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Best Airbnb Markets in Middle East and Africa (2026)

Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in Middle East and Africa with key statistics and information, like short-term rental regulations, number of listings, occupancy rate, average daily rate, and annual revenue. This allows you to discover the most profitable cities to invest in, buy, and own Airbnb rental properties in Middle East and Africa.

The Airbtics Market Score indicates how attractive a location is for investing in an Airbnb rental property. We determine this score based on the following criteria:

  1. Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
  2. Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
  3. Market size: The number of Airbnb listings. Larger vacation rental markets get a higher score as it is easier for investors to buy and sell properties.
  4. Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
  5. Seasonality: To what degree Airbnb performance is affected by seasonality. Less seasonal impact is preferred as investors can enjoy a more stable short-term rental performance throughout the year.
Learn more about how we collect the data and accuracy

Last updated: February, 2026

Middle East and Africa Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)

National averages across all Middle East and Africa markets
Average Occupancy Rate i
51.70%
Average Annual Revenue i
$16,896
Average Daily Rate (ADR) i
$85
YoY Supply Growth i
43.78%
YoY Revenue Change i
4.94%

Top 60 Middle East and Africa Cities for Airbnb in 2026

Position Market Grade Market Name Regulation No of Listings Avg. Occupancy Rate Avg. Daily Rate Revenue Short-term Rental Yield Rent Gap
1BDubai
Strict
22,71973%$174$46,97412.3%34.5%
2CCape town
Lenient
17,88971%$92$24,12812.3%34.5%
3CMarrakech
Lenient
9,81862%$84$19,28912.3%34.5%
4D+Riyadh
Strict
9,52139%$83$11,97112.3%34.5%
5C+Reunion island
Lenient
7,20772%$102$27,34612.3%34.5%
6CCairo
Lenient
6,13051%$53$10,12612.3%34.5%
7E+Nairobi
Lenient
5,32744%$42$6,83512.3%34.5%
8D+City bowl
Lenient
4,89074%$88$24,06612.3%34.5%
9CMauritius
Lenient
4,69166%$96$23,35012.3%34.5%
10CTel aviv
Lenient
4,09258%$187$40,39812.3%34.5%
11B+Tanger
Lenient
3,83147%$76$13,26612.3%34.5%
12CCasablanca
Lenient
3,64949%$64$11,67012.3%34.5%
13B+Hurghada
Lenient
3,30152%$59$11,39812.3%34.5%
14E+Jeddah
Strict
2,84837%$74$10,26712.3%34.5%
15CAccra
Lenient
2,69345%$80$13,37012.3%34.5%
16BAgadir
Lenient
2,68051%$60$11,38912.3%34.5%
17BTetouan
Lenient
2,44644%$75$12,18012.3%34.5%
18BMpumalanga
Lenient
2,37145%$77$12,86812.3%34.5%
19D+Sandton
Lenient
2,18253%$58$11,46012.3%34.5%
20DNew cairo city
Lenient
1,99850%$62$11,57512.3%34.5%
21E+Abidjan
Lenient
1,99141%$60$9,19912.3%34.5%
22DAmman
Lenient
1,96847%$63$11,22812.3%34.5%
23E+Dakar
Lenient
1,85249%$55$10,01712.3%34.5%
24CZanzibar city
Lenient
1,79448%$76$13,44312.3%34.5%
25C+Jerusalem
Lenient
1,78960%$201$44,91912.3%34.5%
26BRabata
Lenient
1,71754%$72$14,41612.3%34.5%
27C+Blouberg
Lenient
1,67767%$86$21,29512.3%34.5%
28E+Dolphin coast
Lenient
1,67155%$130$26,50212.3%34.5%
29D+Pretoria
Lenient
1,66248%$52$9,35712.3%34.5%
30C+Essaouira
Lenient
1,52457%$59$12,49912.3%34.5%
31BAbu dhabi
Lenient
1,52068%$154$39,10712.3%34.5%
32CDurban
Lenient
1,49148%$59$10,59312.3%34.5%
33DKampala
Lenient
1,42744%$39$6,34312.3%34.5%
34B+Johannesburg
Lenient
1,37052%$48$9,31812.3%34.5%
35D+Dammam
Strict
1,36535%$73$9,49512.3%34.5%
36CLagos
Lenient
1,36143%$68$10,87312.3%34.5%
37BEilat
Lenient
1,29646%$218$37,46912.3%34.5%
38CMombasa
Lenient
1,26938%$48$6,78812.3%34.5%
39B+Port elizabeth
Lenient
1,25951%$55$10,45912.3%34.5%
40DSousse
Lenient
1,23844%$62$10,13312.3%34.5%
41CDar es salaam
Lenient
1,22844%$49$8,00412.3%34.5%
42CFez
Lenient
1,22547%$53$9,24612.3%34.5%
43CBeirut
Lenient
1,16356%$75$15,60512.3%34.5%
44CHarare
Lenient
1,13545%$63$10,52812.3%34.5%
45C+Madinah
Strict
1,13351%$69$13,02612.3%34.5%
46BMossel bay
Lenient
1,02650%$90$16,78512.3%34.5%
47CMidrand
Lenient
1,00046%$54$9,27712.3%34.5%
48BSeychelles
Lenient
99967%$155$38,24912.3%34.5%
49B+Knysna
Lenient
98053%$108$21,20512.3%34.5%
50BPlettenberg bay
Lenient
96956%$129$26,69212.3%34.5%
51C+Madagascar
Lenient
96247%$54$9,40812.3%34.5%
52C+Alexandria
Lenient
91146%$52$8,90112.3%34.5%
53C+Greater marrakech
Lenient
89250%$290$53,35512.3%34.5%
54DMbour
Lenient
82147%$93$16,13012.3%34.5%
55ASarjah
Lenient
69058%$72$15,50212.3%34.5%
56BJeffreys bay
Lenient
62751%$81$15,36312.3%34.5%
57CBloemfontein
Lenient
60550%$40$7,46812.3%34.5%
58C+Windhoek
Lenient
49453%$53$10,44512.3%34.5%
59BTunis
Lenient
43756%$45$9,40612.3%34.5%
60BWatamu
Lenient
41951%$116$21,79112.3%34.5%

