This southwestern European country situated on the Iberian peninsula is one of the biggest tourist hubs, especially during summer holidays.Spain is the fourth largest among the other European countries. The tourism of the country supports the Spanish economy strongly.Before diving into further details, let us tell you that Spain is the only European country that shares a territorial limit with the African continent. We all mostly know about the Spanish Civil War of 1936, which created a stir in the chronology of World History, and even today, Spain creates quite a flutter among travellers by being one of the most hyped travel spots worldwide. As we are going to learn about some fun facts regarding the tourism of Spain, you should know that it is one of the main pillars of the financial system there. One of the main reasons to visit Spain is for the lip-smacking Spanish cuisine, which includes some mind-blowing seafood dishes. Next is the historical value and the rich cultural heritage that is still vibrant and very much attractive for foreign tourists. Not only the Spanish mainland or the capital city Madrid but also other historic cities like Barcelona and Valencia are also key attractions for tourists. Spain always tops the list for most travellers as it is worth every single penny. From the highly visited villages to picture-perfect cities, Spain became the second most visited country in 2019. Here, in this article, we share some amazing trivia beyond the general facts like Spain’s national bird, the national flower, and others. We will be revealing some fun facts and interesting points about Spanish people, places to visit like national parks and villages, and much more. Before you read further, it is essential to know the actual name of the country that you are planning to visit. Many can call it by its full name - the Kingdom of Spain. But in the language of the country, that is Spanish, it is named Reino de España.If you find this article knowledgeable, then please feel free to check out other articles on soccer in Spain facts and Spain Christmas symbols.Tourism In Spain StatisticsIt is a known fact that northern Europe has become the hot favourite for travellers during the holiday season. If we look into statistics, then approximately 120 million travel enthusiasts visit various parts of this region, and they provide a noticeable amount of revenue.As mentioned earlier, Spanish tourism provides a lot of resources for social and financial matters of the country. If we check records, in 2019, 14.6% of GDP was generated from travel and tourism in Spain. The average amount that had been coming from Spanish Tourism is 3385 million euros. Do you want to know the highest? Well in 2019 it reached 9408 million euros!Also, the industry of tourism in Spain accounts for almost 13.5% of employment, which is nearly 2.6 million.It was recorded that in 2019 almost 84 million tourists came to visit Spanish cities, but in 2021 the count has decreased by 50%.Spain’s tourism faced a loss of 70%, which was a big blow not only for the Spanish economy but also for the European Union.Let’s share a piece of special information with you. Did you actually know that in 2020, La Sagrada Familia became the most visited spot by travellers in Spain, making quite a historic mark in the World Tourism Statistics?Spain Tourism RestrictionsDue to the unfortunate spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Spain has upheld some stringent and firm restrictions for tourists in order to maintain safety.For travellers from any EU country or Schengen part, they were allowed to visit Spain if they have a low infection tendency. However, the rules are different for others as they need to prove their permission for travel with a negative test report.For the safety of visitors and also natives, the number of visitors has been limited at a time. This has helped to maintain social distancing norms and reduce the chance of the spread of the deadly virus.You can be fully sure about the bars, cafes, and restaurants as they will welcome you with warm gestures. However, strict measures, in line with the pandemic, have been implemented in public places. On the whole, it can be said that Spanish tourism organizers want their clients to be safe and also maintain the safety of the country. If you are planning a visit, be sure to check the travel restrictions and requirements regularly as they change often.Top Places To VisitAfter being inspired for your tour across the Mediterranean sea, in this historic country, the first place you should visit is the Prado museum. But don’t forget to book your tickets a day early. There you will have a chance to look at the works of phenomenal Spanish artists.The next spot can be the Royal Palace of Madrid, where you can dip yourself in the history of the struggle of the ancient Spanish people. The Royal Family of Spain and its enticing history have always attracted visitors.To add an aesthetic touch to your tour, you may also visit the world-famous Plaza de Cibeles fountain.As Spain is the honeycomb of heritage sites, then we should surely not miss Andalusia. You need not have a lot of philosophical queries about religious beliefs. Just visit Alhambra Palaces in Granada and also the Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba.And if you are religious, you should experience the hike to El Camino de Santiago. This holy journey leads you to the path of Saint James. In Spain today, people, irrespective of religion, join this trail, considering it a sacred pilgrimage.For all mountain lovers, both southern and northern Spain offers you the majestic sites of Sierra Nevada and the Asturias, Picos De Europa, respectively.We have not forgotten about beachgoers! In the Balearic Islands, you can fully enjoy the nightlife with awesome beach views to lounge in. If you are a party person, then the parties in the Balearic Islands will be just the thing for you.To top it, you should definitely check out Palma de Mallorca. It is not only the largest island in the Balearic region but is also the capital city. With an amazing ambience and fabulous