Oslo Secondhand Shopping: 3 shops in the Spotlight

If you’ve read my main Oslo blog, you’ll know I was in awe of the city. Climbing the roof of the Opera House, getting lost in the raw textures at the Munch Museum, wandering the waterfront for far longer than I intended. So many things to see and do but I had to make time for some Oslo secondhand shopping.

Which is partly why the secondhand shopping trail got a bit rushed. I gave the art museums a generous slice of the day and left myself less time than I’d have liked. But I still got to three shops, and even a compressed secondhand shopping run in a new Scandinavian capital is worth doing. Here’s the rundown of what I found and I’ve popped all the ones I visited on a map for shopping ease.

Secondhand Shops

M&E Secondhand Sentrum

Located right in the city centre, M&E Secondhand Sentrum is the kind of shop you could genuinely lose an hour in. The floor space is generous, the stock is varied, and there’s a lot to look through if you’ve got the time.

The homewares and furniture sections are where I gravitated, and there was plenty to get the brain ticking. Vintage frames, solid furniture pieces that could be upcycled for a repaint, interesting objects that have clearly had a good life and are ready for another one. If you’re hunting for anything with character, this is a strong first stop. Make sure to check out the videos below.

Related Gothenburg Secondhand Shops

Fretex Bruktbutikk (Smalgangen 8)

Fretex is the biggest secondhand chain in Norway and is run by the Salvation Army. I visited their Smalgangen 8 branch, which turned out to be a beautifully compact, tidy shop with a great range of things to see.

The clothing was a really nice selection, nice and colourful but I beelined for the homewares as usual. Nice selection of various glassware ideal for those times when you’re entertaining. Excellent finds at great prices, and a good reminder to always check the dishes section in any European secondhand shop because that’s where the good stuff tends to live.

 

UFF Second Hand Shop

UFF is a must if you’re anywhere near the central city and even if vintage fashion isn’t your main focus, it’s worth a wander. The shop offers a selection of vintage plus more modern clothing. They also have a selection of clothing suitable for children and teens.

I was there for inspiration as much as anything else. The bold colour palettes, the traditional patterns, the textures on some of the older pieces. All of it was genuinely worth seeing, and if you are in the market for a statement wearable, this is the place to find something you might not see anywhere.

Tips for Oslo Secondhand Shopping

• Do a little research  Before heading to any city make sure to locate places that are close by.
• Watch for Scandinavian ceramics Classic Nordic brands and clean ceramic silhouettes are absolutely worth hunting for here, and finding them in their home country is a different kind of thrill. Check every shelf slowly.
• Card is king Norway is essentially a cashless society. Every shop I visited, no matter how small, preferred card. Don’t bother hunting for an ATM first.
• Budget extra time if you can M&E in particular was worth taking your time in. Give yourself at least 45 minutes there if the schedule allows, there’s a lot to get through.

Oslo Secondhand Shopping Video

includes travel videos

Final Word

It was so nice to experience some secondhand shopping in another city in different country. While I didn’t get to many shops it was a wonderful experience. Next time, Oslo gets more time for secondhand shopping.

If you have visited the secondhand shops in Oslo what are ones you love or the shops I should see next time?

Happy hunting, Jenny x