🇪🇸£
Benidorm
Drag shows + pool days
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Hen Do 2026:The Complete Guide
Everything a maid of honour needs to plan a hen weekend in 2026. Ranked destinations, activities, budgets, and the only app built to keep the weekend off everyone's iCloud.
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What is a hen do?
A hen do is the British pre-wedding tradition where the bride goes away with her closest friends (and sometimes family) for a weekend of activities, cocktails, and at least one photo op involving a sash. The maid of honour plans it, the bride wears white, and the photos live in the group chat for years.
Americans call this a bachelorette party. The concept is identical, the vibe slightly different. UK hen dos tend toward spa days, brunch, rooftop cocktails, flamenco dinners, and one big night out. Bachelorette parties often weight more toward the single big night (Nashville, Austin, Vegas).
The modern hen do is a 2 to 3 night trip. Barcelona, Lisbon, and Ibiza are the rising picks for groups who want style with the chaos. Benidorm and Magaluf are the budget classics. UK spa weekends at Champneys and Ragdale Hall are the second most common format.
Best hen do destinations
Ranked by style, budget, and what actually suits a hen group.
More hen destinations being added. Vote for yours in the inbox.
Top hen do activities
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Spa day
Thermal baths, massages, matching robes.
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Rooftop brunch
Bottomless mimosas with a view.
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Flamenco dinner show
Classic hen night one. Spanish destinations only.
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Cocktail-making class
Two-hour daytime bonding, plus drinks.
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Boat cruise
Three hours on the Mediterranean. Prosecco included.
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Yoga + breakfast
Hangover day saviour. Barcelona and Lisbon especially.
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Life drawing class
The one with the nude model. Stag alternative too.
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Paella cooking class
Valencia, Barcelona, Ibiza. Market shop included.
Hen do guides
Planning advice that works for hen weekends too.
Hen do FAQs
What is a hen do?
A hen do is a British pre-wedding party for the bride, organised by the maid of honour, usually featuring a weekend trip abroad or a spa weekend in the UK. Americans call it a bachelorette party. The trip runs 2 to 3 nights, mixing activities (spa, brunch, cocktail-making) with at least one big night out.
Where is the best place for a hen do?
The best hen do destinations balance daytime activities with nightlife. Barcelona and Lisbon lead on variety. Ibiza and Marbella suit beach-club crews. Benidorm and Magaluf are the budget picks with organised drag shows and pool parties. UK hen groups also use Brighton, Bath, and York for cheaper weekends at home.
How much does a hen do cost?
A UK hen do abroad costs £300 to £700 per person for 3 nights. Benidorm and Magaluf sit at £300 to £400. Barcelona is £450 to £550. Ibiza and Marbella are £600+. The bride's costs are usually split between the group.
Who pays for the bride's hen do?
The group splits the bride's costs (her flights, hotel, and main activities). Everyone pays their own otherwise. The maid of honour or a designated organiser manages the payment collection, usually via a WhatsApp pot.
When should I start planning a hen do?
Start 3 to 6 months out. Lock dates with the bride first (and her mum if she's invited). Book flights and accommodation early, activities second. Peak hen season is May through September, so summer weekends sell out fastest.
What are good hen do activities?
Spa days, cocktail making, rooftop brunch, flamenco dinner shows, paella cooking classes, boat cruises, boudoir photoshoots, escape rooms, and themed bar crawls. Most modern hen dos mix one daytime activity with one big night out per day.
How do I keep hen do photos private?
Standard group chats are the worst for this. WhatsApp auto-saves photos to everyone's phone, and they auto-upload to iCloud or Google Photos. Use a dedicated ephemeral app like I Wasn't There where photos never save to camera rolls and everything auto-deletes when the countdown ends.
Can a hen do be just a spa weekend?
Yes, spa hen weekends are the second most popular format after the abroad trip. Typically 2 nights at a UK spa hotel (Champneys, Ragdale Hall), treatments during the day, dinner and drinks in the evening. Lower cost, easier to book for groups who can't all get time off.
The hen do app every maid of honour needs.
Share photos and messages freely during the trip. When the countdown hits zero, everything deletes permanently. No iCloud auto-uploads. No camera rolls. No evidence.
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