What is the best way to surprise your best friend with a stag party? We look at 10 top European stag-do destinations for that perfect weekend.
Prague
Prague is an excellent destination for a stag party. It’s not hard to see why Prague is so popular with stag dos. Various activities and sights complement Prague’s unique Gothic charm for all tastes. Spend your time wandering through Prague’s Old Town and Prague’s hilltop castle before you get back to the party. There’s plenty to do in Prague. Think boat parties on the Danube, strip clubs until dawn, and many of Europe’s top nightclubs, all accompanied by cheap Czech beer.
Prague at-a-glance
- Things To Do: Local beer is a huge draw, so make sure you do at least one bar crawl. It’s a good idea to go with a local guide to see the more unusual places. Do you want to take a break from drinking beer? Prague offers many cultural opportunities to enjoy.
- Food and drink: Prague offers a wide variety of international food. Take your pick from pizzas to schnitzels to pasta. Get your night started with a couple of cheap pints.
- Bars and clubs: Prague has them all. Prague has it all: from five-story superclubs, beer gardens, and unforgettable strip clubs.
- Locals Although Czechs are open to tourists from abroad, British men have a reputation for being slightly shady. You will find a warm welcome for stag parties in areas that can accommodate larger groups.
- English proficiency: Most locals will be able to speak English well, particularly the women in bars and clubs.
- Price: Prague is more affordable than other cities due to the cheap beer. However, staying in the middle of the action can still be costly.
Hamburg
Hamburg, a German port city, is one of Europe’s most popular stag destinations. You can enjoy cheap local beer, delicious German food, and top-tier Bundesliga football. The city’s most loved hangouts for music fans are also available. It’s the ideal place to send your best friend farewell. The Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s answer for Amsterdam’s famous red-light district. You might book a tour to assist you in navigating the chaos of bars and clubs.
Hamburg in-a-glance
- Activities: You have many options. Did we mention beer?
- Food & drink: Who doesn’t love German food? After a long day of drinking, schnitzel, bratwurst, and mountains of potato salad are all delicious. Hamburg’s craft brewery scene is to be noticed.
- Bars and clubs: Visit the Reeperbahn in the St Pauli region to find bars, clubs, and strip clubs.
- Hamburgers are very open-minded about foreign tourists. It is relatively safe to explore Hamburg thanks to the Reeperbahn’s police officers and bouncers.
- English proficiency Most people in tourist areas speak English. However, if you plan to travel outside these areas, you should brush up on your Deutsch.
- Price: Hamburg may not be the most expensive place on this list. It’s Germany, after all. The beer is cheap, but it’s good quality. There are many things to do and see so you won’t be disappointed.
Budapest
Budapest, the grandiose capital of Hungary, is perfect for a stag weekend. You will find everything you need to make your stag weekend unforgettable, including beer bikes, bubble football, and shooting an AK-47. The city’s Szechenyi thermal pools are a must-see. Budapest’s nightlife is everything you would expect from a vibrant capital city in central Europe. There are plenty of bars, clubs, and strip clubs. Converting the local currency (forint) in your head can be unclear!
Budapest at a glance
- Things to Do: Pick your favorite. Budapest has it all: guns, beer, and girls. You can also visit the Szechenyi Thermal Baths to get rid of your hangover.
- Food and drink: Budapest’s food and beer are affordable, mainly if you stick with the local specialties. Be sure to check out the local spirits – they are amazing!
- Bars and clubs: What’s the best place to start? Budapest has some of central Europe’s best nightlife, including bars, strip joints, and VIP bars.
- Locals are Friendly as long as they keep you out of trouble. But beware of possible scams. You might be asked by girls to come along for a drink, and then they leave you with the hefty bill. You should keep your wits about yourself and you will be fine.
- English proficiency: The tourist trade speaks English well so it should be fine. You should also bring your Hungarian phrases if you travel outside the city.
- Price: Budapest is less expensive than Prague, but prices can differ – especially if you get lost in the local currency.
