Spain has once again broken tourism records. The country welcomed 58.1 million international tourists between January and July 2026, 4.6% more than in the same period last year.
Tourism spending also hit an all-time high, reaching €82.05 billion, up 7.8%.
In July alone, Spain received 11.5 million international tourists, 4.6% more year on year. Visitor spending rose even further, by 10.9%, to €18.22 billion, according to Frontur and Egatur figures published by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE).
UK leads international tourism to Spain
The United Kingdom, France and Germany were the main source markets for tourists travelling to Spain between January and July, with 11.5, 7.2 and 6.9 million visitors, respectively.
Arrivals from the UK increased by 4.6% and those from France by 1.2%, while the number of German tourists fell by 0.5%.
Italy was the fastest-growing market in percentage terms between January and July, with 3.5 million tourists, 10.3% more than a year earlier.
There was also a notable 16.9% increase in visitors from other countries, to 717,000, while their spending rose by 24.5%.
In July, the UK once again topped arrivals, with 2.2 million tourists, 5.6% more than a year earlier. British visitors spent €3.04 billion in Spain during that month, 4.8% more year-on-year.
Catalonia leads tourism in Spain as Madrid accelerates its growth
Catalonia was the most visited autonomous community between January and July, with 11.94 million international tourists, 2.9% more than a year earlier. It was followed by the Balearic Islands, with 9.16 million visitors, up 1.8%, and the Canary Islands, with 9.02 million, down 0.6%.
Andalusia received 9.02 million tourists up to July, an 8.2% year-on-year increase. Madrid and the Valencian Community recorded the strongest growth among the main destinations, with increases of 9.6% and 8.9%, respectively.
In July, the Valencian Community received 1.63 million visitors, 9.5% more than a year earlier, while Madrid reached 800,000 tourists, an 11% increase.
Tourism spending in Spain hits a new record
The most common length of stay among international tourists was four to seven nights, with 5.7 million travellers, 8.7% more than a year earlier. In addition, almost 8.5 million tourists travelled without a package tour, compared with 3.1 million who booked one.
Accommodation accounted for the largest share of spending, with 19.8% of the total, followed by package tours, with 19.3%, and international transport, with 19.2%.
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