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Madrid wins over tourists: the United States becomes its leading market in 2025
The Spanish capital received more than 5.4 million visitors in the first half of the year. International tourism drives spending and employment.
Madrid continues to attract the world. In the first six months of 2025, more than 5.4 million tourists visited the capital, according to recent INE data. Although the total number of visitors barely changed compared with 2024 (a slight fall of 0.4%), the tourist profile has changed significantly: the United States has overtaken all others and stands as the leading source country, with 522,000 visitors, 4.1% more than last year.
Second place is occupied by Italians (219,000), followed by the French (181,000) and Britons (177,000). Although in fourth position, growth in British tourism is the highest in the ranking, with an increase of 12.5%. In Latin America, Argentina stands out, with growth of 29.1% and 88,000 visitors, and Brazil, which rises 10.2% with 72,000 travellers.
The rise in international tourism is clear: 65% of overnight stays recorded in Madrid between January and June were by foreign visitors. And this is also noticeable in the economy: these tourists’ total spending reached 8,934 million euros, 10.7% more than in the same period of 2024. In addition, growth translates into employment: 14,471 people currently work in Madrid’s tourism sector, representing a 6.2% increase. With these figures, Madrid not only reaffirms its appeal to tourists, but also redefines it: less dependent on traditional markets, more open to the world and with a clear commitment to quality over quantity.