Spain Tourism Booms in 2025: Record Visitors, Travel Tips, and Safety Advice for Summer Travelers

Spain remains one of the most popular destinations worldwide, setting new records for visitor numbers in 2025. The country attracted 17 million visitors in just the first three months of the year, a 5.7 percent increase compared to last year, making it the busiest in Spain’s recorded history. The influx of tourists has caused growing tensions in major cities like Barcelona, where locals have demonstrated against overtourism, leading even to public protests. These tensions sometimes result in negative interactions between residents and visitors, including incidents where tourists have had water poured on them while dining outdoors, so cultural sensitivity and respectful behavior are particularly important.

Travel advisories currently in place for Spain indicate that travelers should exercise increased caution. The U.S. Department of State lists Spain as a Level 2 advisory, which means travelers should exercise increased caution due to the risk of terrorism and occasional civil unrest. Terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks, and the Spanish national terrorism alert level remains high. Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur anywhere or at any time, so listeners are advised to remain alert in public places and follow the guidance of local authorities.

The Australian government similarly advises that normal safety precautions be exercised in Spain, with added awareness due to the ongoing threat of terrorism. Although these threats are in place, Spain is not among the highest-risk countries, and most visits are trouble-free. The recent national power outage in late April 2025 did impact critical infrastructure and transit, but services have since returned to normal.

Entry into Spain is straightforward in 2025, with no remaining COVID-19 restrictions for travelers. No health documents or COVID-specific controls are required upon arrival. However, travelers are still recommended to avoid traveling if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Standard entry requirements remain, such as demonstrating sufficient funds—approximately 118 euros per person per day of stay. For longer stays of nine days or more, travelers must show proof of at least 1,063 euros. It is essential to check with Spanish embassies or consulates for specific entry rules based on nationality.

For those planning to drive or travel overland in Spain, the CDC recommends using official taxis or public transportation, always wearing seatbelts, and following local traffic laws. Pedestrian safety is vital, especially in crowded city areas, and listeners should use marked crosswalks and sidewalks, remaining vigilant around traffic as local driving customs may differ from what they are used to.

There are no countries or regions within Spain listed on the U.S. State Department’s "Do Not Travel" warning; Spain’s Level 2 status puts it at the same level as other popular destinations such as France, Italy, and Germany. Emergency services are accessible via the unified number 112 across the country.

Lastly, with Spain’s cities and tourist hotspots anticipating exceptionally high visitor numbers this summer, listeners considering a trip should be prepared for crowded conditions, particularly in popular areas. Advance bookings for accommodations and attractions are strongly recommended. Those seeking a quieter experience may want to explore less-visited regions or prioritize outdoor, nature-based activities to avoid the effects of overtourism that have become prominent in urban centers.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Spain remains one of the most popular destinations worldwide, setting
new records for visitor numbers. In twenty twenty five, the
country attracted seventeen million visitors in just the first three
months of the year, a five point seven per cent
increase compared to last year, making it the busiest in
Spain's recorded history. The influx of tourists has caused growing

(00:23):
tensions in major cities like Barcelona, where locals have demonstrated
against overtourism, leading even to public protests. These tensions sometimes
result in negative interactions between residents and visitors, including incidents
where tourists have had water port on them while dining outdoors,
so cultural sensitivity and respectful behavior are particularly important. Travel

(00:46):
advisories currently in place for Spain indicate that travelers should
exercise increased caution. The U s Department of State lists
Spain as a Level two advisory, which means travelers should
exercise increased caution due to the risk of terrorism and
occasional civil unrest. Terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks,

(01:07):
and the Spanish National Terrorism alert level remains high. Attacks
could be indiscriminate and occur anywhere or at any time,
so listeners are advised to remain alert in public places
and follow the guidance of local authorities. The Australian government
similarly advises that normal safety precautions be exercised in Spain

(01:28):
with added awareness due to the ongoing threat of terrorism.
Although these threats are in place, Spain is not among
the highest risk countries and most visits are trouble free.
The recent national power outage in late April twenty twenty
five did impact critical infrastructure and transit, but services have
since returned to normal. Entry into Spain is straightforward in

(01:51):
twenty twenty five, with no remaining COVID nineteen restrictions for travelers.
No health documents or COVID specific controls are required upon arrival. However,
travelers are still recommended to avoid traveling if they have
symptoms consistent with COVID nineteen. Standard entry requirements remain, such
as demonstrating sufficient funds approximately one hundred and eighteen euros

(02:15):
per person per day of stay. For longer stays of
nine days or more, travelers must show proof of at
least one thousand, sixty three euros. It is essential to
check with Spanish embassies or consulates for specific entry rules
based on nationality. For those planning to drive or travel
overland in Spain, the CDC recommends using official taxis or

(02:36):
public transportation, always wearing seat belts and following local traffic laws.
Pedestrian safety is vital, especially in crowded city areas, and
listeners should use marked crosswalks and sidewalks, remaining vigilant around
traffic as local driving customs may differ from what they
are used to. There are no countries or regions within

(02:56):
Spain listed on the US State Departments do not Try
travel warning. Spain's Level two status puts it at the
same level as other popular destinations such as France, Italy
and Germany. Emergency services are accessible via the unified number
one hundred two across the country. Lastly, with Spain's cities

(03:16):
and tourist hotspots anticipating exceptionally high visitor numbers this summer,
listeners considering a trip should be prepared for crowded conditions,
particularly in popular areas. Advanced bookings for accommodations and attractions
are strongly recommended. Those seeking a quieter experience may want
to explore less visited regions or prioritize outdoor nature based activities.

(03:41):
To avoid the effects of over tourism that have become
prominent in urban centers.