Madrid’s Tourism Sector Soars in 2025 with Record International Spending
Madrid, February 3, 2026 – The year 2025 marked a pivotal moment for Madrid’s tourism sector, establishing it as one of the city’s primary economic drivers. The Spanish capital achieved its best-ever performance in international tourism expenditure, reaching an impressive 17.896 billion euros. This figure represents an 11% increase compared to 2024 and a substantial 71% growth from 2019, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
This significant growth in international spending surpasses the national average for Spain by 4.3 percentage points. Madrid also welcomed 11.2 million visitors (11,236,564) and registered 23.8 million overnight stays (23,829,629), a 2.5% increase over 2024. These statistics underscore the robustness of Madrid’s tourism model and its enhanced capability to attract high-value tourism, thereby enriching the city’s economy. International tourists constituted 59% of the total visitors and accounted for 66% of all overnight stays, further cementing Madrid’s status as a premier global urban destination.
Quality Growth and Global Appeal
Almudena Maíllo, the Delegate Councillor for Tourism, emphasized that “Madrid has demonstrated that tourism can grow in quality and, at the same time, generate value for the city.” She highlighted that the increased expenditure per visitor and the strength of international tourism prove Madrid’s ability to “attract travelers from all over the world who value the city’s experiences, culture, and lifestyle, while maintaining a balance with the well-being of Madrid residents.”
In 2025, the average expenditure per person reached 1,964 euros, an 8% rise from the previous year, with the average daily expenditure standing at 305 euros. The average length of stay also saw a positive trend, increasing to 2.12 nights, up 1.7% from 2024, indicating a shift towards higher-impact tourism.
International Markets Drive Growth
The United States remained Madrid’s leading international source market in 2025, contributing 1.1 million visitors (1,103,443), a 6.8% increase over 2024. Following the US were Italy with 447,262 visitors (+3.4%), France with 361,653 (-0.7%), the United Kingdom with 350,592 (+12.1%), and Mexico with 318,447 (+2.8%). Of particular note was the strong performance of Ibero-American markets, with significant growth observed in Argentina, which saw 194,843 visitors (+27.8%), and Brazil, with 167,018 visitors (+22.1%). These figures confirm 2025 as a landmark year for intercontinental Latin American tourism.
Maíllo underscored Madrid’s natural connection with Ibero-American markets, fostered by shared culture, language, and increasingly robust connectivity, which enables the city to continue its sustainable growth in tourism.
Hotel Sector and Employment Growth
Madrid’s hotel sector continued to be a crucial pillar of the city’s tourism industry. In 2025, the capital boasted 79,341 beds across 39,336 rooms and 306 establishments. This sector generated employment for 12,557 individuals, an increase of 465 jobs compared to the 12,092 employed in the previous year. This employment growth reflects the positive economic impact of tourism on the local economy and its capacity to create stable job opportunities.
Global Connectivity as a Catalyst
Air connectivity played a significant role in Madrid’s tourism growth in 2025. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport handled 68.1 million passengers, a 3% increase from 2024. The airport offered a total of 447 routes, serving 217 destinations with 90 airlines, and providing direct connections to 76 countries. Europe accounted for 168 routes, while Latin America had 67, North America 19, and Asia and the Middle East continued to expand their presence.
This extensive connectivity is one of Madrid’s greatest strengths as a destination, enabling the capital to attract high-quality international tourism and reinforce its position as Europe’s gateway for Ibero-America. The Councillor reaffirmed the Madrid City Council’s commitment to continue working to ensure that “tourism continues to contribute to the city’s economy and the generation of quality employment.”