Find the Best Airbnb Markets with Our Interactive Tool

Use our interactive Market Explorer to find the best places to start an Airbnb in Middle East and Africa. Compare multiple markets side by side, apply filters like regulations, budget (property or rent prices), and market size, and even export the results to Excel.

Explore Interactive Tool

📊 Want a deeper dive into Middle East and Africa's STR market?

Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for Middle East and Africa, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.

View 2025 Market Report

Why Invest in Airbnb Middle East and Africa in 2026?

In recent years, Middle East and Africa has emerged as one of the best locations for investing in short-term rentals thanks to its popular tourist attractions, thriving business activities, growing digital nomad presence, and vibrant cities like Greater marrakech, Dubai and Jerusalem. With millions of international visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb Middle East and Africa a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.

Due to strong demand from travelers, Middle East and Africa offers competitive average daily rates (ADR), healthy occupancy rates, and attractive revenue potential in the best Airbnb markets. Whether you're looking to start your first Airbnb business with a modest budget or to add a luxury short-term rental property to your portfolio, Middle East and Africa has a profitable location to meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.

Market Saturation Analysis: Middle East and Africa

Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to Middle East and Africa's national averages (Supply: +43.8%, Revenue: +4.9%). Markets above the national average are marked with ↑, while those below are marked with ↓.

