What Are the Best Places to Invest in Airbnb in Catalonia, Spain?

Source: AirROI Reviewed by Jun Zhou , Founder @ AirROI
Updated:

The short-term rental market in Catalonia, Spain spans 30 cities tracked in AirROI's 2026 dataset, ranging from mature urban markets with thousands of active listings to emerging destinations where early operators still have pricing leverage. Supply growth, regulation, and seasonal demand vary significantly across the region — making market selection one of the highest-leverage decisions an Airbnb investor can make.

This page ranks the best Airbnb markets in Catalonia, Spain across four dimensions: market depth (active listings), revenue, nightly rate (ADR), and occupancy rate. Barcelona, Catalonia leads by market size with 11,542 active listings and $3,287/month revenue. Across all ranked markets, average occupancy is 40.8% with $1,599/month in average revenue and $230/night ADR.

Rankings based on AirROI's analysis of 20,000,000+ short-term rental listings across revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation. See ranking methodology.

Top Airbnb Markets in Catalonia, Spain by Active Listings

Active listing count is the most direct measure of a market's depth, maturity, and investor confidence. Cities with the most Airbnb listings in Catalonia, Spain attract the highest volume of travelers and offer the most reliable benchmarking data for pricing and revenue projections. Barcelona, Catalonia leads with 11,542 active short-term rental listings and $3,287/month in average revenue.

#MarketActive Listings (TTM)Revenue/moADROccupancyRegulation
1Barcelona, Catalonia11,542$3,287$24151.5%High
2Salou, Catalonia1,579$1,195$18241.4%High
3Roses, Catalonia1,552$1,218$18539.8%High
4Lloret de Mar, Catalonia1,200$1,581$25439.5%High
5Castelló d'Empúries, Catalonia1,017$1,182$19637.9%High
6Sitges, Catalonia920$2,392$26544.2%High
7l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia884$2,318$17453.5%High
8l'Escala, Catalonia840$1,169$20038.8%High
9Cambrils, Catalonia783$1,110$21238.7%High
10Castell d'Aro, Platja d'Aro i s'Agaró, Catalonia719$1,162$22238.1%High
11Palafrugell, Catalonia708$1,891$29140.7%High
12Torroella de Montgrí, Catalonia684$1,026$19336.1%High
13Girona, Catalonia647$2,079$19246.9%High
14Tarragona, Catalonia642$1,168$15243.1%High
15Begur, Catalonia615$2,169$37040.9%High
16Mont-roig del Camp, Catalonia551$1,071$21139.9%High
17Tossa de Mar, Catalonia520$1,611$23841.6%High
18Cadaqués, Catalonia447$2,394$28540.3%High
19Calonge i Sant Antoni, Catalonia434$1,747$28640.3%High
20Palamós, Catalonia420$1,348$20638.3%High
21l'Ametlla de Mar, Catalonia409$1,356$27539.2%High
22Calafell, Catalonia404$1,245$22041.3%High
23Blanes, Catalonia382$1,604$22640.5%High
24Pals, Catalonia375$1,363$25538.0%High
25Llançà, Catalonia363$970$15238.2%High
26Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Catalonia362$1,311$22539.7%High
27Castelldefels, Catalonia361$2,203$21045.7%High
28Badalona, Catalonia346$1,968$17750.5%High
29Deltebre, Catalonia319$1,111$20631.5%High
30Naut Aran, Catalonia294$1,722$39627.4%High

Most Profitable Airbnb Markets in Catalonia, Spain by Revenue

The most profitable Airbnb cities in Catalonia, Spain are those where hosts earn the highest average monthly revenue per listing — the single most telling indicator of a market's income potential. Barcelona, Catalonia leads with $3,287/month at $241 ADR and 51.5% occupancy. Whether you are evaluating your first STR investment or benchmarking an existing property, these top-earning Airbnb markets show where vacation rentals generate the greatest short-term rental income.

