Spain Tourism Booms Despite Challenges: Essential Travel Safety Tips for Visitors in 2025

Spain remains one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, already welcoming a record 17 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025 alone according to Travel + Leisure. This extraordinary surge in tourism is putting pressure on local communities, especially in major cities like Barcelona, where locals have staged protests against overtourism, sometimes taking direct action such as pouring water on tourists dining in public spaces and organizing mass demonstrations.

Travelers planning a visit should be aware that the U.S. Department of State has designated Spain as a Level 2 destination, advising visitors to exercise increased caution due to the ongoing threat of terrorism and occasional civil unrest. According to the official Spain travel advisory from the U.S. State Department, terrorist organizations continue to plot possible attacks, which could occur with little or no warning. Typical targets may include tourist locations, transport hubs, shopping areas, government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major events, and public gatherings. Demonstrations are common across Spain and may intensify in response to political developments or international events.

On June 13, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Madrid issued an alert about expected anti-tourism demonstrations in cities such as Barcelona, San Sebastian, Valencia, and Mallorca. Additional protests related to international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, are also taking place in multiple locations throughout Spain. Authorities recommend travelers avoid large gatherings, remain vigilant in urban areas and public spaces, monitor local news, and follow instructions provided by local authorities.

Despite these concerns, Spain has lifted all COVID-19 entry restrictions, and no health controls are performed at the borders. However, local travel agencies and health experts continue to recommend that anyone showing COVID-19 symptoms delay their travel plans. The entry requirements for Spain depend on travelers’ countries of origin, so it is advisable to check with the closest Spanish embassy or consulate for the latest information.

The Australian government’s Smartraveller advisory also notes that the threat of terrorism in Spain is considered ‘high,’ urging travelers to take official warnings seriously and adopt normal safety precautions at all times.

In summary, while Spain’s allure remains undiminished for global travelers craving Mediterranean cuisine, culture, and scenery, it is crucial for listeners considering a trip to stay informed about potential risks. Be aware of local events, respect signs of civil unrest or protests, and register with your home country’s traveler programs to receive updated security alerts. With record crowds, increased vigilance is necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip amid Spain’s vibrant yet sometimes turbulent atmosphere.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Spain remains one of the world's most popular travel destinations,
already welcoming a record seventeen million visitors in the first
quarter of twenty twenty five alone, according to Travel's Leisure.
This extraordinary surge in tourism is putting pressure on local communities,
especially in major cities like Barcelona, where locals have staged

(00:21):
protests against overtourism, sometimes taking direct action such as pouring
water on tourists, dining in public spaces, and organizing mass demonstrations.
Travelers planning a visit should be aware that the U. S.
Department of State has designated Spain as a Level two destination,
advising visitors to exercise increased caution due to the ongoing

(00:43):
threat of terrorism and occasional civil unrest. According to the
official Spain Travel Advisory from the U. S. State Department,
terrorist organizations continue to plot possible attacks, which could occur
with little or no warning. Typical targets may include tourist locations,
transport hubs, shopping areas, government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places

(01:06):
of worship, parks, major events and public gatherings. Demonstrations are
common across Spain and may intensify in response to political
developments or international events. On June thirteenth, twenty twenty five,
the US Embassy in Madrid issued an alert about expected
anti tourism demonstrations in cities such as Barcelona, San Sebastian,

(01:27):
Valencia and Mallorca. Additional protests related to international conflicts, particularly
in the Middle East, are also taking place in multiple
locations throughout Spain. Authorities recommend travelers avoid large gatherings, remain
vigilant in urban areas and public spaces, monitor local news,
and follow instructions provided by local authorities. Despite these concerns,

(01:50):
Spain has lifted all COVID nineteen entry restrictions and no
health controls are performed at the borders. However, local travel
agencies and head health experts continue to recommend that anyone
showing COVID nineteen symptoms delay their travel plans. The entry
requirements for Spain depend on travelers countries of origin, so

(02:11):
it is advisable to check with the closest Spanish embassy
or consulate for the latest information. The Australian government's Smartraveler
Advisory also notes that the threat of terrorism in Spain
is considered high, urging travelers to take official warnings seriously
and adopt normal safety precautions at all times. In summary,

(02:31):
while Spain's allure remains undiminished for global travelers craving Mediterranean cuisine, culture,
and scenery, it is crucial for listeners considering a trip
to stay informed about potential risks, be aware of local events,
respect signs of civil unrest or protests, and register with
your home country's traveler programs to receive updated security alerts.

(02:55):
With record crowds, increased vigilance is necessary to ensure a
safe and enjoyable trip amid Spain's vibrant, yet sometimes turbulent
atmosphere