World’s second-most visited country struggles with peak summer tourism season amid record heatwave

Spain’s Aemet weather agency issued red and ‌orange alerts across several regions, warning of temperatures exceeding 39 to 40 C across large parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Mallorca, EuroNews reported.

The heatwave began Sunday and has already shattered multiple records, including the highest temperature ever recorded in the northern region of Cantabria at 43.7C (110.7F).

Record-high overnight temperatures were also registered in the city of Zamora and the province of Almeria.

The agency reported on Wednesday that this Monday and Tuesday (June 22 and 23) were the two hottest June days since at least 1950 in mainland Spain.

The weather agency warned international visitors: “Extreme danger. Exercise extreme caution!”

It advised tourists to stay safe and avoid outdoor activities as well as follow guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Health, The Independent newspaper reported.

The heatwave has become a defining test for Spain’s tourism industry, coinciding with peak summer travel, rising international arrivals, and the start of outdoor celebrations for the San Juan festival, one of the country’s most iconic traditions, according to Travel and Tour World magazine.

Summer flight bookings to Spain, including transit, soared 32% year-on-year, while hotel searches rose 28%, according to digital travel marketing platform Sojern.

Tourism has long been a pillar of the Spanish economy, making up more than 12% of its GDP.

Spain saw a 3.4% year-on-year increase in foreign arrivals to 26.5 million in the first four months of the year, despite global uncertainty triggered by the Middle East war.

It expects to welcome 100 million tourists this year after receiving a record 97 million visitors in 2025.