British tourists continue to dominate Spain’s tourism sector, with the latest figures confirming the UK as the country’s top source of visitors and spending.

According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), nearly 3.2 million British tourists travelled to Spain in the first quarter of 2026 – a 2.3% increase on the same period last year.

The UK also led in spending, accounting for around 14.7% of total international tourist expenditure.

Germany remains the second-largest market, with 2.1 million visitors (+1.2%) and 12% of total spending.

Meanwhile, France – traditionally one of Spain’s biggest sources of tourists – saw a decline of 5.9%, with just over two million visitors in the same period.

Tourists from Nordic countries also played a significant role, contributing 7.7% of total spending, despite a slight dip in March compared to the previous year.

Strong March for Spain and Andalucia

March alone saw 6.8 million international visitors arrive in Spain, up 3.3% year-on-year.

The UK again led the rankings with 1.3 million visitors, followed by Germany (924,088) and France (798,671), although French arrivals showed some recovery during the month with a 4.4% increase.

Andalucia mirrored this growth, welcoming more than 1.16 million foreign tourists in March – an increase of 10.85% compared to 2025.

Visitors to the region spent a total of €1.7 billion, the highest figure ever recorded for March.

Across the first quarter, Andalucia received over 2.1 million international tourists (+5.9%), generating nearly €3.9billion in revenue.

Tourists spending more

Spending patterns show a shift towards higher daily expenditure but slightly lower overall trip spending.

In Andalucia, visitors spent an average of €186 per day (+10.6%), though total spend per person fell to €1,458. Nationally, average trip spending stood at €1,411, with daily spend reaching €198.

The Ministry of Tourism notes a continuing trend that spending is rising faster than visitor numbers, indicating a more valuable – if slightly more selective – tourist profile.

Canaries still lead

The Canary Islands remained Spain’s most popular destination in March, attracting 22.9% of all tourists, followed by Catalonia (19.1%) and Andalucia (17.1%).

In terms of spending, the Canaries also led with 25.8% of the total, ahead of Andalucia (17.7%) and Catalonia (17%).

Most visitors continue to organise their trips independently, with 78% travelling without a package holiday.

Hotel accommodation saw strong growth, particularly in traditional establishments, while rental accommodation declined slightly. Non-commercial stays – such as with family or in second homes – also fell.

The most common length of stay remains between four and seven nights, although longer stays are becoming more frequent.

Britain still leads

While the UK continues to top the rankings, Spain’s tourism sector remains heavily reliant on a diverse mix of European markets.

Germany provides steady volume and spending, France remains important despite fluctuations, and Nordic countries contribute high-value tourism.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.