The Ultimate Guide To A Barcelona Hen Do

The charming yet vibrant El Born is one of the most popular parts of Barcelona. Characterised by its magnificent medieval architecture, it’s home to landmarks like the stunning church of María del Mar, and the picturesque Passeig del Born square. It also offers cocktail bars, designer boutiques, and restaurants galore, including many offering that most Spanish of meals—tapas. With a range of accommodation options and its close proximity to some of Barcelona’s best sights and nightlife, El Born is the ideal place to stay during your hen weekend.

Situated west of Las Ramblas, El Raval (derived from the Arabic word for “suburb”) has transformed over the last two decades to become one of Barcelona’s prime neighbourhoods. Once the city’s red-light district, it’s now filled with food markets, easygoing cafés, and bohemian bars. El Raval is also home to Barcelo Raval, one of the city’s most famous hotels, an instantly recognisable building with a sleek, circular design.

A slightly quieter alternative to the above two bustling locales is the enchanting Gothic Quarter, and a stroll through these streets will make you feel like you’ve travelled hundreds of years back in time. There are plenty of hipster bars, street food vendors, museums, and galleries here, including an Erotica Museum and a Hemp gallery. This desirable district is also where most of Barcelona’s best value accommodation is situated.

Just as the name suggests, Ohla Chillout Terrace is the place to take in breathtaking views of the city with a slice of R&R. This rooftop bar offers an oasis of serenity away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona, and gives you the chance to watch the sunset with a cocktail or glass of wine in your hand. Make sure you take advantage of the great food available too, as there are also a number of restaurants in the building.

For somewhere cheap and cheerful with a whole lot of character, head to Sor Rita in the Gothic Quarter. This eclectic bar is renowned for its kitsch vibe where you’ll see underwear hanging from the ceilings, Barbie and Ken dolls in Kama Sutra poses, and retro leopard print carpets. Blasting the best Spanish and international trash music from the 80s and 90s, Sor Rita is perhaps Barcelona’s best bar for a hen do, and one of the most fun places to drink and dance with the girls.

Once you’re a few drinks deep and ready to head to a club, Razzmatazz should be your first port of call. Also known as The Port, it’s Barcelona’s only superclub, featuring five separate spaces in one gigantic warehouse-like structure. Playing music across different genres, you’ll find something for everyone in your group. Mainly open between Thursday and Saturdays, it also hosts concerts throughout the week.

Where better to try your hand at flamenco dancing? Immerse yourself in Spanish culture and have a laugh as a group by taking a Flamenco Dancing class, where a professional dance instructor will teach you the basics of this classic, expressive art form.

Indulge in some much-needed TLC with Maximise’s Beauty Party activity. We’ll give you and the girls your own private spa room, and treat you to pedicures, foot massages, and fish spas that will leave you feeling a million dollars. What’s more, we’ll throw in some free drinks, snacks, and music to really get the party going, setting you up perfectly for the night ahead.

Explore Barcelona without cutting into drinking time with Maximise’s Sangria Bike activity. Our 18-person boozy bikes are loaded with a litre of sangria for each cyclist, so you can take in the sights in the sun, all while sipping on the classic Spanish drink. Don’t worry about navigation—leave that to our sober driver, while you simply drink and peddle.

The truly majestic La Sagrada Familia is the ultimate symbol of Barcelona. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, this church’s jaw-dropping structure is the perfect Insta spot. Marvel at the building from afar before going inside to see its stunning interior.

You simply can’t visit Barcelona without taking a stroll down the city’s most iconic street. Starting at Plaça de Catalunya and ending at the Christopher Columbus statue, the tree-lined boulevard is dotted with old-school sweet stalls, florists, and gelaterias, which really let you absorb Barcelona’s culture. Other attractions include street performers (such as live statues and dancers) and caricature artists, while there are just as many of bars and eateries to chill in.

Looking to sink a few sangrias on the beach during your trip? Of course you are! Then head to Barceloneta, one of the city’s oldest and most popular beaches. Situated close to the city centre, Barceloneta beach is over 400 metres long and boasts an arcade, volleyball nets, and bars to keep visitors entertained. Relaxing here is the perfect way to get rid of those horrendous hen do hangovers!

To sample the most fresh and delicious Catalan food, head to Boqueria food market in El Raval. The city’s biggest food market, with over 40,000 visitors a day, it is particularly popular for tapas, seafood, and ham-based meals. With so much choice, you could probably spend a whole afternoon walking around and nibbling away at different dishes. We’d recommend visiting for breakfast, however, when it is less crowded and you’ll be more likely to get a seat in which to enjoy your food.

This Barceloneta-based seafood and tapas restaurant is one of Barcelona’s best, renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and value for money—you can get a set meal for under €15. Starting out in 1911 as a wine shop, it began serving tapas in the 1950s, and has regularly expanded its repertoire ever since. Don’t leave without tasting the delicious squid with mussels, prawns and rice, or its signature dish—mouthwatering snails with pancetta and beans.

For a truly authentic Catalan dining experience, put Can Vilaró at the top of your list. The restaurant is a rarity, in that they only serve homemade dishes, and there’s a huge choice of meals, from tripe and lamb and pig trotters, to traditional Catalan 'escudella' soup and stew. Can Vilaró has built up a loyal legion of customers over the years, and has rightly earned its place as one of Barcelona’s greatest eateries.

Alternatively, you can get more than just food with Maximise. Our Wine & Tapas hen do activity is the perfect prelude to a big night out, letting you sample a wide variety of Spanish wines while you chow down on delicious tapas. Or, if you want an extra special dining experience, why not sign up for our Dinner & Flamenco Show, and enjoy some traditional Spanish entertainment as you eat?

The tram offers access to Barcelona’s main industrial regions, shopping centres, and residential areas. It runs from 5am to midnight between Monday to Thursday and on Sundays, and 5am to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Barcelona’s metro system has eight lines, making it perfect for getting around the whole city. It runs between 5am and 12am on weekdays, until 2am on Fridays, and throughout the night on Saturdays.

With a fleet of over 1,000 buses, it’s easy to travel around Barcelona on wheels. Running times depend on the route in question, but most services begin between 5 and 8am and finish by 11pm.

There are roughly 11,000 taxis in Barcelona, so you’ll never find yourselves stranded, even after a particularly boozy night. The city’s taxis can be distinguished by their black and yellow livery.

Walking is the ideal way to explore regions like El Born, the Gothic Quarter and Gracia, a leafy, quiet neighbourhood that’s home to indie boutiques and chic Catalan bistros. While the city is fairly safe to stroll around at night, do be wary of pickpockets.

With Maximise’s help, you can travel in style with our Limo Tour and Party Bus activities. Why not inject some excitement into your journey straight from the airport with our Party Bus Transfer? Instead of a boring old taxi ride, you can sip bubbly and listen to tunes en-route to the city to start your Barcelona hen weekend as you mean to go on.