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September travel in Spain is now peak season

Early September evening on a Spanish beachfront promenade, showing lively cafés and calm water, illustrating September travel in Spain during shoulder season.
by
6 min read

A record 10.98 million international visitors arrived in Spain in July, lifting the January through July total above 55.5 million, according to official data. Tourist spending surged as well, with July outlays reaching €16.45 billion and the year-to-date total topping €76 billion. Growth moderated slightly in July, up 1.6 percent year over year, but the volume underscores how Spain's peak is stretching beyond August. New polling shows roughly one in six Spaniards will take their vacations starting in September, extending crowded beaches and full reservations later into the calendar.

Key Points

  • Why it matters: September travel in Spain increasingly mirrors peak-season demand and pricing.
  • Travel impact: Expect tighter availability, higher rates, and busier airports across major resort regions.
  • What's next: Cities refine rental rules, islands manage heat and wildfire alerts, and airlines add late-season capacity.
  • Shoulder season savings are narrowing, with average hotel rates rising year over year.
  • U.K., France, and Germany remain the top source markets driving late-season traffic.

Snapshot

September is no longer a quiet escape. Spain welcomed nearly 11 million visitors in July, the highest monthly tally on record, and spending remains strong. ObservaTUR reports 17 percent of Spaniards plan to start vacations in September, matching last year's high and reinforcing a multi-year shift away from an August-only break. Hotels priced September aggressively in 2024, and preliminary indications suggest similar firmness this year as popular coasts and islands maintain peak-like occupancy. Airfare from the U.K. to Spanish destinations has eased versus 2024 on some routes, which may keep planes full even as rooms command higher rates. Travelers should book early for Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), and island gateways like Fuerteventura Airport (FUE).

Background

Spain's tourism engine continues to outperform Europe. July's arrivals nudged higher year over year, even after a record 2024 baseline, and cumulative 2025 spend through July now exceeds €76 billion. British, French, and German travelers still anchor inbound demand, while domestic travelers increasingly push their holidays into September. The pricing backdrop has tightened. INE's hotel survey showed average invoiced room rates in September 2024 at €125.20 nationwide, up 7.4 percent year over year, alongside a 7.0 percent rise in the Hotel Price Index. That momentum, plus persistent demand for the Canary and Balearic Islands, implies fewer last-minute deals. Policy and sentiment are shifting too. Barcelona is moving to end tourist apartment licenses by 2028, and Canary Islands protests in May 2025 renewed calls to rebalance housing and visitor volume.

Latest Developments

Record July caps a strong seven-month run

INE's Frontur report logged 10,977,070 international arrivals in July, the largest monthly figure on record, bringing the January through July count to more than 55.5 million. Egatur confirmed €16.45 billion in July tourist spend, with average spend per traveler at €1,493 and about €210 per day. Combined with June's cumulative totals, year-to-date spending has now surpassed €76 billion, approximately 7 percent above 2024. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany remain the largest origin markets, helping fill coastal and island capacity that typically slackens after mid-August. For accessibility-focused travelers, Spain's reputation also continues to rise, supported by destination-wide programs and strong rail links, as covered recently in Spain Leads Accessible Tourism, U.S. Travelers Top Spend.

September habits reshape the "shoulder" month

ObservaTUR's late-August check shows 17 percent of Spaniards will start vacations from September 1, matching 2024's peak share and confirming a post-pandemic trend toward de-seasonalization. International behavior mirrors the shift, keeping resort towns lively through month-end. Hotels priced September accordingly last year, with Spain's average room rate at €125.20 in September 2024, up 7.4 percent year over year, a pattern many revenue managers expect to repeat. Airfare provides a partial offset. KAYAK's summer analysis indicated lower year-over-year pricing to several Spanish cities, including Alicante and Málaga, which can stimulate late bookings. Net effect, demand remains high, availability narrows at weekends, and "quiet September" is increasingly a misnomer across Mediterranean and island hotspots.

Policy pushback and climate risks frame the autumn

Large protests across the Canary Islands in May 2025 highlighted concerns over housing, water, and environmental stress tied to mass tourism. Barcelona is pressing ahead with plans to phase out all tourist apartment licenses by 2028, intensifying scrutiny of short-term rentals as neighborhoods push for relief. Climate remains a complicating factor. Authorities issued wildfire pre-alerts in the Canaries ahead of peak summer heat, with additional advisories during August heatwaves. While these pressures have not yet dented national arrival totals, they are shaping local rules, crowd management, and how destinations message safety and sustainability heading into autumn.

Analysis

For travelers and the trade, the message is clear. September is acting like peak season, especially along coasts and islands. Supply is not expanding fast enough to restore the old shoulder-season pricing gap, and new constraints, from rental rules to heat advisories, add friction in certain markets. That said, fundamentals remain traveler friendly. Airfare into major gateways can be cheaper than midsummer, airports run slightly less congested midweek, and weather is more comfortable for city touring. Pricing power sits with properties that are renovated, beachfront, or within short walks of old towns, so competitive intelligence and early bookings matter more than they did pre-2020.

Operators should adjust pacing and product. Weekend nights in Barcelona, Málaga, and the Canaries will feel like August, but midweek inventory can still unlock value for clients willing to shift dates or move one airport over. Communicate clearly about rental regulations, neighborhood etiquette, and heat safety. For higher-spend segments, lean into Spain's accessibility leadership and rail connectivity, bundling station assistance and step-free rooms to win autumn business. Finally, watch local sentiment. Protests rarely translate into immediate travel disruption, but they influence municipal policy, enforcement, and the traveler experience over time. Balancing price, place, and timing is now the core September playbook in Spain.

Final Thoughts

If you want Spain's September warmth without August crowds, plan with precision. Book earlier, target midweek arrivals at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) or Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), and consider island gateways like Fuerteventura Airport (FUE) where airfare may be softer. Expect firmer hotel rates than in past years, and build in flexibility on neighborhoods and room types. Check local advisories for heat and wildfire conditions, and understand short-term rental rules before you go. With the right timing, you can still find value, but the old shoulder-season bargain has evolved. That is the new reality of September travel in Spain.

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