Over 1 million beds available for short-term rentals in Greece, with Crete leading the way.
Occupancy rates and visitor structure for short-term rentals
The short-term rental market in Greece reached over 1 million available beds by April 2025. That’s a pretty remarkable milestone, honestly.
This figure marks an increase of about 8% compared to the same time last year. The jump is partly because property owners are listing earlier and, well, there are just more rentals out there now.
Occupancy rates reflect steady demand. More overnight stays point to the growing appeal of short-term rentals.
Both domestic travellers and international tourists are in the mix. This blend shapes how and when properties get booked, and it definitely messes with pricing strategies during peak times.
Rental units have also increased, hitting over 220,000 properties by April. More homeowners are jumping into short-term leasing, which keeps pushing the sector’s boundaries.
The extra supply is a plus for Greek tourism. It means more diverse accommodation options and, maybe, longer holidays for visitors.
Key trends include:
- A steady monthly increase in available beds during the first four months of 2025.
- Higher occupancy rates driven by a combination of domestic and international visitors.
- Growth in property listings that continues from previous years.
- Short-term rentals contributing significantly to the tourism industry’s accommodation capacity.
Crete leads the growth in short-term rentals in summer
Crete’s leading the charge for short-term rental bookings this summer out of all major European tourist destinations. It’s up by a wild 21.8%—the highest jump among places checked.
That stands out, especially when you look at cities like Tenerife and Barcelona. Those spots have seen protests against tourism, and while demand is still there, the growth is a lot more muted.
Tenerife’s occupancy is up 12.7%. Barcelona and Athens? Both hover at a modest 2% increase. Mallorca, surprisingly, actually dips a little.
Then there are cities with tighter short-term rental rules—Amsterdam and Venice, for example. Bookings in Amsterdam have dropped almost 13%, and Venice is down just over 8%.
It’s a bit ironic: rents keep rising in those places, even as listings shrink. So, the restrictions haven’t really helped locals with affordability, at least not yet.
Crete’s positive trend seems tied to its genuinely welcoming vibe and reputation as a real-deal destination. That’s probably why demand keeps climbing, while other spots are feeling the squeeze from new rules or just general pushback.
Location |
Booking Change for Summer 2025 |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Crete |
+21.8% |
Highest growth in Europe |
Tenerife |
+12.7% |
Despite activist protests |
Athens |
+2.1% |
Moderate increase |
Barcelona |
+1.9% |
Moderate increase |
Mallorca |
-2.0% |
Slight decline |
Amsterdam |
-12.8% |
Due to strict rental limits |
Venice |
-8.1% |
Despite reduced supply, rents rise |
Myths and truths about short-term rentals
The short-term rental (STR) market has really taken off as a major force in the tourism industry across Europe. It’s not just a quirky alternative anymore—it’s mainstream now.
Worldwide, STR bookings topped $200 billion in 2024. Europe and North America together account for almost three-quarters of that number.
Europe’s out in front with nearly $75 billion in gross bookings. North America trails pretty closely at $73 billion.
But honestly, that lead is shrinking a bit as Asia-Pacific and Latin America catch up and grow faster. It feels like the market’s getting less predictable every year.
In Greece, short-term rentals—especially on Airbnb—are booming. The available rental beds shot past one million way before the summer rush even started.
This is a pretty clear sign that STRs are supporting a bigger slice of the tourism pie. The base is getting broader, for sure.
Just look at how the numbers climb each month:
Month |
Available Beds |
Yearly Increase |
|---|---|---|
January |
947,000 |
+101,000 |
February |
961,000 |
+84,000 |
March |
981,000 |
+75,000 |
April |
1,007,718 |
+72,000 |
Insights Into Guest Demographics and Preferences
Research from six big European cities—Paris, Rome, Lisbon, Prague, Dubrovnik, and Majorca—offers some eye-opening details about STR guests. Turns out, a lot of what people assume just isn’t true.
For example, there’s this idea that STRs are mostly for people on a tight budget. But that’s not really accurate.
Between 50% and 70% of guests in these cities are actually from higher income brackets. So, it’s not just backpackers or bargain hunters booking Airbnbs anymore.
The profile of STR users has shifted. There’s broader appeal now, and you see all sorts of people choosing these rentals for their own reasons.
Key Misconceptions and Realities
Plenty of myths about short-term rentals are floating around, but recent research has poked holes in a few:
Myth 1: STRs are only for budget travellers.
Nope. Lots of users are from wealthier backgrounds. They’re picking STRs for things like location, privacy, or just wanting something different—not just to save a few euros.
Myth 2: STRs hurt local communities and housing markets.
It’s complicated. While there are real worries, new rules and platform policies are trying to strike a balance, aiming for sustainability and fair play.
- STRs have become a pretty important way for property owners to earn extra income.
- The sector gives a real boost to local tourism economies, too.
- Plus, tech improvements are making bookings safer and more transparent for everyone involved.
Sustainability and Security Considerations
The rapid growth of STRs isn’t all sunshine—there are real questions about sustainability and security. More hosts and guests means more pressure to keep things safe and to avoid negative impacts on neighborhoods.
Authorities and platforms are rolling out new rules for transparency—think clearer fees and tougher verification. The idea is to protect both guests and hosts, while nudging tourism in a more responsible direction.
Summary of Market Characteristics
Aspect |
Description |
|---|---|
Market Size |
Over $200 billion globally in 2024 |
Leading Regions |
Europe and North America (75% of bookings) |
User Profile |
Majority of users from medium to high incomes |
Growth Trend |
Steady increase in available STR accommodations |
Challenges |
Local impact, regulation, sustainability, safety |
The sector’s been growing, with user demographics shifting and new challenges popping up all the time.
Short-term rentals keep changing the way people travel.
But honestly, the tension between rapid expansion and things like local impact or sustainability isn’t going away anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Airbnb influence local tourism economies?
Airbnb often increases visitor numbers by offering more places to stay. This can bring extra income to local businesses.
But it might also shake up traditional hotels and even change the feel of some neighborhoods.
What impact has reaching one million Airbnb listings had on hotel rates?
With more Airbnb options, hotels sometimes have to drop their prices to compete. More supply means travelers can shop around, and sometimes land a better deal.
What steps are authorities taking to control Airbnb rentals?
Governments and local councils are rolling out rules to manage Airbnb listings. Stuff like registration requirements, limits on rental days, and safety standards meant to protect both guests and neighborhoods.
How do Airbnb choices compare to hotels and other accommodation?
Airbnb’s got a wider variety—whole homes, quirky places, you name it. Hotels are more predictable, with standard services and amenities.
Airbnb can be more flexible, but it really depends on where you’re looking.
What advantages do homeowners gain by renting through Airbnb?
Homeowners can earn extra income by renting out spare rooms or entire properties. That can help with the mortgage or just boost their budget.
Of course, they’ve got to keep the place in shape and follow local rules, which isn’t always simple.
How is Airbnb’s growth changing where people choose to travel?
More Airbnb listings in different locations give travellers new destination options.
It encourages visits to less crowded or non-traditional areas. That means tourism’s benefits get spread out across a wider range of places—maybe even some you wouldn’t have considered before.
