The Canary Islands received 16 million international tourists in 2025, representing a 3.6% increase compared with the previous year, according to figures published on Monday by Turespaña. The data confirm another year of sustained growth for the archipelago, which continues to rank among Spain’s leading international destinations.
In December alone, the islands welcomed 1.5 million foreign tourists, marking a 0.8% increase compared with November. Although the monthly growth was more moderate than in other regions, it nonetheless reflects continued high demand during the winter season, traditionally one of the Canary Islands’ strongest periods.
Spain records historic levels of international arrivals
At national level, Spain received 111.7 million international air passengers in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 5.9%, equivalent to around 6.2 million additional arrivals. Europe remained the dominant source market, accounting for 85.4% of total passenger traffic, with arrivals from the continent rising by 5.1% compared with 2024.
Passengers from the American continent represented 8.8% of total arrivals, recording a 5.4% increase, while Asia, though still a smaller market at 2.7%, showed the strongest relative growth, with arrivals rising by 18.6% year on year.
Growth from emerging and long-haul markets
In 2025, arrivals from Persian Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, stood out for both volume and positive performance. From Asia, China emerged as a key growth market, alongside the recovery of air connectivity with Japan following the reopening of routes at the end of 2024. Among Latin American countries, Colombia was particularly notable, surpassing one million arrivals over the year.
In December, Spain as a whole received 7.7 million international air passengers, a 6.8% increase compared with the same month in 2024. All major source markets registered growth, with Ireland, Poland and the United States recording double-digit increases.
The United Kingdom remains Spain’s leading source market
The United Kingdom continued to be Spain’s largest source of international passengers. In December, it generated around 1.5 million arrivals, accounting for 18.8% of total international traffic, with year-on-year growth of 4.7%. The Canary Islands were the UK market’s main destination, followed by the Valencian Community and Andalusia.
Over the whole of 2025, the UK sent the highest number of international passengers to Spain, with the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands as its leading destinations, accounting for 27% and 18.3% of arrivals respectively. All major regions saw growth compared with 2024, with Galicia and Murcia standing out for increases of over 10%.
Germany, Italy and France: mixed trends
In December, Germany accounted for 11.9% of total international passengers (around 900,000 arrivals), recording a modest 1% year-on-year increase. The Canary Islands remained the main destination for German tourists, receiving 34.9% of arrivals, although the archipelago experienced a slight decline of around 13,000 passengers from this market.
Across 2025, Germany represented 13.3% of international traffic to Spain, with growth of 1.9%. The Balearic Islands were the top destination (35.8%), followed by the Canary Islands (20.1%) and Catalonia (14.7%), all of which recorded increases over the year.
Italy showed stronger momentum. In December, Italian arrivals totalled 841,816 passengers, accounting for 10.9% of traffic and rising by 8.5% year on year. The Community of Madrid and Catalonia together absorbed 59% of Italian arrivals.
For the full year, Italy was the third-largest source market, with 11.3 million passengers, reflecting a robust 9.1% increase. All regions recorded growth except Galicia and Cantabria.
France accounted for 7.2% of total passengers in December, with year-on-year growth of 2.4%. The Community of Madrid (31.2%) and Catalonia (27.4%) were the main destinations. Over 2025 as a whole, France generated 7.3% of total arrivals, with growth of 3.1%, while the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community recorded the largest absolute increases.
Regional performance in December
In December, the six main autonomous communities concentrated 97.2% of total international arrivals, all recording year-on-year growth. The Valencian Community experienced the strongest increase, at 14.2%, while the Canary Islands recorded the most moderate rise, at 0.8%.
Looking at the full year, the Community of Madrid led in absolute passenger numbers, accounting for 23.1% of total arrivals, with growth of 5.2%. The Valencian Community posted the highest year-on-year growth rate (11.4%), while the Balearic Islands recorded the most modest increase (2.4%).
Sustained growth amid growing debate
The data confirm that international tourism continues to grow across Spain and remains particularly strong in the Canary Islands. However, the steady rise in visitor numbers comes amid increasing public debate in the archipelago over overcrowding, pressure on housing and infrastructure, and the sustainability of the tourism model, issues that continue to shape the wider discussion around the sector’s future.
