For a true lad, there is no greater honour than being asked to be best man at a wedding. This also gives you the fantastic opportunity to organise an absolutely epic stag weekend which will be ones for the ages. In order for your stag to stand out from the rest and to show your to-be-wed mate an unforgettable time before he makes the plunge, it is important that you find the perfect destination.
There are a number of obvious choices (and places that you may have already been!) which will be fun, but why not pick somewhere a little more unique? I highly recommend the fantastic city of Barcelona as a stag destination, as here you can enjoy plenty of booze, sun, beaches, fun activities and, of course, seeing the legendary Camp Nou stadium first hand – a real pilgrimage and once-in-a-lifetime experience for any huge football fan.
Unsure where to head for the day? Check out this guide to seeing the best of Barca.
Here is what you could get up to on the ultimate lads’ stag in Barcelona.
By Day
The Catalan capital is famed for its great culture and architecture, but there is still a tremendous amount to see and do if this is not your cup of tea (although you will certainly want to indulge in the spectacular food and drink scene).
Barcelona is home to many brilliant beaches and the weather is usually scorching, so you will want to head to the coast during the day to soak up some sun and try your hand at some thrilling water sports. I have been told that banana boating is both hilarious and exhilarating – this is an activity where a group of you sit on a banana shaped boat (wearing lifejackets) that is towed by a powered boat. The driver will then attempt to throw you from the banana by twisting and turning at every opportunity. You could also try jet skiing, venturing out on a booze cruise/party boat, or simply put your shades on and sip a few cold ones on the beach.
A tour of the legendary Camp Nou is also a must for any football fan. The historic home to the highly-decorated Barcelona F.C. puts on special stadium tours for stag do’s, where you can walk around the 100,000 seater, enter the changing rooms where the game’s greatest have sat, get access to the club museum and multimedia zone, try loads of unique activities and even enjoy a complimentary beer. Who knows, you may even bump into Messi himself!
There are many other top sights to see and activities to try on a lads’ stag in Barca, but one that sounds like a good laugh is bubble football. With each player in a large bubble, you can make your mates go flying by bumping into them as you attempt to play a game of football. This will be a great activity to get you all in the mood for the main event of any stag do – hitting the town.
By Night
You are very well catered for here whether you are seeking pubs, bars or clubs and you are sure to have an incredible night. As a heads up, it is worth booking in advance for any restaurants or clubs as this is a popular tourist destination – you are likely to encounter a few other stag and/or hen nights during your trip!
You will probably want to kick things off with a meal and there are dozens of cheap and cheerful pizza places that are perfect for stag parties. Alternatively, you could head to the Irish pubs on the Ramblas where you can sink a few pints, grab some food and catch the football.
You are always just a short stumble from some kind of drinking establishment in Barca so it is perfect for a crawl, but for the liveliest parties, you will want to head to the Barceloneta area. This is home to a handful of the most popular clubs, including Pacha, Opium and Eclipse. The latter is a trendy top floor club which offers spectacular views from the top of the W Hotel – an amazing experience that is sure to be a highlight for the stag.
There is a lot of pressure and stress when it comes to organising a stag for the best man and particularly the night out. One great way to alleviate this stress is to arrange a VIP nightlife tour – this is a coach trip that takes your group to all the drinking hotspots around the city. This ensures that you can sit back, relax and drink without having to worry about rounding the group up and getting to the next stop.
Another great way to minimise stress and also ensure for a top night is to book into a restaurant that also has a club. Places like Shoko offer group bookings for dinner and free entrance to the club afterwards – this excellent establishment is brilliantly situated on the beach and has a cool atmosphere.
Key points to consider:
- Most restaurants don’t serve food until 20:00
- Bars stay open till around 3, whilst clubs are open until 6
- Call ahead if you are planning on fancy dress as some places won’t allow this
- Don’t carry large sums and leave important possessions at home (like any major city, Barca has its share of pickpockets who target drunk tourists). As long as you keep your wits about you, you will be fine.
How to Get to Barcelona
This lads’ paradise is just a two-hour flight from the UK and there are regular flights with many of the budget carriers – this means it will not be too hard to find cheap flights into Barcelona airport (BCN).
The airport is 12km from the centre of the city, so you will want to organise some quick and easy transport to your hostel. A private or shared Shuttle Direct transfer will pick your group up outside the airport and have you at the door of your hostel in around half an hour. You can then check in and crack open a few celebratory beers.
Where to Stay:
Be Sound Hostel – Just a short stumble from the bars and clubs of Ramblas and a 20-minute walk to the beach, this fun hostel is right in the heart of the action and you even get a voucher for a tapas and drink upon arrival. The affordable accommodation has a sun terrace where you can get the party started, plus Wi-Fi is free and available in all areas.
Ideal Youth Hostel – This welcoming hostel is also just a stone’s throw from Ramblas, so venturing out or returning after a big night should not be too challenging! It is also a great place for chilling out and having a few beers thanks to the roof-terrace social area, games lounge and shared lounge. Some rooms also have their own private balcony. You can check in with your significant other back home thanks to the free to use computers and fast Wi-Fi.
St Christopher’s Inn – 2 minutes from La Ramblas, you are never far from the action at this great hostel which has a 24-hour reception. You can enjoy a continental breakfast each morning in the garden courtyard, or kick start your evenings with a few beverages and some food as the sun goes down in the bar-restaurant. The spacious dorm rooms can accommodate up to 8 people and each bunk has a privacy curtain. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
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