Easter break to mark start of record year for tourism in Spain

Spain looks poised for another record year for visitor numbers, following tourism representing 13.1% of GDP in 2024 and serving as the country’s main economic driver. Figures from Spain’s national statistics institute (INE) indicate that 2025 is already off to a flying start, with 5.4 million international tourist arrivals in February 2025 – up 7.65% compared to February 2024.

INE’s data shows a significant ramping up of visitor numbers during the January to April period over the last few years, with almost 24 million visitors during the first four months of 2024. The figure was 14.5% higher than for the same period in 2023, which in turn was 32% higher than the same period in 2022. Some of this increase can be attributed to holiday patterns resetting after the years of disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but certainly not all of it. Indeed, further rises are still anticipated, with Segittur projecting an 8.3% rise in visitor numbers during the first four months of 2025, with over 26 million foreign arrivals expected.

In terms of where those visitors are headed, eBooking reveals that the most booked Spanish destinations between 12^th and 21^st April this year are Seville, Madrid and Malaga. Many visitors are visiting for Semana Santa (Holy Week), which runs from Palm Sunday on 13^th April through to Easter Sunday on the 20^th. During that time, Spain comes alive with vibrant celebrations and processions. One of the most exciting is Malaga’s famous Procesión del Cautivo (Procession of the Captive), when thousands line the streets to see Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo and the Virgen de la Trinidad pass by.

With an average temperature of 16°C and a high of 21°C (according to Holiday Weather), April in Malaga is also the ideal time to enjoy the local beaches and golf courses. Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España notes that this is the time of year when property sales start ramping up too, with many buyers keen to snap up homes by those same beaches and golf courses.

“The Easter break is the ideal time to view properties in Spain. Our buyers are seeking lifestyle benefits, exclusivity and investment potential, all of which they can find in the Malaga area. Turning an Easter holiday into the time to find your dream second home in the Spanish sunshine is something that can deliver lifelong benefits,” said,  Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España

Homes at Sunny Golf, at Estepona Golf, are already attracting keen interest from buyers in the Malaga area. Priced from €355,000 plus VAT, the two- and three-bedroom properties range from ground floor apartments with private gardens to spacious penthouses, all with generous terraces for soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the golf course views. The development comes with a communal swimming pool and communal gardens for all residents to enjoy, all surrounded by spectacular scenery.

For beach lovers, Solemar by Malaga’s Casares Beach provides apartments and penthouses just 750 m from the seafront, with some properties offering stunning, unobstructed views of the Mediterranean. The light-filled homes face southwest, with terraces flowing from living rooms to blend indoor and outdoor living perfectly. Rated A for their energy efficiency and priced from €385,000, the properties meet a wide range of buyers’ needs, serving as primary residences, second homes and solid investment opportunities.