New figures confirm that Spain is now the second most visited country in the world. Only France attracts more visitors, with Spain ahead of destinations such as the United States and Italy.
Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu welcomed the figures as a sign that Spain is not just recovering, but strengthening its position as a global tourism leader. In 2025, the country received 97 million international visitors. Forecasts suggest the symbolic 100 million mark is now within reach. Spain is no longer just a popular holiday choice, it is becoming a reference point for the global tourism industry.
Record numbers and stronger spending
Spain’s tourism results in 2025 were notable not only for visitor numbers, which rose by 3.5 percent compared with the previous year, but also for the level of spending.
International visitors spent an estimated €135 billion, an increase of 6.8 percent year on year. Tourism now accounts for around 13 percent of national GDP, continuing to outperform many nearby European economies.
The government describes this as qualitative growth. Visitors are not only arriving in large numbers, but are also staying longer, spending more and choosing higher value experiences that support local businesses.
Moving beyond the summer season
For many years, Spain was closely linked to sun and beach tourism. While the coast remains essential, progress has been made in spreading demand across the year.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, spending outside the summer months has risen by 53 percent compared with 2019. Winter sports in the north, cultural tourism inland and the year round appeal of the Canary Islands have helped position Spain as a destination for every season.
Major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona remain strong draws. At the same time, growing interest in Valencia, Sevilla and Granada shows that travellers are looking for culture, food and city life, not just a sunbed.
Growth with limits
Spain’s success has brought challenges. In places such as Ibiza, Málaga and parts of the Canary Islands, residents have raised concerns about housing costs, water use and the pressure of large visitor numbers.
In response, the government has placed the Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030 at the centre of its planning. The focus has shifted from attracting more tourists to managing tourism better.
Measures include tighter control of holiday rentals, promotion of rural and northern destinations to ease pressure in the south, and investment in making hotels and historic buildings more energy efficient.
Looking ahead to 2026
The outlook for 2026 remains positive. In the first four months of the year, Spain expects around 26 million international visitors, almost 4 percent more than during the same period last year.
Minister Hereu has made it clear that the aim is not simply to reach 100 million visitors, but to ensure tourism benefits both visitors and residents. Around two thirds of visitors in 2025 said they plan to return, giving Spain one of the highest repeat visitor rates in the world.
The people behind the numbers
Behind the statistics are the 2.85 million people working in Spain’s tourism sector. From small family bars to large hotel groups, they shape the visitor experience every day.
