Barcelona's Hotel Sector Stalls in 2025 Despite Record Spanish Tourism Growth

The Catalan capital registered a 0.7% drop in revenue and average prices, while the national average grew by 5.5%.

Generic image of a modern hotel with windows reflecting light, symbolizing the tourism sector and its revenue.
IA

Generic image of a modern hotel with windows reflecting light, symbolizing the tourism sector and its revenue.

Data from the Hotel Barometer prepared by STR and Cushman & Wakefield shows that the hotel sector in Barcelona suffered a stagnation in 2025, with a slight revenue decline, contrasting sharply with record growth across the rest of Spain.

The Spanish hotel sector as a whole closed 2025 with an average RevPAR (revenue per available room) of 125.4 euros, a notable 5.5% increase compared to the previous year. However, the Catalan capital was one of the few destinations that retreated, registering a 0.7% contraction in both average rates (ADR) and total revenue.
This negative trend in Barcelona contrasts with the strong momentum of other major cities like Madrid, which increased its average price by 5.3% and its revenue by 6.4%. Despite the stagnation, the average price per night in Barcelona (€186) remains slightly above that of Madrid (€178.4), although the gap is narrowing.

"Demand resists despite the push of inflation, which has also contributed to the rise in rates."

Albert Grau and Bruno Hallé · Partners at Cushman & Wakefield
The report highlights that other regions have widely surpassed Barcelona, with double-digit revenue increases, such as Marbella or the Balearic Islands. The forecast for 2026 suggests that the upward trend will continue across the sector, including Barcelona and Madrid, as their prices are still considered competitive compared to European capitals like London or Paris.