Malaga

As of May 2026, Málaga, Marbella, Torremolinos, Nerja have 15,679 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 8% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Malaga generates €28K per year. High-performing properties earn €63K/year, while low-performing properties earn €14K/year. The significant delta between top earners and the average suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated in a small segment of the market, reflecting a polarization in asset yield.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Malaga. Average annual revenue is €28K with 47% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to €63K/year. The 47% occupancy rate alongside the high-earner variance indicates that market performance is currently driven by specific operational efficiencies or asset positioning rather than broad-based demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Malaga is 47%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of €163, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of €48 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Malaga, with annual revenue of €43K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Malaga market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Malaga area. Málaga: Strict. VFT registration mandatory, scarce new licenses in historic center, density limits enforced. Active inspections with €30,000+ fines for illegal rentals. Marbella: Moderate. VFT license required, restricted in some zones. Enforcement increasing but many operate unlicensed due to tourist demand. Torremolinos: Moderate. VFT registration needed, zoning restrictions apply. Moderate enforcement, some illegal operations persist. Nerja: Lenient. VFT license required but readily available. Light enforcement, high tolerance for tourist rentals. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Malaga Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 8% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 15%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. This contraction in both supply and revenue highlights a period of market adjustment where the reduction in listings has not yet stabilized pricing power.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 9% 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 Malaga listings include: Kitchen (96%), Air Conditioning (95%), Washing Machine (93%), Tv (86%), Heating (66%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Air Conditioning, Pool, with Bbq properties earning approximately 40% more (€48K/year vs €34K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Malaga over the last 12 months: May: €1K, June: €2K, July: €2K, August: €2K, September: €2K, October: €1K, November: €962, December: €1K, January: €785, February: €948, March: €1K, April: €2K. 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 Malaga is €163, up 16% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average €122/night, 2-bedroom properties average €162/night, 3-bedroom properties average €215/night, 4+ bedroom properties average €398/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in May.

Guests in Malaga book an average of 38 days in advance, down 27% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 35 days, 2-bedroom: 39 days, 3-bedroom: 43 days, 4+ bedroom: 49 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Malaga Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 8%, revenue per listing decreased 15%, occupancy fell 5%, average nightly rates increased 16%, and lead time decreased 27%. These shifting metrics point toward a more reactive booking environment where higher pricing is failing to offset declining occupancy and total revenue.

In Malaga, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 15% higher occupancy than weekdays.