Tourism
Latest news and information on tourism, tourist sites, and visitor numbers in Spain.
A quick guide to restrictions on Airbnb in Spain's main cities and regions
If you’re planning on buying a property in Spain to rent out to tourists on platforms such as Airbnb, you need to think very carefully about where the property is located as many places have strict restrictions.
LISTED: Ten activities for when it's very hot in Barcelona
Long-time Barcelona resident Esme Fox shares her best tips for getting out and enjoying the Catalan capital without wilting in the heat and humidity of the summer months.
EXPLAINED: The rules for setting up a surf school in Spain
Surfing may not be the first sport you think of when you think of Spain, but it is popular, particularly along the north coast and in the Canary Islands. If you have dreams of setting up a surf school in Spain, here's what you need to know.
'Like the end of the world': The foreign eclipse chasers flocking to Spain
People from all over the world will flock to northern Spain next week in the hope of witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a total solar eclipse.
What are the rules for reserving a spot at the beach in Spain?
The early bird catches the sun lounger, many British and German tourists would have us believe. But is it actually allowed to reserve a place on the beach or at the hotel pool with your towels and umbrellas in Spain?
A quick guide to getting a Schengen visa for Spain and the EU
Depending on what non-EU country you're from, you may need a Schengen visa to visit Spain as a tourist. Find out if you need one, the financial and other requirements to get the visa, as well as common doubts people have about the Schengen visa.
How to get free glasses to see Spain's total solar eclipse
If you're planning on viewing the total solar eclipse in Spain on August 12th, you'll need safety glasses. Here are all the places where you can get them for free.
Tourists from France and Spain flock to Sweden for cooler summer
More and more tourists from southern Europe – particularly France and Spain – are heading to Sweden to experience a cooler summer, according to new data from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Development.
Should you cancel your holiday in Spain due to the wildfires?
The news in Spain over the past few weeks has been dominated by a series of devastating wildfires, including Spain’s largest ever, with thousands of hectares destroyed. So, should you still come here on holiday or is it better to cancel?
Spain's Málaga suspends new tourist flat licences for three years
The southern city of Málaga has become the latest in Spain to try and regulate short-term tourist rental accommodation, suspending new licences Airbnb-style flats for three years from Saturday July 25th 2026.
Tens of thousands march in Mallorca in latest overtourism protest in Spain
In other news, thousands of people in Mallorca took to the streets yesterday to protest against overtourism and how it’s leading to spiralling property prices and dwindling living standards for locals, with the demo ending with clashes with police.
Spanish wildfires intrude on holidaying foreign visitors
Being indoors as much as possible was not the plan when Chicago attorney Thomas Fawkes, 49, arrived on holiday in Madrid with his wife and son.
Will heatwaves push European holidaymakers to 'coolcations'?
European holidaymakers worn down by recurrent heatwaves are currently snubbing Mediterranean destinations for northern climes in hopes of cooler temperatures, but it remains to be seen whether it is just a fad or a durable shift in the tourism market.
Eight cooler places to escape the heat in Spain's Andalusia
Summers in Andalusia are by and large suffocating, but there are places in the region where it doesn't generally get as hot - here's one for each Andalusian province.
Spain's intense summer heatwaves deter tourists from returning
New research has revealed that tourists are 15 percent less likely to return to Spain if they've experienced abnormally hot weather while on vacation.
Do I have to register as self-employed in Spain if I rent to tourists?
If you rent your property out to tourists in Spain, is it necessary to register as 'autónomo'? Does how much you earn or how often you let it out to holidaymakers make a difference? Here's what you need to know.
'Unique event': Solar eclipse fever fills empty Spain
As a child, Enrique Bordallo would gaze in awe at the starry night sky in rural Spain. Next month's solar eclipse has now made his passion a popular obsession.
Spain to limit passenger numbers at Madrid and Barcelona airports in 2027
Amid new border rules and record tourism levels, Spain's state operator is planning to limit air passengers at peak times in order to ensure long-term capacity and infrastructure demands.
Heatwave plans: Ten things to do in Spain when it’s too hot outside
Struggling to think of activities to do when it's insufferably hot in Spain? Whether it's air conditioning you're after or some refreshing H2O to cool down in, here's how to not let a heatwave spoil your enjoyment.
How to get healthcare in Spain as a tourist
If you're coming on holiday to Spain this summer, here's what you need to know about accessing healthcare in an emergency.
What we know about Spain's planned crackdown on short-term let owners
A VAT hike, an end to rental loopholes, stricter anti-fraud measures, tax incentives and more - the Spanish government is preparing legislation for July 2026 which will have a big impact on the owners of tourist accommodation in Spain.
Spain may slap 21 percent VAT on tourist lets as part of new housing crisis plan
The Spanish government is to present a new set of housing measures in parliament this July to combat the worsening property crisis, including benefits for renters and the imposition of VAT payments on all short-term accommodation owners.
How will Spain regulate tourist flats after the end of its national registry?
A recent ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court meant that the government's national registry of short-term lets was struck down. With Airbnbs blamed by many for rising prices and scarce supply, how will tourist accommodation in Spain be regulated now?