The United States became Spain’s fifth largest source of tourists, behind the U.K., Germany, France and Italy, according to the National Statistics Institute.
Among Spain’s largest inbound markets, arrivals from Italy rose 8.7%, followed by the U.K. at 4.3% and France at 1%, while visitor numbers from Germany fell 1.1%.
The number of American visitors to Spain has risen in recent years, driven by visa-free travel, its high level of safety amid global uncertainty, strong air connectivity and growing interest in its culture and cuisine, according to tourism insiders.
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People a beach in Malaga, Spain, April 30, 2022. Photo by Reuters |
American tourists can travel to Spain visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, business or family visits.
Airlines are expanding direct services between the U.S. and Spain to meet strong travel demand. Major carriers including Delta, United and American Airlines connect key U.S. hubs with Madrid and Barcelona, while seasonal services to destinations such as Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao are also expanding.
Spain has improved its tourism reputation, according to the latest edition of the Barometer of Tourist Perception prepared by consulting firm LLYC.
Public perception of tourism in Spain averaged 5.4 out of 10 in the second quarter of 2026, up 0.7 points from 2025, based on the analysis of nearly 1.2 million digital messages in the last 12 months on social media, online media, and specialized forums.
Spain is emerging as one of Europe’s strongest examples of high-value tourism, with international visitors spending €115.1 billion (US$133.7 billion) in the country in 2025, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Rich Americans visiting Spain last year spent nearly $350 a day—well above the roughly $200 a day spent by Germans and about $150 by French travelers, according to Wall Street Journal.
During the first six months of 2026, 46.57 million international visitors arrived in Spain, 4.6% more than during the same period last year.