Costa del Sol holidaymakers are spending more than ever as tourist cash hits record levels

Foreign holidaymakers visiting the Costa del Sol are spending more money than ever before, with new figures showing visitors are putting extra cash into restaurants, shops, leisure activities and local businesses.

Although the latest study focuses mostly on Malaga city, the figures reflect a wider trend across the Costa del Sol, where popular destinations including Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Estepona, Mijas and Nerja continue to benefit from strong international tourism.

Foreign visitors spend more during Costa del Sol holidays

International tourists now spend an average of €189 per person during their stay, representing a 7.1 per cent increase compared with the previous year.

The figures come from a study using Mastercard spending data and measure money spent once visitors arrive at their destination. Accommodation costs are not included because many hotels and holiday rentals are booked and paid for before holidaymakers leave their home countries.

Compared with 2019, international tourist spending has grown by almost 88 per cent, showing that visitors are choosing to spend more on experiences, dining and shopping while enjoying their holidays in southern Spain.

For businesses across the Costa del Sol, the increase represents a major boost for restaurants, retailers, attractions and entertainment venues that depend on international visitors.

Restaurants become the biggest tourist spending attraction

Holiday habits have changed in recent years, with visitors now dedicating more of their budget to eating out and enjoying local experiences, rather than just boozing and snoozing on the beach.

Restaurants have become the largest category for international tourist spending, accounting for 18.2 per cent of all purchases. In 2019, eating out ranked much lower, showing how important food and dining have become for visitors.

Fashion and accessories account for 13 per cent of tourist spending, while other shops take 11.5 per cent. Spending on leisure and culture has also increased, with activities such as attractions and experiences now representing more than 11 per cent.

The figures suggest that visitors are looking beyond traditional beach holidays and are spending more on discovering what the Costa del Sol has to offer.

British tourists remain the biggest spenders

UK visitors continue to be the largest international spending group, accounting for 22.9 per cent of foreign tourist spending. British holidaymakers are still spending more overall, with their total spending increasing by 16.4 per cent during 2025. However, other markets are growing quickly, including visitors from the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United States, Poland, Mexico and Japan.

Travellers from Switzerland recorded the highest average spending, with an average of €321 per visitor, followed by Denmark (€302) and the United States (€287).

Tourism growth spreads and not just in summer months

While July remains the strongest month in terms of total visitor spending, months including June, November and December recorded some of the biggest increases compared with the previous year.

That trend is good news for Costa del Sol businesses, helping restaurants, shops and attractions attract customers throughout more of the year rather than relying only on the traditional summer season.