Lorraine Williamson
Spain is heading for an unprecedented summer. Tourism officials expect 100 million international arrivals in 2025, a record figure that will boost revenues but also increase the strain on local communities.
For British holidaymakers—the second largest group after the French—Spain remains a firm favourite, with the islands and coastal resorts continuing to dominate.
British favourites: islands and coastline
For UK travellers, Spain’s islands and coasts are still irresistible. The Balearic Islands alone welcomed 7.4 million international tourists in July and August, outstripping Barcelona and Madrid combined. The Canary Islands and the Costa del Sol remain equally popular with British visitors, with resorts like Fuengirola still known as “Little Finland” but attracting huge numbers from the UK too.
This summer influx means visitor numbers in the Balearics are now seven times higher than the local population, while on the Costa Brava, tourists outnumber residents five to one.
Beyond the classics: new destinations emerging
While beaches and nightlife remain the main draw, repeat visitors are starting to venture further. Once travellers have ticked off Barcelona, Seville, Madrid or Granada, curiosity leads them inland. Since 2019, tourism in León, Zamora, Ourense and Pontevedra has risen by 40%—despite these provinces now battling severe wildfires.
Social media is fuelling this shift. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok can turn remote corners of Spain into viral hotspots overnight. A surge of Swedes in Ciudad Real and Dutch dominance in Cuenca highlight how fast these patterns can change. For British travellers, Galicia and northern Spain are also enjoying a revival, offering culture, cooler summers and dramatic scenery.
Who goes where: Europe’s influence
For British travellers, the dominance of the islands and coastal resorts is clear. In Mallorca, Ibiza, Lanzarote and Tenerife, the UK remains the top international market.
The downside: taxes and tension
The success of Spain’s tourism boom comes at a cost. Local residents complain of soaring rents as apartments are converted into holiday lets, and traditional shops are being replaced by souvenir outlets. The backlash is visible: tourist taxes are now in place in around ten destinations. Santiago de Compostela has just joined the list, while Bilbao and San Sebastián are expected to follow.
This reflects a growing challenge for Spanish authorities: how to keep the economic benefits of tourism flowing while preserving the liveability of their cities and towns.
For UK holidaymakers, Spain tourism in 2025 remains as appealing as ever—whether that means the all-inclusive resorts of the Balearics, the volcanic landscapes of the Canaries, or a road trip through Galicia and León. But as visitor numbers soar to historic highs, travellers may increasingly encounter higher costs, tourist levies and restrictions designed to protect local life.
For many, though, the allure of sun, culture and affordable holidays ensures Spain will remain Britain’s top escape.
Source: Las Provincias