Uppsala has a long history of students and a university, which has helped create a lively secondhand shopping scene, much more than your average charity shop. And the cultural taste for exquisite craftsmanship and sustainable consumption is still very much alive in the city, making it a rewarding place to look for authentic Nordic vintage. If you’re looking for curated retro fashion or nostalgic home décor, Uppsala’s vintage stores are a delightful alternative to fast fashion and celebrate the design heritage of past decades.
Uppsala’s vintage scene offers something for shoppers searching for unique pieces with character, ranging from international retro chains to independent gems tucked away near the cathedral. The five stores below are the best for second-hand Nordic vintage, each offering a different shopping experience, from curated 70s-90s style to budget-friendly local finds to vintage Swedish souvenirs with a nostalgic twist.
Top 5 Second-Hand Nordic Vintage Shops in Uppsala
- Beyond Retro Uppsala
- Ruth & Raoul
- Kvarteret
- Mamsell K Inredning, presents & nostalgia
- Myrorna
A Closer Look at the Top 5 Second-Hand Nordic Vintage Shops in Uppsala
1. Beyond Retro Uppsala
Beyond Retro Uppsala opened in 2025 in the busy shopping area of Forumkvarteret, where Bredgränd and Dragarbrunnsgatan meet. It’s a branch of the iconic Beyond Retro chain, which opened in London in 2002, quickly becoming synonymous with distinctive retro fashion and sustainable shopping. The Uppsala store focuses on vintage clothing from the 1970s to the 1990s with a carefully curated selection of quirky and interesting pieces that are better than your typical thrift store finds.
Key Points
- Decades covered: Vintage fashion from the 70s to 90s, including statement jackets, retro denim and unique accessories.
- Selection quality: A walk through fashion history, with an eclectic mix of captivating, quirky pieces.
- Staff experience: Employees are always described as friendly, helpful and welcoming, with one reviewer noting a staff member who “really hyped up my friend’s jeans.”
- Sustainability focus: A core brand value is advocating sustainable fashion and ethical consumption.
Achievements
- Successfully brought the Beyond Retro brand to Uppsala in 2025, adding international vintage credibility to the local scene.
- One reviewer describes it as “one of the best vintage stores I’ve visited” and “absolutely worth the trip from Stockholm.”
- Maintains a well-organized layout that makes browsing enjoyable and fun.
Feedback
Opinions among customers are mixed. Fans love the unique selection and organized layout, with one reviewer saying it is “absolutely worth the trip from Stockholm.” However, critics say prices are much higher than other second-hand stores in Uppsala, with some items priced near new retail levels. “The point of second-hand clothing is that it has been worn before, but it is a means of recycling, so how can you expect to sell such clothing at the price of newly sewn and marketed clothing?” lamented one reviewer. The store has an aggregated rating of 3.9 – 4.1 on all platforms.
Contact
Website: https://www.beyondretro.com
2. Ruth & Raoul
Ruth & Raoul is recognized as one of Uppsala’s thrift stores specializing in authentic vintage and second-hand goods. The store distinguishes itself through its traditional Swedish character, featuring beautiful wooden decorations that create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Ruth & Raoul offer a wide variety of clothing, traditional leather shoes, bags made of natural leather and jewelry in many shapes and colors.
Key Points
- Nordic character: The store’s traditional Swedish interior and wooden décor create the real vintage feel.
- Leather specialization: Known for natural leather bags and traditional leather shoes—products that are less common in other Uppsala vintage stores.
- Accessories focus: Apart from clothing, we sell jewelry in a range of different shapes and colors.
- Quality emphasis: The store has high quality and attention to the smallest details.
Achievements
- Founded as a perfect and convenient place to buy clothes and various accessories in Uppsala.
- Specializing in leather goods, providing products not easily available elsewhere in second-hand outlets.
Feedback
Ruth & Raoul is a “great second hand,” according to customers and emphasizes quality craftsmanship. Shoppers especially appreciate the store’s focus on durable, authentic products in natural leather bags and traditional shoes. The wooden decor and Swedish traditional character create a lovely shopping experience.
Contact
Website: https://www.ruthraoul.com/
3. Kvarteret
Kvarteret is a curated space in Uppsala that blends interior décor, vintage items, furniture, gifts, lighting and toys into a single destination. More than a mere store, Kvarteret functions as a lively community meeting place, complete with an on-site café offering coffee, sweet treats, light meals, wine and beer. The venue hosts regular events, including music quizzes on Saturday mornings, themed wine tastings and live music.
Key Points
- Curated selection: A thoughtfully curated space showcasing interior décor, vintage finds, furniture, gifts, lighting and toys.
- Café that is part of the building: On-site café serving drinks and light meals with outdoor seating in good weather, next to shopping.
- There are regular music quizzes, wine tastings and live music. Event programming.
- Community focused: Designed to be a space for people to relax and get inspired, with “the atmosphere of a living room in the middle of the city.”
Achievements
- Recognized by Destination Uppsala as a key destination in the city’s hipster guide .
- The phrase “lively meeting place” has become a descriptor for a location that offers retail, dining and entertainment.
