Spain sets August tourism record with 12.3 million visitors

This influx of visitors generated €17.838 billion in tourism spending during the eighth month of the year, also representing year-on-year growth of 9.2%.

The average expenditure per tourist reached €1,455, remaining broadly in line with the previous year, while average daily spending increased by 1.9% to €202 per person.

With these results, Spain received almost 70.4 million international visitors (70,362,493) during the first eight months of 2026, 5.4% more than in the same period a year earlier.

Meanwhile, cumulative tourism spending between January and August totalled €99.892 billion, an increase of 8%.

The United Kingdom consolidated its position as Spain's largest tourism market, both in terms of visitor numbers and spending.

In August, 2.41 million British tourists visited Spain (+9.3%), generating €3.366 billion in spending (+7.6%), equivalent to 18.9% of total tourist expenditure.

Between January and August, the UK accounted for 13.92 million visitors (+5.4%) and 17.3% of total tourism spending.

France ranked second by number of arrivals in August, with almost 2.06 million tourists (+2.1%) and spending of €2.24 billion (+2.1%), while Germany contributed 1.36 million visitors (+4.5%) and €1.974 billion in spending (+8.2%).

Among the fastest-growing source markets during August were the United States, where arrivals increased by 31.9% to 481,911 visitors, and Switzerland, which recorded growth of 29.3%, reaching 249,032 visitors.

By main destination, the Balearic Islands attracted the largest share of international visitors in August, accounting for 21.2% of the total. The archipelago welcomed 2.60 million tourists, 2.6% more than a year earlier, and captured 22.8% of total spending, equivalent to €4.065 billion (+4.2%).

Catalonia followed with 2.38 million visitors in August (+9.1%), generating €3.332 billion in tourism expenditure (+7.2%).

Over the first eight months of the year, Catalonia remained Spain's leading destination for both arrivals, with 14.32 million visitors (+3.9%), and spending, accounting for 18.9% of the national total.

Andalusia recorded the strongest growth among Spain's major tourist destinations. International arrivals rose by 21.3% in August to more than 2.06 million visitors, while tourist spending increased by 18.8% to €2.797 billion.

The Community of Madrid also posted strong results, with arrivals rising by 13.2% to 776,867 visitors and spending increasing by 12.9% to €1.378 billion. Madrid also registered the highest average daily expenditure in Spain, reaching €334 per tourist, 9.9% higher than a year earlier.

Looking at accommodation types, hotels remained the dominant choice, welcoming 8.04 million tourists in August (+6.6%) and accounting for 63.4% of total tourist spending (€11.316 billion, up 7.4%).

However, holiday rentals recorded particularly strong growth, with arrivals increasing by 13.7% to reach 1.57 million travellers.

Non-market accommodation also grew by 16.3%, driven largely by a 15.6% increase in stays in owner-occupied properties.

In terms of travel arrangements, 75% of tourists visiting Spain in August travelled without a package holiday (9.18 million visitors, up 9.3%), generating €13.152 billion in spending (+8.0%).

Meanwhile, package holidays saw an 8.8% increase in visitor numbers (3.07 million travellers), while expenditure rose by 12.5% to €4.686 billion.

Finally, the most common length of stay was between four and seven nights, chosen by more than 5.8 million travellers (+10.1%).

Leisure and holiday travel remained the main reason for visiting Spain, accounting for 91.4% of total spending recorded in August and generating €16.307 billion in revenue (+8.4%).