A North East city often praised for its nightlife has been knocked off the top spot as Europe’s stag do capital.

Instead, stag parties opted for the sun, sea and “anything-goes atmosphere” of Spanish resort Benidorm during 2023, according to new data.

It comes as stag and hen planners Last Night of Freedom has “crunched” its booking numbers and found that Newcastle has slipped to second in the list of most popular destinations, for the first time in five years.

But the Geordie company which compiles the rankings says it still believes Newcastle is “the best city in the world for a celebration” and wouldn’t want to be based anywhere else.

Why is Newcastle no longer Europe's top spot for stag dos?

Managing director at the Gateshead-based firm, Matt Mavir, who compiles the top 10 lists of locations for stag and hen bookings at the end of every year, admitted he was “gobsmacked” to see Newcastle knocked off the top spot.

“We’re a local company and have always been proud of Newcastle and its popularity with stags and hens over the years,” said Matt, who revealed that the city has also been named runner-up in the most popular hen do location list.

“To us it’s the best place in the world and we wouldn’t want to be based anywhere else.

“But while I’d always choose Newcastle, it’s obvious that stags just can’t get enough of Benidorm.

“It’s gloriously tacky and boasts a nightlife like nowhere else!"

From 6am kick-out times and €1-a-pint beer, Matt went on to say: "Truly anything goes in Benidorm, a town which is fast turning into a mecca for stags.

The Northern Echo: Have you been on a stag do in Newcastle?Have you been on a stag do in Newcastle? (Image: Getty)

“I suppose the only thing for us to do in Newcastle in 2024 is continue to welcome people to party in our city, and make sure we get back to the top of the table!”

Matt added: “Funnily enough, we’ve actually noticed a big trend of people staying in the UK for their stag and hen party, overall – around two-thirds of all of our bookings now remain here, when it was closer to 50-50 four years ago.

“But obviously, there’s just something about Benidorm that stags can’t resist. It’s also interesting to see stag bookings to Amsterdam increase, even though authorities there have launched a campaign trying to keep British tourists away from the city.”

Europe’s top 10 stag do locations revealed

Here are Europe’s current top 10 stag do destinations, according to Last Night of Freedom.

  1. Benidorm
  2. Newcastle
  3. Liverpool
  4. Dublin
  5. Prague
  6. Amsterdam
  7. Edinburgh
  8. Cardiff
  9. Krakow
  10. Bristol

For women, Liverpool has claimed the top spot as the hen do capital and has been described as the “undisputed Queen of the hen night”.

Newcastle once again came in second place and York in third.