Spanish tourists forced to avoid their own beaches as holidaymakers flood seaside towns

Spaniards are increasingly being priced out of their own sun-drenched beaches, as an unprecedented tourism boom drives up hotel and rental costs, making coastal holidays unaffordable for many locals.

Previously unreported official data, reviewed by analysis firm inAtlas, reveals a significant shift. Last year, Spain’s top 25 Mediterranean and Atlantic coast destinations saw local tourism plummet by 800,000 people, while foreign visitor numbers surged by 1.94 million.

This trend is set to continue as the world’s second-most visited country, after France, anticipates a record 100 million foreign visitors this year.

“Prices have risen outrageously. The whole Spanish coast is very expensive,” said Wendy Davila, 26. She cancelled an “exorbitant” trip with her boyfriend in Cadiz on the south coast for a cheaper visit to the inland city of Burgos, famed for its Gothic cathedral and the tomb of 11th century commander El Cid.

“Now you don’t go on holiday wherever you want, but wherever you can,” added Davila, who is nostalgic for childhood beach holidays in Alicante on the Mediterranean.

With a population of 48 million – half the number of foreign visitors each year – Spain relies heavily on tourism, which contributes more than 13% of GDP.

But protests are growing over housing shortages exacerbated by mass tourism – and could be exacerbated by the indignity for Spaniards being priced out of their favourite holidays.

Hotel prices have risen 23% in the past three years to an average of 136 euros ($159) a night, according to data company Mabrian.

Beachfront rentals have also climbed 20.3% since mid-2023, according to price monitoring firm Tecnitasa, with most of them booked out for the summer by the first quarter.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for Spanish holidaymakers to afford beachfront tourism rentals,” said Tecnitasa Group President Jose Maria Basanez.

Foreign tourists stayed an average of eight nights at top Spanish beaches last year, with locals only affording half that time and spending a quarter of the money, inAtlas said.

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