Krakow
Are you looking for a quieter alternative than Prague or Budapest? Krakow is an excellent alternative to Prague and Budapest. Although the Polish city is on its way to being a popular destination for stag parties, it still needs to be as affordable as other cities on this list. You’ll find plenty of activities for stag parties, such as brewery visits and white-water-rafting. The stag can be set up in a park to be attacked and bitten by dogs. Yes, really. This quiet city heats up when the sun goes down.
Krakow at-a glance
- Things To Do: Other than the dog attacks, there are many other activities that you can do. You can take a communism-themed historic tour, visit craft beer tours, white-water rafting, and kart. There is something for everyone.
- Food and drink: While local Polish beers may seem the most affordable, there are many other options. But why would anyone drink anything else in Krakow. You will be filling your stomach with classic Polish pierogi.
- Bars and clubs: Krakow, a student-oriented city, has plenty of bars and cheap alcohol. Krakow’s main square is where all the action takes place, making it easy to navigate at night.
- Locals Friendly, but some bouncers aren’t happy with British stag parties getting lairy. Because everything is so close together, it’s safe.
- English proficiency: Most students and younger generations in the city can speak English well, though you may need help if your travels take you outside Krakow.
- Price: Krakow is relatively affordable compared to other places on the list. This means that you get more for your dollar.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most exciting places in the world. Amsterdam is Europe’s original Sin City, thanks to its world-famous Red Light District and eclectic bar scene. There are also many coffee shops. Amsterdam has a lot more to offer than just that. If you stay longer than a day, you should explore the rest of Amsterdam. If you go beyond the Red Light District, you can find wind-surfing, paddle-boarding, brewery tours, and other activities.
Amsterdam at-a-glance
- Things to Do: The Red Light District has plenty of activities for everyone. You can choose from stand-up paddleboarding along the canals or bungee jumping by the river.
- Food and drink: Dutch beer may not be as affordable as other countries, but it is still cheaper than spirits. Although food can be costly, many cheaper options are available if you shop around.
- Bars and clubs: It’s incredible how many bars and clubs are available in the Red Light District for stag parties. However, you can expect to spend much more than in other cities.
- Residents: Amsterdamers are used to tourists. If you walk alone at night, keep your eyes open as drunken revelers can make the canals dangerous.
- English proficiency: The Dutch are fluent in English, so you can communicate with them wherever you go.
- Price: Amsterdam isn’t cheap, but you can do many exciting things in Amsterdam.
Tallinn
Tallinn, a historic port city on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, has been a popular destination for stag weekends. Its compact medieval core makes it easy to navigate. You will be amazed at how many bars, clubs, and restaurants you find. The Estonian capital offers many activities for stag parties, including banger racing, husky rides, and moto paintball. Also, try the local beers and the various spirits on offer if your taste buds are tingling.
Tallinn at-a-glance
- Things To Do: The standard stag activities plus some Estonian specialties to get your blood pumping, like shooting at Soviet bases. The buzzing nightlife is something you won’t want to miss.
- Food and drink: There are many restaurants and bars in the Old Town, so there’s plenty to choose from.
- Bars and clubs: Pubs. Strip clubs, casinos. Tallinn offers a lot of things. You can also find clubs that stay open until the early morning hours, giving you plenty of time to relax.
- Locals Tallinn has a lot to offer tourists, so it’s easy to get along with them, provided you keep your wits around you.
- English proficiency Many Estonians speak excellent English, so you should be fine communicating your points during weekends.
- Price: Tallinn may not be as affordable as you think, but it is still very reasonable compared to Western Europe.
Bratislava
Although the Slovakian capital doesn’t have as much fame as nearby Prague, it is still one of Europe’s top stag destinations. Bratislava, unlike other cities, is quite relaxed. Most bars and clubs are located in the Old Town. These bars have plenty of Czech and Slovak beers, so that you will be satisfied. You can also shoot AK-47s and ride a beer bike around the city.
