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Best Airbnb Markets in Middle East and Africa (2026)

Based on Airbtics data from September 2025 to August 2026, this page ranks the best Airbnb markets in Middle East and Africa by Market Grade. The grade compares short-term rental yield, year-over-year revenue growth, and occupancy (demand), then adjusts for local regulation. The table also shows listing count, average daily rate, and annual revenue for every market.

Markets on this page are ranked by the Airbtics Market Grade, not by the number of listings. The grade compares each market with the other markets in this ranking on three measures, then adjusts for local short-term rental regulation.

  1. Yield: Annual short-term rental revenue divided by property price. A higher yield ranks higher.
  2. Growth: Year-over-year change in revenue. Faster revenue growth ranks higher.
  3. Demand: Average occupancy rate over the last 12 months. Higher occupancy ranks higher.

Stricter short-term rental regulation lowers the letter grade. Occupancy, average daily rate, and annual revenue are shown for every market. Exact yield and revenue growth are published for the three highest-graded markets. For every other market those two figures are in Market Explorer. The rankboard plots the same markets by occupancy and average daily rate, and the table under the chart lists those values in text.

Learn more about how we collect the data and accuracy

Last updated: 16th October, 2026

Middle East and Africa Short-Term Rental Market Overview (September 2025 to August 2026)

National averages across all Middle East and Africa markets
Average Occupancy Rate i
49.20%
Average Annual Revenue i
$17,106
Average Daily Rate (ADR) i
$90
YoY Supply Growth i
70.32%
YoY Revenue Change i
2.44%

Top 60 Middle East and Africa Cities for Airbnb in 2026

Tick the markets you like to track their revenue, occupancy, and ADR in your Airbtics watchlist. Free to start, up to 10 markets.

Position Market Grade Market Name Regulation No of Listings Avg. Occupancy Rate Avg. Daily Rate Revenue Short-term Rental Yield Revenue Growth
1ASarjah
Lenient
85657%$76$15,96618.5%+30.2%
2BCity Bowl
Lenient
4,98569% 🚀$99$25,36515.2%+12.8%
3BRabata
Lenient
2,08751%$79$14,96112.6%+6.2%
4BAbu Dhabi
Lenient
1,90562%$166$38,462Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
5BEilat
Lenient
1,35146%$268$46,147Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
6BMossel Bay
Lenient
1,12747%$101$17,663Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
7BPlettenberg Bay
Lenient
1,01954%$144$28,733Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
8B+Dubai
Strict
21,70369% 🚀$181$46,355Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
9B+Cape Town
Lenient
18,88466%$103$25,177Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
10B+Hurghada
Lenient
3,89752%$59$11,458Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
11B+Knysna
Lenient
99050%$122$22,707Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
12B+Tunis
Lenient
45554%$50$10,111Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
13CReunion island
Lenient
7,19169%$109$28,154Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
14CCasablanca
Lenient
4,48147%$64$11,203Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
15CAccra
Lenient
3,55845%$84$14,007Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
16CTetouan
Lenient
2,60444%$76$12,356Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
17CSandton
Lenient
2,46550%$65$12,118Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
18CAmman
Lenient
2,21646%$64$11,166Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
19CDolphin Coast
Lenient
1,74553%$142$27,956Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
20CMombasa
Lenient
1,66037%$49$6,737Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
21CJohannesburg
Lenient
1,61348%$53$9,520Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
22CEssaouira
Lenient
1,57356%$61$12,772Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
23CHarare
Lenient
1,28944%$65$10,634Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
24CBeirut
Lenient
1,18053%$84$16,550Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
25CMidrand
Lenient
1,14544%$62$10,152Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
26CSeychelles
Lenient
1,01564%$156$37,259Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
27CWindhoek
Lenient
54249%$58$10,549Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
28CWatamu
Lenient
49848%$119$21,113Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
29C+Riyadh
Strict
10,81836%$82$10,931Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
30C+Cairo
Lenient
7,64550%$53$9,952Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
31C+Mauritius
Lenient
5,19863%$103$24,037Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
32C+Mpumalanga
Lenient
2,52543%$84$13,483Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
33C+Pretoria
Lenient
1,88247%$58$10,223Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
34C+Blouberg
Lenient
1,80263%$92$21,443Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
35C+Lagos
Lenient
1,73741%$77$11,703Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
36C+Madinah
Strict
1,66048%$73$12,986Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
37C+Port Elizabeth
Lenient
1,38248%$58$10,435Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
38C+Alexandria
Lenient
1,10643%$52$8,311Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
39C+Madagascar
Lenient
1,08246%$57$9,738Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
40C+Greater Marrakech
Lenient
96748%$295$52,314Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
41C+Jeffreys Bay
Lenient
63547%$92$16,106Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
42C+Jerusalem
Lenient
28550%$220$40,960Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
43DNairobi
Lenient
6,53543%$44$7,006Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
44DTanger
Lenient
4,23546%$79$13,544Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
45DAgadir
Lenient
3,10650%$64$11,940Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
46DDurban
Lenient
1,61745%$66$11,144Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
47DKampala
Lenient
1,60041%$40$6,066Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
48DDar Es Salaam
Lenient
1,41940%$51$7,596Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
49DSousse
Lenient
1,26744%$64$10,470Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
50DBloemfontein
Lenient
64746%$44$7,619Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
51D+Marrakech
Lenient
11,69258%$86$18,586Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
52D+Jeddah
Strict
4,23736%$71$9,623Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
53D+New Cairo City
Lenient
2,56750%$62$11,665Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
54D+Dammam
Strict
2,08931%$73$8,416Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
55D+Zanzibar City
Lenient
1,90045%$78$13,016Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
56D+Fez
Lenient
1,50942%$54$8,465Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
57D+Tel Aviv
Lenient
67856%$187$38,943Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
58E+Dakar
Lenient
2,12049%$58$10,573Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
59E+Mbour
Lenient
94245%$95$15,812Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer
60E+Abidjan
Lenient
27938%$56$7,943Unlock in Market ExplorerUnlock in Market Explorer

