British stag parties continued to take place in Albufeira in large numbers in 2025, despite tougher local rules aimed at curbing “excessive” behaviour, according to one of the UK’s biggest stag and hen party organisers.
New booking data from Last Night of Freedom, the UK-based company, shows that Albufeira has surged into the top 10 European stag destinations for 2025, ranking sixth overall for the first time.
The increase in stag and hen parties comes in the same year that Albufeira rolled out new restrictions on what it calls “excessive” behaviour, from bans on drinking in the street to fines for walking around in swimwear.
“Albufeira has taken a very visible hard line, but the data shows British stags are still choosing it in huge numbers,” said Matt Mavir, managing director of the Gateshead-based company, in a statement sent to The Resident.
“The idea that tougher rules would suddenly make the destination less attractive just hasn’t materialised,” he added.
The company insists that Albufeira continues to attract British revellers thanks to its “beaches, warm weather and concentrated nightlife, particularly around the (Oura) Strip, where an array of bars and clubs are located within close walking distance”.
“The headlines can make it sound like stag parties are being pushed out, but that isn’t happening,” the managing director said. “These destinations built their reputations as party hotspots over many years, and people still associate them with a good time.”
Albufeira is not alone in trying to rein in party tourism. Cities such as Amsterdam and Prague have also introduced restrictions and high-profile campaigns aimed at discouraging disruptive behaviour, particularly by foreign visitors, the company says. Yet all remain among the most popular stag destinations in Europe.
“Our customers aren’t a problem group,” said Matt Mavir. “They’re normal people with jobs and families who want a weekend away with friends. Often, they’re the same visitors who return later with partners or children.”
Last Night of Freedom’s 2025 rankings place Benidorm at the top of the list, followed by Newcastle, Prague, Dublin and Liverpool, with Albufeira/Algarve holding sixth place ahead of Amsterdam, Krakow, Edinburgh and Budapest.