Bratislava at-a-glance
- Things To Do: Bratislava may not be as exciting as Amsterdam or Prague, but there are still plenty of things to do, whether you enjoy the great outdoors or visit bars.
- Food and drink: Slovak capital is affordable for food and beverages, mainly if you stick with the local beers. Why would you choose anything else?
- Bars and clubs: Bratislava is less wild than Berlin, Barcelona, or both, but all bars and clubs are located in the same area so that you can sample all available.
- Locals Although they are familiar with British stag weekends, don’t expect them not to enjoy the party.
- English proficiency. English isn’t widely spoken in the area, but plenty of bartenders talk about it.
- Price: Bratislava offers more value than other European destinations.
Barcelona
The glamorous Catalan capital is an excellent spot for stag parties. It lies along the coast of the Mediterranean. Barcelona is the perfect place for you and your guys to enjoy a weekend of sun, sand, and sea. The fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach. Barcelona offers everything you could want: water parks, theme parks, boat rides, and karting. Camp Nou is a must-see. You can always continue your trip to Camp Nou with a tapas tour, where you can sample delicious Spanish food and drink.
Barcelona at-a-glance
- Things To Do: Barcelona is the best city in Europe. There are many activities for stag parties, including football, rollercoasters, and tapas.
- Food and drink: There’s no better way to kick off the party than with tapas and Spanish beers after a long day at the beach.
- Bars and clubs: Barcelona can be a great spot to go if you love clubbing. However, you will need to dress up. If you want something more casual, there are plenty of bars and pubs.
- Friendly locals: Barcelona is a tourist destination with many problems. For example, pickpocketing in busy areas.
- English proficiency. English is spoken in tourist areas, but not so much out of these areas.
- Price: Barcelona is costly, but you’ll be more than compensated by the number of choices you and your fellow lads have.
Riga
The Latvian capital, Riga, is our second Baltic city. Riga, a little more remote than Tallinn, offers a less touristy option for a weekend with the guys. It is compact and easy to get around, so it’s easy to explore. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the Olympic bobsled track. It’s possible to go down in summer or winter, but it is not recommended for the faint-hearted.
Riga at-a-glance
- Activities: Riga’s population is smaller than other stag locations, so fewer activities exist. You won’t be disappointed regardless of whether you are shooting or bobsled.
- Food and drink: It’s easy to find restaurants in the Old Town. You should try local beers. They are often more affordable than imported Czech and German beer.
- Bars and clubs: The city has a decent club scene, but be careful of back alleys that look shady. Sometimes these are operated by the mafia, so be careful!
- Latvians: Latvians will be friendly and respectful of you as long as you are. This is important to remember when you deal with locals. Brits are known for having a poor reputation in these areas.
- English proficiency for the tourist industry: While you can communicate in English, it is not expected that this level of English will hold outside of those areas.
- Cost: Riga’s price is still very affordable, so you can still spend a lot on local bars.
Berlin
Berlin is a must-see on any list of top European stag locations. The German capital has everything. Are your friends fond of drinking German beer in large glasses? Done. Are you looking for fascinating Cold War-era relics? You got it. What about partying till dawn in the infamous Berlin clubs? You can choose your favorite. Berlin is the best place to select a stag location.
Berlin, at a glance
- What are you looking for? How much time do you have? You will find something for everyone in Berlin. Make sure to do your research before you go.
- Food & drink: German beer is plentiful. You could not ask for more. The German food is also good. Do we need to continue?
- Bars and clubs: While few places allow men to enter a club in Berlin, many will only allow them in small groups, so it’s best to try staggering your way into the club. You can also find a club where you and your friends can party till dawn. Oder you can hit the most popular bars in Berlin.
- Locals Berlin is an international city, so it’s best to avoid making a big deal of it.
- English proficiency: Berliners generally speak decent English, especially the younger generation.
- Price: Berlin may not be as affordable as it used to be, but you can still get great value and do many amazing things.