Krakow and Barcelona are two hugely popular cities to visit as a tourist but also big favourites on the Stag Party Weekend circuit. Krakow had 14 million visitors in 2019 while Barcelona 12 million but as it is a coastal city that figure doubles with its cruise ship visitors who are 1 day only visitors to see the sights, not many, if any Stag groups on board. Krakow is an enchanting and historic medieval city surrounded with lakes, forests and rivers while Barcelona has the Mediterranean Sea on its shores and one of the world’s most famous football clubs. Barcelona’s population (1.6m.) is double that of Krakow (almost 0.8m) but Krakow’s city area is triple the size of Barcelona, 320 sq.km to just over 100 sq.km with Krakow’s highest point being 380m above sea level while Barcelona only 12m.
Which is best for a Stag Do and why ?
Krakow and Barcelona are two hugely popular cities to visit as a tourist but also big favourites on the Stag Party Weekend circuit. Krakow had 14 million visitors in 2019 while Barcelona 12 million but as it is a coastal city that figure doubles with its cruise ship visitors who are 1 day only visitors to see the sights, not many, if any Stag groups on board. Krakow is an enchanting and historic medieval city surrounded with lakes, forests and rivers while Barcelona has the Mediterranean Sea on its shores and one of the world’s most famous football clubs. Barcelona’s population (1.6m.) is double that of Krakow (almost 0.8m) but Krakow’s city area is triple the size of Barcelona, 320 sq.km to just over 100 sq.km with Krakow’s highest point being 380m above sea level while Barcelona only 12m.
The two Stag Party destinations feature high up in the most popular Stag Weekend places to go, so, let’s go further and delve into why that is.
Krakow – Renowned for its Wawel Dragon legend, cheap but quality food and drink is an instant winner when considering overall costs for the Stag Party. The city centre referred to as the Old Town with the nearby Jewish Quarter called Kazimierz is very compact and all the venues are reachable by walking, rarely do you need a taxi or public services if your accommodation is in either of these two zones. The pubs and clubs do not have strict closing times, therefore, you can relax and pace yourself better on the drinking side of a Stag Do. Many pubs become a kind of club with a DJ turning up to lay down the dance groove late into the night. The clubs open when it is dark and close when the sun rises. The choice of locally brewed beers is astounding with every conceivable blend, type and strength flowing all night and day along with the commercial international brands should you so desire. Vodka, the country’s national spirit is available in many different flavours including actual gold flake vodka in the top of the range beverage.
Barcelona – Krakow has its dragon but Barcelona has its Raval Vampire legend, a woman called Enriqueta Martí, this so-called vampire wandered the Raval streets by day and by night seeking out children to quench her bloodthirst. However, beer is more expensive in general, the average price of a pint in Krakow which is from £1.20 to £3 is only a small beer equivalent in Barcelona with the price of a pint reaching £6 in some places. The main brand sold is Estrella although in recent times the beer market has introduced locally brewed tipples. Cava, bubbly wine is also high on the consumption list and cheaper to buy than in Krakow. Although Barcelona has good and fair prices for food and drink Krakow is, by far, less expensive in comparison. Krakow has over a 1,000 pubs, clubs and venues in a compact radius, so a pub crawl is a full on activity with bars downstairs in cellars, outside in gardens and a couple on the 1st floor of buildings and don’t forget the trendy Ruin Bars dotted around the pub circuit.
Stag Activities – More or less the activity choice is identical between the two Stag Weekend destinations with a few exceptions such as the Barcelona Beer Bike City Tour and Go Car Tour. The Beer Bike has not yet arrived in Krakow due to legislation as laws used to punish riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol for up to 2 years in prison for repeating offenders until recently repealed. The Go Car activity is unique to Barcelona, 2-seater open top bubble car vehicles to visit the city’s landmarks is great fun. Krakow’s equivalent are electric buggies for up to 12 people with a personal driver acting as a guide too. Both locations have boats, sailing in the Mediterranean or sightseeing cruise on the Vistula River with further options of boat parties with a traditional strip show and Krakow offers White Water Rafting on its Olympic standard circuit. If you don’t fancy the sea or lake both cities have aqua parks to entertain you with extra facilities like saunas, salt rooms and restaurants.
The Winner Is ….. – It is extremely difficult to pick an outright winner as both illustrious cities have their own distinguished charm and customs. When you think of Spain, immediately sun and fun come to mind but also Krakow in the summer experiences 30 °c+ temperatures and the numerous cellar bars are a godsend in the heat of day. Barcelona has Barcelona FC and a visit to the Camp Nou Stadium and Museum would be interesting, however, Krakow has its own UEFA Euro upgraded stadiums to watch Ekstraklasa matches organised by the city based Krakow Stag Do company – Party Krakow , who also arrange football 11-a-side friendlies, 5-a-side footie and rugby matches with the local side plus the Krakow Rugby Festival every year. Whatever your preference you will not be disappointed in either. Barcelona is sparkling cava & paella, delicious and Krakow is quality craft beer & pierogi, also delicious and takes the win for a Stag Do Weekend for its compactness, unique pubs, no two pubs are the same and a Stag Party does not spend a great deal of time on the beach.