Data Seen By

BiggerPockets
Trustpilot

Market Explorer

Filter markets by occupancy, price, and yield

Filter Middle East and Africa by occupancy, ADR, yield, rent gap, and property price, then compare markets side by side.

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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.

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Why Invest in Airbnb Middle East and Africa in 2026?

The highest-graded short-term rental markets in Middle East and Africa are Sarjah, City Bowl and Rabata. The table ranks every tracked market by Airbtics Market Grade. Occupancy, average daily rate, annual revenue, yield, and revenue growth are the figures behind that grade.

Top 3 Airbnb markets in Middle East and Africa by Market Grade

These are the three highest-graded Airbnb markets in Middle East and Africa. Market Grade compares yield, revenue growth, and occupancy (demand) with the other markets on this page, then adjusts for short-term rental regulation. The chart repeats those three percentiles in text so the ranking is readable without the graphic.

Rank 1 — Sarjah (Grade A)

Sarjah is rank 1 of 60 markets in this Middle East and Africa ranking by Airbtics Market Grade A, with 18.5% short-term rental yield, 57.0% occupancy, and +30.2% year-over-year revenue growth.

Compared with the other markets on this page, Sarjah ranks top 21% for yield, top 1% for growth, and top 16% for demand. The market shows an average daily rate of $76, annual revenue of $15,966, a rent gap of 2421.0%, 856 active listings, lenient short-term rental regulation, and a typical 2-bedroom property price of $150,000.

  • Market gradeA
  • Yield18.5%
  • Revenue growth+30.2%
  • Occupancy57.0%
  • Average daily rate$76
  • Annual revenue$15,966
  • Rent gap2421.0%
  • Active listings856
  • 2-bedroom price$150,000
  • RegulationLenient
top 21%Yieldtop 1%Growthtop 16%Demand

Percentile versus other Middle East and Africa markets on this page. Farther from the center is stronger.

  • Yield: top 21%
  • Growth: top 1%
  • Demand: top 16%

Rank 2 — City Bowl (Grade B)

City Bowl is rank 2 of 60 markets in this Middle East and Africa ranking by Airbtics Market Grade B, with 15.2% short-term rental yield, 69.0% occupancy, and +12.8% year-over-year revenue growth.

Compared with the other markets on this page, City Bowl ranks top 32% for yield, top 9% for growth, and top 2% for demand. The market shows an average daily rate of $99, annual revenue of $25,365, a rent gap of 3068.5%, 4,985 active listings, lenient short-term rental regulation, and a typical 2-bedroom property price of $250,000.

  • Market gradeB
  • Yield15.2%
  • Revenue growth+12.8%
  • Occupancy69.0%
  • Average daily rate$99
  • Annual revenue$25,365
  • Rent gap3068.5%
  • Active listings4,985
  • 2-bedroom price$250,000
  • RegulationLenient
top 32%Yieldtop 9%Growthtop 2%Demand

Percentile versus other Middle East and Africa markets on this page. Farther from the center is stronger.

  • Yield: top 32%
  • Growth: top 9%
  • Demand: top 2%

Rank 3 — Rabata (Grade B)

Rabata is rank 3 of 60 markets in this Middle East and Africa ranking by Airbtics Market Grade B, with 12.6% short-term rental yield, 51.0% occupancy, and +6.2% year-over-year revenue growth.

