Brits can’t get enough of Spain this summer

The UK’s favourite Spanish destinations

According to the study, Málaga was Britain’s second most searched destination, followed closely by Nerja in third place.

Benidorm and Marbella also made the top five, while Palma, Benalmádena, Alicante and Alcúdia rounded off Spain’s impressive showing.

In total, 24 of the top 50 destinations searched by British travellers were in Spain – more than any other country featured in the research.

For many of us living in Spain, that probably won’t come as much of a surprise. British visitors have long had a love affair with Spain’s warm climate, reliable sunshine, excellent food and relatively short flight times.

Andalucía continues to shine

One of the standout features of this year’s rankings is Andalucía’s dominance.

Málaga, Nerja, Marbella and Benalmádena all featured in the UK’s top ten most searched destinations, highlighting just how popular Spain’s southern coastline remains.

The Costa del Sol continues to attract everyone from families looking for beach holidays to couples seeking weekend city breaks in Málaga, while Nerja has built a reputation as a slightly quieter alternative without sacrificing spectacular scenery.

Value still matters

Although demand remains strong, affordability clearly continues to influence where people choose to book.

Among Spain’s most searched destinations, Alicante offered some of the lowest average holiday rental prices at around £175 per night, with Nerja (£182), Benalmádena (£192) and Málaga (£194) also proving relatively good value.

For travellers prepared to look beyond the obvious hotspots, Murcia stood out as Spain’s cheapest destination in the wider study, with median rental prices of just £107 per night. Torrevieja also ranked among Europe’s most affordable destinations at £129 per night.

At the other end of the scale, Alcúdia in Mallorca averaged £377 per night, reflecting the premium often attached to peak-season island holidays.

Sometimes flying abroad is cheaper

One of the more interesting findings from the report wasn’t actually about Spain at all.

Edinburgh was found to be the most expensive destination in the entire study, with holiday rentals averaging £451 per night – considerably more than Marbella, Palma or almost anywhere on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.

Even Britain’s cheaper seaside destinations, such as Saundersfoot and Tenby in Wales, were priced at around £200 per night.

It’s another reminder that the cost of a holiday isn’t just about flights. Once accommodation is taken into account, many British families are discovering that a week in Spain can work out no more expensive – and sometimes even cheaper – than staying in the UK.

Why Spain keeps winning

Spain has managed to remain Britain’s favourite overseas destination for decades, despite competition from Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Croatia.

Part of that is familiarity. Millions of Britons have holidayed in Spain before, know what to expect and can usually find direct (and shorter) flights from airports across the UK.

There’s also the sheer variety on offer.

Whether it’s the lively nightlife of Benidorm, the beaches of Alicante, the restaurants of Málaga, the old town charm of Nerja or the luxury marinas of Marbella, Spain offers something for almost every budget and style of traveller.

For foreign residents living here, it can sometimes be easy to forget just how desirable Spain remains. While locals may be counting down until the busy tourist season ends, millions of people back in Britain are still dreaming about booking their next trip.

How the figures were calculated

Holidu analysed searches made by British travellers for holidays with check-in dates between 1 July and 31 August 2026. The company ranked the most searched destinations and calculated the median nightly price for holiday rentals accommodating between two and eight people. The data was collected during June 2026.

You can read the full report HERE.