Well, well, well. Spain is back in the headlines.
The U.S. State Department just issued a new travel advisory reminding travelers to exercise caution when visiting.
However, the reasons may surprise you. While all of us certainly have disagreements, a majority of the world is united to move forward from the chaos caused by the global pandemic.
But, in doing so, Spain has learned the hard way to be careful what you ask for.
For better or worse, Spain is such an incredible destination teeming with stunning coastlines, unparalleled culture, food, and formerly hospitality, but the latter has gone out the window in some of the most sought-after places.
As an example, last summer, videos of protesters dousing tourists with water pistols went viral; a petty display to persuade tourists to go back home from a country plagued by overtourism concerns.
While water isn't much of a threat, certain aspects of visiting Spain have triggered the State Department to reissue a Level 2 travel advisory – and oddly enough, many of Spain's residents might appreciate that.
Does Spain Want You?
Spain may be putting out the image of not wanting you to visit; like anything in life, there's always room for a shade of grey.
Despite expats, digital nomads, and hordes of general tourists causing locals headaches ranging from higher prices to losing a sense of their beloved home, there are still places in Spain welcoming tourists with open arms.
The caveat is that they may not be names you recognize, so don't expect warm greetings in Barcelona, Madrid, or Ibiza, for example.
The Canary Islands, considered an autonomous territory of Spain, has seen its own surge of tourists, triggering concerns about overcrowded streets and shores, much like Barcelona.
However, the Canary's smallest island, El Hierro, is an untamed paradise to behold, and locals are still gladly welcoming tourists with open arms.
The same can be said for mainland Spain's hidden gems, such as Cuenca, Valladolid, and Badajoz, according to Frommer's.
The State Department's Concerns Regarding Spain
Going hand in hand with anti-tourism is civil unrest, which a variety of issues can trigger.
The problem is that some of those very reasons can very well be attributed to tourists, hence the State Department's concern for Americans finding themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Not all protests get out of hand, but you just never know. According to the latest advisory, public demonstrations have been commonplace, occurring on islands and the mainland.
It's best to simply avoid rather than stick around taking photos or simply wander around out of genuine curiosity.
It's also noted many of these gatherings happen at main events and significant holidays, so you can guess why December 23 was the date of choice to issue and advisory.
There have also been legitimate terrorist threats in Spain. As a tragic reminder these horrid events can happen with no warning, you've likely heard of the recent attack at the Magdeburg, Germany Christmas market attack taking 5 lives and injuring hundreds more, according to the latest reports.
The State Department highlights the following locations as potential targets of interest:
- Airports
- Transportation hubs
- Hotels
- Restaurants/nightclubs
- Places of worship
- Sporting/cultural events
- Educational institutions
- Parks
- Shopping malls/markets
- Government buildings
Just keep in mind the latest advisory is categorized as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, so there's nothing imminent.
Should You Avoid Spain In 2025?
Spain is such an iconic destination globally that it's hard to convince anyone to visit without any direct threats other than water guns.
Yes, travel advisories should always be a real concern, but there's more to the story. If you visit anywhere and feel unwelcome, chances are you won't have a good time.
Say you were to visit Madrid. You may experience a trickle-down effect from the time you pass customs to ordering tapas at your restaurant of choice, where you can't help but feel as if the locals have “Oh, great! Another tourist!” stamped on their forehead in invisible ink.
It's interesting – on one hand Spain is predicted to become the most popular destination in the world by 2040, and on the other, travel experts like Fodor's flat out say not to visit in 2025.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.