10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Oslo

When Oslo City was founded in 1987, it was in a part of the city that badly needed renewal and some new and impressive projects. The shopping centre that was ready the following year was just that, and since its opening, Oslo City has attracted keen shoppers who appreciate both the breadth and the cutting-edge expertise of the almost 90 stores.

The two internal glass lifts take you from the dining hall on the ground-floor and up to well-known chains, which line the five floors from bottom to top. You can buy everything from food and electronics to jewellery here.

With close to 40 stores, Gunerius complements its neighbour Oslo City. Especially if you're looking for shoes, clothes and cool accessories. But Gunerius has a lot more to offer. Cosy cafés on the street level and a well-equipped fresh food counter in the basement are our some of favourites, but you will probably find your own if you go there.

Just east of Gunerius is also Brugata, which is packed with cool nightlife and alternative shopping. Brugata takes you straight to Grønlandsleiret, and to the eastern-most part of the city.

For those of you who are on your way home by public transport, City Gate is the perfect place to shop. The fact that this shopping centre is located in the same building as the capital's largest public transport hub is far from the only reasons to flex your shopping muscles here. City Gate's shops target travellers, selling luggage and all those little things you left behind at home.

You'll find specialist shops targeted at customers who are on the move, along with cosy cafés and wellbeing offers.

Well before the giant neighbouring malls stole most of the footfall, Arkaden was one of the coolest places to shop in Oslo, and it has still managed to keep its regular and loyal customer base. Clothing was the centre's key commodity, but since competition from its neighbours began to grow, the range of goods on offer has become much more varied.

Now the confines of Arkaden's modest floorspace offers everything from knick-knacks and fashion to specialty shops and restaurants. Look closely and you can still spot signs of the centre's former grandness.

With its perfect location for motorists, Storo Storsenter is much more than the nearest shopping centre for the residents of Sandaker, Torshov and Kjelsås. Oslo's shopping centre attracts shoppers from all over the city, and it's no wonder many other big stores have had the same idea.

Over a third of the centre's stores specialise in fashion, so there's every chance you'll find a style that suits you. Large grocery stores and a great choice of eateries mean you can fill up on goodies while you empty your wallet.

Not only does the Paleet have one of the most exclusive addresses in Oslo, the shopping centre has also taken pride in having the most specialised clothing stores along Karl Johans gate.

With shared shop windows facing the entire main street, the shops really get to show off their best side. For anyone with a penchant for high-end fashion, a bit of window shopping here is great for daydreaming your way to your next meeting.

On Karl Johans gate from Egertorget to Jernbanetorget, lie all manner of close-knit shops, and anyone who manages to walk the entire length of the street without a single temptation is a truly disciplined individual.

This is where you'll find this year's hippest fashions, fun attractions, exceptionally well-stocked fruit and nut retailers and much more that will have you reaching for your wallet. In summer, there are few places that are as fun to sit and people-watch as on Karl Johan.

Before the modern shopping malls took over, there were two department stores in Oslo battling for consumers' attention: Glasmagasinet and Steen & Strøm.

The latter eventually became the more luxurious of the two. Here you'll be met with friendly and knowledgeable staff keen to kit you out in timeless quality goods that span a wide range of categories. Combined with a selection of first-class eateries, Steen & Strøm is really the only place you need to visit when shopping in Oslo.

The choice of shops along Stortingsgaten is Oslo's proof that quality far outweighs quantity for those who love to shop, because this is home to the city's most exclusive shops. And you don't need to have a specific idea of what you're looking for because the staff is among Oslo's most refined and knowledgeable.

They will help you find something very special in all price ranges - whether you're looking for a pair of gloves in exclusive calfskin or handmade jewellery at one of the city's renowned jewellers.

Akersgaten is best known as the epicenter of Norwegian media, but has over time also built up a reputation as the place to shop for the most fashion-conscious among us. With a short distance between the individual shops - and the opportunity to walk between many of them under one roof - Akersgaten is both convenient and accessible when doing other errands in the city centre.

It is within easy reach of the many wonderful cafés during the day, and countless bars and restaurants in the evenings.