#MarketRevenue/moActive Listings (TTM)ADROccupancyRegulation
1Barcelona, Catalonia$3,28711,542$24151.5%High
2Cadaqués, Catalonia$2,394447$28540.3%High
3Sitges, Catalonia$2,392920$26544.2%High
4l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia$2,318884$17453.5%High
5Castelldefels, Catalonia$2,203361$21045.7%High
6Begur, Catalonia$2,169615$37040.9%High
7Girona, Catalonia$2,079647$19246.9%High
8Badalona, Catalonia$1,968346$17750.5%High
9Palafrugell, Catalonia$1,891708$29140.7%High
10Calonge i Sant Antoni, Catalonia$1,747434$28640.3%High
11Naut Aran, Catalonia$1,722294$39627.4%High
12Tossa de Mar, Catalonia$1,611520$23841.6%High
13Blanes, Catalonia$1,604382$22640.5%High
14Lloret de Mar, Catalonia$1,5811,200$25439.5%High
15Pals, Catalonia$1,363375$25538.0%High
16l'Ametlla de Mar, Catalonia$1,356409$27539.2%High
17Palamós, Catalonia$1,348420$20638.3%High
18Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Catalonia$1,311362$22539.7%High
19Calafell, Catalonia$1,245404$22041.3%High
20Roses, Catalonia$1,2181,552$18539.8%High
21Salou, Catalonia$1,1951,579$18241.4%High
22Castelló d'Empúries, Catalonia$1,1821,017$19637.9%High
23l'Escala, Catalonia$1,169840$20038.8%High
24Tarragona, Catalonia$1,168642$15243.1%High
25Castell d'Aro, Platja d'Aro i s'Agaró, Catalonia$1,162719$22238.1%High
26Deltebre, Catalonia$1,111319$20631.5%High
27Cambrils, Catalonia$1,110783$21238.7%High
28Mont-roig del Camp, Catalonia$1,071551$21139.9%High
29Torroella de Montgrí, Catalonia$1,026684$19336.1%High
30Llançà, Catalonia$970363$15238.2%High

Most Expensive Airbnb Markets in Catalonia, Spain by Nightly Rate

The average daily rate (ADR) measures how much guests pay per night in each market, making it the clearest indicator of a city's short-term rental pricing power. Naut Aran, Catalonia commands the highest Airbnb nightly rate in Catalonia, Spain at $396/night, generating $1,722/month at 27.4% occupancy. Markets with premium nightly pricing typically feature high-demand destinations where travelers pay a significant premium over hotel alternatives.

#MarketADRActive Listings (TTM)Revenue/moOccupancyRegulation
1Naut Aran, Catalonia$396294$1,72227.4%High
2Begur, Catalonia$370615$2,16940.9%High
3Palafrugell, Catalonia$291708$1,89140.7%High
4Calonge i Sant Antoni, Catalonia$286434$1,74740.3%High
5Cadaqués, Catalonia$285447$2,39440.3%High
6l'Ametlla de Mar, Catalonia$275409$1,35639.2%High
7Sitges, Catalonia$265920$2,39244.2%High
8Pals, Catalonia$255375$1,36338.0%High
9Lloret de Mar, Catalonia$2541,200$1,58139.5%High
10Barcelona, Catalonia$24111,542$3,28751.5%High
11Tossa de Mar, Catalonia$238520$1,61141.6%High
12Blanes, Catalonia$226382$1,60440.5%High
13Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Catalonia$225362$1,31139.7%High
14Castell d'Aro, Platja d'Aro i s'Agaró, Catalonia$222719$1,16238.1%High
15Calafell, Catalonia$220404$1,24541.3%High
16Cambrils, Catalonia$212783$1,11038.7%High
17Mont-roig del Camp, Catalonia$211551$1,07139.9%High
18Castelldefels, Catalonia$210361$2,20345.7%High
19Deltebre, Catalonia$206319$1,11131.5%High
20Palamós, Catalonia$206420$1,34838.3%High
21l'Escala, Catalonia$200840$1,16938.8%High
22Castelló d'Empúries, Catalonia$1961,017$1,18237.9%High
23Torroella de Montgrí, Catalonia$193684$1,02636.1%High
24Girona, Catalonia$192647$2,07946.9%High
25Roses, Catalonia$1851,552$1,21839.8%High
26Salou, Catalonia$1821,579$1,19541.4%High
27Badalona, Catalonia$177346$1,96850.5%High
28l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia$174884$2,31853.5%High
29Llançà, Catalonia$152363$97038.2%High
30Tarragona, Catalonia$152642$1,16843.1%High

