British stag and hen parties are turning their backs on traditional European city breaks in favour of sun-soaked resorts, with one Spanish hotspot now leading the pack. According to exclusive new booking data from UK wedding travel specialists StagWeb and GoHen, Benidorm has been crowned the number one destination for British pre-wedding celebrations in 2026.
The New Champion of Pre-Wedding Parties
The Costa Blanca resort has surged in popularity, overtaking long-established favourites like Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Prague. The shift is driven by British groups seeking value and convenience. Tens of thousands of British groups are set to travel to Benidorm for stag and hen dos this year, drawn by its reliable nightlife, affordable accommodation, and solid infrastructure for group tourism.
With an average seven-night stay in a three-star hotel costing as little as £365, the destination offers significant savings. This allows groups to stay longer and do more, a key consideration amid rising costs elsewhere in Europe.
The 2026 Top Ten Revealed
The data paints a clear picture of changing tastes. The full ranking of the most popular European stag and hen destinations for 2026 is:
- Benidorm, Spain
- Albufeira, Portugal
- Dublin, Ireland
- Tenerife, Spain
- Marbella, Spain
- Barcelona, Spain
- Ibiza, Spain
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Budapest, Hungary
In second place, Albufeira in Portugal's Algarve offers stunning beaches by day and 'The Strip' – a neon-lit hub with 30 bars and clubs – by night. Dublin takes third, renowned for its pub culture and buzzing nightlife, with Bachelors Way providing easy access to famed venues like Temple Bar.
Why British Groups Are Changing Their Habits
Industry experts point to a fundamental change in behaviour. Rising costs and tighter restrictions in some classic city break locations have prompted groups to seek destinations that actively cater to large parties without complications.
Jon Stanier, Creative Director at StagWeb and GoHen, commented: 'We're seeing a very clear change in behaviour. British stag and hen groups are being far more selective about where they go. They’re choosing destinations where they know large groups are catered for and right now, Benidorm is leading the way by a significant margin.'
This trend is also evident within Spain itself, where groups are quietly ditching Barcelona for alternative Spanish destinations that offer greater flexibility for accommodation and organised group activities.
The findings underscore a broader move away from the nightlife capitals of Central and Eastern Europe towards warmer resort destinations that can comfortably accommodate big parties. However, travellers are urged to check local regulations, as Spain is introducing new rules in 2025 to manage tourism and public behaviour, with fines for breaches potentially reaching up to €3,000.
