Hen Weekends

Welcome bridesmaid extraordinaire, to the only destination you need to compare, plan and save money on that amazing hen weekend you’re planning for the bride. Whether it’s home or away, city or sands, well mannered or wild, we have hen weekend ideas – and prices – to make the whole party smile.

She’s engaged! There’s a sparkler on the finger and you’re going to be a bridesmaid. Congratulations! If you thought picking a dress to suit the gaggle of girls walking down the aisle with you was going to be tough, wait until you plan the hen do. Guest lists, budgets, activities… it’s enough to test even the most brilliant bridesmaid.

TravelSupermarket has your back. We have five of the hottest travel picks for hen weekends abroad and girls’ weekend getaways on UK soil, while giving you some great girls’ weekend ideas. Will you play home or away? Let’s look at the pros and cons:

UK hen party weekends – pros

A girls’ weekend in the UK can be easy to organise and perfect for larger groups who might not know each other well, as there is a wealth of bookable activities that you can bond over. It’s also easy to split UK breaks between the relaxing and the raucous, so everyone can attend something suitable. The cost of travel can be kept low and latecomers can make their own way to the destination.

UK hen party weekends – cons

Is the bride an outdoorsy type? The unpredictability of the British weather could put a dampener on any outdoor activities. And, while there are some cracking girls’ weekend ideas out there – from cocktail-making lessons to quad biking – costs in the UK can be high.

Hen weekends abroad – pros

They can be a big commitment, but hen parties abroad are increasingly popular with brides and their hens. Why? Because better weather is a cert in typical sunshine destinations, the cost of eating and drinking can be cheaper than it is in the UK, and bargains on flights and hotels are easy to find. Overseas girls’ weekend getaways can be just as cheap as hen weekends at home and are well suited to smaller groups who know each other well.

Hen weekends abroad – cons

It can be more stressful for organisers to arrange a group trip abroad. You’ll need to know, or at least trust, your fellow hens if you are organising overseas travel as it is likely you’ll be paying upfront (probably best to collect those monies before you book).

1. Ibiza

Superclubs, spas, sensational Spanish cuisine – a girls’ weekend in Ibiza can be as laidback or as loud as you like. Cheap holiday packages to this Balearic Island mean you can have a sun-drenched girls’ weekend away at a great price. Ibiza is a super option for party lovers.

2. Palma

The classy capital of Majorca is popular with those looking to book shopping-packed, culturally buzzing hen parties abroad. Cocktail bars nestle beside cathedrals, museums and some of the best restaurants on the island. Palma is a super option for chic city breaks in the sun.

3. Barcelona

Another trendy hotspot for a girls’ weekend away, beautiful Barcelona has everything the bride-to-be could ask for of a sun-kissed city break: fantastic bars, gorgeous beaches, world-class restaurants and more opportunities for Instagram pics than you can shake a smartphone at. Barcelona is a super option for the best of everything.

4. Edinburgh

Girls’ weekend getaways will never go out of style in the historic to Scottish capital. Boutique shopping, ghost hunting, castle touring, bar hopping… whatever your party is into, Edinburgh has a wealth of hen-weekend ideas to explore. Edinburgh is a super option for a cultural girls’ weekend.

5. Bath

Easy to reach from much of England and Wales and oozing elegant Georgian charm, Bath is a sophisticated destination in which to bring your hen weekend ideas to life. Take afternoon tea, soak in the Roman Baths, book pampering treatments and then head out for a night on the tiles. Bath is a super option for relaxation and sophistication.