Highest Occupancy Airbnb Markets in Catalonia, Spain

Airbnb occupancy rate measures the percentage of available nights actually booked — the most telling indicator of short-term rental demand in a market. l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia leads Catalonia, Spain with 53.5% occupancy, $2,318/month revenue, and 884 active listings. Markets with the highest STR occupancy rates reflect strong, sustained guest demand — a critical signal for investors evaluating where properties will stay consistently booked year-round. This ranking is filtered to markets with 100+ listings to ensure statistical reliability.

#MarketOccupancyActive Listings (TTM)Revenue/moADRRegulation
1l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia53.5%884$2,318$174High
2Barcelona, Catalonia51.5%11,542$3,287$241High
3Badalona, Catalonia50.5%346$1,968$177High
4Girona, Catalonia46.9%647$2,079$192High
5Castelldefels, Catalonia45.7%361$2,203$210High
6Sitges, Catalonia44.2%920$2,392$265High
7Tarragona, Catalonia43.1%642$1,168$152High
8Tossa de Mar, Catalonia41.6%520$1,611$238High
9Salou, Catalonia41.4%1,579$1,195$182High
10Calafell, Catalonia41.3%404$1,245$220High
11Begur, Catalonia40.9%615$2,169$370High
12Palafrugell, Catalonia40.7%708$1,891$291High
13Blanes, Catalonia40.5%382$1,604$226High
14Calonge i Sant Antoni, Catalonia40.3%434$1,747$286High
15Cadaqués, Catalonia40.3%447$2,394$285High
16Mont-roig del Camp, Catalonia39.9%551$1,071$211High
17Roses, Catalonia39.8%1,552$1,218$185High
18Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Catalonia39.7%362$1,311$225High
19Lloret de Mar, Catalonia39.5%1,200$1,581$254High
20l'Ametlla de Mar, Catalonia39.2%409$1,356$275High
21l'Escala, Catalonia38.8%840$1,169$200High
22Cambrils, Catalonia38.7%783$1,110$212High
23Palamós, Catalonia38.3%420$1,348$206High
24Llançà, Catalonia38.2%363$970$152High
25Castell d'Aro, Platja d'Aro i s'Agaró, Catalonia38.1%719$1,162$222High
26Pals, Catalonia38.0%375$1,363$255High
27Castelló d'Empúries, Catalonia37.9%1,017$1,182$196High
28Torroella de Montgrí, Catalonia36.1%684$1,026$193High
29Deltebre, Catalonia31.5%319$1,111$206High
30Naut Aran, Catalonia27.4%294$1,722$396High

How to Choose an Airbnb Investment Market in Catalonia, Spain

No single ranking tells the full story. The best Airbnb market for a given investor depends on their capital, risk tolerance, operating model, and income goals. The four ranking dimensions on this page — market depth, revenue, ADR, and occupancy — serve different investor profiles.

If you prioritize predictable cash flow, start with the occupancy rankings. Markets where occupancy exceeds 55% offer consistent bookings and lower vacancy risk. High-occupancy markets may not have the highest nightly rates, but their revenue stability makes them better suited for mortgage-backed investments where monthly debt coverage matters more than peak earnings.

If you're targeting maximum income per property, use the revenue rankings. Revenue is the product of nightly rate and occupancy — it captures the combined effect of both. The highest-revenue Airbnb markets in Catalonia, Spain tend to be destination cities where travelers stay longer and pay a premium for entire-home listings.

