Spanish Ports Break All-Time Cruise Passenger Record Ahead of Schedule in 2025
As of November 2025, the number of cruise passengers at Spanish ports has already surpassed the record for the entire year of 2024, signaling sustained strong growth in the cruise tourism sector. According to data from Puertos del Estado, this achievement further solidifies the country’s position as a leading cruise destination in Europe.
Overall Data Performance
From January to November 2025, Spanish ports handled a total of 13,105,582 cruise passengers, a 9.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This figure has already exceeded the record of approximately 12.8 million passengers for the full year of 2024. Concurrently, the number of cruise ship calls reached 5,074, representing a 17.2% year-on-year increase.
Contribution from Major Ports
The Port of Barcelona led in passenger numbers, welcoming 3,840,648 people, an 8.7% increase. The ports of the Balearic Islands received 2,551,458 people, a 4.5% rise. In the Canary Islands, the Port of Las Palmas handled 1,694,614 people (up 12%), while the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife received 1,336,588 people, a significant 24.4% increase.
Performance of Other Ports
The Port of Valencia received 774,787 people (up 2.5%); the Port of Málaga handled 551,896 people (up 23.2%); and the Port of Cádiz received 590,120 people, a decrease of 10.3%. These figures indicate varying growth rates across different ports, but the overall trend remains positive.
Data Source and Significance
The above statistics are officially released by Puertos del Estado and have been consistently reported by multiple media outlets such as La Razón, Expansión, and Forbes España. This growth highlights the enhancement of Spain’s cruise infrastructure and its appeal as a tourist destination.
