citiesabc, first_page
Copenhagen Named Europe’s Best City for Vintage Shopping, New Study Finds
14 Oct 2026
New research from Kaiia ranks Copenhagen first among 40 major European cities for vintage shopping, followed by Amsterdam and Berlin, based on second-hand stores, antique shops, flea markets, shop proximity and local clothing prices.
14 October 2026 — Copenhagen has been named the best city in Europe for vintage shopping, according to new research from women’s fashion brand Kaiia.
The October 2026 study analysed 40 of Europe’s largest cities to identify where shoppers have the strongest combination of vintage and second-hand clothing stores, antique shops and flea markets. Researchers also considered how close those stores are to one another and local clothing and footwear price levels.
Copenhagen ranked first overall, ahead of Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague and Helsinki. London recorded the highest number of second-hand clothing stores in the study, while Sofia stood out as the most affordable city in the top 10 for clothing and footwear.
Top 10 European cities for vintage shopping
| Rank | City | Country | Vintage & Second-Hand Shops | Antique Shops | Clothing & Footwear Price Level (EU = 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 200 | 103 | 132.7 |
| 2 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | 191 | 85 | 93.0 |
| 3 | Berlin | Germany | 326 | 209 | 101.2 |
| 4 | Prague | Czechia | 151 | 81 | 96.4 |
| 5 | Helsinki | Finland | 172 | 33 | 120.7 |
| 6 | London | United Kingdom | 488 | 595 | 82.6 |
| 7 | Stockholm | Sweden | 163 | 81 | 120.6 |
| 8 | Vienna | Austria | 170 | 131 | 105.7 |
| 9 | Sofia | Bulgaria | 109 | 56 | 79.1 |
| 10 | Budapest | Hungary | 129 | 142 | 86.6 |
Copenhagen leads the ranking
Copenhagen took first place with 200 vintage and second-hand clothing shops, 103 antique shops and 47 flea markets.
The Danish capital also has relatively high clothing and footwear prices, with a price level of 132.7 compared with an EU average of 100. That makes second-hand shopping particularly attractive for consumers looking for lower-cost alternatives to new fashion.
Kaiia’s research positions Copenhagen as a strong all-round destination for vintage shopping, combining a large number of resale stores with a strong flea-market culture.
Amsterdam ranks second
Amsterdam placed second with 191 vintage and second-hand shops and 85 antique stores.
The city scored strongly for store proximity, making it easier for shoppers to move between different locations without travelling long distances.
Clothing and footwear prices in the Netherlands were listed at 93 compared with the EU average of 100, making Amsterdam relatively affordable compared with several other cities in the top 10.
Berlin offers one of Europe’s largest vintage scenes
Berlin ranked third and recorded 326 vintage and second-hand stores, one of the highest totals in the study.
The German capital also has 209 antique shops and more than 60 flea markets, according to Kaiia.
Its clothing and footwear price level stood at 101.2, close to the EU average.
Berlin’s position therefore comes largely from the scale and variety of its second-hand retail scene rather than exceptionally low prices.
Prague combines affordability with convenience
Prague ranked fourth with 151 vintage shops and 81 antique stores.
The city also benefits from clothing and footwear prices below the EU average, with a score of 96.4.
Kaiia’s study highlighted the proximity of vintage stores as another advantage, allowing shoppers to visit multiple locations within a relatively compact area.
Helsinki rounds out the top five
Helsinki placed fifth with 172 vintage and second-hand stores and 33 antique shops.
The Finnish capital also has more than 50 flea markets, according to the research.
Its clothing and footwear price level is comparatively high at 120.7, which can make second-hand shopping a more attractive alternative to buying new.
London has the most second-hand shops
Although London ranked sixth overall, it recorded the largest number of vintage and second-hand clothing stores in the study.
The UK capital has 488 second-hand shops and 595 antique stores, both higher than any other city in the top 10.
London’s clothing and footwear price level was 82.6, considerably below the EU average used in the research.
Its lower overall ranking reflects the fact that the study combines several different factors, including store concentration and overall shopping convenience, rather than simply counting the number of shops.
Sofia is the cheapest city in the top 10
Sofia ranked ninth but stood out for affordability.
Its clothing and footwear price level was 79.1, the lowest among the top 10 cities.
The Bulgarian capital also has 109 vintage and second-hand stores and 56 antique shops.
For shoppers focused on value, that combination makes Sofia one of the strongest options in the ranking.
Second-hand fashion continues to grow
Kaiia’s fashion expert said the findings reflect a wider shift in consumer behaviour across Europe.
The company referenced a Vinted survey of 100,000 users across seven European countries, which found that 37% said half or more of their clothing was second-hand.
Millennials and Gen Z have played a major role in that shift, with resale becoming increasingly mainstream rather than a niche alternative to conventional retail.
The trend is also being supported by changes in European waste and textile policy.
Since January 2025, EU countries have been required to collect used textiles separately from general household waste. Further rules approved in 2025 are intended to make clothing producers contribute financially to collection, sorting and recycling.
Those measures could increase the volume of garments moving through resale and reuse channels over time.
Vintage shopping is becoming part of the city experience
The study also shows how second-hand retail is becoming part of the wider identity of European cities.
In Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Berlin, vintage stores and flea markets are not simply places to buy clothes. They are increasingly part of the cultural and visitor experience.
For tourists, second-hand shopping can offer a more distinctive alternative to mainstream high-street retail, while also supporting independent stores and keeping clothing in circulation for longer.
That gives vintage shopping an economic as well as environmental role within cities.
Methodology
Kaiia’s October 2026 study analysed 40 major European cities.
Researchers considered:
- the number of vintage and second-hand clothing stores
- the number of antique shops
- the number of flea markets
- how close stores are to one another
- clothing and footwear price levels
The indicators were combined to create an overall ranking of the best European cities for vintage shopping.
About Kaiia
Kaiia is a women’s fashion brand that publishes research and trend analysis around fashion, shopping and consumer behaviour.
More information: https://www.kaiiathelabel.com/
