Ever since my girls surprised me with the BEST bachelorette trip ever, I’ve been itching to share the details of my Barcelona hen do itinerary! (NB for my American readers, a bachelorette is called a ‘hen do’ in the UK).
This was a long weekend filled with non-stop laughs and strawberry daiquiris in the beauty of the Catalan capital.
Here, an incredible beach meets bustling city nightlife for the ultimate hen party destination, with a heady cocktail of culture, parties, and sunshine. Put simply, Barcelona is the perfect place for a hen weekend!
This Barcelona hen do itinerary works best during the European summer, which extends from late April to early October. Our wedding was in late June, so we went on the last weekend of May and had perfect weather for the trip.
In this blog, I’ll go over the exact itinerary we followed, and then go into more detail about each activity, including links and approximate costs for easy booking. I’ll also add some alternative activities in case you want to customise the itinerary and tailor it to the tastes of your group.
At the end, I’ll include the details of where we stayed and how to get around the city, along with some additional accommodation suggestions and top tips.
Barcelona Hen Do Itinerary in Brief
All the details, costs and links for the activities are listed further on, along with some bonus activities in case you want to sub anything out for something else. I’ve also included info on all the best restaurants and bars to visit for a hen do in Barcelona.
We actually flew into the city late on Thursday evening, and just checked into our accommodation and went to bed in preparation for the weekend. However, this itinerary would also work if you were to arrive in the city on Friday morning, so pick the flights that work best for you and your party!
Friday
- Arrival/ first morning in Barcelona
- Puro Beach pool party
- Drinks and games at your accommodation
- Dinner at La Terraza De Anna by Vida Moda
- Drinks and dancing at the W Hotel
Saturday
- Recovery brunch
- Afternoon on the beach
- Nude life drawing class or rooftop salsa
- Tapas on La Rambla
- Games and pre-drinks at your accommodation
- Late-night dancing at Port Olympic
Sunday
- Bottomless brunch at Bar Veraz
- Boat trip
- Cocktail masterclass & tapas
- Drinks and dancing in the Gothic Quarter
Monday
- Optional sightseeing (Park Gaudi or Sagrada Familia)
- Lunch at La Mar Salada
- Travel home
Barcelona Hen Do Activities
The best hen party activities in Barcelona include:
- Pool Party
- Nude Life Drawing
- Boat Trip
- Cocktail Making Class
- Spanish Cooking Class
- Salsa or Flamenco Dance Class
- Hen Do Treasure Hunt
Of course, there are plenty more things to do in Barcelona outside of these hen activities, you can also simply hit the beach or soak up the incredible art and architecture! However, I recommend booking one or two activities for your group, just to give the weekend some structure.
Always allow plenty of time between activities and don’t book more than one or two on the same day. Check out the itinerary in brief above to see how we spaced ours out in between meals and free time.
Below you can find more info, costs and links to book all of the activities listed above.
Pool Party
Approx €85pp
Not sure if it was just because it was the first full day of my Barcelona hen do, but I LOVED the pool party.
Puro Beach is a day club on a rooftop near the beach with a pool and stylish DJ sets on weekends through the summer. I’ve never been to a pool party on a roof before, so that was pretty cool! The atmosphere was fairly chilled when we arrived around 1 p.m. but got gradually more lively as the day went on.
We ordered non-stop mango daiquiris and also a few bits of food to our beds to keep us going through the afternoon, and it was all fantastic! You get a couple of free drinks and towels thrown in with the sunbeds, and you can also opt for beds in a quieter area to reduce the cost if you prefer.
Boat Trip
Approx €38pp
Whenever I go abroad, I always have to squeeze a boat trip in, and my Barcelona hen do was no different! We opted for a private sailboat rental, which lasted 3 hours and came with a skipper to sail us around some of the sights of Barcelona.
We also got some drinks and snacks included, although we also brought some of our own. Alternatively, you could opt to join an organised boat tour or yacht party instead, depending on what your group would prefer!
See Barcelona boat trips here.
