The best thrift stores in Copenhagen – Your guide to a sustainable style and unique finds for your home
Best thrift stores in Copenhagen - Your complete guide to sustainable shopping
Copenhagen is known for its many fantastic second-hand shops and has for many years been a frontrunner when it comes to sustainability, style and eco-friendly lifestyle. This is clearly reflected in the city’s love for recycling, especially in clothing, furniture and accessories. Whether you are into retro, vintage, or modern secondhand, there are a wealth of second-hand shops in Copenhagen that make it possible to shop with care and style.
In this guide, we present the best thrift stores in Copenhagen. We highlight both well-known names and hidden gems and compare their selection, specialties and atmosphere. And most importantly: We tell you why Genbro is the obvious choice for you who are looking for second-hand clothes, furniture, accessories and genuine second-hand finds – all in high quality and at fixed low prices.
Why choose recycling in Copenhagen?
More and more people are choosing sustainable shopping as a regular part of their everyday lives, and it’s something we love. Shopping in second-hand shops means that you contribute to less waste, less overproduction and more responsible consumption. In addition, you get the opportunity to find unique items with soul and history – something you won’t find in regular high street stores.
Copenhagen has a large and diverse selection of second-hand shops, ranging from small specialty shops with vintage clothes and retro finds to larger chain stores with a wide range. There is something for everyone and every budget.
Genbro - A must-visit among second-hand shops in Copenhagen
In the middle of vibrant Nørrebro you will find Genbro – a store that stands out in the crowd. Here you will not only find clothes in all sizes and styles, but also a wide selection of furniture, accessories, shoes and home interiors from different decades. Everything has been selected with a focus on sustainability, quality and usability.
At Genbro, customers experience:
A large, manageable selection
Friendly and helpful staff
Awards where everyone can participate
High quality – without overpricing
Genbro differs from the classic vintage shops by combining the best of many worlds: you get the feeling of a treasure hunt, but without having to search for hours.
Comparison with other popular thrift stores
Wasteland
One of the city’s most iconic vintage shops, known for its colorful selection and strong visual expression. At Wasteland, you will often find streetwear, costumes and statement pieces, but the prices can be high. In contrast, Genbro offers a more wide range – both clothes, furniture and accessories – and in a price range where everyone can participate.
Prague
This shop is known for its theatrical costumes, glitter, and showpieces. This is the place if you are looking for something very special for a party or a photoshoot. Prague is also known for having high-end brands such as Armani and Chacharel, but if you are looking for clothes at more affordable prices and for everyday use, Prague is not so practical. Genbro instead offers secondhand with a focus on function, comfort and style.
The Saves
On Amager lies Gemmeren – a treasure trove of things and things. It can feel like a second-hand version of a flea market, where you never know what you’ll find. Cozy and authentic, but not as structured. However, it is a cozy store with many quirky things that give a nostalgic feeling.
Red Cross
Always a safe choice when it comes to second-hand shops. The range is wide and the prices reasonable, but you will rarely find the slightly more unique things that Genbro excels in – especially in accessories, furniture and vintage finds. The Red Cross receives their goods from donations of private individuals who no longer want their things.
Recycling in different eras and Genbro's strength
At Genbro, we cover many different decades: from the elegant cuts of the 50s to the retro denim of the 90s and the quirky accessories of the 00s. We have made it easy for you to find clothes, shoes, furniture and interiors that suit your style. Where many thrift stores focus on one era, in our store we have different decades, colors and function, so you can always find what suits you.
And that is precisely why it is obvious to choose Genbro if you are interested in fashion, sustainable shopping and want to support a concept that prioritizes quality, clarity and price.
Secondhand in Nørrebro - more than just a trend
Nørrebro is perhaps Copenhagen’s most vibrant district, and here you will not only find Genbro, but also a large part of the city’s fashion-conscious audience. Customers who care about environmentally friendly, sustainable consumption, and who want to find clothes and accessories that do not look like what everyone else has but still have an edge and style.
Here, Genbro fits in perfectly – as a second-hand store that embraces the broad audience, but at the same time dares to stand out with both personality and attention to detail.
Sustainability and responsible consumption
Several studies show that we buy far too many new clothes and unfortunately throw away far too much. That’s why it’s more important than ever to choose sustainably. When you shop in second-hand shops, you save resources, reduce CO₂ and reduce waste. This applies to clothes, furniture and everything in between.
Genbro makes it easy to take responsibility without it costing extra. Here, sustainability is not about being perfect, but about making the choices that make a difference in everyday life.
Local brands and creative spaces
In Genbro you will also find designs from smaller, Danish manufacturers – e.g. re-designed items, made by local players. We collaborate with creative souls who turn discarded items into new pieces of clothing or small accessory series.
Although we do not have a specific era for each decade, all our departments are easy and manageable, which makes it easy to find both classic finds and new favorites.
Light, ambiance and treasures: Interiors and lamps in second-hand shops
An often overlooked category in many second-hand shops is lighting – but not at Genbro. Here you will find both iconic lamps from different decades and unique designs that not only create light, but also character in the home. Lighting is of great importance to interior design, and we know that well at Genbro. That’s why we have a large selection of lamps, where you can find everything from industrial pendants to cozy table lamps with vintage charm. Often we also have several different designer lamps from Louis Poulsen, Piet Hein, Verner Panton, Le Klint and many more.
Compared to other stores in Copenhagen, where lamps are often either expensive design classics or mass-produced new goods, Genbro offers something in between: well-maintained, stylish and original second-hand finds – at prices that make it possible to take a piece of design home without breaking the budget.
Even in classic stores such as the Red Cross, where most of the focus is on clothes, the selection of lamps is often limited. At Genbro, we see lamps as an integral part of our store’s recycling concept, and therefore you can always count on something new and exciting on the shelves. Whether you live in central Copenhagen or come from far away, Genbro is a place where you can find both function and aesthetics under one roof.
Inspiration and closure
Whether you live in the city or are visiting, Genbro should be at the top of your list of the best thrift stores in Copenhagen. We combine the best of classic vintage shops and modern second-hand, and we have everything from furniture and accessories to clothes, shoes and home finds. You get a unique experience and you always shop with a clear conscience.
Welcome to a new form of sustainable shopping – welcome to Genbro.
