Hen Parties in Edinburgh: The Ultimate Guide

If you’re planning a hen party and are looking for the perfect UK destination, then consider heading to the exciting city of Edinburgh with the rest of the hens.

‘Edinburgh is an amazingly cosmopolitan and trendy city with some of the best nightlife in Europe,’ says Andy Viveash from GoHen. ‘Top clubs, great food and the friendly locals make it the perfect spot for a big pre-wedding weekend.’

If you need hen party ideas to help you plan your trip to Edinburgh, then read on for our ultimate guide. From big nights out to culture hotspots, Edinburgh has it all and is the perfect setting for any hen party.

City Treasure Hunt

Explore Edinburgh the unique way with a treasure hunt hen party experience from GoHen. Depending on your numbers, you’ll be split into teams and then let loose around Edinburgh to follow the treasure trail! The hunt will lead you past some of the city’s most famous landmarks so it’s a great way to see the sights.

Visit Edinburgh Castle

If you’re planning an Edinburgh hen party then seeing the famous castle is a must. Perched at the top of the Royal Mile on an extinct volcano (yes really), the castle offers some of the best views across the city. Any hens who are history buffs will love exploring this historic attraction.

Cocktail Mixing

If you’re looking to get all the hens bonding over a few yummy drinks then the cocktail making experience at Hen Heaven would be the perfect activity. Set in Edinburgh’s Revolution bar, your very own professional mixologist will show you how to become a whizz at making fabulous cocktails – plus you’ll get to enjoy nibbles and the finished drinks. Don’t forget to take a look at our list of hen party cocktail games for some more fun ideas.

Highland Games

Get into the spirit of a hen party in Scotland by taking part in some traditional highland games. This experience with GoHen includes epic games such as welly hurling, haggis rolling, bagpipe playing and the classic tug ‘o’ war. This is a great way to get everyone in the team hen spirit. Kilts are optional.

Have a Picnic

Edinburgh has an abundance of parks and gardens that would make beautiful spots for a posh picnic with the hens, just be sure to pack the Prosecco and a variety of fancy nibbles. Calton Hill is one of the city’s best known green spaces, particularly because of the Athenian acropolis at the top. Inverleith Park is another great picnic spot – it has excellent views of Edinburgh Castle.

Chocolate and Wine Tasting

The chocolate and wine tasting party from GoHen is ideal if these are two of the bride’s favourite things! This super sweet Edinburgh hen party idea lasts for two hours and you’ll get to try a selection of yummy chocolates and fine wines.

Hop on a Sightseeing Tour Bus

We understand that you’ll have a lot to pack in over the weekend, so take why not take a whistle stop tour of the city’s main sights with Edinburgh Bus Tours. Get your cameras at the ready as your guide gives you a running commentary on each point of interest.

Edinburgh Shopping

If the bride is looking to do some pre-wedding shopping, then Edinburgh is the perfect place to do this. For all the high street favourites, Princes Street and George Street should be your destination – plus you can enjoy this area’s stunning Georgian architecture and medieval castle views. If you’ve got the cash to splash then Multrees Walk and the West End are full of designer brands. To find some hidden gems, check out The Grassmarket, Victoria Street and The Royal Mile. Word has it that Harry Potter author J.K Rowling based Diagon Alley on Victoria Street.

Go on a Ghost Tour

If the bride loves being spooked, then she’ll enjoy GoHen’s ghost tour hen experience. Book their haunted highlands package and you’ll get to scare yourselves silly in the Edinburgh Dungeon, before going on a guided tour of Edinburgh’s darkest and most gruesome hotspots. You’ll certainly need a stiff drink to settle your nerves afterwards.

Champagne Tasting

For a refined Edinburgh hen party, consider booking a champagne tasting experience with Hen Heaven. If you and the girls love a glass of bubbly then you’ll enjoy getting stuck into this activity.

