Kristiansand

As of June 2026, Kristiansand, Arendal, Mandal have 1,293 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 9% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Kristiansand generates kr113K per year. High-performing properties earn kr438K/year, while low-performing properties earn kr67K/year. The massive earnings gap suggests that a small segment of units captures the bulk of demand, likely due to specific property features or operational advantages that outperform the broader, lower-earning market.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Kristiansand. Average annual revenue is kr113K with 27% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to kr438K/year. A 27% average occupancy indicates that most inventory faces significant idle time, highlighting that market profitability is heavily skewed toward top-tier listings rather than being a broad-based outcome.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Kristiansand is 27%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of kr2K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of kr194 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Kristiansand, with annual revenue of kr169K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Kristiansand market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Kristiansand area. Kristiansand: Lenient. No specific STR permits required, general business registration recommended. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely under existing accommodation laws. Arendal: Lenient. No dedicated STR licensing system, standard business rules apply. Light enforcement, market operates with little regulatory oversight. Mandal: Lenient. No special STR permits or registration beyond general business requirements. Minimal enforcement, hosts self-regulate under general hospitality framework. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Kristiansand Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 9% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 26%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous drop in supply and revenue suggests that demand contraction is currently outpacing the market's ability to shed excess inventory, keeping competitive pressure elevated.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -16% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Kristiansand listings include: Kitchen (95%), Tv (87%), Washing Machine (87%), Heating (81%), Balcony (62%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Bbq, Gym, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 113% more (kr826K/year vs kr387K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Kristiansand over the last 12 months: May: kr6K, June: kr9K, July: kr15K, August: kr10K, September: kr5K, October: kr4K, November: kr4K, December: kr6K, January: kr2K, February: kr2K, March: kr3K, April: kr5K. 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 Kristiansand is kr2K, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average kr1K/night, 2-bedroom properties average kr1K/night, 3-bedroom properties average kr2K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average kr3K/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in January.

Guests in Kristiansand book an average of 29 days in advance, down 26% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 27 days, 2-bedroom: 28 days, 3-bedroom: 33 days, 4+ bedroom: 32 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Kristiansand Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 9%, revenue per listing decreased 26%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 26%. These metrics show a market where higher pricing is failing to offset lower utilization, pointing to a mismatch between current rate expectations and traveler demand.

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