Three Costa del Sol cities are among the top 10 for most bars per capita

The new interactive map published by Accumin Intelligence According to a study, three towns from the province of Malaga rank among the 10 Spanish districts that have more than 50,000 people and the highest proportion of bars in relation to their population.

The study shows that tourism is a major factor in the growth of local hospitality. In Spain, the average is one bar per 207 residents.

Spain loves bars and the Costa del Sol is in the spotlight

According to statistics, the top three Malaga Province towns for pub-crawling are:
Fuengirola: The city ranks 5th with 11.5 bars per 1,000 residents. (Population: >85,600; Total Bars: 981)
Torremolinos: (Population: 70,920; Total Bars: 734) Ranks 8th in the country with 10.3 establishments for every thousand residents. The population is 70,920 and the total number of bars is 734.
Marbella: (Population: 159,000; Total Bars: 1,577) Ranks 9th. (Population: 159, 000; Total Bars: 1,577)

These high ratios are attributed by the authors of the study to the “strong” presence of both domestic and international tourism at the hotspots along the coast.

The National Bar Density Ranking Highlights Tourism

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. 2025 to 2026 map The tourist destinations dominate the bar locations in Spain.

The top four cities in the United States are:

• Calvia (Balearic Islands): 15.3 bars per 1,000 inhabitants
• Ibiza (Balearic Islands): 14.7
• San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Canary Islands): 14.5
• Benidorm (Alicante): 13.2
• Fuengirola The final place in the top five is (11.5).

Other tourist-centric cities like Toledo (11.0), Santiago de Compostela (9) Granada The number 8 also features prominently on the list of top 20 most boozers. Looking at the top five, each has a unique characteristic with one common factor: They are all extremely popular with UK and Irish tourists.

Malaga and its major cities

It is interesting to note that Spain’s most populous cities have lower densities. Accumin shows how the sheer number of people in large urban centres “dilutes density per population for commercial activity.”

Barcelona is the lone major capital that breaks into the Top 20. It ranks 7.7 bars per 1000 inhabitants. Madrid, on the other hand, has only 6.3 bars per 1,000 residents. Malaga Capital has a density of only 4.3 bars per 1,000 residents (Population 592,346 – Total Bars 2,541) which is lower than its neighbouring coastal cities.

Malaga is not the only town that was studied. Benalmadena (7.0), Estepona (5.3), Velez-Malaga (4.5), Mijas (4.2), Rincon de la Victoria (3.6).

The density of bars as a sign for dynamism or a problem with alcohol?

Gerardo RaidoThe Marketing Director of Accumin Intelligence explained the cultural significance. “Where bars abound there is dynamism and tourism as well as a sense of community. “Where bars are absent, rural depopulation is evident,” he said. The provinces of Soria Palencia Avila and Burgos have the most municipalities without bars. This indicates areas that are affected by rural population decline.

The comprehensive study confirms Malaga’s position as one of the top Spanish tourist destinations for those seeking a vibrant social environment, a tequila, and an economy that thrives from a hospitality industry that is concentrated and easily accessible.