There are several restaurants, pubs and cafes along Karl Johan Street and the streets opposite. Karl Johans Street is especially lovely in Christmas, but at the same time it's annoying to see the Christmas decorations being put up in October And beware of two big problems in Karl Johans Street. In daytime several east european beggers and homeless people, and in nighttime several african prostitutes, at least closer to Stortorget and the Central Station.
I noticed most if not all of the beggar women were immigrants and they didn't bother you, they just sat on the sidewalk on cardboard with their hand or cup out.
Every day at the end of their shift I noticed that they all gathered on a side street near the Clarion Folkstheatre hotel to be picked up by a man in a van. So was he the ring leader and did they have to give him the money they begged from passersby.
It was a distraction but didn't take away from the beautiful city, I'm from Los Angeles the homeless capital of the United States, so who am I to go half way across the world to see beggars and complain. This is the main pedestrian Oslo street running from the central station to the Royal Palace. Along the way there are many tourist shops, cafes, clothing shops, As a tourist or a local you'll pass it several times a day. This kind of street has every major European city, so there's nothing outstanding, except I was unpleasantly surprised with a number of beggars, homeless people, sitting and sleeping along the street.
They are not harassing you, but it doesn't leave a good impression. This was the one street in the city that was really up town with lots of people and activity at night. It is a busy shopping area with many restaurants. It is a great walking area. The street gate starts at the central train station and heads northwest from station. Karl Johans gate, just like is Oslo is a bit of a much of a muchness Not a lot going on, overall a pretty uneventful place. Probably the most interesting thing was having my picture taken with the guy playing the accordion.