If you're evaluating luxury or premium positioning, the ADR rankings show where guests are willing to pay top dollar per night. High-ADR markets reward property upgrades, professional photography, and amenity investments. However, a high nightly rate with low occupancy may generate less income than a moderately priced listing that stays booked consistently.

If you want the deepest market data, the active listings rankings identify cities with the largest short-term rental supply. More listings mean more comparable properties for pricing, more data points for revenue projections, and typically a more liquid resale market if your investment thesis changes.

In all cases, check the regulation column before committing capital. A profitable market with high regulation may require permits, annual caps on rental days, or costly compliance steps that erode returns. Markets with low regulation offer faster time-to-market but may tighten rules as STR supply grows.

Short-Term Rental Regulation in Catalonia, Spain

Understanding the regulatory environment is critical for any Airbnb investment in Catalonia, Spain. Regulation affects licensing costs, annual operating limits, tax obligations, and the long-term viability of a short-term rental strategy.

Across the 30 markets ranked on this page: 0 have a low regulation profile (generally operator-friendly with minimal licensing requirements), 0 have medium regulation (some permit or registration requirements), and 30 have high regulation (strict licensing, annual rental day caps, or active enforcement). Markets with low regulation offer the lowest barrier to entry, while high-regulation markets may still be profitable — but require careful compliance planning and often limit the number of properties a single operator can manage.

AirROI classifies regulation as a market-level signal based on available ordinance data and platform registration patterns. This is not legal advice — always verify current local ordinances, as short-term rental rules can change rapidly, especially in high-growth markets where municipalities are actively responding to STR expansion.

How We Rank the Best Airbnb Investment Markets in Catalonia, Spain

This page ranks Airbnb markets in Catalonia, Spain across four dimensions that matter most to short-term rental investors and operators: market depth (active listings), revenue potential (monthly income per listing), pricing power (average daily rate), and booking demand (occupancy rate). Each ranking uses the same underlying dataset but sorts by a different metric, giving you multiple lenses to evaluate where to invest in Airbnb in Catalonia, Spain.

No single metric tells the full story. A market with high ADR but low occupancy may underperform one with moderate pricing and strong demand. Revenue captures the combined effect of rate and occupancy, while active listings signal whether a market has enough depth for reliable benchmarking and a liquid resale environment. We include regulation data alongside every ranking so you can weigh compliance risk before committing capital.

Ranking Methodology & Data Sources

  • Active Listings (TTM): The count of active short-term rental listings in each market over the trailing twelve months — a proxy for market maturity, data reliability, and investor confidence in Catalonia, Spain.
  • Monthly Revenue: Average gross revenue per listing per month — the bottom-line metric for evaluating Airbnb profitability in Catalonia, Spain and projecting cash flow.
  • Average Daily Rate (ADR): The mean nightly booking price across all active listings — the clearest measure of a market's short-term rental pricing power.
  • Occupancy Rate: Percentage of available nights booked — the demand signal that determines how much of your nightly rate converts to actual income. Occupancy rankings are filtered to markets with 100+ listings to exclude small markets with unreliable averages.
  • Regulation: An indicator of the local regulatory climate in Catalonia, Spain, from low (operator-friendly) to high (strict licensing and enforcement) — essential for assessing compliance risk.

All data is sourced from AirROI's proprietary analytics pipeline, which tracks 20,000,000+ properties across 190+ countries. Metrics are recalculated on a rolling basis using trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Airbnb Markets in Catalonia, Spain

These quick answers summarize the most common investor and operator questions using AirROI's latest market data for Catalonia, Spain.

What are the best places to invest in Airbnb in Catalonia, Spain?

Barcelona, Catalonia leads this ranking for Catalonia, Spain with 11,542 active listings — the largest market by depth. Markets are ranked by listing count because deeper markets offer more comparable data, more pricing benchmarks, and a more predictable operating environment for investors. Each row also shows revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation so investors can evaluate based on what matters most to them.

