Istanbul

As of May 2026, Istanbul, Kadıköy, Beyoğlu have 8,369 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 52% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Istanbul generates ₺660K per year. High-performing properties earn ₺1.8M/year, while low-performing properties earn ₺105K/year. The massive revenue variance suggests a bifurcated market where top-tier listings capture disproportionate demand, leaving substantial underperformance for those failing to meet specific traveler expectations.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Istanbul. Average annual revenue is ₺660K with 30% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to ₺1.8M/year. This wide gap highlights that average occupancy levels mask significant operational disparities, indicating that success is highly sensitive to listing-specific performance rather than broad market averages.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Istanbul is 30%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of ₺5K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of ₺1K per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Istanbul, with annual revenue of ₺2.0M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Istanbul market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Istanbul area. Istanbul: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or licensing required. General tourism accommodation laws exist but rarely enforced for individual hosts. Thousands operate informally without permits. Kadıköy: Lenient. Falls under Istanbul municipal rules. No district-specific STR regulations. Minimal enforcement. Hosts operate freely on platforms. Beyoğlu: Lenient. Same Istanbul framework applies. Despite being tourist-heavy, no special STR licensing or caps enforced. Widespread informal operation tolerated. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Istanbul Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced with strong demand conditions. Supply has declined 52% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 59%. This indicates healthy demand growth outpacing supply. The concurrent contraction in supply and surge in revenue suggest a market consolidation where remaining operators benefit from reduced saturation and increased pricing power.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 72% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (July-June) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Istanbul listings include: Kitchen (98%), Heating (97%), Air Conditioning (96%), Tv (95%), Washing Machine (87%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Air Conditioning, Gym, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 45% more (₺1.2M/year vs ₺826K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Istanbul over the last 12 months: May: ₺32K, June: ₺30K, July: ₺33K, August: ₺37K, September: ₺52K, October: ₺63K, November: ₺51K, December: ₺54K, January: ₺46K, February: ₺32K, March: ₺46K, April: ₺66K. 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 Istanbul is ₺5K, up 23% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average ₺4K/night, 2-bedroom properties average ₺6K/night, 3-bedroom properties average ₺9K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average ₺16K/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in February.

Guests in Istanbul book an average of 22 days in advance, down 25% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 20 days, 2-bedroom: 25 days, 3-bedroom: 30 days, 4+ bedroom: 31 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Istanbul Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 52%, revenue per listing increased 59%, occupancy rose 35%, average nightly rates increased 23%, and lead time decreased 25%. These metrics reflect a tightening inventory environment, signaling heightened competition for bookings as travelers book more impulsively amidst rising price points.

In Istanbul, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 18% higher occupancy than weekdays.