Cartagena

As of May 2026, Cartagena, La Manga del Mar Menor, Mazarrón have 2,756 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 19% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cartagena generates €13K per year. High-performing properties earn €32K/year, while low-performing properties earn €6K/year. This significant revenue variance suggests that market returns are highly sensitive to property positioning, as the gap between top earners and the average persists despite a contraction in total market supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cartagena. Average annual revenue is €13K with 34% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to €32K/year. The 34% occupancy rate alongside the wide revenue spread highlights a market where profitability is heavily concentrated in a subset of listings that effectively capture demand despite broader downward revenue trends.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cartagena is 34%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of €131, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of €20 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cartagena, with annual revenue of €23K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Cartagena market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cartagena area. Cartagena: Moderate. Regional registration required, tourist license mandatory. Standard compliance checks, moderate enforcement through inspections. La Manga del Mar Menor: Moderate. Murcia region tourist license needed, registration with regional database. Enforcement present but inconsistent given high tourism area. Mazarrón: Moderate. Regional tourist license and municipal registration required. Enforcement varies, some unlicensed operation occurs but authorities conduct periodic checks. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cartagena Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 19% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 24%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The concurrent contraction in both supply and revenue suggests that market participants are adjusting to a lower demand ceiling, effectively stabilizing the competitive landscape at a reduced volume.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 10% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Cartagena listings include: Washing Machine (98%), Air Conditioning (93%), Kitchen (93%), Tv (79%), Balcony (65%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Pool, Hot Tub, with Bbq properties earning approximately 42% more (€37K/year vs €26K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cartagena over the last 12 months: May: €512, June: €709, July: €987, August: €1K, September: €652, October: €543, November: €379, December: €451, January: €311, February: €387, March: €599, April: €911. 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 Cartagena is €131, up 24% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average €86/night, 2-bedroom properties average €109/night, 3-bedroom properties average €160/night, 4+ bedroom properties average €321/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in May.

Guests in Cartagena book an average of 35 days in advance, down 28% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 35 days, 3-bedroom: 39 days, 4+ bedroom: 42 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cartagena Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 19%, revenue per listing decreased 24%, occupancy fell 6%, average nightly rates increased 24%, and lead time decreased 28%. These figures reflect a compressed booking window and higher pricing pressure, signaling that guests are booking with less lead time while hosts struggle to maintain occupancy levels.

In Cartagena, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Thursday. Weekends show 10% higher occupancy than weekdays.