For those of you who make up the groom’s side of the bridal party, undoubtedly, one of the biggest things you look forward to is the all-important stag do. This should be the last hoorah for a single man, an event forever remembered, so make it a good one! If you have been granted the task of organizing the stag do, choose Barcelona, Spain, for a location. It is a well-known destination that provides plenty of activities for the ultimate stag party! Read along to find out everything you need to know before planning a stag do in Barcelona.

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An Intro to Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia, situated at the border of Central Europe and the Iberica Peninsula and on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to one-eight of Spain’s population and an attractive tourist destination, having welcomed over 12 million tourists in 2023.

The reason is a rich combination of history, culture, art, spectacular beaches, and outstanding entertainment. Barcelona knows how to live well, party hard, stay creative, and win a football championship. Do you know another city with a better resume?

The History

Barcelona is old, although it doesn’t show it. It was established over 2,000 years ago by an Iberian people, but archeological finds date from earlier than 5,000 BC. The city’s stories blend Greek colonies, Carthaginian families, the Roman Republic, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim populations, Carolingian kings, and, finally, the Spanish monarchy.

Since 1932, Barcelona has been the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, although wars and political events sometimes got in the way. They’ve never broken the Catalonian spirit, though, nor their creativity and love for arts and sports. In 1992, Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympics with the famous song sung by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé as the soundtrack. The city will forever be on the world map and in people’s hearts.

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Barcelona Today

Today, Barcelona is a peaceful, sunny, joyful, and energetic city. Famous for the works of Antoni Gaudí and Joan Miró spread around the city and the Gothic Quarter still preserving Roman and medieval architecture, Barcelona is the ultimate place for sightseeing and walking. One shouldn’t overlook the modern architecture either, as the Catalonia capital makes a point of building purposefully and artfully. Since 1888, when the First Universal Exhibition of Spain was held in Barcelona, modernism has been part of the city lifestyle.

In addition, the city is also home to FC Barcelona, a football club with an impressive record and an equally impressive stadium. Locals say football is not a sport but a way of life. Even if you aren’t a football fan, attending a match in Barcelona is a bucket list experience.

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Let’s not forget the stunningly beautiful beaches on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona may very well be an extended summer resort where you can go just to sunbathe, enjoy watersports, go on yacht cruises, or party at a beach club. However, it is much more than that, and you should consider a wide variety of activities for your stag do.

Stag Activities to Try in Barcelona

Choosing just a handful of stag activities to do in Barcelona is never easy. If you only have a weekend, skip rest and try a bit of everything. If you can afford a longer stag do, Barcelona is the ideal destination because you can fill weeks without repeating the same things to do. Here are the most popular stag activities in Barcelona.

Private Boat Charters

Hiring a private yacht to take in the beautiful landscape of the Mediterranean Sea is definitely something to enjoy on a stag do in Barcelona. Take in the view, sip a few drinks, listen to whatever music you like, and have fun with your mates on a sunny day in Spain.

If you are on a schedule, you can spend just one hour on the yacht. However, if time is not an issue, opt for the longer experiences as one can never get enough of the Mediterranean coast. And if you prefer a catamaran instead of a yacht, that’s fine too. Barcelona has you covered.

Bar Crawls

Bar crawls are, of course, on any stag do list. Because you are in a city that loves sports, you can choose to visit live sports bars for a change. However, the classic bar crawls with shots are also available. So are those ending in nightclubs, which the city does not lack. Famous clubs, such as Pacha, Shoko, and Opium, offer VIP spaces, a large variety of drinks, and the best DJs in town.

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Food Tours

No stag do is complete without endless amounts of alcohol, so, yes, take advantage of Barcelona’s fantastic bars and clubs. But make sure you line your stomachs well beforehand, and what better way to do this than by taking a tour of some of the city’s most iconic dishes?

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Ever tried Tapas or Paella? Well, now you can with our specially designed meals! From five-course meals to rooftop brunches to traditional Spanish dinners, we have something for every taste.

Go Karting

Many Spanish Formula 1 drivers started in a kart. Barcelona’s competitive spirit and love for sports translate into amazing go karting facilities. And they don’t spare any detail. For example, you can have a mini race or a full grand prix in 270cc Honda karts on an indoor or outdoor circuit. Including a medal ceremony and podium photos, this activity allows you to be a champion for a day and create amazing memories of your stag weekend in Barcelona.

Beer Bike

Barcelona is a bike-friendly city, and you can enjoy a bike ride by yourself, using AMBici, the bicycle-sharing service available in the city. However, a beer bike is much more than a bike ride around the city. It will take you to the best sightseeing places while keeping you hydrated with beer.

