Amsterdam has long been the go-to destination for a final night of freedom, but research has shown that a new city has emerged as the top spot, while another destination is fast catching up
One surprising city has emerged as a growing hotspot for stag parties(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Amsterdam may have been dethroned as the king of stag do destinations. According to research analysing search trends, the number of people searching for information on stag dos in the Netherlands’ capital has plummeted by 77% since 2023.
Party organisers, Sofia Stag Do, put together a list of Europe’s top ten stag destinations based on the number of searches over the past two years. Its rankings saw Amsterdam plummet from being the top destination in 2023, to number six in 2026.
Unsurprisingly, Prague took the top spot. While interest was down slightly in this Eastern European city, its combination of lively nightlife, cheap pints, and a beautiful Old Town kept it at number one. However, at number two is a city that has seen a steady increase in interest, and may not be the first location that springs to mind when planning a stag party.
READ MORE: Ryanair tells all plane passengers to stop packing 1 toiletry in hand luggageREAD MORE: PAW Patrol land first look as Chessington seeks children to test rides
Riga in Latvia is becoming increasingly popular among stag parties, and there’s likely a combination of factors that have pushed it up the charts. Firstly, it is easy to get to from the UK. Flights take as little as two and a half hours, and Ryanair flies to Riga International Airport from East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London-Stansted, and Manchester, with fares from as little as £14.99 one way.
Riga’s compact size is also ideal for groups who want to enjoy a bar crawl or go for a night out without needing to get expensive taxis home. The liveliest nightlife can be found in Old Riga, an area full of historic buildings, town squares, and cobbled streets. You’ll find a huge number of bars tucked away, from stylish spots to fun themed places with drink deals.
Some spots to look out for include Secret Event, an underground bar set in a former monastery, and the Tiki Bar Riga, where you can enjoy colourful cocktails. If you’re doing fancy dress, head to Clayton McNamaras Drinking Emporium, a superhero-themed bar full of retro memorabilia that offers a range of shots named after comic characters.
Many bars open until the small hours, but for those who don’t want to head to bed just yet, weekends see a range of nightclubs opening their doors until dawn. Poseidon’s Club comes highly recommended for fans of EDM and stays open until 5am on Friday and Saturday nights. Teritorija has two rooms offering house and techno, while Bacio Riga offers a range of DJ sets and drink deals.
One thing potential stag parties always want to know is the cost of a pint. Riga can’t quite compare with the cheap beer prices of Prague, where you can often find pints for under £2. Pints generally cost £3-4 in the old town, but you can often find drink deals which bring down the prices.
READ MORE: UK airports that have scrapped 100ml liquid rule ahead of half-termREAD MORE: Biggest plane in the world is so huge it has 32-wheel landing gear
Riga also tends to offer cheaper accommodation than Prague, and it’s walkable, so you may find that overall a stag do in Latvia could work out cheaper than going to Prague.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com