Spain received a record 22.3 million foreign visitors during July and August, confirming another bumper year for its vital tourism industry, according to figures released on Thursday.
The National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that 11.3 million international tourists travelled to Spain in August, led mainly by visitors from Britain, France and Germany.
That total represented a 2.9% rise compared with August 2024, following the 11 million arrivals recorded in July, itself up 1.6% on the year. ALSO READ: Spain posts July tourism record, but growth loses momentum.
Together, the two months brought in 22.3 million foreign tourists, eclipsing the previous record of 21.8 million set last summer, when Spain overall hosted 94 million international travellers. ALSO READ: Spain hits new record with 94 million international visitors in 2024, spending €126 billion.
Between January and August this year, nearly 66.8 million tourists from abroad visited Spain — another all-time high, 3.9% above the same period last year, the INE noted. ALSO READ: Spain receives record 63.7 million air passengers to end of July, led by UK visitors.
Tourism continues to underpin one of Europe’s most dynamic economies, with Spain’s growth for 2024 recently revised upwards to 3.5%. ALSO READ: Spanish economy grew faster in second quarter than initially estimated.
However, the surge in arrivals has fuelled anger in destinations such as Barcelona, Málaga and the Balearic and Canary Islands, where demonstrations have highlighted growing discontent over ‘overtourism’. ALSO READ: Thousands protest against over-tourism in Barcelona & Mallorca, many with water pistols.
Residents argue that mass tourism is reshaping their neighbourhoods and pushing up rents as more properties are converted into short-term holiday lets. ALSO READ: Málaga keeps commitment to suspend new tourist flat licences for three years.
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Estadística de Movimientos Turísticos en Fronteras #FRONTUR. Agosto 2025 @es_INE
España recibió 11,3 millones de turistas internacionales en agosto, un 2,9% más que en el mismo mes de 2024
Nota de prensa
👇https://t.co/2Ci1W8JjzC
Resultados ➡️ https://t.co/CEkHWRP1w5#INE… pic.twitter.com/FLIxSsZHzk— INE España (@es_INE) October 2, 2025
#EstadísticaExperimental
Hoy el @es_INE ha publicado los datos correspondientes al segundo trimestre de 2025 de:
🔸 Distribución del gasto en destino realizado por los visitantes extranjeros en sus visitas a España
Resultados
👇https://t.co/biC96A8nhd#INE pic.twitter.com/QP3rphqiT3— INE España (@es_INE) October 2, 2025
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