Bachelor parties have changed enormously over the past decade. From being small, quiet, and intimate affairs with just a clutch of your closest friends coming round for the night to being full-on weekends away in foreign cities, the hen party is now a much bigger deal than it’s ever been. There’s also a pressure to better the boys’ stag do and prove that girls just do it better.
Choosing the correct destination is an important consideration when planning these parties as a destination can bring its personality to the table. Here we’ll pick 5 very different destinations with very different personalities for consideration for a hen party that will live in infamy.
Marbella
Marbella is one of the most popular hen weekend destinations and it’s easy to see why. With miles of golden sanded coastlines and brilliant nightlife, it’s no wonder that the likes of Antonio Banderas have holiday homes in the area. If it’s good enough for the rich and famous, it’s good enough to throw a memorable hen party. This is a great option if you’re getting married later in the year and fancy a break from the chilly temperatures and rain – it’s scorching all year round in Marbella so a spot of fun in the sun would be on the agenda.
Brighton
MSN voted Brighton as the UK’s best hen weekend destination in 2011 which is a no-brainer when you factor in the fact that this little Sussex seaside city is bursting at the seams with great shopping, top restaurants and some of the best nightlife in the country. The city is practically made for hen parties – its stony beaches are the perfect place to start (and end) a sunny summer’s evening before you throw yourself down West Street for a cheesy but memorable hen do.
Amsterdam
Another place that might just have been created with hen parties in mind is Amsterdam, which is a city famed for its relaxed laws and atmosphere, as well as its gorgeous canals and bicycles. There’s no end of places to visit in this Dutch city, with galleries, historic sights and beautiful parks acting as the perfect foil to the hundreds of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city.
Newcastle
If Brighton is the UK’s top hen night city, then Newcastle is the closest to second places. Known across the UK for its friendly inhabitants, the Quayside area of the city is awash with bars waiting to roll out the red carpet to hen party groups. Some of the rest of the UK can be a little bit sniffy over these pre-wedding celebrations but not Newcastle – you’ll be welcomed with open arms here which is good news for groups looking to spend some time in the North East.
Barcelona
Finally, Barcelona must be mentioned for its emphasis on good living in one of the world’s top cultural hotspots. From the bustle of Las Ramblas, the beaches around the harbor, or the Gaudi architecture, Barcelona has something for everybody not just looking for a great hen party but a great holiday too. The men here are pretty much all male models, so there’ll be plenty of eye candy to tease the bride-to-be over too. Just make sure you come back now, won’t you? Remember what your mum said about too much of a good thing.
So there you have it, five of the best laid out and profiled for your hen party planning.