Madrid generated £8.5 billion (€10 billion) in international tourism expenditure during the first half of 2026, up 11.4% from £7.6 billion (€8.9 billion) for the same period in 2025, according to Spain’s National Statistics Institute.
Visitor Numbers and Origin
Madrid City Council reported that the city welcomed over 5.6 million visitors from January through June 2026, a 4.1% increase compared to the previous year. Visitors stayed for a total of 11.9 million overnight nights.
International tourists made up 59% of the total, while domestic Spanish visitors accounted for the remainder. The United States was the leading overseas market, with 567,158 visitors. Italy followed with
228,576 tourists, and the United Kingdom ranked third at 180,463 visitors. All three source countries experienced growth in visitor numbers compared to the first half of 2025.
Economic Impact and Employment
Almudena Maíllo, Madrid’s tourism city councillor, described tourism as “an engine of development for the city, generating economic activity in neighbourhoods and creating stable employment for thousands of Madrid residents.”
She emphasized that the city’s economic benefits extend to public services, stating, “Every euro spent by visitors benefits the city and the services enjoyed by Madrid residents.” The Madrid City Council confirmed tourism employment has risen by more than 5% during the first
half of 2026, reflecting growth linked to expanding visitor demand.
Visitor Management Measures
In response to rising visitor numbers and to maintain quality experiences, the Museo del Prado introduced a restriction on maximum group sizes in January 2026. Museo del Prado director Miguel Falomir stated, “the Prado doesn’t need a single visitor more,” highlighting concerns over overcrowding at the landmark museum.
Overtourism Challenges and Government Response
Despite growth in tourism revenue and visitors, Spain continues to face overtourism protests, including demonstrations in Madrid and Mallorca. Residents in Mallorca’s Balearic Islands protested on 26 July 2026 against the negative impacts of mass tourism on housing availability and living conditions.
These concerns have prompted the Spanish government, in April 2026, to announce a plan to triple investment in public housing to alleviate issues attributed to the proliferation of holiday rental accommodations amid heavy tourist inflows.