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Because this happens in Barcelona, your options include switching beer for sangria and switching the bike for a pedal boat. Just choose the option that makes your party smile the most.

Watersports

The sun is forever beaming down on the lively Spanish beaches, so there is no doubt that you’ll want to spend a day catching the rays. But don’t forget that this is a stag weekend. Your friends don't get to marry every other weekend, so you must take full advantage of it. It’s time to indulge yourselves in some high-adrenaline watersports thrill.

Ditch the towel for the life jacket and dive straight into the action. Show off your water skills as you boost around the sea. Who will become the king of the jet ski, flyboard, parasailing, hoverboard, or paddle boarding? Only time will tell!

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Beach Games

Beach football and volleyball are big in Barcelona. It’s not surprising, considering there are 4.2km of golden sand beaches just minutes from the city center. Go to Barceloneta, the part of the city made famous by the 1992 Summer Olympics, and enjoy a day of sun, fun, and beach games. You can choose your favourite sports, hydrate with beer and soft drinks, and show off your skills at frisbee, bat & ball, football, volleyball, and more.

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Camp Nou Stadium Tour

Camp Nou was opened in 1957 and has since hosted two European Cup finals, the football tournament's final at the 1992 Summer Olympics, five UEFA Super Cups, and many other important competitions. It is the largest-capacity football stadium in Europe and home of FC Barcelona.

On the tour, you’ll get to see the trophy room, explore the Leo Messi area, photograph with your hero thanks to multimedia technology, buy merchandise, and see what is like to be inside a stadium that made history.

Where to Go for a Night Out in Barcelona

Each district has its charm and is worthy of your interest. Take your stag party to the Gothic Quarter for an evening in a bar or club with a classy atmosphere and fine taste. Or visit the busy Las Ramblas to watch street performers, eat a nice dinner, and have a cocktail.

There is also a wide selection of Irish and British pubs around the city if you prefer a sports and beer type of bar, such as Flaherty’s and Old Irish Pub.

For a full nightclub experience in Barcelona, head to Sutton and Bling Bling. The former is a vibrant nightclub offering music events and attracting celebrities from around the world. The latter is the largest disco in Barcelona, colourful, cheerful, and, of course, glamorous.

Accommodation Options

Barcelona is a popular tourist destination, which means it is prepared to accommodate many people all year round. You can choose a fancy hotel situated close to the Sagrada Familia and featuring a rooftop pool, such as Catalonia Atenas, an apartment for a relaxed stag do atmosphere, or an affordable hostel. It’s really up to you, but book in advance as the city gets busy during the summer season.

Traditional Food in Barcelona

Spanish cuisine is known for tapas, paella, tortillas, cannelloni, and many more. But Barcelona blends Spanish cuisine with Catalan cuisine, and the resulting dishes have a special flavour. This is also a good place to try them all because it hosts more than 20 Michelin-star restaurants and has a refined taste even when it comes to street food.

Try seafood-based dishes, botifarra sausages, and the quintessential Catalan Escalivada. Bombas are also traditional Catalan, a bomb of mashed potatoes filled with chorizo, ham, or cheese. In terms of desserts, you want to try Crema Catalana and Mel i Mató, cottage cheese and honey. And speaking of cheese, eat local cheese during your stag do in Barcelona as the city is famous for it. Manchego cheese is the most popular.

Beer is good on a stag weekend; sangria is better. Cava is a sparkling wine you don’t want to miss. You may also want to try cocktails because they are really tasty and refreshing. Clara, a mix of beer and lemon soda, is a good choice on a hot summer day.

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Safety and Accessibility

Barcelona is a safe place, but, like all busy tourist destinations, it has its share of pickpocketing, scams, and bag theft. As long as you keep your valuables secure and avoid crowded areas, you’ll be fine.

The city is served by Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, situated 12km away from the city center. To get from the airport to accommodation, you can use public transport (metro, train, and bus), get on a taxi, or arrange a private transfer.

If you fancy a long drive, it will take you just over 16 hours to get from London to Barcelona by car. The fastest route passes through Paris, but you can choose whatever route suits your party. You can also get to Barcelona using a mix of trains and buses. If you love backpacking through Europe, this is your chance.

Final Thoughts

Barcelona should be on your places-to-visit list, and a stag do is a great opportunity to check out the capital of Catalonia. The city is impressive in all aspects, from entertainment to culture to food to lifestyle. If you want to mix a beach holiday with a sightseeing weekend and a classic stag bar crawl, choose this Spanish destination and select the best stag activities for your group.

Sound intriguing? Why not see what else Barcelona has to offer by visiting our website? Or even better, give us a call on 0800 210 0643 and you’ll be on your way to booking the ultimate Barcelona stag do!