restaurants, cafes, and bars to try out, we are sure you don’t want to miss such a spot.In the Canary Islands, the atmosphere is hotter! The variation that you will see, quite different from the other parts of Spain, is due to the volcanic environment. For adventure sports enthusiasts, the Canary Islands has an amazing hiking trip in the volcanic craters.Now let us visit the Eastern portion of the country, where Pyrenean ski resorts are all set to make the best of your trip with the Atlantic Ocean. You can have a birds-eye-view and also enjoy the serene beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. This is what we call the best of both worlds!No trip is ever complete without a food trip. You can have the best Spanish cuisine in Michelin-stared places in San Sebastian. Did you know that San Sebastian holds the record for being home to the highest number of Michelin star restaurants?As we are talking about food, then you should also be aware that one of them, an ingredient in the international cuisine-olive oil, comes from Spain in a large quantity. Around 44% of olive oil is exported by Spain in its best quality.Lastly, how can we forget a special mention of Madrid, the capital city? Though we have mentioned some of the attractions, the Trail, which is in the older portion, needs to be mentioned. And for shopping, nothing can be better than the El Rastro market every Sunday morning! With puzzle pieces of history and other marvellous sites, Madrid can become a strong option alone in your ‘Spain Travel Plan’. It can be a standalone holiday destination for tourists!The Basque country is also incredibly interesting and rich in history. You may also get a little confused and think of it as a different nation due to the difference in the culture, the language of the native people, and even in the cuisine. Situated along the margin of France, it can bring you an elevated art experience with the tour of the Guggenheim Bilbao. With a belief among locals about being the original European descendants, you will get to see many distinct cultural aspects here, which makes this region stand apart from the rest of the country.Now comes the fun part. Just plan a long road trip along the coastline and enjoy the brilliant surrounding view from the cliffs.Not only big city lights, but the simple and serene view of small yet mesmerizing villages is something that will entice you. If you have surfed some of the pictures on the internet, then you are bound to be in awe of the white picture-perfect buildings and the whole setup of these villages. If you want a name, then Frigiliana can be one that also holds a few crowns for being the most beautiful village in the country. Apart from breathtaking architecture, this village offers you delicious gastronomic delicacies, which attract a lot of foodies.When it comes to cuisine, then Costa Brava is a great place to try out some of the best Spanish dishes! Also, if you have been looking for an opportunity to visit tapas bars, this place will be the cherry on top. You will find it interesting to learn that the trend of tapas bars has been an age-old tradition for bars in Spain. For those who are still unaware of tapas, it is a way of serving drinks to customers where it is accompanied nicely with bread, a fine curtain of cheese and other small plates of food.We all have heard of the most popular fun festival in Spain, La Tomatina, which contributes significantly to Spain’s fame. You have to reach Bunyol, Valencia, to have a blast in a squishy flood of tomatoes. Mark the date as it happens in August and on the last Wednesday.Spain is like that amusement park where after entering, it gets hard to decide which ride to take on first!Barcelona: Tourism InformationSome offbeat tourist places can be a great visit too. Gaudi has left some spellbinding craftwork through his skills and architectural handwork in the landscape of Barcelona. Apart from the most talked about Sagrada Familia, there are other showstoppers. Park Guëll will rightfully fill colours to your travel memories with beautiful mosaic pieces.Also, being the cosmopolitan hub, here you may find the world-famous Barceloneta Beach, although a little crowded. However, there is always a crowd puller, and this is completely worth your visit.Meanwhile, for all football lovers, your dream Camp Nou is waiting for you. Want to leave a mark? Just get your name printed in the FCB jersey, which spreads over the city.Did You KnowDon’t worry about transport, as Spain maintains an amazing network of public transport services. You can travel via train, board a bus, and even hire a car to enjoy your vacation at your own pace. However, it is always wise to go through travel guides before choosing any kind of public transport.Now in Spain, you get to choose the kind of trip you want. There is cultural tourism, gastronomic tourism, wine tourism, adventure tourism, and much more.Hopefully, we’ve given you a bit of an idea about the amazing travel experience that is Spain. We have tried to focus on the points which may help you to draw a map for your trip to Spain. Now comes the most important part - the budget of the trip. If you are planning to go solo, then for a week, you may keep $1000-1500 for your plan. For a family holiday, let’s say for four people, the amount can lead up to $2000 approximately. But, this also depends, as the maximum expenditure is normally for accommodation. A beautiful room with a marvellous beach view will definitely be costly. We advise you to check out hotels and tickets for sites. Then just pack your bags and get all set to visit the country where the intimidating sight-running of bulls can be experienced and much more to satisfy your wanderlust for sure! It is not necessary to cover the entire country during a single visit. Just make sure to make the best of your trip.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for tourism in Spain facts, then why not take a look at Spain flag facts or Spain food facts?
This southwestern European country situated on the Iberian peninsula is one of the biggest tourist hubs, especially during summer holidays.
