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Foreign tourists spend more and stay longer in Murcia this year
Visitors spending and length of stay reach record highs as British tourism booms
Murcia is firmly cementing its status as a rising star in Spanish tourism, with incoming visitors spending more, staying longer, and arriving in record numbers, surpassing both regional and national benchmarks.In April, it was reported that foreign tourists collectively spent a record-setting €1.17 billion in Murcia during 2024: up a striking 32.6 percent from the year before. Today’s figures show that momentum hasn't just continued, it’s accelerated.
In July alone, the average foreign tourist spent €150.75 per day in Murcia, an impressive rise of 21.4 percent compared with July 2024, dwarfing the national increase of 6.9 percent.
Over the course of a typical stay, that means each visitor spends nearly €1,800, compared to the Spanish average of around €1,500, placing Murcia third among regions, only behind Madrid and the Canary Islands.
However, it's not just the wallet that’s stretched - the calendar is too. Foreign tourists clocked an average stay of 11.7 nights, far outpacing the national average of 7.1, and securing Murcia the top spot for longest stays in Spain.
Looking at the first seven months of 2025, the figures are equally vibrant:
- Daily spend averaged €116.55, up 8.3 percent on 2024 - against a modest 4.4 percent national rise.
- Total international spending soared to €963.6 million, a 14.1 percent increase, adding €119.2 million in fresh revenue.
- Visitor numbers hit a historic high: 688,926 foreign tourists arrived - a 14.1 percent jump over 2024 and well ahead of the national growth of just 4.1 percent.
- Murcia remains top dog again for length of stay, averaging 12 days vs. Spain’s 7-day norm.
As you’d expect, British tourists remain Murcia’s biggest ambassadors. From January to July, 215,923 Britons holidayed here: a 22.6 percent year-on-year increase, accounting for nearly one third of all visitors. They were followed by tourists from France, Belgium and Portugal, with the latter nearly quadrupling their numbers. Germany and the Netherlands also posted strong gains of 44.8 percent and 24.6 percent respectively.
Juan Francisco Martínez, director of Murcia’s Tourism Institute, said: “These figures show the success of Murcia’s tourism strategy, which is bringing in more international visitors, encouraging longer stays and shifting travel beyond just the summer peak.” He added that the 2022–2032 Tourism Strategic Plan aims to build on this by boosting off-season travel and diversifying source markets.
With more people staying longer, spending more, and choosing Murcia over many other destinations, the message is clear: for many, this charming region isn’t just a holiday choice - it’s becoming a lasting escape.
You might also be interested in: Has summer tourism in Spain hit its peak? British visitors keep coming as German and French numbers drop
Image: Enrique B/Pexels
Address
C.C Parque Almenara, Camino de Enmedio s/n., Diputacion del Campillo. 30813, Lorca, (Murcia)Tel: 968 46 37 37
Murcia’s second biggest centro comercial has more than just shopping – it’s everything you could want from a day out!
Parque Almenara is one of the largest retail and leisure malls in the Lorca and Águilas area, offering the full ‘all under one roof’ shopping experience, except it is open to the elements!
It has all your favourite brands and shops like Stradivarius and Mango, spread out over two easily accessed levels. There is also a Carrefour, plus larger retail units for electrical products and home and garden goods.
Unlike other shopping centres, Parque Almenara is a shopping mall where the stores are located in a network of streets, like a whole shopping village that covers almost 150,000m2, making it the second largest shopping centre in the Region of Murcia.One of the most striking features of Parque Almenara is its three canvas tents suspended 20 metres above the outdoor area, creating a shaded zone and an oasis of calm right in the middle of the mall.
As well as the opportunity for a day’s retail therapy, Parque Almenara also offers the makings of good night out. There is a 10-pin bowling alley with 20 lanes and an entertainment complex, plus a multiscreen cinema with ten screens showing the latest offerings from Hollywood and the best 3D movies, and even original version English-language films.And with no fewer than eight separate options to grab a bite to eat at the food court, you can stay at the Parque Almenara all day if you want to!
You can even take your dog along with you as pets are allowed into the mall, an animal-friendly place.
How to get there
Parque Almenara is located on the Lorca–Águilas road C-3211 at km 1.9. On a GPS, the coordinates to put in are: N 37º 63´ W -1º 69´
If you’re going by bus, there is a direct bus route that leaves from Apolonia.
