Hen Do Hotspots

A modern hen do is one of the highlights in the lead up to a wedding for a bride and her friends. What used to be a trip down to the pub the night before the big day, has now turned into a long weekend or even a week filled with adventurous activities, delicious food, partying in your swimwear at beach clubs and nights out, you’ll never forget. This might be either here in the UK or at a more exotic location around the world.  

If you’re planning a hen do soon, you might feel a little lost as to where this epic trip should take place. To help you out, we’ve crunched the numbers to find the best places for this important getaway. 

We’ve taken into account a number of factors, such as cost of accommodation, drinks and the all-important McDonald’s, the number of bars and clubs, how picture-perfect it is and the weather you can expect. The result is a must-visit list of the best places for a hen do in Europe and the UK – for those that are looking for an amazing trip at the right price.

If your bride loves a spa then Budapest is a great choice, the city’s famous Széchenyi Baths is the biggest and most popular of all the thermal baths in Budapest. One of the largest of its type in Europe, with striking columns and bright yellow walls, it’s a popular destination for those who want a great Instagram picture. Once you’ve fully relaxed at the spa, Budapest is an amazing place for an epic night out, with a huge range of bars and clubs.

A package holiday favourite for Brits, Benidorm offers sunshine, bargain booze and bustling beaches just a few hours away by plane. Of course, it would be tempting to just lounge by the pool, but Benidorm is packed full of great hen-appropriate activities. A trip to one of Benidorm’s water parks is a great way to break the ice with your hens, or take the adrenaline up a notch with an exhilarating ride on a banana boat.

If you want some sunshine in a more chic and sophisticated destination, then Madrid is a lovely choice for a hen do. Start your day soaking up the culture at sites, such as the Royal Palace of Madrid and Retiro Park with a walking tour, then find a sunny spot for some traditional cuisine such as paella or even octopus and the all-important sangria. If the hens are into designer fashion, then Madrid is great for a shopping trip – but save some of your energy for your night out!

With a glorious mix of city and beach, Barcelona gives you the best of both worlds for a hen do. Head out to one of the many clubs and bars and you’ll be greeted with a huge variety of music and good-vibes – from classy wine bars to all night raves at Input High Fidelity Dance Club. The next morning, there’s nothing that will soothe a sore head faster than the feeling of sand between your toes, and maybe a mimosa or two if you’re feeling brave.

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city and has everything you could want from a hen do destination. If any of your hens are big on Instagram, they’ll want to head up to Eptapyrgio Castle at sunset. From that vantage point you can see the city below you, with the sun setting behind the rooftops, it’s ideal for that all important group shot. Once the sun has set, head down into the city for a fabulous night out full of glorious local wines and lively bars.

Lovely Lisbon offers a chic getaway for a hen do at a very reasonable price. Although you’re by the sea, don’t expect a beach on your doorstep, but there are plenty of other amazing experiences at your fingertips in this incredible city. After snacking on a pastel de nata or two (the famous custard-filled pastry), you and the hens could take a walk to the historic district of Alfama where you’ll find small restaurants and bars tucked away where you can get the party started.

A super budget-friendly choice, Sofia is a gem of a hen do destination. You and the hens can boogie the night away in some of the many clubs and bars the city has to offer. Yalta Club is one of the most popular and has regularly made it on lists of the best clubs in the world, so make sure it’s on yours! If you’re looking for a slightly more low-key option, Sofia has a number of chic cocktail bars where you can try a range of drinks at great prices.

Albufeira is a great option if your bride is a beach bum and couldn’t think of anything better than surfing and sunning in the day then partying into the night. The coastal city in the Algarve region of Portugal has great weather from spring to autumn, and what better way to enjoy the sunshine than by renting a boat for you and the hens, taking in the stunning coastal views.

To live a Mamma Mia lifestyle for a few days, head to Athens with your hens. You can expect incredible food and great local wines – yes Greece does wine too! For activities in the day, you could go and visit the sights like the Acropolis and Parthenon or take some classes for authentic Greek dancing or cooking.

If you’re looking to celebrate your hen do closer to home, then a party in the UK is an amazing option. Ok, you might not get the sunshine of Tenerife or Lisbon, but you will certainly have an incredible night out.  

Although on the more expensive side, London makes it to the top of the list due to its world-renowned nightlife – where you can find a club or bar for any music genre or style. Two beach destinations make the top 10 list and they are two hen do classics – Brighton comes in at number two and Blackpool places ninth. 

Glasgow is the only Scottish city to be named as a top hen do destination, and if you wanted to really embrace the Scottish theme you could book your hens into a highland dancing class or whiskey cocktail making experience.  

In terms of the north/south divide, the north wins out as the best place for a hen do – with Leeds, Newcastle, Blackpool and Liverpool all making the top 10.

If you’re looking for something a little different for your hen do, and don’t want to book where everyone else is going, then we might just have the list for you. We’ve looked at Google search data to discover the hen do destinations that are up and coming, by looking at the places that have seen the biggest increases in interest.  

Porto is the trending hen do destination right now, with a 100% increase in searches. Milan and Paris also make the top three. Portugal and Spain both have two destinations in the top five – Porto and Lisbon in Portugal and Mallorca’s capital Palma and Madrid in Spain.

Once you’ve picked your destination, if it’s a sunny one them remember to pack your best beachwear, including summer dresses and swimwear we have everything from slinky swimsuits to bold bikinis. 

Number of bars and clubs – Tripadvisor  

Instagram ability – number of hashtags for #(city)hen and #(city)hendo  

Cost of wine – cost taken from most popular restaurant on Tripadvisor in city, with available information 

Cost of Airbnb – average cost of 8-person accommodation in June 2022  

Cost of McDonald’s – Numbeo  

Annual rainfall and sunshine -  www.weather-and-climate.com, https://en.climate-data.org/ 

Trending hen do destinations were discovered by comparing searches for “(city) hen do” in 2021 vs 2022, UK searches.  

All data correct as of April 2022