Tourist arrivals in Spain reached a new milestone in February 2025, with more than 5.4 million international travelers choosing the country as their destination—a 7.7% increase compared to the same month last year. While most major destinations are still in low season during February, Spain is breaking trends and records alike.
These figures are part of a steady upward trend that began in January, when international tourism to Spain climbed 6.1% year-on-year. The first two months of 2025 have already welcomed over 10.46 million foreign visitors, continuing the momentum from a record-breaking 2024 that saw nearly 94 million international tourists.
But here’s the twist: while travelers are spending less time in the country, they’re spending more money. February saw an impressive €7.26 billion in tourist spending—7.6% more than the previous year. This figure marks the highest February spending total ever recorded in Spain’s tourism history. What’s driving this trend?
On average, tourists spent €183 per day, which is 5.5% more than in February 2024. The average length of stay dropped by 5.3% to just 7.35 days. That means tourists are cutting their trips short—but making the most of every moment, and every euro. The increase in daily spending was especially pronounced among visitors from France and the Nordic countries, whose average per-person expenditures rose by 13% and 9%, respectively.
The largest contributor to international arrivals was the United Kingdom, with nearly one million tourists, a 6.8% rise from February 2024. France followed closely with about 720,000 visitors (up 15.9%), and Germany brought in over 616,000 tourists (up 4.1%). Visitors from Switzerland, the United States, and other parts of the Americas also surged, with increases of 30.2%, 11.6%, and 17%, respectively.
When it came to where they stayed, 4.2 million tourists opted for market accommodation, such as hotels or vacation rentals. Hotels saw a 4.2% increase in use, while rentals were up by 2.7%. Meanwhile, non-market accommodation—like staying with friends or using a personal property—jumped by a staggering 19%. Nearly 760,000 visitors stayed with friends or relatives, highlighting how personal connections continue to play a key role in travel decisions.
Interestingly, more than 2.6 million tourists chose trips lasting between four and seven nights, a segment that grew 5.6% compared to last year. Short stays appear to be the new sweet spot. Day-trippers also rose significantly, with a 15.8% increase among those who didn’t stay overnight. Long-stay visitors—those spending over 15 nights—grew only slightly, by 2.6%.
The most popular destination in February was the Canary Islands, welcoming 1.44 million international travelers and representing 26.8% of all arrivals. Catalonia followed with 1.14 million visitors (up 7.8%), and Andalusia attracted 776,000 (up 6.9%). However, some of the biggest jumps in growth came from the Valencian Community (up 15.2%), the Balearic Islands (up 11.1%), and Madrid (up 10.1%). Did you see the latest global promotion of Valencia?
Spending patterns reflected these destinations as well. The Canary Islands accounted for 31.2% of total spending, followed by Catalonia (15.8%) and Madrid (15.7%). Madrid also stood out with the highest average spending per person—€1,768—while the Canary Islands came next at €1,568.
Despite shorter visits, tourists seem to be immersing themselves more deeply, spending freely, and exploring regions beyond the usual hotspots. From sun-soaked islands to cosmopolitan cities, Spain continues to captivate—and surprise—the world’s travelers.
Have you traveled to Spain recently? How do your experiences compare to these new trends? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
