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15 best hen do abroad destinations that are fun and affordable
Soak up some pre-wedding sun or party the night away!
Calling all maids of honour and bridesmaids, planning the hen do for your bride to be, can be stressful, fun too, but also very, very stressful. Where can you go that will accommodate a potentially large group? What destination will be on everyone's budget? And where will also make the bride feel super special and bring her a bunch of once in a lifetime memories?
Now, of course a hen do in the UK is a totally feasible option and often easier than trying to get everyone's passport details together. However, if you really want to push the boat out, or your bride has slightly hinted (ok strongly hinted) she wants to jet off before her wedding then knowing where to go for the hen do can be slightly overwhelming. A sunny European country is always a safe bet, but there's also a few further a-field options that are also perfect for a hen do.
So whether you want a chilled and scenic trip with your friends or family or fancy all-nighters with your besties in a hot location to get your tan on, then look no further. From city breaks to beaches and beyond, here are 15 of the best hen do destinations abroad.
Palma, Spain
Palma gives you a bit of everything to make a truly well rounded hen do itinerary. There's idyllic cobbled streets you can get lost in, peeking around the shops and sampling sangria in all the local bars.
But it's also by the sea, so boujie beach club vibes are easy to access. We'd recommend spending a day at Purobeach Palma, it's got chilled out luxury vibes and will make a perfect backdrop for all your hen do pictures.
And when you return back to the city there's a number of nightclubs and bars to keep you entertained. Head to Hostal Cuba, a rooftop bar with stunning views over the city, to drink a few mojitos and watch the sunset.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Yes it's known for its Game of Thrones connection, but tucked away from the walled city centre is the area of Lapad. It's full of resorts for a variety of budgets, and perfect if your idea of the dream hen do is sun, sea and swimming. It's not the biggest party area, but you can always head into the city centre if that's more your vibe. But if not, get ready for three days of ultimate relaxation.
Head to the Cave Bar More for some stunning images for cocktail hour, and if you prefer a more active hen do there's the Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park, ideal for some hiking excursions.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a great pick for a quick and affordable trip away, with the city offering rich culture, stunning views, unique experiences and tasty food. We recommend their relaxing thermal spas, food markets and bakeries!
Stay at Andaz Prague, which is a stones throw from the city's Old Town with must-see sights. The artsy hotel also offers a spa, restaurants, a bar and more to keep you and your hen party entertained throughout your stay.
Lisbon, Portugal
Ok, there's a lot of ways you could do a hen do in Lisbon, but we'd recommend doing a bit of everything. Start the weekend off by strolling around the streets and soaking up the city's vibes (pastel de natas are a must). Then get a tuktuk tour to explore the city more, this will be absolutely chaos and will create the best memories.
We'd then recommend getting a boat across the river and having dinner at Ponto Final (book weeks in advance), before heading back and having evening cocktails at Java Rooftop.
The next day you could either explore LX Factory which is filled with independent stores, vintage stalls and cute bars and restaurants. Or there's also the option to go further afield and travel out to the coast and spend the day at one of the city's beach clubs.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona offers the perfect combination of city and beach vibes, making it a great destination for a group of fussy hens, with good weather almost guaranteed all year around. Hotel SB Diagonal Zero is situated near the beach and offers an incredible rooftop pool for you to lounge around with a book, or, you can explore the city's amazing restaurants, landmarks and museums. Whatever you choose to do, good times are guaranteed!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is easily one of our favourite affordable destinations for a hen do. You can either travel by plane or Eurostar, and we'd opt for the train as it'll be a more fun experience.
The city has a number of really nice affordable hostels, and depending on the size of your group you'll be able to get a whole dorm to yourself. Potential activities then include a boat trip down the canals, visiting the city's famous ice bar and of course a stop off at Amsterdam's sex museum. Well it would be rude not to?
Paris, France
There's no city quite like Paris. With the French capital being just hours away from the UK via train or plane, it's a great choice for a weekend away with friends ahead of your big day. Whether you want to relax, explore or party, you can do it in Paris.