Nude Life Drawing
Approx €35pp
This one has to be up there with one of the funniest hen-do activities ever. It’s perfect if you don’t want to go down the full-on stripper route, but you do want to try something a little risque!
Essentially, you’re all given paper and chalk and so on, and you’ll have a nude model to draw. Don’t worry! You’re given plenty of instructions along the way, and they think of unexpected ways to keep you entertained.
Nudity just not for you? Check out this classy ceramic tile-making class instead. Create a cool souvenir for all your hens to take home!
Cocktail Masterclass
Approx € 56pp
A cocktail-making class is always a fun experience to include, even if your hen party involves people from multiple generations. You’ll learn how to mix your favourite drinks in a fun and relaxed environment, and this class also includes some yummy tapas to fuel the party!
It is located in the vibrant Gothic Quarter, where there are plenty of bustling bars and clubs to keep the cocktails flowing once you’ve finished the class.
Paella Cooking Class
Approx €87pp
Perfect for foodies, a paella cooking class is a fantastic alternative to a cocktail class. This class combines a tour of the famous La Boqueria market, where you can select the freshest ingredients, before strolling down La Rambla to the test kitchen.
Here, you can enjoy a live sangria-making demonstration, before sipping some yourself as you make a start on perfecting the iconic Spanish paella. A recipe to take away makes the perfect souvenir for your Barcelona hen do!
See availability and book directly here.
Salsa or flamenco Dance Class
Approx €40pp
A salsa dance class is a fun way to get your girls bonding, without the pressure of hitting the club.
Flamenco is thought to originate from Sothern Spain, so taking a dance class is also a great way to soak up some local culture, while you can also go to a Flamenco show if you’re too shy to try it yourself.
Salsa comes from Cuba, but has been adopted by many Spanish-speaking countries and is an equally popular way to get the girls giggling.
For extra Dutch courage, this class includes bottomless sangria or cava and is held on a beautiful rooftop in the city centre.
Barcelona Hen Do Treasure Hunt
Approx € 36pp
For brides that are young at heart, you can’t go wrong with a treasure hunt! This activity lets you see the sights of the city while solving clues to find the prize at the end and is ideal for hen parties that prefer games and activities to all-day partying.
You’ll be welcomed with a glass of cava and then split into teams and provided with a series of riddles and clues that will take you on a whirlwind adventure of the city’s most famous sights.
Hit the Beach
Free
Of course, what better way to celebrate a hen party than by spending time at the beach?! Pack the towels, sunscreen, and maybe a few drinks and nibbles, and head down to soak up the sunshine.
There are plenty of bars and places to eat located right behind the beach, should you get hungry or thirsty. Just be careful and keep an eye on your belongings on the beach, as pickpockets are known to grab handbags while you’re not looking.
Best Bars and Restaurants for a Hen Party in Barcelona
Here are just a few places I recommend for eating, drinking and dancing in Barcelona, but you really can’t go wrong in the Catalan capital!
There are lots of lovely local tapas spots if you just want something a little more low-key, but bear in mind, you may still need to book ahead if you are a larger group.
La Terraza De Anna by Vida Moda
£££
Okay, full disclosure… I don’t remember too much about La Terraza because we went there after the pool party. However, what I do remember was really fun! It’s very centrally located on a rooftop, with a resident DJ on Friday nights.
The food is classic Spanish tapas with an upscale twist, so perfect for getting a little taste of the local cuisine in a fun and luxurious setting.
Bar Veraz
££
This is a very stylish bar and restaurant which forms part of the Barcelona Edition Hotel. We had the most delicious bottomless brunch here – don’t eat before because you get to choose two dishes from the menu, and the portions are big!
You also get speciality coffee and free-flowing mimosas or cava, all for just €42pp. Head to the bar on the rooftop for a drink before or after, where the views are incredible!
Puro Beach
£££
If you don’t fancy booking a sunbed for the pool party, you can still come to Puro Beach for drinks or food. The mango daiquiris were insanely good!
