Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always just booze and birds when it comes to a stag do in Europe. Okay, there’s still lots of booze, but sipping wine is considered cosmopolitan, innit?! These days more and more stag do organisers are looking for something unique that doesn’t necessarily involve naked women and ridiculous amounts of booze. Be it a stag do in Budapest or a stag party in Krakow (two of the best European stag weekend destinations, in my oh-so-humble opinion) your weekend can take a variety of sophisticated and cultural forms.

If you choose Budapest as your stag weekend destination, you can take a break from all that boozing and stripping with a cultural sightseeing excursion or a boat tour. A city tour includes a three-hour guided bus tour to all the major sights, including the Castle District, Heroes’ Square and the Basilica. A boat cruise gives you the benefit of capturing all the beautiful parts of the city from the best vantage point – the Danube river. This is one of the most sought-after activities in Budapest. You’ll have plenty of photo opportunities on both these activities and a crash course in Hungarian history so you’ll be ready to impress the ladies back home. There’s also a boat cruise option in Krakow.

Krakow boat cruise

For those who enjoy the finer things in life: Spend an afternoon sampling Hungary’s top wines as they emerge to do battle with the finest France and Italy have to offer. An English-speaking sommelier will talk you through six to eight varieties of reds, rosés, whites, and a world-famous Tokaj dessert wine. Alternately, Hungary’s craft beer scene has literally exploded in the last couple of years. More and more pubs and restaurants offer local craft beer, which makes us very happy. The beer tasting activity will give you an opportunity to sample some of the very best on offer. We can also organise trips to the Hungarian countryside for winery and brewery tours. In Krakow enjoy a traditional, beer-marinated hamhock with fresh home-brewed beer in a popular gastro pub.

Craft beer tasting with scones and pils

On a more relaxing note, soothe your aches, pains and hangover away with a trip to the thermal baths where you can detox in the steam room, plunge in the plunge pools and play chess in the warm outdoor pool. Another option is to relax in the tranquillity of one of Budapest’s modern and trendy day spas. Chill out in the relaxation room sipping detoxifying teas then let the massage therapists work their magic on your aching, hungover body.

Thermal Beer Spa in Budapest

Other fun, relaxing and unique stag do ideas for Budapest: caving, Trabant tour, bobsledding, wine cellar dinner, horse races

Caving in Budapest

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