Karl Johans Gate

Karl Johans Gate

Karl Johans Gate
4
About
Oslo's bustling main street is filled with shops and cafes.
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The area

Neighborhood: Sentrum
How to get there
  • Stortinget • 1 min walk
  • Nationaltheatret • 7 min walk
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See what travelers are saying

  • Vanessa
    Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom4,491 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Vibrant shopping area with bars and restaurants.
    One of the best shopping streets in Oslo. Our hotel was on the next street, so we walked down here several times during our stay. We visited a couple of deli bars to get snacks and sandwiches. Always service with a smile and definitely has a lovely busy vibe. Worth taking a wander up there when visiting.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 16, 2024
  • Honey9992013
    Leeds, United Kingdom86 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent location
    Excellent location within walking distance of shops, the pier where you can get a fjord boat trip, floating sauna and museums. We were in the budget section and got a large, clean room which was more than adequate for our 4 night stay. Excellent breakfast - one of the best I have seen where you can try both traditional and Norwegian fare. Loved Oslo in February with lots of snow on the ground. Would definitely stay again.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 29, 2024
  • Salvatore
    Naples, Italy133 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyable and clean.
    The apartment I rent was at the end of this street so during my stay I passed through this street innumerable times. The street as you can imagine it's filled with stores, famous brands, five stars hotels and expensive restaurants. If you don't have enough time to explore Oslo I reccomend to find an accodation close to the train station, most of the attractions like The Parlment, The cathedral, the royal palce, the city hall are very close and you can visit all of them in less then 1 hour (from outside of course).
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written August 12, 2024
  • Rajesh K K
    Bengaluru, India1,880 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not sure what the fuss is about!
    Disclaimer - we only spent about an hour on this street and had dinner in a restaurant there. Didn't find the street very touristy. It has lots of restaurants/bars, some shops, souvenir outlets, etc. It is, of course well kept and clean. There are plenty of attractions close to this street like the Town Hall, The Palace, the Opera, etc. but the street itself it not worth spending too much time on.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written September 29, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,770 reviews
Excellent
608
Very good
780
Average
318
Poor
52
Terrible
12

Eddie T
Calgary, Canada102 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 November 22, 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.

NK Annamária
Oslo, Norway324 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
It is the most well known street in Oslo. For the most part it is open only for pedestrian traffic. The architecture along this street is amazing and the flower decorations from Spring to Autumn are everywhere with beautiful vivid colors. You can find many well known brands on this street. It is not rare to encounter a street musician elevating the summer night feeling. The sidewalks are decorated with quotes from famous Norwegian authors and I find it is a really good idea. Despite the pandemic situation, the traffic on this street is always high but currently there are many construction sites disrupting the walk. During the Winter time it is the home for the Oslo Christmas Market and the decorations and lights are beautiful.
Written June 14, 2021
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, DC1,211 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 August 21, 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.

LONGJOHNSILVERSS
Ballantrae, UK414 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
The Karl Johans hotel is well-positioned in the city centre near the parliament and shops/restaurants. I had a very tiny room, but supplied with all the necessities. No room cleaning due to ongoing Covid rules. Reasonable breakfast buffet. Restaurant closed Sundays and Mondays and then only open after 4pm.
Written February 18, 2022
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.

John M
New York City, NY827 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
Basically Oslo's Times Square. Close proximity to the train station means this is the place most people coming to Oslo will visit (like myself on a layover). While it is touristy and filled with expensive shops you can find anywhere, there are some beautiful and incredible sights. I'm sure there is also history but I haven't yet delved into it. Worth visiting
Written January 21, 2020
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, Trinidad6,364 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 August 26, 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.

zuv
Bucharest, Romania40,133 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
A central street in Oslo. Some important landmarks can be found along it, starting with the Royal Palace, the University, the National Theater, the Parliament and Oslo Cathedral. It ends (or starts...) in the square in front of the Oslo Central railway station.
Also, there are scores of all kind of shops, restaurants. Pretty crowded.
Written May 23, 2022
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.

permia
Ireland67,094 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
During our visit we strolled the entire length of the great avenue from Central Station to the Palace, and some segments almost daily.

Important institutions line it, particularly the great Parliament building and the original University edifice, now deemed the Aula Maxima.

Fine hotels and eateries are numerous along its entirely. The Cathedral borders it, and close by is the grand and historic Oslo Bazaars.

After passing westwards the grand Royal Palace and Parklands are reached.
Written August 20, 2022
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.

Mark_Dornoch
Dornoch, UK1,494 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020
At the heart of Oslo, connecting the main railway station to the Palace with many interesting shops and cafes on the way. As a huge Jo Nesbo fan it was great to wander in the footsteps of Harry Hole and see Egertorget square, Stortinget etc. I have snuck in a photo of nearby 5 Sophie's Gate.

Highly recommended
Written April 12, 2021
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.

Pandamedic
Lichfield, UK5,917 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Our hotel was only a street away so we walked up and down here a few times going places. It's full of shops and restaurant, and down one of the side streets is all the big brang names like louis vitton, channel, gucci etc. A good area to go for some shopping.
Written January 10, 2020
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 (2025)

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