The food is pretty standard beach club fare, think tacos, salads, and tempura prawns, but you can also get a few Spanish specialities such as paella and patatas bravas. However, I would suggest coming here more for the drinks and vibe, rather than the food!
Eat My Trip
££
A fab little spot for brunch, serving savoury and sweet brekkie favourites all day long – perfect for those days when the hangover keeps you in bed a little longer.
From pancakes and strawberry cheesecake french toast to acai smoothie bowls, guacamole toast and Iberian eggs Benedict, there really is something for everyone here!
Based in the Example district in the heart of the city, there are also multiple vegan and gluten-free options to appease every dietary requirement in your group.
My Way Lounge Bar
££
Located just steps away from La Rambla in the beautiful Gothic Quarter, My Way is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Enjoy incredible tapas and Spanish specialities in this chic, low-lit lounge bar, which is spacious enough to seat a large group and takes bookings in advance.
They also serve wonderful sangria and cocktails, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable, especially if you decide to share tapas.
La Mar Salada
££
For big sharing portions of paella and the juiciest sangria in the city, you can’t go wrong with La Mar Salada, based right by the main port.
We went to this restaurant on our last day, and despite the monstrous hangover, we still managed to eat our troubles away.
Pacha
£££
Pacha (recently rebranded as ‘Ku’) is just one of the mega clubs located at Port Olympic, but I believe it’s the best one! Nearly all of the big clubs like Pacha, Opium, Carpe Diem and the Ice Bar are located in this area, though, so it’s easy to hop between them.
When we went, all of the clubs had huge queues, so you may want to think about booking entry or splurging on a table in advance. The drinks are expensive, but the party is always going off, and the DJ sets are something else!
We stayed out until 5 a.m. here, just because the vibes were so good (I never normally stay out past midnight these days!).
NOXE (W Hotel)
££££
Noxe is located on the 26th floor of the W Hotel, which is the iconic sail-shaped building you can see right at the end of the beach. This is probably one of the biggest party hotspots of Barcelona, and the place you’re most likely to spot celebrities and the like.
It’s ideal for a late-night drink and dancing in a stylish, exclusive atmosphere. However, you must adhere to the dress code, and this includes wearing heels or shoes with ankle straps! We saw many groups of girls getting turned away because they had mule-type shoes on or sandals without straps.
Bosc de Les Fades
£
Tucked away by the wax museum in the Gothic Quarter, this enchanting venue is home to a fairytale forest bar, where you can buy jugs of the sweetest sangria for less than €15. Enough said?
It’s also a fantastic place to start a bar crawl through the Gothic Quarter, followed by Ocana, Sub Rosa, and finally, BLVD for dancing until the early hours!
Barcelona Hen Do Accommodation
We stayed in apartments, which I think is the way forward in terms of value for money and logistics. It’s great to have a bigger space where you can all gather together for pre-drinks and games, with the added benefit of privacy and cooking facilities.
Unfortunately, the apartments we used are no longer available to rent. However, this is a similar option for 8-10 people, located right in the Gothic Quarter which is really convenient for many of the activities on this itinerary.
This apartment is clean and simple with a bright kitchen and Juliet-style balconies. If your group is larger than 10, the owner can offer additional apartments in the same building.
Alternatively, browse Vrbo for Barcelona apartments according to your dates and group size. Look for availability in the Gothic Quarter, the central area of Eixample, or La Barceloneta if you want to be close to the beach and posh Port Olympic clubs.
Other Places to Stay for a Hen Party in Barcelona:
Catalonia Port: Comfy rooms in a hotel with a plunge pool, right by the port, with single, double and triple rooms available.
Hostal Operaramblas: A range of no-frills single and double rooms in an excellent location, perfect if your budget is a little tighter.
Sofitel Barcelona Skipper: A beautiful hotel right by the beach and Port Olympic clubs, perfect if you want the plush luxury of hotel facilities and your budget can stretch a little further.