Which market has the highest Airbnb revenue in Catalonia, Spain?

Barcelona, Catalonia posts the highest average monthly revenue in this ranking at $3,287. Revenue leaders often combine healthy rates, solid occupancy, and enough listing scale to support repeatable operations rather than one-off outliers.

Which market has the strongest Airbnb occupancy in Catalonia, Spain?

l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia has the highest occupancy rate in this comparison at 53.5%. High occupancy can signal resilient demand, but investors still need to balance it against nightly rates, regulation, and supply depth before deciding where to buy or operate.

Which market has the highest Airbnb nightly rate in Catalonia, Spain?

Naut Aran, Catalonia commands the highest average daily rate at $396 per night. A high ADR does not automatically translate to the highest revenue — occupancy and seasonality determine how much of that rate converts to realized income.

Is short-term rental investing still profitable in Catalonia, Spain in 2026?

The markets ranked here average 40.8% occupancy, and the top performer posts $3,287 in monthly revenue. Profitability depends on property acquisition cost, local operating expenses, and regulation compliance — but the data shows active, performing markets exist across Catalonia, Spain for well-researched investors.

How often are AirROI's top Airbnb market rankings updated?

AirROI updates these rankings using the latest market snapshot available in the dataset, which for this page is anchored to 2026. Rankings should be treated as current market intelligence rather than permanent truths because pricing, demand, regulation, and supply can all shift over time.

What metrics should I use to evaluate Airbnb investments in Catalonia, Spain?

The most important metrics for comparing short-term rental markets are active listing count (market depth and data reliability), occupancy rate (demand consistency), average daily rate (pricing power), monthly revenue (income potential), and regulation level (compliance cost and risk). This ranking sorts by market depth first; use the other columns to filter for the profile that fits your investment strategy.

What makes a good Airbnb market for first-time investors in Catalonia, Spain?

First-time investors in Catalonia, Spain should prioritize markets with high occupancy (55%+) and low regulation, which reduce the risk of empty calendars and compliance surprises. Markets with 200+ active listings also provide better benchmarking data and a more predictable operating environment. Revenue is important, but consistent demand is more forgiving for operators still learning pricing and guest management.

What is a good Airbnb occupancy rate in Catalonia, Spain?

Across the markets ranked here, the average occupancy rate in Catalonia, Spain is 40.8%. Occupancy above 50% is generally considered healthy for short-term rentals, and above 65% signals strong, sustained demand. However, the best occupancy rate depends on pricing strategy — some hosts maximize revenue by targeting fewer bookings at higher nightly rates rather than maximizing booking volume.

How does regulation affect Airbnb investment returns in Catalonia, Spain?

Regulation is one of the most overlooked risks in short-term rental investing. In Catalonia, Spain, 0 of 30 ranked markets have low regulation, 0 have medium, and 30 have high. High-regulation markets often require permits, limit annual rental days, or impose occupancy taxes — all of which reduce net returns. Low-regulation markets offer faster time-to-market and lower compliance costs, but rules can tighten as STR supply grows.

What is the difference between ADR and RevPAR for Airbnb investing?

ADR (Average Daily Rate) is the average nightly price guests pay, while RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Rental night) factors in both price and occupancy. A market with $200 ADR and 50% occupancy has $100 RevPAR — the same as a market with $125 ADR and 80% occupancy. RevPAR is a better single-number benchmark for comparing markets because it captures how effectively nightly rates convert to realized income. AirROI's city-level reports include RevPAR with percentile breakdowns for deeper analysis.

How many Airbnb listings does a market need to be investable in Catalonia, Spain?

Markets with fewer than 100 active listings can show volatile averages that do not predict future performance. The median market in this Catalonia, Spain ranking has about 615 listings. Larger markets (500+) offer more reliable data, more comparable properties for pricing, and typically a more liquid exit if you decide to sell. Smaller markets can still be profitable, but investors should treat the data as directional rather than precise.

How do seasonal and year-round Airbnb markets differ in Catalonia, Spain?

