Andalusia's tourist arrivals jump 21.3% in August: what it means for holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol

Spain welcomed 12.3 million international tourists in August 2026, 9.2% more than a year earlier, and they spent €17,838 million. Andalusia grew more than twice as fast as the average: 2.07 million visitors, up 21.3%, and spending of €2,797 million, up 18.8%, according to the INE's Frontur and Egatur statistics.

For anyone who owns or is looking for a home in Malaga and on the Costa del Sol, the most interesting figure is not the record itself but where these tourists stay: visitors who chose a rented home grew twice as fast as those who went to a hotel.

How many tourists came to Spain in August 2026?

August closed with 12.3 million international arrivals. Each tourist spent €1,455 on average, practically the same as a year earlier, while daily spending rose 1.9% to €202. The average stay shortened slightly to 7.2 days. In other words, growth comes from more people arriving, not from each visitor spending much more.

From January to August the total already stands at 70.4 million tourists, up 5.4%, with spending of €99,892 million, up 8%. Spain is close to €100 billion in international tourist spending in just eight months.

Why is tourism in Andalusia growing so fast?

Andalusia grew far faster than the other major summer destinations. The Balearic Islands, still the leading region in August, grew by just 2.6%, and Catalonia by 9.1%. The most saturated destinations are starting to hit a ceiling, while Andalusia still has room to grow.

By market, the United Kingdom remains the leading source: 2.4 million tourists in August, up 9.3%, and almost 19% of all spending. France follows with 2.1 million and Germany with 1.4 million. These are precisely the three markets that weigh most in demand for holiday homes and second residences on the Costa del Sol.

Are holiday rentals gaining ground on hotels?

Hotels still clearly dominate, but rented homes are growing faster. It is the same trend we already saw in the first half of the year.

Families, stays of a week or longer and repeat visitors increasingly look for a home with a kitchen, a terrace and space. On the Costa del Sol this translates into sustained demand for well-located apartments in Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Torremolinos or Marbella, close to the beach and to transport.

Is investing in a holiday rental on the Costa del Sol worth it?

The demand is there, but so is the entry price. According to our October 2026 Costa del Sol market report, the median asking price on the coast is €650,000 and €4,669/m². These are some benchmarks for the municipalities with the most tourist activity:

Before buying with holiday letting in mind, it is worth checking three things:

• The licence: several municipalities, led by Málaga city, have restricted new holiday rentals in many of their neighbourhoods. Check whether the area accepts new registrations or whether the property already has a valid one.
• The owners' association: since April 2025 a new holiday rental needs the express approval of the community by a three-fifths majority.
• The real return: summer pulls, but the numbers depend on year-round occupancy, management, taxes and wear and tear. In many cases mid-term letting in winter complements the high season well.

Conclusion

August confirms that Andalusia is now Spain's sun-and-beach destination with the most room to grow and that tourists increasingly look for a home rather than a hotel room. For investors on the Costa del Sol it is a good demand signal, but not a blank cheque: the licence, the owners' association and occupancy outside summer decide whether the deal works. At EVS Property Group we help you assess each case with real local data.

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