🟢

Healthy Growth

Supply > avg, Revenue > avg
Expansion with demand keeping up

  • Sarjah Supply: +105.4% | Revenue: +20.6%
  • Agadir Supply: +59.0% | Revenue: +19.9%
  • Tanger Supply: +55.0% | Revenue: +18.7%
  • Sousse Supply: +50.0% | Revenue: +12.9%
  • Madinah Supply: +114.1% | Revenue: +12.6%
  • Tetouan Supply: +75.3% | Revenue: +10.8%
  • Alexandria Supply: +48.1% | Revenue: +6.1%
  • Casablanca Supply: +50.3% | Revenue: +6.0%
🟡

Early Saturation

Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising

  • Dammam Supply: +187.3% | Revenue: -7.4%
  • Jeddah Supply: +171.1% | Revenue: -10.3%
  • Abu dhabi Supply: +97.4% | Revenue: +4.3%
  • Riyadh Supply: +95.5% | Revenue: -18.5%
  • Cairo Supply: +62.8% | Revenue: -1.5%
  • New cairo city Supply: +62.5% | Revenue: -3.9%
  • Dar es salaam Supply: +60.5% | Revenue: -8.2%
  • Kampala Supply: +53.4% | Revenue: +0.3%
  • Mombasa Supply: +52.9% | Revenue: -4.6%
  • Nairobi Supply: +51.9% | Revenue: -10.3%
  • +2 more markets
🔵

Under-the-Radar

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities

  • Jerusalem Supply: +18.9% | Revenue: +35.9%
  • Tel aviv Supply: +22.1% | Revenue: +25.6%
  • Eilat Supply: +27.7% | Revenue: +21.1%
  • Essaouira Supply: +28.1% | Revenue: +15.1%
  • Plettenberg bay Supply: +15.2% | Revenue: +15.0%
  • Tunis Supply: +30.3% | Revenue: +14.7%
  • Rabata Supply: +41.7% | Revenue: +13.6%
  • Hurghada Supply: +39.0% | Revenue: +13.6%
  • Reunion island Supply: +17.1% | Revenue: +13.0%
  • Beirut Supply: +29.8% | Revenue: +12.6%
  • +9 more markets
🔴

Declining

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets

  • Abidjan Supply: +35.0% | Revenue: -17.7%
  • Dolphin coast Supply: +22.3% | Revenue: -7.9%
  • Dakar Supply: +42.1% | Revenue: -5.7%
  • Amman Supply: +41.6% | Revenue: -4.5%
  • Marrakech Supply: +35.6% | Revenue: -1.9%
  • Accra Supply: +42.1% | Revenue: -1.8%
  • Greater marrakech Supply: +31.3% | Revenue: -0.8%
  • Harare Supply: +27.2% | Revenue: +0.6%
  • Zanzibar city Supply: +33.9% | Revenue: +0.7%
  • City bowl Supply: +21.9% | Revenue: +0.9%
  • +11 more markets

Best Cities for Airbnb in Middle East and Africa by Budget

Top 3 Affordable Airbnb Markets: Under $150,000

These markets offer entry-level investment opportunities with lower property prices, making them ideal for first-time investors or those with limited capital.

  1. Bloemfontein
    • Property price: $60,000
    • STR revenue: $7,468/year
    • Yield: 18.3%
  2. Hurghada
    • Property price: $70,000
    • STR revenue: $11,398/year
    • Yield: 22.7%
  3. Mpumalanga
    • Property price: $70,000
    • STR revenue: $12,868/year
    • Yield: 22.9%

Top 3 Premium Airbnb Markets: $500,000-$1,000,000

These markets represent mid-to-high-end investment opportunities with strong potential for steady returns and property appreciation.

  1. Jerusalem
    • Property price: $650,000
    • STR revenue: $44,919/year
    • Yield: 8.5%
  2. Tel aviv
    • Property price: $800,000
    • STR revenue: $40,398/year
    • Yield: 7.0%

Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in Middle East and Africa

  1. Watamu
    • STR revenue: $21,791/year
    • Rent gap: $5,175
  2. Reunion island
    • STR revenue: $27,346/year
    • Rent gap: $3,964
  3. Greater marrakech
    • STR revenue: $53,355/year
    • Rent gap: $3,921



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