India20,926 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
Karl Johans is to Oslo what Times Square is to New York and Oxford Sreet is to London. This beautiful pedestrian only street goes up to Royal Palace on one side. It is full of shops and restaurants on both sides beside Parliament Building and one small park. It's a great place to sit in a cafe over a drink and watch the world go by.
Just don't miss it...
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TeWe
Helsinki, Finland1,107 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
The main street of Oslo ending at the Royal Castle in one end. Nothing spectacular but a nice park and some pretty buildings.
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Xamot Tomax
Fort Wayne, IN6,058 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
This is such a great area to stroll through. It’s the main shopping district. However, in the winter, the snow and added lights makes the scenery picturesque. Our main reason for visiting the area was to see the Christmas Market. So many lovely shops showcasing various objects and trinkets. We took advantage of a few food stands. So many delicious options to choose from.
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Atlas5B
Palm Harbor, FL4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Every employee we encountered provided great customer service. And additional kudos to Diego in housekeeping , he went above and beyond. Breakfast was delicious. Fitness room was clean and new.
Written 21 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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KARL JOHANS GATE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Karl Johans gate

According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Karl Johans gate: