Planning a Stag or Hen Party in Ibiza?

We’ve discussed Ibiza stag and hen parties before on loveibiza.net and like we said then, the idea of stag weekend culture may not sit comfortably with the Ibiza purists, the truth is that these days Ibiza is a multi-purpose destination and while tourist resorts in the rest of Europe are struggling, its Ibiza’s versatility as a destination that will help to keep the good times going.

If you’re planning a stag do or hen weekend then, lets face it Ibiza is the perfect destination. Whether you’re looking for elegant restaurants and fabulous spas, or cocktail fuelled clubbing and late, late nights, there’s plenty to keep groups busy and lots of opportunities for all the usual stag and hen do traditions. It can be a bit daunting trying to put together a schedule for a group trip to the island so here are a few suggestions for an itinerary. If you’re looking to outsource the best man or bridesmaid duties entirely then our friends at Red7 have put together some nice packages for your Ibiza hen weekend or Ibiza stag do which include flights, accommodation and activities and are ATOL protected so you can just roll up and concentrate on the partying!

Find a hotel

Ibiza has long been a destination for groups so you’ll have no problem arranging travel and accommodation, no matter how many hens or stags you need to book for. If you want to stay in the centre of the action on a shoestring, you can’t beat San Antonio Town, which has a huge range of budget hotels and apartments.

For those with a slightly larger budget, or anyone seeking slightly less intense partying, then Ibiza Town itself has some great options. Of course one of the reasons to visit Ibiza is to sunbathe by the sea and beach accommodation for groups is plentiful all across the island, whether you’re looking for long, golden sands or secluded dunes. Playa d’en Bossa on the southwest coast of the island is a good option, with plenty of cheap hotels available offering group sized rooms.

Just make sure if you’re booking independently that the hotel knows to expect a stag or hen party – most of the large/ cheap hotels don’t have a problem with it as they’ve been dealing with large groups of rowdy Brits for years but its always worth double checking.

Keep everyone entertained

During the summer months Ibiza is a hive of activity, with every possible pastime available to stags and hens. Stags might like to spend the morning showing off on jet skis and banana boats on the beach, before heading for a paintballing session in the afternoon. Those on an Ibiza hen weekend looking for some serious pampering can head to any one of the island’s fabulous spas. Spa La Posidonia at the Hacienda Na Xamena is a top end spa in a beautiful spot, or for something a little more budget friendly there’s the spa at the Hotel Garbi in Playa d’en Bossa. Ibiza also has some fabulous water parks, such as the Aguamar near Playa d’en Bossa, which has 7 sets of water slides and plenty of room for sunbathing. More adventurous parties can opt for a day of horse riding, mountain biking or a boat trip around the island. If the sole purpose of your trip to Ibiza is to ensure everyone gets as drunk as possible then there are of course the Ibiza booze cruises and boat parties, which provide plentiful fun for Ibiza stag dos and hen dos in search of 24-hour partying.

Eating Out

After a hard day’s drinking/pampering/running around with a paint gun/sunbathing, there’s nothing like a good meal to kick off a great stag or hen party night on the town. Most restaurants in all the major resorts will accept large groups – as long as everyone behaves and respects the other diners of course. At the more popular restaurants and in the busier areas, groups of more than 6 might want to book in advance, or simply avoid the peak dining hours and go when restaurants are slightly quieter. If you want to mark a special night on the trip then somewhere like El Ayoun in San Rafael provides a real sense of occasion with luxury furnishings, a VIP lounge and after dinner belly dancing. Otherwise there are plenty of restaurants throughout the island offering everything from local Spanish cuisine to Tex Mex, pizza and kebabs.

Hit up the nightlife

Of course one of the main reasons to head to the Balearics for an Ibiza hen weekend or stag do is for the fantastic nightlife. Nowhere else will you find this much unadulterated fun in one place, complete with the holiday vibe to get everyone in the mood to cut loose – what happens in Ibiza stays in Ibiza! From the bars of the West End in San Antonio, to the hidden drinking dens of Ibiza Town, Ibiza stag dos and hen parties will find evening entertainment galore here.

For a traditional start to the night, head to the sunset strip in San Antonio and sip a cocktail at Café Del Mar, Café Mambo or The Golden Buddha . Alternatively, start your night off with drinks in one of the tiny bars in Ibiza Town or overlooking Marina Botafoch, or chill out with a cold beer at one of the island’s glamorous beach clubs, such as The Blue Marlin in Cala Jondal. If gigs are your thing then check out the line-ups for the Ibiza Rocks gigs which have big name dance and indie artists and something of a festival atmosphere. When you’re ready to dance, Ibiza has options galore; head to a superclub like Amnesia or Pacha to hear the biggest international dance names on the decks, or to the clubs of the West End in San Antonio for some low-key boozy fun. It’s always a good idea to buy tickets in advance for the larger venues when you’re travelling in a big group – although you shouldn’t have any issues turning up on the night and paying on the door, the organization is much easier if you know where you’re going and you have prepaid.

With the sunshine, the beautiful people, the fabulous food and the world-class nightlife, an Ibiza stag or hen weekend will no doubt be legendary. Just remember to respect the island, its residents and other holidaymakers.

Image credits: Fire image, San Antonio harbour