Seasonal markets in Catalonia, Spain experience dramatic swings in booking demand — often earning 60-70% of annual revenue in just 3-4 peak months. Year-round markets deliver steadier cash flow with lower peak-to-trough variation. Investors who need predictable monthly income should prioritize high-occupancy markets with low seasonal variance, while those comfortable with cash-flow timing can target seasonal markets where peak rates compensate for off-season softness.

About AirROI Market Data

AirROI tracks over 20 million properties across 190+ countries and maintains 15+ years of historical performance data, making it one of the deepest Airbnb and STR intelligence platforms available. The analytics pipeline aggregates listing-level data monthly — revenue, occupancy, nightly rates, RevPAR, guest demographics, booking patterns, and competitive supply — so investors and operators can benchmark any market against its own history and against neighboring destinations.

Real estate investors, property managers, financial institutions, hospitality consultants, and academic researchers rely on AirROI data to underwrite acquisitions, optimize pricing, model macro trends, and conduct peer-reviewed research. Data is available through in-depth market reports, the data portal for bulk downloads, the Airbnb API with 22 endpoints, and an Airbnb MCP Server for AI agents.

All metrics reflect trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings as of 2026-07-06. Revenue figures are market averages, not projections. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

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What Other Airbnb Markets Are in Catalonia, Spain?

AlcanarAlellaAlpAlt ÀneuAltafullaAmpostaArbúciesArenys de MarArenys de MuntArgentonaArtiesBadalonaBagàBalaguerBanyolesBarcelonaBegurBellver de CerdanyaBesalúBlanesCabrera de MarCabrilsCadaquésCalafellCaldes d'EstracCaldes de MalavellaCaldes de MontbuiCalellaCalonge i Sant AntoniCamarlesCambrilsCamprodonCanet de MarCanyellesCardonaCastell d'Aro, Platja d'Aro i s'AgaróCastelldefelsCastelló d'EmpúriesCerdanyola del VallèsColeraColl de NargóCornellà de LlobregatCornudella de MontsantCorçàCreixellCruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l'HeuraCubellesCunitDeltebreEmpuriabravaEsplugues de LlobregatEspotEsterri d'ÀneuFigueresFontanals de CerdanyaForallacGavàGironaGranollersHorta de Sant JoanIgualadaLlagosteraLlançàLlavorsíLleidaLloret de MarLlíviaMaià de MontcalMalgrat de MarManresaMargalefMataróMaçanet de la SelvaMollóMonistrol de MontserratMont-rasMont-roig del CampMontagut i OixMontblancMontgatNaut AranNavataOdènOlivellaOlotPalafollsPalafrugellPalamósPalau-satorPalau-saverderaPalsPineda de MarPlatja d'AroPortbouPradesPremià de DaltPremià de MarPuigcerdàReusRialpRibes de FreserRipollRoda de BeràRosesRubíSabadellSalardúSalouSant Adrià de BesòsSant Andreu de LlavaneresSant Boi de LlobregatSant Cebrià de VallaltaSant Cugat del VallèsSant Feliu de GuíxolsSant Jaume d'EnvejaSant Joan DespíSant Joan de les AbadessesSant Jordi DesvallsSant Pere PescadorSant Pere de RibesSant Pol de MarSant Vicenç de MontaltSanta Coloma de GramenetSanta Cristina d'AroSanta PauSanta SusannaSaus, Camallera i LlampaiesSitgesSolsonaSortSubiratsTarragonaTeiàTerrassaTorderaTorredembarraTorroella de MontgríTortosaTossa de MarTrempVandellòs i l'Hospitalet de l'InfantVentallóVicVidreresVielha e MijaranVila-secaViladecansVilademulsVilanova i la GeltrúVilassar de Marel Masnouel Perellóel Port de la Selvael Prat de Llobregatel Vendrelll'Ametlla de Marl'Ampollal'Armenteral'Escalal'Hospitalet de Llobregatla Ràpitala Vall de Bianyala Vall de BoíÀger