Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
The Canary Islands led Spain in tourist apartment overnight stays during July, with more than 2.5 million recorded – a 4.4% decrease compared to the same month last year, according to figures released this Monday by the National Statistics Institute (INE).
Average stay and employment figures
The average length of stay in the archipelago stood at 6.9 days, slightly down from the 7.03 days recorded in July 2025. This sector of the tourism industry employed a total of 12,959 workers during the month.
Nationally, overnight stays in tourist apartments by Spanish residents increased by 3.8%, while those by non-residents fell by 2.2%. The average stay dropped by 7.3% to 4.8 nights per traveller, the statistical institute’s data shows.
Occupancy rates across Spain
Across Spain, 52.3% of available places were occupied in July, a 3.8% increase on the same month in 2025. Weekend occupancy reached 54.8%, up 2.1%. Non-resident travellers accounted for 62.2% of all overnight stays.
The United Kingdom was the leading source market, representing 30.1% of the total. The Balearic Islands recorded the highest occupancy rate, with 83.3% of available apartments occupied.
By tourist zone, the Costa Blanca was the preferred destination, with more than 1.2 million overnight stays. Mallorca registered the highest occupancy rate at 87.6%, while the tourist hotspots with the greatest number of overnight stays were San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Benidorm and Mogán.
Recovery in non-hotel accommodation
In total, overnight stays in non-hotel tourist accommodation – including apartments, campsites, rural tourism properties and hostels – exceeded 22.5 million in July, representing a 0.9% increase on the same month of the previous year. This rise marks a return to growth after June saw a 2.8% year-on-year decline in this type of accommodation.
The upturn in July was driven by Spanish holidaymakers, whose overnight stays grew by 4.2% year-on-year, contrasting with a 2.2% fall among foreign visitors. The average stay in July was 4.5 nights per traveller, according to the Spanish statistical institute.
Price indices rise across the board
Turning to prices, the Tourist Apartment Price Index (IPAP) rose by 6.2% in July compared to the same month in 2025, while the Campsite Price Index (IPAC) accelerated to 6.3%. Meanwhile, the Rural Tourism Price Index (IPTR) increased by 1.5% year-on-year.
Overnight stays in tourist apartments remained flat in July on an annual basis, while those in hostels grew by 2.2%, rural accommodation by 3.9% and campsites by 1.2%.
Campsite performance
Campsite overnight stays rose by 1.2% in July compared with the same month in 2025. Stays by residents increased by 3.8%, while those by non-residents fell by 2.4%. During July, 55.1% of available pitches were occupied, up 2.7% year-on-year. Weekend occupancy stood at 57.1%, an increase of 2%.
Non-resident travellers made up 41.1% of campsite overnight stays. The Netherlands was the principal source market, accounting for 36.6% of the total. INE data shows Catalonia was the preferred campsite destination in July, with more than 4.5 million overnight stays, although this represented a 1.3% annual decline.
La Rioja achieved the highest occupancy rate, with 72.4% of available pitches taken. By tourist zone, the Costa Brava was the favourite, with more than 2.2 million overnight stays, while the Costa Blanca posted the highest occupancy at 71.1%. The hotspots with the most overnight stays were Torroella de Montgrí, Calonge and Benidorm.
Rural tourism growth
Overnight stays in rural tourism accommodation increased by 3.9% in July compared to the same month in 2025. Those by residents grew by 4.6% and by non-residents by 2.7%. Some 33% of places were occupied, a 3.3% improvement on July 2025. Weekend occupancy reached 43.2%, however, reflecting a 4.9% annual decline.
The Balearic Islands was the favourite destination, with more than 265,000 overnight stays – a 5.7% increase on July 2025 – and also achieved the highest occupancy rate at 69%. By tourist zone, the island of Mallorca was the preferred choice with over 204,000 overnight stays, also recording the highest occupancy with 69.3% of available places taken.
Hostel stays
Meanwhile, hostel overnight stays grew by 2.2% in July. Stays by residents rose by 7.8%, while those by non-residents dropped by 7.5%. Occupancy reached 45.2% of available places, up 2.7% on July 2025, while weekend occupancy stood at 46%, an annual decline of 7.3%, according to INE data.
Galicia was the preferred destination, with more than 151,000 overnight stays, while the Murcia region achieved the highest occupancy, with 71.7% of hostel places taken.
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