TL;DR
- Spain welcomed 13.2 million UK visitors between January and August 2025, a 4.33% increase from last year.
- Northern Spain saw significant growth: Basque Country up 65%, Galicia up 44%.
- Shoulder seasons (Jan-May) recorded 565,000 more UK visitors compared to 2019, while peak summer grew by 0.4%.
- August 2026 solar eclipse tours in northern Spain are selling fast.
- Agent bookings increased from 34% to 38% of UK holidaymakers in 2024.
The Spanish Tourist Office announced this week at the ABTA Travel Convention in Mallorca that 13.2 million British travellers visited Spain between January and August 2025. That’s a 4.33% increase over the same period last year.
The numbers tell an interesting story about where and when UK travellers are choosing to visit. Peak summer months (June-July) saw 0.4% growth compared to 2024, while the shoulder seasons between January and May recorded 565,000 more UK visitors compared to 2019.
UK travellers appear to be choosing March, April, May, September, and October over the traditional July and August peak. At the same time, they’re discovering regions of Spain that haven’t typically been on the mainstream holiday radar.
Northern Spain’s Growing Appeal
Galicia, the region centred around Santiago de Compostela on the Atlantic coast, recorded 61,000 UK visitors in the first seven months of 2025. That represents a 44% increase from 2024. The region benefits from the Camino de Santiago’s continued popularity and cooler coastal weather patterns.
The Basque Country saw even stronger growth at 65%, welcoming 105,000 British visitors between January and July. That works out to around 450 UK travellers per day arriving in the region between Bilbao and San Sebastian. The area is known for its gastronomy, cultural offerings, and temperate climate.
Jessica Harvey Taylor from the Spanish Tourist Office UK noted that while the majority of UK holidaymakers still visit traditional regions like Valencia, Andalucia, and the islands, there’s growing awareness of northern alternatives. The Spanish Tourist Office’s “Think You Know Spain? Think Again” campaign has been highlighting these regions throughout 2025.
Changing Booking Patterns
Recent Expedia Group data shows booking windows are getting shorter. There’s been a 20% increase in bookings made within 0-13 days of departure, and a 30% increase for international trips in that same timeframe. The data indicates travellers are making decisions about shoulder season travel based on factors like weather reports and social media content.
For agents, this creates opportunities to respond to short-term booking requests, particularly for destinations like Northern Spain, where availability tends to be better than in traditional peak season hotspots.
Some agents report using conversation approaches like “Have you considered Northern Spain for your next trip?” or “What if I could show you Spain without the crowds?” when clients are looking for alternatives to busier regions.
The 2026 Solar Eclipse
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain. Zaragoza and Castellón de la Plana are positioned as prime viewing locations, with over 90 seconds of totality expected in the path.
Specialised eclipse tourism operators have been taking bookings since 2024. New Scientist’s eclipse tour to north-central Spain sold out by September 2024 and now has an open waitlist. Criterion Travel is offering 8-day eclipse programs starting at $2,000 deposit per person. Spanish operators like Taquilla Tickets are positioning Castellón de la Plana for what they’re advertising as 1 minute 34 seconds of totality.
The timeline means agents working on 2026 Spain bookings can build itineraries that combine the eclipse viewing with Northern Spain’s cultural and culinary experiences.
The Numbers Behind the Travel
Data shows international tourists in Spain spend approximately £1,490 per trip, or about £210 per day for week-long stays. Combined with the move toward shoulder seasons, this indicates higher-value clients are travelling when accommodation and experiences have better availability.
Galicia’s hotel sector generated €165.5 million in the first half of 2025, representing 4.3% growth compared to 2024. The region recorded over one million overnight stays in June 2025 for the first time, with 65% domestic and 35% international visitors.
Manuel Butler, Spanish Tourist Office UK Director, confirmed at the ABTA Convention that British visitor numbers showed no impact from anti-tourism protests. The protests have been largely concentrated in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, rather than the northern regions, showing the strongest growth.
The Spanish Tourist Office has been collaborating with UK operators, including Intrepid, Martin Randall, and Byway, to develop itineraries to lesser-known destinations. These partnerships provide ready-made options for agents offering Northern Spain packages.
Looking Ahead
CaixaBank Research forecasts Spain’s tourism GDP will grow by 2.7% in 2025, reaching 13.1% of Spain’s total GDP. The growth pattern shows distribution across shoulder seasons and diverse regions rather than concentration in peak periods.
Exceltur recently adjusted its growth forecast to 2.8% in 2025, down from an earlier 3.3% projection. They cited softer spending by European and US visitors as the reason for the revision. The moderation suggests less pressure on availability and more booking options in desirable properties.
For Northern Spain specifically, March through June offers the mildest weather before summer heat arrives, while September and October extend the season with moderate temperatures. August 2026 is emerging as a focal point for eclipse tourism bookings.
The data indicates shoulder season travel to Spain has moved from a niche choice to a mainstream pattern, particularly for travellers discovering regions beyond the traditional coastal hotspots.
Agent Advantage Insight
Northern Spain bookings show 65% year-on-year growth in the Basque Country. When clients ask about Spain, agents can reference this figure as evidence of both availability and growing popularity in regions with cooler weather and authentic experiences.
