Karl Johansgate, Oslo

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Karl Johans gate is a nice street to stroll on and look at their several shops, places to eat and people walking by.

The street begins at Jernbanetorget, where Oslo Central Station is located and ends at the Royal Palace. The street got its name from Karl Johan, one of the kings during the period where Sweden and Norway were one country. From this street it's a short walk to the City Hall (Rådhuset) and its pier. Part of the street is for pedestrians only.

Like any other busy street like this one, you'll find a lot of street musicians, people selling merchandise and beggars, all trying to make a buck.

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My hotel was near this grand boulevard which was actually named in honor of the popular French Prince Jean Baptiste Bernadette (1818-1844) who ruled after Sweden took Norway from Denmark.

So, my first impulse was to walk along the expanse of this road and see the commercial places as well as all of the tourists who were (like me) just snooping around. It does start from the train station and ends at the Royal Palace.

I discovered a little park with nice little fountains which I later found out was the Eidsvollsplass, just after the Parliament and Stortinget (if you are heading northwest towards the Palace). If you happen to be here on May 17, the are would be full of revellers and bands because this is the day of Independence of Norway. During that time, the Royal Family would be watching from the palace’s balcony.

Indeed, all visitors of the city pass (and should pass) this famous street in one way or another

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Karl Johans Gate is probably the best known street in Oslo. With the Royal Palace perched at the top, this central thoroughfare stretches downhill to nearly reach the central station.

This road is interrupted at regular intervals, by smaller streets crossing through.

Along the roadside are some of Oslos most important buildings, including the Parliament Building (Stortinget), National Theatre, and University.

The Grand Hotel (No 31)(where Nobel Peace prize winners, heads of state, and the rich and famous stay), plus restaurants, shops, bars catering to all tastes and budgets (well not if on a Very tight budget!) can all be found.

On 17th May (syttende mai) Norwegians celebrate their National Day (Constitution Day).

In Oslo, Karl Johans Gate is the place to see Norwegian traditional costume (bunand), as almost every family dresses in their finery, to join a parade, leading upto the Palace, where the Royal Family stand and wave to the children passing by!

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Karl Johans Gate (KJG or Karl Johans Street) today runs in one long line uphill from the East ( near the railway station) to the West (The Royal Palace)

The eastern part was originally part of Christian 1V's old city,which was surrounded by the city ramparts. Removal of these to make way for the City Cathedral, enabled 3 sections of roadway to join and become Ostre Gade.
When it became necessary for the Royal Palace to be connected to the city, the western roadway was constructed.

The building of the Parliament building , in the centre of this area, caused the two sections to join to form one long thoroughfare. King Karl Johan had recently died, and so the street was named in his honour.

In the photo, you can see the statue of King Karl Johans, looking down 'his street'

Karl Johans gate (Karl Johan Street) was named after King Karl Johan and it is Oslo's main pedestrain street. It is about 1 mile long and it connects the central railway station to the Royal palace, passing by many other attractions and monuments (like the Parliament building and the National Theatre)

In fact the reason why you'll end up going there will likely be more trivial... first of all for shopping (the street is lined with shops and department stores), then for food or drinks (plenty of restaurants and cafes) or if you're really lucky/rich, to sleep... there's some very fancy hotels in this street, including one (whose name I'm not sure of, maybe the grand Hotel) that seems a copy of the legendary Ritz.

It's full of people at ant time of the day, and especially in the evening... so it's also good for people watching.

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The centre of Oslo is attractively laid out and you can have a really pleasant walk along the length of Karl Johanns Gate, from the central station past Stortinget, the parliament building, to the royal palace at the far end. On the way you'll pass a large number of cafes, bars and restaurants, and can stop for a rest in the calm of the central gardens that run the length of the lower half, from Stortinget onwards. Here there is an attractive fountain and a good little open air cafe. In the winter the pond is frozen and you can ice skate.

This is the main street in Oslo, with a variety of architecture, shopping places, and performers to see. It starts at the Oslo Central Station and ends at the Royal Palace. There are many attractions along the way, such as the Parliament, the Oslo Cathedral and the National Theatre.

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Karl Johans gate is the main street in oslo that goes from Central station to Royal palace.This is the most popular street as well.you can find reastaurants,pubs and a lot of shops,so if you want to do some shopping this is the street where you can do it.Along the street you can find some really nice buildings.
the 17th of May is the National day of Norway so big parade takes place in this street which is crowded with people on that day.