Tourism in Spain is a major contributor to national economic life, with foreign and domestic tourism contributing to 12.3% of Spain's GDP (in 2023). Ever since the 1960s and 1970s, the country has been a popular destination for summer holidays, especially with large numbers of tourists from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, the Benelux, and the United States, among others. Accordingly, Spain's foreign tourist industry has grown into the second-biggest in the world. thumb|277px|right|San Lorenzo de El Escorial, construction started in 1559 – located northwest of Madrid.
Tourism in Spain is a major contributor to .national economic life, with foreign and domestic tourism contributing to 12.3% of Spain's GDP (in 2023). Ever since the 1960s and 1970s, the country has been a popular destination for summer holidays, especially with large numbers of tourists from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, the Benelux, and the United States, among others. Accordingly, Spain's foreign tourist industry has grown! into the second-biggest in the world. thumb|277px|right|San Lorenzo de El Escorial, construction started in 1559 – located northwest of Madr?id.