Have you always dreamed of having your hen weekend elsewhere than the UK? Imagine a super fun hen party in Europe with your closest pals. But where should you go for your hen party outside the UK?
Right now, we’re all stuck in lockdown due to the Coronavirus and any hope we might have had of getting away to somewhere more tropical than our own backgarden seems far away.
But at some point it WILL be safe enough for us to return to a new kind of normality and high on our agenda will be planning in a few weekends spent with friends again.
Need more advice? Check out our article on how to plan a hen do abroad.
How about a hen party in…
We’ve analysed Google data to reveal an insight into the current top 10 favourite hen weekend locations in Europe.
1. Dublin
While we love to get away, lots of hens like to keep it close to home by heading over to Ireland for their hen weekend. Dublin is full of lively bars with even livelier music and plenty of Guinness for all!
The other major attraction of a hen do in Dublin is its proximity. You can grab cheap flights to Dublin from nearly every airport in the UK and be there in under an hour.
Dublin for a hen do can end up being quite a pricey affair as hotels and apartments can work out as more expensive than in other European cities. Don’t forget to plan in a visit to the famous Temple Bar.
2. Barcelona
If you’re after a sunnier break for your last weekend of freedom then why not head for Catalonia and to Barcelona.
Barcelona is a super popular choice for hens because it’s around 2 hours flight time and offers a much more agreeable climate. It also combines the fun of a cosmopolitan European city with the relaxation of a beach trip.
Like Dublin, Barcelona can be a tad pricey, so it’s best to book your accommodation in advance.
One warning for Barcelona: pickpockets and petty crime is rife here so keep your wits about you and an eye on your belongings, especially if you’ve all had a few sangrias!
3. Marbella
Sticking with our old favourite, Spain, us British brides can’t resist hitting up the Costa del Sol for a Marbella hen do.
Marbella is a bit of a Little England within Spain which could either be a positive or a negative for your hen party! If you’re looking for a quiet and cultural hen party where you can explore somewhere different to the UK with your best friends, Marbella probably isn’t for you.
However, if you’re looking for a sunny hen do spot where English is widely spoken and there are many British expats offering hen party services, Marbella is perfect.
4. Benidorm
And it’s a hat-trick for Spain as the fourth most popular stop for a non-UK hen party is Benidorm!
Similar to Marbella, Benidorm is NOT the place to go if you are after an enriching, cultural experience. But, if you want beaches, warm weather and oodles of fun things to do (guys, there’s a waterpark!) then Benidorm is brilliant.
There are plenty of flights to Benidorm from the UK and accommodation, eating and drinking there is fairly affordable.
Check out our article about How To Plan A Hen Party In Benidorm.
5. Prague
Coming in at number five is the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague! Long known as a popular European stag haunt, it seems that now hen parties too are discovering the city’s gothic delights.
Of course, it hasn’t made it into 5th place for its architecture alone. Prague is brimming with cultural highlights, cute shopping alleys to discover and plenty of bars offering cheap drinks.
In fact, Prague is one of the most affordable European hen locations on this list. Accommodation and eating out are also very affordable, especially in hostels which tend to be of a high standard.
6. Ibiza
Back to Spain again! But this time we’re heading to the Balearics for the biggest party of your life!
This party island really needs no introduction. With its plethora of world-class clubbing hotspots, great weather and proximity to the UK it’s not hard to understand why Ibiza is the sixth-most popular hen locations abroad.
Of course, there is a quieter side to Ibiza so you can definitely just enjoy a relaxed beach break there too, but the temptation of the clubs might be strong for some of your hens!
7. Amsterdam
British hens LOVE Amsterdam! Cute canals, European cool and bars to suit your every whim, Amsterdam has it all for hen parties.
Of course one of the biggest attractions of a hen do in Amsterdam are the many Coffeeshops and the red light district.
But an Amsterdam hen party can also be a much more sedate affair with plenty of interesting museums to visit, canals to cruise down and restaurants to try.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly hen weekend abroad then Amsterdam is a great one because you can get to Holland without flying by taking an overnight ferry from Newcastle, Hull and Harwich.
8. Paris
Coming in at number 8 on the list of most popular hen do destinations in Europe is Paris.
It’s not hard to understand why hen parties LOVE Paris: delicious food, classy shopping and beautiful views. It’s also one of the easiest places to get to from the UK with flights from basically every UK airport as well as a direct train link from London via Eurostar.
One snag when it comes to a hen weekend in Paris is the cost. Hotels and accommodation can be insanely expensive as can eating out in many of the city’s fine dining establishments. If you want a Paris hen party on a budget then look at hostels and Airbnbs and try eating in snack-style restaurants and cafés as it’ll be much cheaper.
9. Budapest
The capital city of Hungary makes it into ninth place on our list of places to go for your hen do away from home and it’s a popular choice due to its combination of interesting culture and affordable food and drink.
One of the highlights that you can’t miss on a hen do in Budapest is a visit to the thermal baths. They’re dotted over the city and for a nominal entrance fee you can your girls can enjoy the day soaking in natural hot water spas.
Budapest is an easy 2.5 hour flight from the UK but there aren’t as many flights as there are to other European locations so be sure to check which days you can fly from your closest airport before you book any accommodation.
10. Hvar
Probably the most far-flung hen do hotspot on our list is Hvar, Croatia. This one is a bit of a curveball because it stands out amongst all the other more well-known European hen locations.
Hvar has turned out to be one of the lesser-known hen party spots in Europe. If your perfect weekend away involves sipping cocktails overlooking stunning views of the Adriatic, then Hvar is for you.
Hvar also has great shopping and live music so there is something for everyone.
How to get to Hvar
Hvar is actually an island and the best way to get to Hvar from the UK is to take a flight to Split, Dubrovnik or Brac and then take the ferry.
If you’re considering a non-UK location for your hen weekend, get inspired from this list of British brides’ favourite hen party locations that are outside the UK!
No doubt after that tantalising bunch of locations your brain is already halfway to booking some flights for you and your hens! But hold off just for a while because travel is naturally very disrupted at the moment due to the pandemic.
It would be best to spend time now deciding on a couple of potential places for your hen party outside the UK so that once things finally get back to normal you can start researching flights and accommodation.
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