Benidorm Leads as Foreign Tourists Splash Out €185 a Day in the Valencian Community

12.4 Million Foreign Visitors

The Valencian Community welcomed 12.422 million foreign tourists in 2025 — almost half a million more than the year before. Benidorm topped the list for daily spending at €184.80 per visitor with an average stay of 6.5 days.

UK Tourists Lead the Way

• UK: 24.3% — the largest group
• France: 17%
• Netherlands: 8.2%
• Nordic countries: 8.1%
• Germany: 6.5%

Tourism Minister Marián Cano said the UK has become "the main source of international tourism to the Valencian Community" once again.

Spending Up Across the Board

Overall, visitors spent more per day than in 2024, rising from €131.40 to €140.10, staying an average of 9.2 days. By area:

• Benidorm: €184.80/day, 6.5 days
• Valencia city: €163.30/day, 6.8 days
• Alicante province: €138.40/day, 9.8 days
• Castellón: €105/day but longest stays at 12.4 days

Not Just Sun and Beach Anymore

Sun and beach holidays remained the top reason to visit at 43.4% — but this is "the first time that sun and beach tourism is not the main reason for more than half of trips," Cano noted. Cultural and sports tourism are gaining ground. Business travellers spent the most at €188/day, followed by sports tourists at €176 and cultural visitors at €150.

What Visitors Do

• Beaches: 82%
• Shopping: 68.4%
• City visits: 66.8%
• Gastronomy: 33.3%
• Culture: 31.6%
• Nature: 29.3%

Most stayed in hotels (38.6%) or rented holiday homes (19.4%), arriving mainly by air (80.8%).

This article is based on reporting from Alicante Today, published April 15, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.