As locals in Spain resist rising visitor numbers and house prices, many locations have decided to add a little extra to their coffers by introducing new tourist taxes
Brits planning a Spanish getaway, take note: tourist taxes are on the rise across several beloved destinations.
As locals in Spain resist rising visitor numbers and house prices, many locations have decided to add a little extra to their coffers by introducing new tourist taxes. Visitors will typically cough up the tax when they check into their accommodation, but some locations have decided to raise prices for well-visited and well-loved attractions as well.
Alicante
Alicante’s authorities have decided to bump up the entry price to its castle and municipal museums.
The move will also affect cultural institutions such as the Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante (MACA), the Lonja del Pescado exhibition hall, the Las Cigarreras cultural complex, the Hogueras Museum and the Museo de Belénes.
“We believe it is reasonable for Alicante to consider opening a complementary line of income to contribute to the maintenance of heritage,” explained Toni Gallego, head of the Department of Finance.
Asturias
In Spain’s northern green coast, Asturias has seen visitor numbers spike to a record 27 million in 2023, with 2024’s number likely to have been higher still. In September, the northern region introduced a new rule meaning that each individual town hall in Asturias will be able to decide whether to charge tourist taxes or not.
Popular towns in Asturias such as Cudillero, Cangas de Onís and Valdés have already shown interest in introducing it, although authorities in the region’s two main cities, Oviedo and Gijón, have so far suggested they oppose. Any new levies are likely to be introduced this summer.
Galacia
As of January 1, all towns in Galicia have been allowed to levy an extra fee. The rate will range between €1 (85p) and €2.5 (£2.10), which will be applied for a maximum of five days.
Those staying in hostels, camp sites, rural tourism establishments, tourist apartments and vacation homes will pay €1 per person per night, with that figure rising to €1.50 (£1.25) for guests houses and hotels. The highest amount of €2 (£1.65) is reserved for high-end hotels.
Santiago de Compostela is the only locale that has introduced a charge so far.
Gran Canaria
Over in Gran Canaria’s Mogan, holidaymakers are already feeling the pinch with a new nightly charge introduced this month, costing €0.15 per person each day. The move, announced last month, sees local authorities promising to reinvest the extra cash into the tourism industry.
Mogan’s mayor, Onalia Bueno, didn’t mince her words last December, insisting: “The tourists who stay in the municipality contribute to paying what proportionally corresponds to them for the services and activities they enjoy during their stay. Under no circumstances do we want the residents to assume all the tax pressure through an increase in rates.”
Tenerife
Starting next year, Tenerife is banning tourist coaches from Anaga Rural Park in a bid to protect its fragile environment. Seville’s iconic Plaza de Espana plans to charge a small entrance fee to aid in upkeep, though locals will still roam free of charge.
And in the quaint village of Binibeca Vell in Menorca, limited hours for tourists have been introduced, stopping short of enacting a full prohibition.
Seville
The famous Plaza de España in Seville will soon start charging tourists to enter, likely either €3 (£2.40) or €4 (£3.30).
The plan is to raise funds to pay for “24-hour surveillance” in the area and permanent conservation work, but the proposal to charge entrance has faced a lot of criticism and backlash from other Seville authorities.
