These cities have all tried to crack down on drunken Brits but are still seeing an increase in stag and hen do bookings.
Stag parties are still popular in these places(Image: Getty)
Despite efforts to curb drunken British tourists and prevent alcohol-fuelled stag parties, three European destinations are witnessing a surge in bookings.
Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Albufeira in Portugal and Prague in the Czech Republic have all tried to deter boozy visitors from overwhelming their streets but, according to stag and hen do organiser Last Night of Freedom, these measures have had little impact.
Matt Mavir, managing director at the Tyneside-based company said: “Rules, fines and huge publicity campaigns – authorities in each of these cities have thrown everything at trying to discourage revellers from choosing their city to party, but it hasn’t done a fantastic job.
“Our customers aren’t being scared off and the numbers prove it. In fact, these destinations are becoming more popular than ever.”
Amsterdam led the charge in 2023, becoming the first of the three cities to launch a campaign targeting rowdy tourists.
The Dutch capital banned drinking on the streets and cannabis consumption in public, restricted access to the Red Light District and launched an online warning campaign specifically aimed at British men.
Prague followed suit by attempting to prohibit fancy dress and pub crawls throughout the city centre, whilst earlier this year Albufeira joined the crackdown.
The Portuguese resort town introduced a new code of conduct imposing on-the-spot fines for drunkenness, excessive noise and anti-social behaviour.
Yet, despite these measures, large numbers of British men and women are still booking their stag and hen parties in these destinations.
In reality, all three locations have seen a surge in reservations, reports the Express.
Prague has climbed from fifth to third most sought-after destination, Amsterdam has risen from ninth to seventh, and Albufeira has made its debut this year at number six.
Matt suggested this demonstrates that Brits remain undeterred. “The headlines can make it sound as though stag dos are being pushed out, but that just isn’t happening,” he said.
He added: “Each city is trying to change its image and attract a different type of tourist – more couples and families and fewer big groups heading straight to the bars and nightclubs.
“But I think what the authorities forget is that they’re often the same people. Our stags aren’t some fringe group – they’re just normal people with jobs, relationships and children who are looking for somewhere to celebrate with their mates.”
Amsterdam’s iconic Christmas market serves glühwein, raclette and festive treats just one hour from the UK – it needs to be on your radar this winter.
Amsterdam’s iconic Christmas market serves glühwein, raclette and festive treats just one hour from the UK – it needs to be on your radar this winter(Image: Ellen Jenne)
There’s only so much time to soak up the Christmas spirit before the big day, and despite work and life becoming more hectic than usual, I managed to swap the hustle and bustle of London for Amsterdam. It was my first trip back to the Dutch capital in a decade, with my arrival coinciding with the start of one of the city’s most iconic Christmas markets, reports the Express.
Christmas markets in the UK can be hit or miss, and I must admit, the ones I’ve visited over the years have never quite matched those on the continent. The first time I realised our markets didn’t measure up was just a few years ago when I visited Vienna, which can only be described as Christmas on steroids.
The largest Christmas market in Amsterdam springs up in the shadow of the Rijksmuseum on Museumplein, where you can blend the festive spirit with a visit to some of the city’s most renowned museums and galleries.
We arrived on its opening day, and even though we visited in the evening, we managed to dodge the wall-to-wall crowds. This was something I never experienced in Vienna, and on this occasion, I was extremely grateful for it.
Entry to the market is free, but you’ll have to fork out €16 for the joy of skating on its ice rink. Much like other European markets, Amsterdam’s was adorned with wooden chalets offering everything from knick-knacks to treats, piping hot cups of glühwein and food from all around the world.
There was even a cabin flying the Union Jack selling fudge. Who would have thought that British fudge was such a hit overseas?
No visit to a Christmas market would be complete without trying some of the local specialities. A Dutch wurst is a robust cured pork sausage typically served with stamppot, a blend of mashed potatoes and kale. However, it seemed we had arrived too late. No wursts for us.
So we settled for the next best thing: barbeque jumbo sausages served on toasted slices of bread with pickled onions and gherkins, topped with crispy onions and mayo. This isn’t your average sausage sandwich. Trying to tackle every bite is a mouthful, overflowing with chunks of smoky sausage and crumbly onions.
It was evidently a popular choice, with crowds gathering around the open flame grill right in the heart of the action, with sausages sizzling and emitting a tantalising aroma. A barbeque might not be what you expect in the depths of winter, but blimey, was it needed.
Sadly, the warmth emanating from the grill wasn’t enough to heat our bones while we waited, so two cups of glühwein were called for. Glühwein is traditional German mulled wine, delicately spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise.
I’m not entirely certain what the secret is, but somehow the Germans manage to perfectly balance the red wine and spices in a way that all the mulled wine I’ve sampled at UK Christmas markets always seem far too acidic. Glühwein is the ideal beverage to warm you to your core, particularly in a freezing city in December, even if the city is renowned for its beer.
When our sausages finally turned up, they were heaped with pickled onions and gherkins. Much like a Scandi open sandwich, it was bursting with diverse flavours, so unlike any festive fare you’d find back home.
You received an entire jumbo sausage on one slice of bread, quartered to actually fit into your mouth. The smoky pork was wonderfully offset by the sharp tang from the pickles, with a different texture provided by crispy onions. This isn’t your typical Christmas market grub, but it was delightful to sample some local specialities.
However, no Christmas is complete without a generous helping of cheese. A classic choice at European Christmas markets is bubbling, ooey, gooey raclette.
We opted for the traditional pairing of raclette and potatoes. What could be more perfect? The humble new potato smothered in smoky melted cheese.
The cheesy spuds were served with some more crispy onions and a fresh coleslaw. Now this is what Christmas is truly about. I would devour a bucketful of raclette if they’d offered one.
Sausages, glühwein and raclette: the holy trinity of Christmas market food.
Even though it was late at night and the crowds were thinning, there was still a buzz among the youngsters and families huddled around the electric heaters trying to stay warm, sipping from steaming cups, welcoming the festive season. Compared to Vienna, Amsterdam’s markets offer a more tranquil start to the Christmas season.
Is this the best Christmas market I’ve ever visited? Probably not, but I’m always fascinated to see how other countries embrace the festive season.
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Amsterdam is one of those cities where you can spend hours just wandering around, and we certainly did plenty of that. You can meander from spot to spot with ease, particularly if navigating foreign public transport baffles you. That being said, Amsterdam’s public transport runs like clockwork.
From the moment you step out of Amsterdam Centraal, you can sense the Christmas spirit in the air. I returned to the city for the first time in ten years, and up until this point, I hadn’t felt all that festive.
Amsterdam served as a stepping stone into Christmas for me before I head back to Vienna again for round two of Christmas on steroids. If there’s anywhere you should flee to in December, it’s Amsterdam. It’s only a train journey away.
