Lisbon hen do

It's time for a hen weekend in Lisbon!

Known to some as the San Francisco of Europe because of its fantastic sunny climate and the striking Abril Bridge which is the spitting image of its American counterpart, the Golden Gate Bridge. The streets are relaxed, quaint, winding and pretty and it's easy to while away your whole day hopping between cafes and bars, wandering along gorgeous beaches and then designer shopping, a trip to a club and a jazz bar at night on your Lisbon hen weekend. This understated capital really does have a huge amount to offer and can hold its own against the better known European capitals.

Why: reasons to celebrate a Lisbon hen do

Lisbon offers all the delights you'd expect from Portugal's sunny capital city with quaint museums, art galleries and Romanesque, Gothic and traditional Portuguese buildings all adding to its colourful cityscape. There are great shopping centres, striking sights and delicious restaurants wherever you go, as well as a fantastic range of activities to fill in the gaps. Whatever your group are after, chances are the city will have something to fit the bill on your Lisbon hen weekend - and the girls will absolutely love it!

Lisbon's a real delight for a hen group wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of other more congested European cities but it also has plenty of options on offer when you feel like trying a little more action. How about making the most of the striking coastline with surfing lessons, or putting pedal to metal with go karting? We've got 16 fantastic activities for your Lisbon hen do, so whether you're after total relaxation or high octane adrenaline, the city has something to offer. Check out our Lisbon activity page and let us know which would be best for your hen party.

Shop: Lisbon shopping areas & recommendations

Lisbon is one of Europe's best shopping destinations, with huge shopping centres, popular high street shops and independent boutiques for your Lisbon hen do. Head downtown to Baixa where you'll find the Rossio, Augusta Street and Freedom Avenue, all lively shopping areas with excellent jewellers and old buildings to visit in Lisbon. You'll find all the main high street stores at Rua Augusta such as Zara, Benetton, Levi's and H&M. If you're after more luxurious brands however, take a walk up the Avenida da Liberdade, where you'll find Louis Vuitton, Armani and Burberry. The famous small shopping centre, Armazéns do Chiado, is home to some great local shops and nearby a large Marc Jacobs shop opened in front of the famous Theatre. Whatever you're after, Lisbon's fantastic shopping scene is bound to have something to suit!

Stay: choosing your Lisbon accommodation

When planning your Lisbon accommodation, one of the most important elements to consider is your location and handily, all of our options are central and comfortable, meaning that all the main nightlife areas and sights are well within walking distance. Thinking about any specific requirements you and your group might have such as parking, as well as any location preferences like being close to the main shops or a train station are important and we're always happy to help you find the perfect hotel! Whatever your accommodation requirements might be, we've got a great range of options, from our incredible value 2 stars to spacious 4 star hotels. See all our accommodation options here and let us know which suits your Lisbon hen do best.

Party: where to head after dark

Lisbon has some truly fantastic nightlife areas. In the hilltop Barrio Alto district, you'll find a lively and vibrant nightlife lining the narrow streets with dozens of restaurants, bars and nightclubs attracting party revellers until dawn - there's more than 100 bars and restaurants to try out here! The traditional downtown area is popular for nightclubs, with many party spots having a late closing time and be sure to check out Cais do Sodre square for big disco clubs and a range of great bars. It's also advisable to add some pre-planned entertainment, whether that's a high speed casino evening, a tasty restaurant meal or a guided bar crawl from an English-speaking local guide. There's something to suit the requirements of every Lisbon hen do crowd!

When: the best times to visit Lisbon

Lisbon tends to be sunny all year round, making it a great place for outdoor activities like surfing and bike hiring on most months of the year. As well as this, there are some great annual festivals and events - in January there's the Winter Festival with music and art, then March celebrates the tasty International Chocolate Festival, and in April try out the Lisbon Fish and Flavours Festival for some tasty bites. In May there's the Rock in Rio Festival with international bands on three stages and then in June there's the Lisbon Book Festival. Whenever you visit, you can be sure of sunny, bright and enticing local festivals on your Lisbon hen do!