What to Know About Traveling to Spain Summer 2025

When people think of European Summers, a lot of the images that pop up are probably scenes from Spain. The Gaudi architecture, seaside villages, rolling hills, Mediterranean waters, quiet cobblestone streets—all of it can be found in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Córdoba, Girona, Ibiza, and countless other cities across the country. But with everyone dreaming of Spain, it means the country is a popular destination for a lot of people. Like, a whole, whole lot of people.

According to the most recent data, Spain has already had 17 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025 alone. That’s a 5.7 percent increase in visitors compared to last year, and is the busiest year for visitors to the country in recorded history. When accounting for Spain’s population of just under 50 million people, it can be easy to see how such a high volume of visitors could overwhelm.

That data doesn’t even account for the busiest summer travel months right around the corner. And while an increase in tourism might be good for some places, that hasn’t been the case for Spain in recent years. In cities like Barcelona, locals have outright rejected the influx of visitors, going so far as to pour water on dining tourists and mass protests.

There’s already been a few issues to take note of this year. In the last days of April 2025, a power outage impacted transit, hospitals, and everything else in Spain, France, and Portugal. On May 5, cable thefts on major train lines caused delays for thousands of people. Canada issued a travel advisory this week for the country, warning travelers to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increased threat of terrorism. The U.S. issued a similar Level 2 warning related to the threat of terrorism and civil unrest back in December 2024.

Given all of this information, it can feel beyond intimidating to move ahead with your booked trip to Spain this summer. Here’s what to know before you go, including tips on avoiding the major crowds.

Book in advance

Consider booking your trip for another season. At this point in time, the prices will be too high and the availability will be sparse. But, if you’ve already got your tickets and your hotel reservations, make sure you’ve got reservations for restaurants, excursions, transport, and museums before your feet ever touch the ground.

Prepare for the crowds

If you are going to one of Spain’s more popular cities, there will be crowds. Making reservations and bookings in advance can help, but that won’t spare you from all of the chaos. One great option is to consider taking a day trip to smaller, less popular destinations during your visit. (T+L has recommendations on hidden gem wine regions and overlooked locales bursting with Michelin starred restaurants.) Spots like Barcelona and Madrid don’t have to be totally unmanageable. We’ve got a guide to visiting Barcelona in any season and tips on the best things to see and do while in Madrid.

Travel responsibly

It will be hot, it will be crowded, and it's possible your expectations won’t live up to reality—transit issues and protests can pop up at any time, as we’ve already seen this year. Make sure to keep your wits about you so as to not make any trip woes turn into true nightmares. Keep all your valuables packed away safely, make a realistic budget, stay street smart, check your government’s travel advisories before departure, drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and act with grace towards locals and anyone providing you with a service.