The 2025 summer season has been a resounding success for Spain’s tourism industry. A key driver has been the strong performance of the car hire sector, as road trips continue to gain popularity among travellers looking for freedom and personalised experiences. Car hire is reshaping the tourism landscape, with bookings rising year after year.
This article draws on insights from the Spanish-language report Tendencias del Alquiler de Coches en España 2025 (Car hire trends in Spain 2025), published by DoYouSpain. According to the report, the car hire market grew by 20% between 2023 and 2024, and is expected to expand by a further 15% in 2025—marking a record-breaking year. We will explore the report’s findings in greater detail and see how car hire is changing Spain’s tourism industry.
The DoYouSpain report points to sustained growth in Spain’s car hire sector, driven by an increasingly diverse customer base and strong forecasts for the coming years. According to the study, the market has grown over 20% each year since 2022 and is expected to expand by a further 15% in 2025. This surge reflects travellers’ demand for freedom, flexibility and personalised experiences, supported by Spain’s high-quality road network and the rise of digital nomads.
Car hire has become essential to both international and domestic tourism. One in every two rental cars in Spain is now booked by Spanish citizens, a share that continues to increase. In the last year alone, the domestic market grew by more than 5%.
Another key finding is the role of car hire in relieving pressure on overcrowded destinations. By allowing travellers to explore beyond the most visited hotspots, rental cars are helping to stimulate the social and economic fabric of less-developed areas, particularly rural and coastal regions with limited public transport. That said, the highest volumes of car rentals continue to be concentrated in coastal destinations and islands.
Sustainability is also reshaping the sector. The integration of electric and low-emission fleets is gathering pace, with reservations for electric cars rising by more than 70% between 2023 and 2024. This trend positions car hire as a significant contributor to more sustainable mobility within Spain’s tourism landscape. Madrid emerged as the leading city for electric car rentals in 2024, accounting for 25% of all electric vehicle hires nationwide and marking a growth of more than 50% compared to the previous year.
The DoYouSpain report reveals the destinations with the highest volume of car rentals in Spain. Some are no surprise, while others may seem less expected. Let’s check them out!
Many might assume that one of Spain’s main tourist hotspots, such as Madrid, Barcelona or Seville, would lead the way in car hire. However, Alicante has surpassed Mallorca to become the country’s top destination for vehicle rentals, a title it has held since 2023. Data up to July 2025 confirms it will remain at the top this year. Between 2023 and 2024, bookings in Alicante rose by around 12%.
Even though Alicante only attracts about 1% of Spain’s tourists, it accounts for a surprising 15% of all hire car bookings in the country. That gap shows just how important car rentals are to tourism in the area. The reason lies in the attractions spread across the Costa Blanca, from coastal destinations such as Javea, Denia or Calpe, which are best explored by car.
Alicante is also the favourite choice for British visitors: one in every three cars rented by UK tourists in Spain is booked here. The most common pick-up point is Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport, and small cars dominate bookings thanks to their affordability. Interestingly, unlike many other destinations, Alicante’s appeal is not tied to seasonality—it tops the ranking month after month.
Mallorca clearly shows the strategic importance of car hire in island tourism, where limited public transport makes rental cars essential. It ranks second overall in Spain.
In 2024, about 30% of car hire bookings in Mallorca were made by Spanish travellers, followed by German, British, French and Italian visitors. For domestic tourists, the island stands out: unlike mainland destinations, where they can drive their own vehicles, in Mallorca they need to rent a car to get around.
Malaga completes the podium. While Seville and Granada attract more visitors overall, Malaga dominates the car hire market in southern Spain. In fact, despite Seville receiving nearly double the number of tourists in 2024, Malaga registered more than twice as many rentals.
Between 2023 and 2024, bookings in Malaga rose by around 16%, reflecting its growing appeal as a destination that offers the best of both worlds. Malaga offers visitors a sunny climate, beautiful beaches, and delicious gastronomy, as well as the charm of its historic city centre, with museums, monuments and incredible squares. On top of that, Malaga is the perfect gateway to the Costa del Sol, with popular spots like Marbella, Nerja and Mijas just a short drive away.
Traditionally, Barcelona has not been seen as a car hire destination, but this is changing. The rise in popularity of nearby villages and the Costa Brava has driven growth in rentals, helping to relieve pressure on the city itself. In 2024, Barcelona saw a 0.2% decline in visitor numbers, yet car hire bookings rose by almost 20%. It seems more travellers are using the city as a launchpad to explore the surrounding coastal towns (particularly along the Costa Brava) where having a car makes all the difference.
Barcelona–El Prat Airport is the most popular pick-up point, accounting for 70% of bookings, as travellers choose the convenience of starting their journey upon arrival. It’s no surprise, as El Prat is one of Spain’s main international gateways, and picking up a vehicle there is often the easiest and most comfortable way to begin a journey.
The city has also become a hub for electric car rentals. In 2024, demand rose by 40% year on year, and in just the first half of 2025, bookings have surpassed 2023’s record. This reflects both the impact of Low Emission Zone restrictions and a growing preference for sustainable travel options.
Ibiza ranked fifth in 2024, making it the second island in DoYouSpain’s top five after Mallorca. The island’s reliance on car hire continues to increase: bookings grew by more than 15% last year and are expected to climb further in 2025.
This reflects a transformation in Ibiza’s tourism identity. Long associated with nightlife and club culture, the island is attracting travellers eager to explore its quieter, more scenic side. Beautiful coves, sandy beaches, villages, and many of Ibiza’s gems lie beyond the reach of public transport, making car hire not just convenient, but essential.
Italians are particularly drawn to Ibiza, with around 15% of Italian car hire bookings in Spain made on the island – an unusually high figure that makes Ibiza their top destination. However, Spanish tourists still account for the largest share, with more than 35% of bookings. As on Mallorca, the need to rent a vehicle arises from the impossibility of bringing one’s own car to the island.
One clear conclusion from DoYouSpain’s report is that hiring a car is still the best way to explore Spain. It gives travellers the freedom to plan their own routes, reach less-visited destinations, and embrace more sustainable mobility thanks to the rise of electric vehicles. Whether you're a tourist or a local, the open road is proving to be one of the most rewarding ways to discover everything Spain has to offer.
