Madrid Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 04 September 2024

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.

Overview

How many people visit Madrid each year?

Over 10.61 million international and domestic tourists visited Madrid in 2023.¹

In 2019, Madrid welcomed 5.81 million international visitors marking the highest recorded visitors in history.

When the pandemic began in 2020, this number dropped by 80% to 1.17 million visits.

By 2021, Madrid experienced a 57% increase in international tourism with 1.84 million visitors.

Inbound tourism rose with 4.6 million visitors in 2022 and continued to recover in 2023 with 5.7 million visitors.

How much do tourists spend in Madrid every year?

Tourists spent over €13.3 billion during trips to Madrid in 2023.

Tourist expenditure in Madrid generated €10.45 billion in 2019.
This number decreased to €2.31 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions and fewer international visitors. This increased by 34% in 2021 to €3.1 billion.

In 2022, international tourism revenue increased to €9.6 billion and continued to rise in 2023, with €13.3 billion, surpassing 2019 figures.

Which country visited Madrid the most?

The leading sources of foreign tourists to Madrid in 2023 were the US, followed by Italy, France, Mexico, and the UK.

In 2023, the US was the top source of international visitors to Madrid, accounting for 914,867 visits.

Italy also contributed about 398,577 tourists.

France accounted for 352,971 international visits.
Mexico and the UK accounted for 300,066 and 293,851 visits, respectively.

How many people visited Madrid in 2023?

In 2023, Madrid welcomed 10.6 million visitors, with 5.7 million being international tourists and 4.9 million domestic travellers. This represented a 1% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.

How much does Madrid make from tourism?

According to MadridDestino, Madrid’s total tourism revenue in 2019 was €10.4 billion. In 2023, this increased to €13.3 billion.

How much is the average spending per capita in Madrid?

The average visitor spending per capita was €272 in 2019.

In 2023, the average visitor spending per capita amounted to €293, marking the highest per capita expenditure recorded in history.

How long do visitors stay in Madrid?

In 2019, inbound tourists generally spent 2.16 days exploring Madrid’s popular cities and attractions.

In 2020, the average length of stay peaked at 2.29 days. However, this decreased to 2.1 days in 2023.

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What are Madrid’s peak tourist months?

In 2023, Madrid’s peak tourist months were June, September, July, May and October.

Visitors in June (961,386 visitors) were drawn by the pleasant weather and major events like the Madrid Pride Parade, one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations.

September attracted 954,567 visitors, thanks to the warm weather and the start of the cultural season, highlighted by the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

July welcomed 953,382 tourists, who were attracted by various cultural festivals including the Veranos de la Villa summer festival, which offers numerous performances and activities.

May hosted 935,358 visitors due to the San Isidro Festival celebrations, featuring parades, concerts, and traditional activities dedicated to Madrid’s patron saint.

Visitors in October (919,136) benefitted from the comfortable weather and major events like the Madrid International Jazz Festival.

How popular is Madrid as a tourist destination?

For the fourth consecutive year, Madrid was internationally recognized as the “Best Meeting and Conference Destination” in the world at the World Travel Awards in 2022.

Madrid Travel Statistics – International & Domestic Tourism

Pre-Pandemic Period (2013-2019): Madrid experienced steady growth in both international and domestic tourists, peaking in 2019 with 10.52 million visitors.

Pandemic Impact (2020-2021): The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, causing a 75% drop in 2020.

Recovery Year (2023): After the pandemic, the number of both domestic and international visitors surpassed the 2019 figure, totalling 10.62 million.

Despite the pandemic, domestic tourism showed more resilience compared to international tourism, reflecting reliance on local travel during global disruptions.

What are the most-visited places in Madrid?

In 2022, 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 2022. 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.