Spain holidays: 59% seek new places at home

Spanish travellers are looking closer to home for their 2026 breaks, with 59% saying there are still plenty of places in Spain they have yet to discover. Local travel is the preferred choice for 46%, according to Booking.com’s Travel Trends Report 2026, released in Madrid on 23 September for World Tourism Day.

Shorter journeys, no language barrier and the chance to support local businesses are drawing people towards holidays within Spain. The report points to a shift away from the busiest periods and towards nature, food and a proper break from screens.

Nature and quieter travel

Nearly a third of those surveyed, 30%, plan to travel more in the low season to cut costs. Another 28% intend to choose destinations close by.

Switching off matters too. Some 88% put mental rest and a digital break at the heart of a trip, while 91% say natural settings and landscapes motivate them.

Food and pet-friendly stays

Local food is a major pull for 89% of Spanish travellers. More than half, 56%, want to visit local markets, while 51% plan to eat in restaurants serving traditional cooking.

Holidays with pets are also holding firm. One in ten Spaniards plans one this year. Among them, 58% favour pet-friendly flats or holiday homes, compared with 39% choosing hotels, combining walking routes with city tourism activities.

Topics: Housing · Tourism · Food & dining

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com