Belfast

As of May 2026, Belfast, Bangor, Lisburn have 1,764 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 3% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Belfast generates £22K per year. High-performing properties earn £41K/year, while low-performing properties earn £10K/year. This wide revenue variance suggests that earnings are heavily tied to specific asset positioning rather than market-wide averages, despite a broader contraction in overall demand.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Belfast. Average annual revenue is £22K with 40% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £41K/year. The performance gap indicates that while market-wide revenue is softening, top-tier listings capture a disproportionate share of the remaining demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Belfast is 40%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £140, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £42 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Belfast, with annual revenue of £34K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Belfast market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Belfast area. Belfast: Moderate. Planning permission required for properties not owner's main residence. Tourist accommodation registration mandatory. Growing enforcement with compliance checks. Bangor: Moderate. Same Northern Ireland rules apply - planning permission needed, tourist registration required. Enforcement increasing but inconsistent. Lisburn: Moderate. Planning permission and tourist registration required per NI regulations. Light enforcement historically, but authorities becoming more active with complaints. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Belfast Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 3% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 8%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The synchronized decline in both supply and revenue suggests a market correction where operators are exiting as profitability tightens.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -14% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (November-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Belfast listings include: Kitchen (97%), Tv (95%), Washing Machine (92%), Heating (83%), Parking (50%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Internet, Tv, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 19% more (£31K/year vs £26K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Belfast over the last 12 months: May: £1K, June: £1K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £1K, October: £1K, November: £1K, December: £1K, January: £707, February: £928, 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 Belfast is £140, up 17% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £100/night, 2-bedroom properties average £145/night, 3-bedroom properties average £163/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £273/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in January.

Guests in Belfast book an average of 37 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 32 days, 2-bedroom: 36 days, 3-bedroom: 46 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 Belfast Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 3%, revenue per listing decreased 8%, occupancy fell 9%, average nightly rates increased 17%, and lead time decreased 22%. The combination of higher rates and shorter lead times points to a shift toward more impulsive, price-sensitive booking behavior.

In Belfast, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 50% higher occupancy than weekdays.