Getting to Barcelona for a Hen Weekend
Barcelona is a huge city, and a major transport hub for Spain, so you should have no trouble finding direct flights from nearly all regional airports in the UK. We had a choice of flight times with various low-cost airlines, so we could choose the ones that worked best for us.
There is a shuttle bus to take you from the airport to the city centre, although we organised a private transfer since there was a big group of us. The shuttle costs approx €10pp one-way, while a taxi is around €35, so it’s actually cheaper for groups of four to get a taxi.
I always use Welcome Pickups to book transfers from the airport.
Getting Around Barcelona With a Hen Party
Our accommodation was conveniently located right by a taxi rank, so to keep things simple, we mainly took taxis or walked to the various locations.
However, Barcelona has an easy and wide-reaching metro system, which you could also use with a bit more forward planning (I would look up the routes you need to take in advance so no one gets lost along the way).
I recommend buying everyone multi-day tickets in advance to prevent faffing around at the station every time.
A four-day travel card, which includes unlimited travel on the whole public transport system (including to and from the airport) costs €33.99, and you can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can then collect the tickets at any metro station with a code that will be emailed to you.
Editable Barcelona Hen Do Itinerary Template
Once you’ve planned out your perfect Barcelona hen do itinerary, why not get it printed? This gives everyone a handy outline of the plan, plus a gorgeous keepsake from a celebration to remember!
I’ve created a simple template for you to use, plus the matching invite. Simply edit on canva.com (a free online tool, no software required), and add your name, dates, details, and activities.
A Checklist of Barcelona Hen Do Accessories
Here are a few Barcelona hen do accessories I recommend to make the photos extra special and give everyone a little memento of the weekend!
- Printed itinerary cards
- A bedazzled captain hat for the bride
- White heart sunglasses for the bride
- Pink/black heart sunglasses for the hens
- Personalised fans
- Hen party goodie bags
- Hen party hangover kits
- Decor for Bride’s room
- Hen party games
- Straws or shot glasses
- Sweets or alcohol miniatures
Barcelona Hen Do: Top Tips and Final Thoughts!
Barcelona is a big city, and hen weekends can often get messy. I recommended sticking together as a group as much as possible, and always looking out for one another! I know I sound like your mum now, but that really is my number one tip.
Here are a few of my top tips for planning a hen party in Barcelona:
- Pack sandals/heels with ankle straps. Many of the clubs won’t let you in if your shoes don’t have proper straps (not even sure why).
- Print off an itinerary for everyone and pop it in the goodie bags. If anyone wants to skip an activity for any reason, they can always meet you at the next stop!
- Use Splitwise to keep track of restaurant, taxi, and drink costs.
- Keep a close eye on your belongings, especially at the beach. Barcelona is known for its pickpockets, and groups of tipsy girls are easy targets!
- The clubs have a strict dress code, so bear that in mind when packing.
- Be sure to book everything well in advance, especially if you are a large group.
I hope this guide has given you a few interesting Barcelona hen do ideas, but if you have any other planning questions, feel free to fire away in the comments!
Comparing a few different destinations for your hen weekend? Why not check out my Paris hen do itinerary too?
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Hello, really loved the apartment you stayed at, the link you have takes me to booking.com and it says they do not allow hen parties, do you know if this is the case?
Hi Paige, thanks for your comment!
Just had a look and can see you are right, it does say that in the fine print! I guess we either didn’t see this when booking or it’s a new policy. I will have a look at some other options and swap out my recommendation for one that does allow hen parties. Thanks for flagging this!
Amabel
Hi! Love the blog. My hen do is in Barcelona this May and I had a question about Puro Beach if that’s ok? There is 14 of us and I’m just wondering what beds you reserved and what the costs were like for drinks.
Thanks
Aimee
Hi Aimee,
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You’ll have the best time celebrating your hen do in Barcelona.
We just booked the regular pool zone sunbeds for our party of 10. We had plenty of space and our beds were right in the centre next to the pool which was perfect.
From memory, it was about €15 for a frozen cocktail like a mango daiquiri and about €35 for a bottle of wine.
Hope that helps – have the best time!
Amabel