Compared with the other markets on this page, Rabata ranks lowest 44% for yield, top 41% for growth, and top 29% for demand. The market shows an average daily rate of $79, annual revenue of $14,961, a rent gap of 2600.0%, 2,087 active listings, lenient short-term rental regulation, and a typical 2-bedroom property price of $150,000.

  • Market gradeB
  • Yield12.6%
  • Revenue growth+6.2%
  • Occupancy51.0%
  • Average daily rate$79
  • Annual revenue$14,961
  • Rent gap2600.0%
  • Active listings2,087
  • 2-bedroom price$150,000
  • RegulationLenient
lowest 44%Yieldtop 41%Growthtop 29%Demand

Percentile versus other Middle East and Africa markets on this page. Farther from the center is stronger.

  • Yield: lowest 44%
  • Growth: top 41%
  • Demand: top 29%

Market Rankboard: Middle East and Africa

Each dot is a vacation rental market in Middle East and Africa, plotted by occupancy rate (x-axis) and average daily rate (ADR) (y-axis). Dashed lines mark the national median.

Middle East and Africa Airbnb markets rankboard scatter chart showing occupancy rate versus average daily rate (ADR)
Occupancy rate and average daily rate for each Middle East and Africa market plotted in the chart above, in Market Grade order.
MarketOccupancy rateAverage daily rate
Sarjah57.0%$76
City Bowl69.0%$99
Rabata51.0%$79
Abu Dhabi62.0%$166
Eilat46.0%$268
Mossel Bay47.0%$101
Plettenberg Bay54.0%$144
Dubai69.0%$181
Cape Town66.0%$103
Hurghada52.0%$59
Knysna50.0%$122
Tunis54.0%$50
Reunion island69.0%$109
Casablanca47.0%$64
Accra45.0%$84
Tetouan44.0%$76
Sandton50.0%$65
Amman46.0%$64
Dolphin Coast53.0%$142
Mombasa37.0%$49
Johannesburg48.0%$53
Essaouira56.0%$61
Harare44.0%$65
Beirut53.0%$84
Midrand44.0%$62
Seychelles64.0%$156
Windhoek49.0%$58
Watamu48.0%$119
Riyadh36.0%$82
Cairo50.0%$53
Mauritius63.0%$103
Mpumalanga43.0%$84
Pretoria47.0%$58
Blouberg63.0%$92
Lagos41.0%$77
Madinah48.0%$73
Port Elizabeth48.0%$58
Alexandria43.0%$52
Madagascar46.0%$57
Greater Marrakech48.0%$295
Jeffreys Bay47.0%$92
Jerusalem50.0%$220
Nairobi43.0%$44
Tanger46.0%$79
Agadir50.0%$64
Durban45.0%$66
Kampala41.0%$40
Dar Es Salaam40.0%$51
Sousse44.0%$64
Bloemfontein46.0%$44
Marrakech58.0%$86
Jeddah36.0%$71
New Cairo City50.0%$62
Dammam31.0%$73
Zanzibar City45.0%$78
Fez42.0%$54
Tel Aviv56.0%$187
Dakar49.0%$58
Mbour45.0%$95
Abidjan38.0%$56

Compare property prices, short-term rental yield, rent gap, annual revenue, and supply growth in the Airbtics Market Explorer watchlist.

See all Airbnb markets in Middle East and Africa

Browse all 60 markets we track in Middle East and Africa. Each link opens the market's Airbnb revenue and performance data page.

Middle East and Africa Airbnb market FAQs

  • What are the best Airbnb markets in Middle East and Africa?

    Airbtics ranks short-term rental markets in Middle East and Africa by Market Grade. The grade compares yield (annual revenue divided by property price), year-over-year revenue growth, and occupancy, then adjusts for regulation. The highest-graded market in this dataset is Sarjah. The main table lists markets in that order; use the Market Explorer to filter by budget, regulations, and more.

  • How many Airbnb markets does Airbtics track in Middle East and Africa?

    We currently analyze 60 active short-term rental markets in Middle East and Africa with listing supply, median occupancy, ADR, and revenue estimates.

  • What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Middle East and Africa?

    The national average occupancy rate across tracked markets is 49.20% (LTM). Rates differ by city. Use the rankboard on this page, or open a market page for that city's numbers.

  • How do I compare Airbnb markets in Middle East and Africa?

    Use the occupancy vs ADR rankboard on this page for a quick view, or open the Market Explorer to compare markets side by side, change chart axes, export to Excel, and save markets to a watchlist.

  • How can I estimate Airbnb income in Middle East and Africa?

    Use our Airbnb income calculator to estimate revenue for a specific address, or open any market link below for median revenue and occupancy benchmarks.




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For trends, supply, and year-over-year changes, see the 2025 short-term rental report for Middle East and Africa.