For hotels, there’s never a dull moment in Pigalle with Hôtel Rochechouart offering a quintessential Parisian experience just a short walk away from the Sacré-Coeur and art deco vibes at an affordable price.
Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza is famous for being an entertaining party destination, but equally, you can unwind and relax on this beautiful Spanish island for your hen do. Eat, drink and be merry in the Mediterranean before your big day!
The Ibiza Gran Hotel offers a luxurious, five-star retreat that combines sophistication, comfort, and impeccable service alongside some impressive fine dining experiences. Plus, those views? Breathtaking.
Malta
Do not sleep on Malta when it comes to potential hen do abroad destinations. The small European country is ideal for classic hen do activities, while also allowing you to explore some of the most stunning beaches and caves. Seriously, do not leave that hen do without booking in a visit to the blue lagoon.
AKI in Valletta is perfect for a special evening meal and you need to get evening drinks at the rooftop at the Embassy Hotel.
Budapest, Hungary
If you're looking for a more wintery hen do destination, a trip to Budapest should definitely be on the table. An ideal mix of hot baths and ice cold drinks. Speaking of drinks, the prosecco boat tour is a very affordable (and fun) way to start off the hen do.
The next day (hangover dependent) organise a walking tour of the historic city, before going to the city's famous baths and then ending the day with a special meal at Tati, a farm to table restaurant. You also can't leave Budapest without going the Ruin bars.
Rhodes, Greece
There's a lot of Greek Islands you could pick for a hen do, however, we think Rhodes is a pretty solid option. There's plenty of nightlife, stunning beaches and fun restaurants, including Ronda, which we'd definitely be booking in for a Saturday.
Athens, Greece
Speaking of Greece, if you want a mix of city break and beach for your hen do then head to Athens. You can spend one day doing all the must see cultural visits aka the Parthenon, Acropolis and various museums. And the next day just out of the city at one of the coast's beach clubs or taking a boat trip, or both if you have the time. End both days at one of the city's fun rooftop bars, there's about five or six great ones all in one area, and our favourite is A for Athens.
Berlin
For the Charli XCX club rat vibes, a hen do to Berlin is essentially the ideal destination. And what's on the itinerary? No sleep, bus, club, another club. If you can, try and get into Berghain, and also head to Kit Kat, Tresor and ELSE for some of the best bridesmaid partying.
Tulum, Mexico
For those wanting to jet off further afield, then say hello to the tropical beauty that is Tulum. This idyllic Mexican town is home to stunning white beaches, yoga retreats, and some of the best preserved archaeological sites in the world. A hen do to remember!
Motto by Hilton is a lifestyle hotel that houses restaurants, shops, and a jungle bar. Open your blinds, and you’ll even be met with a staggeringly uninterrupted view of the jungle!
Marrakech, Morocco
It feels like everyone is going to Morocco right now, so why not make it your hen do destination? This isn't the place to go to for your wild parties, but instead some truly unforgettable experiences, like visiting the Jardin Majorelle, the city's famous souks and a stop at one of the hammans for a truly relaxing experience.
And if you need a bit more thrill for your hen do, travel out to the desert and organise a hot air balloon adventure or go quad biking across the dunes.
Furvah Shah is Acting Entertainment Booker for ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. She secures interviews with your favourite celebrities and covers everything from TV and films to music and books. Furvah has previously written for The Independent, BBC, Refinery29 and Amaliah and she is super passionate about highlighting diverse talent and projects, having interviewed the likes of Jenna Ortega, Charithra Chandran, Ambika Mod and more. She graduated with a First in BA Media and Communications from Goldsmiths University and is an NCTJ-qualified journalist. In her free time, you can find her at an arts or culture event, eating Middle Eastern or Asian food, searching for modest fashion inspiration on Pinterest or cuddling with her cat. You can follow Furvah on X, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK’s Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she’s interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
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