Enjoy a staycation, Spanish style. Spain attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year, but it seems plenty of Spaniards feel they have barely scratched the surface themselves.
A new travel survey found that 59% of Spanish travellers believe there are still plenty of places in their own country they have yet to discover.
Almost half, 46%, actually prefer travelling within Spain, with shorter journeys, speaking the same language and supporting local businesses among the reasons for staying closer to home.
And if you are wondering what persuades Spaniards to explore somewhere new, the answer will not come as a great shock.
Food helps. A lot.
Spain still has plenty of surprises
The figures come from Booking.com‘s latest Travel Trends report, based on an independent survey that included 800 adults in Spain who had taken an overnight leisure trip during the previous 12 months and planned to travel during 2026.
Of those surveyed, 59% said Spain still has plenty of places they would like to discover.
For 42%, shorter travelling distances are one of the attractions of holidaying at home, while 44% appreciate not having to deal with a language barrier.
Another 35% like the idea that travelling within Spain allows them to put money into local economies.
It is a reminder that you do not necessarily need an airport departure board to feel as though you are going somewhere new.
That is particularly true in a country where a few hours on the road can take you from Mediterranean beaches to mountain villages, vineyards, historic cities or a completely different regional cuisine.
Food can decide where Spaniards go
The strongest figure in the survey concerns something Spain does exceptionally well.
Eating.
Some 89% of Spanish travellers said local food motivates them to travel.
And they are not simply looking for the nearest familiar restaurant once they arrive.
Among travellers interested in food experiences, 56% enjoy visiting local markets and 51% seek out authentic, lesser-known restaurants.
Another 57% like buying local food to take home, while 35% purchase products directly from local producers and craftspeople.
So a good market, local speciality and restaurant that does not look as though it was designed for tourists can be part of the attraction of a destination in its own right.
Nature beats another day staring at a screen
Scenery also ranks remarkably highly.
Some 91% said natural landscapes motivate them to travel, while 88% travel partly because they want to relax mentally and switch off.
And for 79%, switching off means something quite literal: they want to reduce their use of phones and other devices while away.
When it comes to what they actually want to do, 47% favour relaxing beside a beach or pool, while 44% are interested in spending time in natural surroundings.
Autumn could be good news for quieter destinations
The survey also points towards growing interest in travelling outside the busiest holiday periods.
Some 30% said they intended to travel more during the low season as a way of saving money, while 28% were considering destinations closer to home.
That could be good news for smaller towns and inland destinations that do not necessarily receive the same attention as Spain’s famous coastal resorts and major cities.
Even the dog is coming
Spain’s enthusiasm for domestic travel increasingly includes four-legged passengers.
One in ten Spanish travellers surveyed planned at least one leisure trip with their pet during 2026.
Among those travelling with animals, 58% choose pet-friendly apartments or holiday homes, compared with 39% who opt for hotels that accept pets.
And they are not only heading into the countryside. While 58% enjoy walks, hiking and parks with their pets, 59% also include urban tourism in their trips.
Apparently, the dog would also like a city break.
Perhaps Spain is the holiday
There is something rather pleasing about one of the world’s great tourist destinations still feeling unexplored to the people who live there.
Spain’s regional differences help. Food, landscapes, architecture, festivals and even the rhythm of daily life can change considerably from one part of the country to another.
For those of us living on the Costa Blanca, the survey is also a useful reminder that exploring Spain does not have to mean planning a grand two-week expedition.
Sometimes it is a weekend inland, a town you have always driven past, a market you have never visited or lunch somewhere that requires pointing at the menu and seeing what happens.
With 59% of Spanish travellers saying there is still more of their own country to discover, it seems the sightseeing list is far from finished.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- 59% of Spanish travellers surveyed believe they still have plenty of Spain to discover.
- 46% prefer travelling within Spain.
- 42% value the shorter distances involved in domestic travel.
- 35% like supporting local economies when they travel.
- 89% say local food motivates them to travel.
- 91% are motivated by natural landscapes.
- 79% want to reduce their use of digital devices while on holiday.
- 30% planned to travel more during the low season to save money.