Pizza Making

If the bride fancies herself as a bit of a foodie then she’ll love a pizza making hen party. This GoHen activity includes a pizza making session with an expert chef, after which you can munch away on your finished pizzas and enjoy a dessert and Prosecco afterwards. It’s basically a posh version of your girly Saturday nights!

Create Your Own Perfume

Organised by Hen Heaven, this perfume creation experience is a super fun and unique idea for the hen party. After a welcome glass of fizz, a professional will guide you through the process of making your very own custom scent. Everyone will get to take away a sample of their perfume and the bride could even use hers as her wedding fragrance.

Whiskey Tasting

Scotland is famous for its excellent whiskey, so why not take advantage of this and book an Edinburgh whiskey tour with GoHen. By the time the tour is over you’ll be an expert in this traditional beverage, plus you’ll get to sample some excellent Scottish whiskeys from the World’s largest collection.

See a Show

Edinburgh’s got loads of venues that offer a variety of shows and musicals. If this is the kind of hen party that the bride would love, then check out the Edinburgh Playhouse to see a much loved show.

Get a Makeover

If you want to get all dolled up before a big night out in the city, then hire your very own glam squad to come and work their magic on you and the other hens at your chosen accommodation. This mobile makeover experience is available with GoHen and will make you feel like a million dollars.

Visit Edinburgh’s Art Galleries

If you need daytime activities to fit in between enjoying the Edinburgh nightlife, then why not soak up some culture and explore one of the many art galleries. Some highlights include the National Museum of Scotland which is full of treasures from around the world, and the National Galleries of Scotland which houses exciting art exhibitions.

Afternoon Tea

If you’re looking to plan a vintage hen party in Edinburgh, then you simply must organise afternoon tea. This is a fantastic and relaxing experience that everyone will enjoy, especially if the bride doesn’t fancy an action packed hen party. To combine this with other activities, take a look at GoHen’s ‘Wee Weekend Away’ package.

Visit During One of the City’s Festivals

Edinburgh is a city that buzzes with creativity and it offers a jam packed schedule of festivals all year round. If you want to check out a festival then plan the hen party so it coincides with the same date. Highlights in August include the Edinburgh Fringe which is the largest arts festival in the world, whilst the Edinburgh International Festival is worth visiting just for its incredible fireworks display at the finale.

Royal Botanic Gardens

If you’re planning an Edinburgh hen party during the warmer months, then make a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a scenic stroll through these famous outdoor gardens. Visit during the changing of the seasons to see new flowers blooming.

Take a Dance Class

Get warmed up for your night out by taking a dance class with Hen Heaven. They offer a variety of experiences depending on which style takes your fancy, such as an 80s dance experience or a burlesque masterclass.

Nightclub Bus Tour

If you want to experience the best of Edinburgh’s nightlife, then hop on a nightclub bus tour with Hen Heaven and you’ll head to the city’s most popular venues. Take our list of hen party dares with you to spice things up a bit.

Spa Breaks

If the bride wants her hen party to be all about rest and relaxation before the wedding, then consider arranging an indulgent spa break in Edinburgh. You can organise a pampering day with GoHen which includes a trip to a top spa in the city, plus access to the facilities and treatments.

Party Food Platters With Prosecco

To get the weekend started, book the party food platters package with Hen Heaven and enjoy delicious nibbles with a glass of Prosecco. Have a gossip with the girls whilst you feast on treats such as pulled pork sandwiches, chicken wings and nachos.

Visit Edinburgh Zoo

If the bride loves her animals, then she’d love a trip to Edinburgh Zoo. Just a short bus ride from the city centre, the zoo sits amongst stunning parkland and is home to the world famous penguin parade.

Pottery Painting

For a creative hen party idea, consider a pottery painting class with GoHen. Go wild and unleash your inner artist in a fun activity that hens of all ages will love.

If you’re planning an Edinburgh hen party and want to hand out goodie bags to the other hens, then check out our fun ideas for hen party bag fillers.