Else Beekman
For many in Spain, the Easter break is proving more expensive than expected. Rising fuel prices, more expensive hotel stays—particularly in popular destinations like Seville, Málaga, and the Balearic Islands—and increased costs for seasonal treats such as Easter eggs and torrijas are contributing to the overall Easter price rise.
According to the European Union’s Petroleum Bulletin from 10 April, fuel prices have edged up just in time for the Easter break. Diesel rose for the first time since mid-February, with the average price per litre up to €1.440. Petrol prices also saw a second consecutive weekly increase, now averaging €1.517 per litre.
This comes as Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) forecasts 15.8 million journeys over the holiday period, particularly from Friday to Easter Monday (21 April), a public holiday in regions such as Catalonia, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Valencia, and Navarre.
Tourism booms despite inflation
Despite higher prices, the tourism sector remains buoyant. Both international and domestic travel are on the rise, with Spaniards increasingly exploring regional and inland destinations, complementing the influx of foreign visitors. On Tuesday, Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu predicted that 15 million international tourists would visit Spain in March and April, a 9% increase on last year. Tourist spending is also expected to rise by 13% to over €20 billion.
Figures from tourism industry alliance Exceltur suggest a 5.3% increase in sales and a 5.6% rise in business performance compared to Easter 2024. Transport and car rental firms are forecast to see the strongest gains, with sales expected to grow 7.8% and 8.5% respectively.
Hotel rates rise sharply in top destinations
Hotel prices have also climbed since last year. February figures from the National Statistics Institute (INE) show a 4.2% year-on-year increase. The trend has been consistent since mid-2021 as the sector recovers from the pandemic.
A report by consultancy Simon-Kucher estimates that the average daily hotel rate across major Easter destinations is now €208—a year-on-year increase of 8%. Seville and Málaga are the most expensive cities, with average nightly rates of €346 and €298, respectively. Barcelona and Madrid follow, with rates of €254 and €245. Valencia remains below the national average at €203.
The Balearic Islands saw the sharpest increase, with average hotel prices jumping 29% to €165 compared to last year’s €128.
Restaurant spending up by nearly a quarter
Dining out is also more expensive nationwide this Easter. This is especially significant given that Easter in Spain is traditionally marked by long, shared meals with family and friends. According to booking platform TheFork, Spaniards are set to spend 23% more on meals between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, with the average restaurant bill rising from €26 last year to €32.
Mallorca (+25%), Seville (+10%) and Alicante (+9%) have seen the biggest increases in booking volumes, while city hotspots include Bilbao (+50%), Salamanca (+41%), Murcia (+31%), Marbella (+22%) and Altea (+18%).
Traditional Easter sweets under price pressure
Artisan bakeries are busier than ever, but raw material prices are impacting Easter favourites like torrijas, monas and chocolate eggs.
According to EAE Business School’s “Torrijómetro”, ‘torrijas’ are 19% cheaper than last year due to falling sugar and olive oil prices. The 2024–2025 olive harvest is expected to exceed 1.3 million tonnes, up from 837,900 the previous season. However, ingredients like eggs (+3.8%), milk (+3.4%), and bread (+3.2%) have all risen, as has electricity (+28.1%) and gas (+7.1%).
Despite the recent price drop, torrijas remain 53% more expensive than in pre-pandemic 2019.
Meanwhile, the price of Easter eggs has surged due to a 25% rise in egg prices since January, including an 8.6% jump in Q1, according to ASEMPAS (Madrid Association of Bakers and Confectioners). Chocolate has also become pricier, with a 12.1% annual increase in March and a 7.1% rise in Q1 alone.
Still, bakeries across Spain continue to offer a wide range of seasonal treats, from traditional chocolate eggs displayed in shop windows to freshly made torrijas warming behind the counter. In Catalonia, the Gremio de Pastelería confirms that “there are monas for all budgets”. The focus, they say, remains on retaining loyal customers and ensuring no one goes without their Easter treat.
More moderate price rises in inland Spain attract visitors
While coastal hotspots see sharp increases in prices, inland regions and rural destinations are experiencing more moderate rises this Easter. In provinces such as Albacete, rural tourism is thriving, with some areas expecting nearly full occupancy. Local business owners in regions like La Manchuela and the Sierra del Segura report strong demand during Semana Santa, offering a vital boost for small accommodations and restaurants.
In Zamora, hotels and guesthouses reported occupancy rates of around 90% at the start of the week, with full bookings expected on key Easter days. Meanwhile, in Córdoba, occupancy reached up to 90% in rural areas as many families opted for quieter destinations. Despite mixed weather forecasts, the lack of sharp price increases compared to coastal destinations made these areas attractive alternatives.
Supporting local businesses during Easter
In areas like Aragón, business leaders are using the Easter period to highlight the importance of conscious consumerism. María Jesús Lorente, president of the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce, emphasised that choosing to support local restaurants, shops, and services helps strengthen the regional economy. Artisan bakery associations echo this sentiment. They stress the role of Easter in maintaining customer loyalty and preserving local culinary traditions.
So whether you’re staying close to home or heading inland, choosing to spend locally can make a real difference, helping smaller communities benefit from the seasonal surge without the steep price tags found in more crowded tourist destinations from the seasonal surge, without the steep price tags found in more crowded tourist destinations.