Abu Dhabi
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Overview
Annual Rev
د135.5k
12 mo avg
↓17%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
🔒 5•%
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
🔒 د6••
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
21 days
12 mo avg
↓2 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
د314
12 mo avg
↓21%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Abu Dhabi market data as of May 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Supply
Revenue boost by amenity
| Amenity | Listings With | Revenue Boost | Revenue With | Revenue Without |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sauna | 49 (6%) | +AED 31,201 (+19%) | AED 197,113 | AED 165,913 |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
Studio (10.0 nights)
1 bedroom (7.8 nights)
3 bedrooms (6.4 nights)
2 bedrooms (6.4 nights)
4+ bedrooms (4.8 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
4+ bedrooms (AED 146)
3 bedrooms (AED 69)
2 bedrooms (AED 67)
Studio (AED 61)
1 bedroom (AED 55)
Professional host share
Professionally managed (88%)
Independent hosts (12%)
As of May 2026, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain have 1,782 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 63% increase from the previous year.
The average Airbnb or VRBO in Abu Dhabi generates AED105K per year. High-performing properties earn AED206K/year, while low-performing properties earn AED34K/year. The massive revenue variance suggests a market bifurcation where a select group effectively captures demand, while the influx of new supply leaves the majority of listings struggling to maintain competitive yields.
Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Abu Dhabi. Average annual revenue is AED105K with 42% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to AED206K/year. The 42% occupancy rate combined with high revenue potential for top-tier units highlights an environment where market share is concentrated rather than evenly distributed among existing inventory.
The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Abu Dhabi is 42%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of AED660, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of AED241 per day.
4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Abu Dhabi, with annual revenue of AED238K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Abu Dhabi market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.
Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Abu Dhabi area. Abu Dhabi: Moderate. Department of Culture and Tourism permit required, property must meet standards, hosts register through approved platforms. Enforcement increasing with monitoring systems. Dubai: Moderate. DTCM permit mandatory, building NOC required, minimum stay rules vary by area. Active enforcement in popular zones, fines for violations. Al Ain: Lenient. Tourism permit theoretically required but limited STR market. Minimal enforcement, few operating rentals overall. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.
The Abu Dhabi Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing oversaturated conditions. Supply has grown 63% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 14%. This indicates supply growth outpacing demand, pressuring returns. This rapid expansion is diluting individual property performance, forcing a downward adjustment in revenue expectations across the broader market landscape.
Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 76% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (June-March) when gaining traction is harder.
The most common amenities in Abu Dhabi listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (99%), Tv (98%), Washing Machine (94%), Pool (88%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Sauna, Air Conditioning, Heating, with Sauna properties earning approximately 33% more (AED250K/year vs AED188K/year).
Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Abu Dhabi over the last 12 months: May: AED5K, June: AED4K, July: AED5K, August: AED5K, September: AED5K, October: AED10K, November: AED15K, December: AED17K, January: AED9K, February: AED7K, March: AED3K, April: AED3K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.
The overall average nightly rate in Abu Dhabi is AED660, down 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average AED536/night, 2-bedroom properties average AED829/night, 3-bedroom properties average AED1K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average AED2K/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in April.
Guests in Abu Dhabi book an average of 20 days in advance, down 15% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 20 days, 2-bedroom: 20 days, 3-bedroom: 23 days, 4+ bedroom: 21 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.
Over the past year, the Abu Dhabi Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 63%, revenue per listing decreased 14%, occupancy fell 3%, average nightly rates decreased 14%, and lead time decreased 15%. These metrics collectively point to a market struggling with inventory absorption, leading to compressed margins and shorter booking windows.
In Abu Dhabi, Wednesday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Monday.