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Published 3 Sept 2024 · Updated 6 Nov 2025
Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, world-class art museums, historic architecture, lively plazas, and bustling culinary scene, making it a prime destination for tourists worldwide.
How many people visit Madrid each year?
Over 11 million tourists (both international and domestic) visit Madrid in recent years1.
- In 2024, Madrid welcomed 11.19 million total visitors, a 5.6% increase from 2023.
- Visitor numbers reached 10.6 million in 2023, an increase from 9.22 million in 2022.
- 10.43 million tourists visited Madrid in 2019, which dropped to 2.68 million in 2020 and 4.96 million in 2021 during the pandemic.
How many people visited Madrid in 2024?
- Madrid welcomed 11.19 million tourists in 2024.International tourists made up the majority of Madrid’s visitors at 56% (6.27 million), while domestic visitors accounted for 44% (4.92 million) of total tourists in 2024.
How much do tourists spend in Madrid every year?
Tourists (both international and domestic) spend over €25 billion in Madrid in recent years.
- In 2024, tourists generated €25.42 billion in spending, representing a 19% growth from 2023.
- Annual spending reached €21.4 billion in 2023, an increase from €16 billion in 2022.
- €18 billion in spending was generated in 2019, which dropped to €3.5 billion in 2020 and €5.5 billion in 2021 during the pandemic.
How much did people spend in Madrid in 2024?
Tourists spent €25.42 billion in Madrid in 2024.
- International tourists contributed €16.12 billion (63%), while domestic visitors accounted for €9.3 billion (37%) of total spending in 2024.
- This represents a 19% increase from 2023 and stands 41% higher than the pre-pandemic figure of €18 billion in 2019.
How much does it cost to visit Madrid?
The average cost to visit Madrid is approximately €1,440 per international trip in 2024.
- Domestic visitors: Approximately €900 per trip (averaging €334 per day for 3 nights)
- International visitors: Approximately €1,440 per trip (averaging €339 per day for 5 nights)
Which country visited Madrid the most?
The United States was Madrid’s largest source of international tourists, and Italy was the second-largest international market in 2024.
Top International Source Countries by Visitors (2024)
- United States: 1.03 million visitors
- Italy: 430,183 visitors
- France: 366,078 visitors
- United Kingdom: 313,517 visitors
- Mexico: 300,000 visitors
How much does each tourists spend in Madrid each day?
In 2024, the average visitor spending per capita amounted to €334 each day,marking the highest per capita expenditure recorded in history.
- The average visitor spending per capita was €272 in 2019.
How long do visitors stay in Madrid?
Visitors stay an average of approximately 2 nights in Madrid in 2024.
- Domestic visitors: Stay approximately 1.67 nights on average, typically for weekend breaks and short holidays.
- International visitors: Stay around 2.29 nights on average, often as part of a broader European tour or extended trip.
Why do tourists visit Madrid?
Madrid attracts visitors primarily for leisure travel (77%), with tourists enjoying its art museums, historic sites, and vibrant culture in 2024.
- Business travelers represent 18% of visitors, attending conferences and professional meetings.
- Visitors seeing friends and relatives (3%), and those traveling for other purposes comprise the remaining 2% of visitors.
What are Madrid’s peak tourist months?
June was the peak tourist month in Madrid in 2024.
- June was the busiest month with approximately 1.27 million visitors, followed by July with 1.16 million visitors.
- September attracted around 1.01 million visitors, while May drew 0.98 million visitors.
How popular is Madrid as a tourist destination?
Here are recent awards, rankings, and accolades for Madrid as a tourist destination in 2024 and 2025:
2025
- Named #2 in the global “Best City Destinations” ranking by Euromonitor International, reflecting its growing appeal and leadership in sustainable, high-quality tourism.
- Recognized by Forbes in its “Top 100 Cities to Visit” list as Spain’s highest-ranked city, highlighting Madrid’s strength in infrastructure, visitor experience, and destination quality.
2024
- Awarded the title of World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Tourism Destination at the World Travel Awards for the sixth consecutive year.
- Named Most Desirable City (Europe) by the travel magazine Wanderlust, underscoring Madrid’s strong leisure travel appeal.
These recognitions collectively reinforce Madrid’s status as a top-tier global travel destination, celebrated for its business tourism excellence, vibrant culture, and exceptional visitor experience.
Madrid Tourism Statistics – International & Domestic
- Pre-Pandemic Period (2014-2019): Madrid experienced steady growth in both international and domestic tourists, peaking in 2019 with 10.43 million visitors.
- Pandemic Impact (2020-2021): The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, causing a 74% drop in 2020 to 2.68 million visitors, followed by a partial recovery to 4.96 million in 2021.
- Recovery Period (2022-2024): Tourism rebounded strongly, with 9.22 million visitors in 2022, 10.6 million in 2023 (surpassing 2019 levels), and a record 11.19 million in 2024.
- Despite the pandemic, domestic tourism showed more resilience compared to international tourism, reflecting reliance on local travel during global disruptions.
More Statistics
What are the most-visited places in Madrid?
- In 2024, Puerta del Sol attracted 18% of the total visitors. The public square is known for its iconic clock tower, the Kilómetro Cero marker, and the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree.
- Prado Museum also drew 18% of visitors. The museum houses an extensive collection of European art, including masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco.
- The Plaza de Cibeles was also popular – attracting 13% of visitors. The square features the Cibeles Palace and Fountain.
- Plaza Mayor welcomed 9% of the total visitors in 2024. This historic square has beautiful architecture and a lively atmosphere.
- El Retiro, a green oasis in the city with serene gardens, a large boating lake, and cultural landmarks, also hosted 9% of total visitors.
References
- Tourism Key Figures and Statistics of Madrid (Vademécum Turístico) · public.tableau.com ↑