Feedback
Kvarteret is more than a shopping destination but also a place for visitors to stay to enjoy the café and event programming. The outdoor seating area is a favorite, especially on sunny afternoons and warm evenings. The curated vintage and interior selection offers a more sophisticated, home-oriented alternative to clothing-centric vintage stores.
Contact
Instagram: kvarteret
4. Mamsell K Inredning, presents & nostalgia
Mamsell K Inredning is a charming gift and nostalgia shop nestled in an alley next to Uppsala Domkyrkan (the cathedral). The store specialises in unique and nostalgic Swedish souvenirs, home goods and gifts that beautifully embody Scandinavian design. With a warm and inviting atmosphere and spacious displays, shoppers can browse comfortably without feeling cramped.
Key Points
- Great location: In an alley right next to Uppsala Cathedral—S:t Eriks torg.
- Nostalgic focus: Specializes in Swedish souvenirs with a vintage/nostalgic character. Has an excellent collection of music boxes at reasonable prices.
- Home decor: Offers beautiful home goods and interior items with Scandinavian design sensibility.
- Open floor plan: It’s easy to browse because the space is not crowded like many merchandise stores.
Achievements
- Good customer rating for polite, well-spoken staff and warm and welcoming atmosphere.
- An “exquisite place with lovely souvenirs” with Uppsala and Sweden-themed merchandise.
- Special praise for the choice and value of the music box collection.
Feedback
The reviews always describe the experience as “lovely” with a beautiful selection and staff with exceptional courtesy. One visitor observed that it sells “a lot of Uppsala/Sweden merchandise and other cute stuff” but pointed out that “the decoration is homey and it is not cramped at all like you would expect in a merchandise store.” A special feature is the collection of music boxes offered at reasonable prices.
Contact
Website: https://www.mamsellk.se/
5. Myrorna
Myrorna is a second-hand store at Vaksalagatan in central Uppsala. This Uppsala outlet is part of Sweden’s Myrorna chain of charity thrift stores and sells all kinds of clothing, books, vinyl records, DVDs and CDs at budget prices. In the basement, there’s a media section with English art books starting from 19 SEK.
Key Points
- Charity foundation Myrorna is a chain of stores in Sweden where you can shop for a noble cause.
- Media selection: Basement has DVDs, CDs and vinyl records at unbelievably low prices.
- Clothing focus: Most of the inventory is clothing, at affordable price points.
- Organization: Layout is clean and neat and merchandise is in order.
Achievements
- “A charming little treasure trove” for stylish but affordable clothing.
- One reviewer bought English art books for 19 SEK and said, “It’s hard to understand why they are so cheap.”
- The staff are always complimented for their exceptional service and willingness to help.
Feedback
Opinions are divided. Some shoppers like the clean layout, friendly staff and cheap prices, especially on media items. However, a major criticism is that the store now sells mainly “fast fashion and very ordinary” items, rather than the “incredible vintage items” it was known for previously after a move. Some find it frustrating that the store has a capacity limit (only 13 people at a time).
Contact
Website: https://www.myrorna.se
FAQ
Which vintage shop in Uppsala has the best selection of 70s–90s clothing?
Beyond Retro Uppsala specializes in curated vintage fashion from the 1970s to the 1990s and that means it’s your best option if you’re looking for statement pieces from the decades. But be prepared to pay more than other second-hand stores.
Are there any second-hand stores in Uppsala that support charity?
Yes. Myrorna is a charity-focused second-hand chain, where the proceeds go to charity. Reviewers also call most other second-hand shops in Uppsala (with the exception of Beyond Retro) “literal charities.”
Which shop is best for vintage home decor and interior items?
Kvarteret is the best place for vintage interior decor, furniture, lighting and gifts, with a carefully curated selection and on-site café for a relaxed browsing experience. Mamsell K Inredning also has home goods with a nostalgic Swedish vibe.
Where can I find unique Swedish souvenirs with a vintage feel?
Mamsell K Inredning is located next to Uppsala Cathedral and specializes in nostalgic Swedish souvenirs, including music boxes, home goods and Uppsala-themed merchandise with authentic vintage charm.
Does Myrorna still sell true vintage items?
Recent reviews say, “Since moving into new premises, Myrorna has changed its assortment to ‘fast fashion and very ordinary’ and away from the unique vintage pieces it was known for. It’s a good spot for budget clothing and media, but vintage hunters may want to look elsewhere.
What is the price range for second-hand clothing in Uppsala?
Prices vary a lot: Myrorna is the cheapest, with books starting at 19 SEK and offering cheap clothes. Beyond Retro is noticeably pricier, with some reviewers noting prices are comparable to new clothes. Ruth & Raoul are on the mid-range end, focusing on quality leather goods.
Which store has the most helpful staff?
Friendly staff praised by numerous stores. Customers invariably describe Beyond Retro employees as “friendly and helpful” with personalized recommendations. “The staff at Myrorna are fantastic and provide great service.” Staff at Mamsell K are “polite and well-spoken.”
Can I find leather goods at any of these vintage shops?
Yes. Ruth & Raoul specializes in natural leather bags and traditional leather shoes—items that distinguish it from other vintage stores in Uppsala. This is a notable specialization not widely available at other locations.
