As the best man, it’s only fair you give the groom-to-be the stag do he’s always dreamed of. But if a weekend away in the UK just isn’t cutting it for you, then it’s time to think further afield.
If you’re thinking of a cheeky break to Magaluf or Ayia Napa with the lads, then let’s be honest: it’s time to stop reading, because this guide isn’t for you!
But, if you’ve been tasked with pulling off the ultimate stag do weekend, then get ready for some serious inspiration, with our top stag do destinations Europe has to offer, all packed full of activities, culture, and (of course!) drinking.
1. Budapest, Hungary
Its short flight time and super low living costs means Budapest’s a top choice for any stag do weekend! Spend each evening hopping between the best ruin bars (Szimpla Kert, housed in a dilapidated stove factory, and Ellato Kert, with its covered garden area are two of our favourites); before sweating out the toxins the day after at one of the spas.
Of course, if you’re visiting Budapest as a stag destination, you can’t just drink. Soak up the culture by walking around the Old Town streets, enjoying a cruise down the Danube, and trekking up to the top of the hill to see Buda Castle.
2. Tallinn, Estonia
From snowmobiles to go karting, canoeing to bubble football, Tallinn has so many activities on offer that are perfect for stag weekends…and the cheap flights, accommodation and beer don’t hurt either!
When you’re not hitting the town or enjoying a husky sled, you’ve got the whole of Tallinn to explore! Admire the architecture of the Old Town, and sip a Saku beer in one of the many outdoor pubs if you’re visiting in the summer.
And if your groom-to-be’s a bit of a history buff, make sure you pay a visit to Hotel Viru, to see the secret floor the KGB took over to spy on its guests when the Soviet Union was in existence!
3. Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of a stag do destination; but if you’re looking for a mellow, chilled out way to celebrate your best mate getting married, then it’s a great option!
Spend your days drinking quality Austrian beers at one of the many beer halls (we’d recommend Augustiner Brauhaus, which is the biggest beer tavern in the country!), and soaking up the atmosphere of this charming city. Mozart’s Home and Hangar 7 are both must-see places, with the latter housing several motorbike and F1 exhibits, as well as having several bars and a restaurant.
4. Sofia, Bulgaria
The capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia is a beautiful city – especially in the summertime! If the thought of a “lads on tour” kind of stag do makes you cringe, then this could be the perfect place for you.
Sure, the drinks are ridiculously cheap here (and if you want more bang for your buck on a night out, hit the bars around Vitosha Boulevard), but there’s so much culture to discover here too.
Why not rent some bikes or segways for you and the stags, to explore the mixture of Roman ruins and ommunist concrete on offer, or try your hand at a classic stag do activity, such as go karting, paintballing, or an escape room.
5. Prague, Czechia
One of the best stag destinations in Europe, Prague is just a two-hour flight away, meaning it’s super easy to get to.
For nights out, head to the bars and underground clubs of Wenceslas Square in the New Town, or the traditional pubs serving free-flowing cheap beer in the Old Town. If you want to continue drinking the day after, then book a beer cycle boat (think a classic party bike, but on water), or arrange a brewery tour at Staropramen Brewery.
Alternatively, if it’s activities you’d rather fill up your days with, alongside the classic go karting and archery, Prague has lots of alternatives to try – think shooting ranges, tobogganing, and white water rafting.
6. Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
If you’re not big on drinking, and you know your main man would prefer a break that offers culture and history in abundance, then Sarajevo is the perfect place for a stag weekend.
The beer is super cheap, so you can all enjoy a good few rounds, but because of its large Muslim population, Bosnia doesn’t have a huge drinking culture – although what it does have, is a great restaurant scene!
One of the best things about Sarajevo is the sheer amount of history that’s waiting to be discovered. The city’s compact, so you can easily explore it on foot – just make sure that if you only visit one place, it’s the Latin Bridge, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated back in 1914, which caused the start of World War I.
If you want to extend the stag weekend by a few days and see more than just Sarajevo, then you can get to the pretty town of Mostar super easily, or you could hop on a bus over the Croatian border to Split or Dubrovnik.
7. Valletta, Malta
If you’re looking for some sun on the stag do, then there’s no better choice than Valletta! The city itself is beautiful, with its baroque buildings dating back hundreds of years, and its restaurants some of the best in Europe.
The alcohol is cheap, and their local beer brand, Cisk, is highly-rated, but if it’s whisky or gin you’re after, then there are lots of great bars just waiting to be discovered.
If you’re going to be in Malta, then you’ll want to make sure you spend at least some of your time on the water. From catamaran sailing tours to snorkelling and jet skiing, Valletta really is one of the best stag destinations Europe offers.
8. Vilnius, Lithuania
The second Baltic city to make it onto our list, despite Lithuania being just south of Latvia, its capital is perhaps lesser known than Riga for being one of the top stag destinations.
If your stags are looking to indulge in some alternative activities (think ice fishing, snowmobiling and even tank driving), then Vilnius is ideal… but saying that, if a good, ol’ fashioned party bike is more your thing, then hey, you do you!
When it comes to exploring the city, you could spend hours getting lost in the winding cobblestone streets of the Old Town, or burn some calories climbing up to Gediminas Castle, a tower that looms over the city on top of a hill.
Make sure you and your stags visit the Republic of Uzupis too – it’s got a really unique feel to it, and it’s home to some great bars that sell really cheap beer.
9. Seville, Spain
Skip the overpriced city of Barcelona, and head to this southern Spanish city instead, for a stag do that no one will forget (or remember, if that’s how you want it to go!).
Catch a La Liga football match while you’re there, or book a private boat tour where you can see the sights of Seville from the water. If you’re sticking to dry land, make sure you check out the Cathedral and La Giralda in the centre of the city, as well as the controversial Las Setas, which has been named that because it essentially looks like a load of giant mushrooms!
One of the great things about Seville is its proximity to the beach, so if you and the stags want to relax and unwind for a bit, then Huelva’s just an hour’s bus ride away, where you’ll have several sandy beaches to choose from.
10. Helsinki, Finland
A Scandinavian city may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of a stag destination, but if drinking, saunas and being close to nature is more of the groom-to-be’s thing, then Helsinki is perfect!
The first thing you need to know about Helsinki (and Finland in general), is that there are sooo many saunas. You can choose to go to a public one like Kotiharjun, which has a strict BYOB rule, or you can rent a rustic log cabin complete with its own private sauna, in the outskirts of the city.
But there’s so much more to Helsinki than saunas and drinking (although if you’re looking for a cheap bar crawl, check out the Kallio district). Head to Linnanmaki theme park, for a wholesome day out filled with lots of fairground rides, or you can book a variety of sports and activities around the city, including go karting, sumo wrestling, and archery.
If your mate’s just gotten engaged and you want to congratulate him in the right way, make sure you take a look at our range of stag do cards. Alternatively, if you’ve agreed to the best man responsibilities and you’re currently planning the ultimate stag weekend, then head on over to our blog for more tips and inspiration, including the best stag do fancy dress themes!
