Lorraine Williamson
Camping in Spain has moved far beyond its old image of budget tents and makeshift kitchens. In 2025, it is one of the country’s fastest-growing holiday sectors, blending affordability with sustainability and a growing sense of adventure.
This summer, campsites reported an average occupancy of 90% — a figure that positions them not just as an alternative to hotels, but as a mainstream travel choice.
Hotels may still dominate Spain’s accommodation market, but their rising prices have left a gap that campsites are now filling. Industry data shows that while four- and five-star hotels recorded strong growth, campsites continued to attract families, couples and retirees looking for space in nature at a lower cost. The pandemic first put camping in the spotlight as a safe, open-air escape, but five years on it has become a conscious lifestyle decision for millions of holidaymakers.
Travel habits are shifting
The surge isn’t only about numbers; it’s about how people travel. Motorhome use has soared, transforming the sector’s rhythm beyond the July–August peak. Many campsites now report that between 60% and 70% of guests outside the high season arrive by camper van. At the same time, visitors are staying longer, with the average trip lasting a full week, making camping not just for weekend getaways but for proper holidays.
Budgets under pressure, nature still the draw
Campsite owners have noticed changes in guest spending. Travellers are tightening their belts on restaurants and organised activities, reflecting wider cost-of-living pressures. Even so, camping remains accessible: average site prices rose just 7% this year, still far below the cost of hotel accommodation. For many, that balance — affordable prices without giving up a holiday — has been key to camping’s success.
Green credentials boost popularity
What also sets campsites apart in 2025 is their alignment with the sustainability movement. Across Spain, owners are investing in solar power, water conservation and recycling initiatives. Organic food options and nature-focused activities are becoming more common. For a generation of travellers seeking low-footprint, meaningful holidays, camping is one of the few options that combines price, authenticity and environmental responsibility.
A regional snapshot: Burgos leads the way
In Burgos, Fuentes Blancas municipal campsite has seen an “exceptional year”, with August fully booked and high demand spilling into autumn. Its success mirrors national patterns while highlighting camping’s role in promoting tourism to lesser-known regions, not just the coastal hotspots. Here, travellers mix quick stopovers with longer cultural stays, proving the versatility of the camping model.
A new record in sight
The Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) will confirm the final figures in November. But if current trends hold, 2025 may well go down as the most successful year ever for Spanish campsites. What began as a pandemic-era discovery is now firmly part of Spain’s tourism identity — one that looks set to grow even further as travellers chase affordability, flexibility and the open air.
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