Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Bahrain Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Bahrain Property Pack
Thinking about starting an Airbnb business in Bahrain? You're looking at a compact but growing short-term rental market where location and property type really matter.
In this guide, we break down everything from legal requirements and realistic earnings to the neighborhoods where Airbnb hosts actually succeed in Bahrain.
We update this article regularly to reflect the latest data on nightly prices, occupancy rates, and regulations in the Bahraini rental market.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Bahrain.
Insights
- About 80% of Airbnb listings in Bahrain are entire-home rentals, which suggests that most hosts operate investment properties rather than spare rooms in their primary residence.
- The gap between top and average hosts in Bahrain is dramatic: the top 10% achieve around 69% occupancy while the median host sits at just 27%.
- One-bedroom apartments dominate Bahrain's short-term rental market, making up nearly 58% of all listings in Manama alone.
- Waterfront properties in Amwaj Islands command an average nightly rate of around $200, which is about 60% higher than similar listings in central Manama.
- December is the peak revenue month for Bahrain Airbnb hosts, while March tends to be the slowest, likely due to weather patterns and regional travel habits.
- The Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in April creates one of the biggest demand spikes of the year, with hosts often able to double or triple their usual rates.
- Bahrain has around 850 active short-term rental listings nationwide, with over half concentrated in Manama and its immediate surroundings.
- Operating costs for an Airbnb apartment in Bahrain typically run between $400 and $900 per month, with air conditioning being a major expense due to the climate.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Bahrain in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term rentals are allowed in Bahrain, but they fall under the country's tourism and hospitality regulations rather than standard residential leasing rules.
The main legal framework comes from Bahrain's tourism law, which treats paid short stays as a form of tourism accommodation that requires proper licensing through the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).
The most important condition hosts must understand is that operating a short-term rental commercially means you're essentially running a tourism facility, which brings specific compliance requirements around registration and classification.
Penalties for operating without proper authorization can include fines and potential closure of the rental operation, though enforcement tends to focus more on scaled commercial operators than individual hosts.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Bahrain.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Bahrain.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Bahrain as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Bahrain does not have a widely published national cap on rental nights per year or a government-mandated minimum stay requirement like you might find in some European cities.
These rules don't vary by property type or host residency status because, quite simply, there are no such restrictions currently in place anywhere in Bahrain at the national level.
In practice, minimum stay settings are left to the host's discretion, and market data shows that about 66% of Manama listings allow one-night minimum stays.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Bahrain right now?
Bahrain does not appear to have a blanket "primary residence only" rule for short-term rentals at the national level.
Yes, owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Bahrain, and this is actually the norm rather than the exception in the market.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residence rentals beyond the standard tourism accommodation compliance that applies to all short-term rental hosts.
Since Bahrain doesn't distinguish between primary and secondary homes in its short-term rental framework, there's no meaningful difference in the rules that apply to either situation.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Bahrain right now?
Yes, running multiple Airbnb listings under one name is allowed in Bahrain, and multi-unit hosting is actually quite common, especially among professional operators and property managers.
There is no publicly documented cap on how many properties one person or company can list for short-term rental in Bahrain.
The main consideration for hosts with multiple listings is ensuring each property meets the tourism accommodation compliance requirements, though there are no special additional licenses specifically for having multiple units.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Bahrain as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, if you're running short-term rentals commercially in Bahrain, you'll likely need both tourism accommodation authorization (through the BTEA) and potentially a commercial registration depending on your operating scale and structure.
The typical process involves applying through the BTEA portal for tourism facility classification, which can take several weeks depending on your property type and the completeness of your documentation.
You'll generally need property ownership or lease documentation, proof of the unit meeting safety and quality standards, and possibly CR (commercial registration) documents if operating as a business entity.
License costs vary depending on the classification and scale of operation, but the safest approach is to budget for both initial application fees and annual renewal costs as part of your operating expenses.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Bahrain as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Bahrain does not have a simple public map of "banned zones" versus "tourist zones" for short-term rentals, but restrictions do exist at the building and community level.
The constraints you'll encounter are typically building-level rules (HOA policies, tower management, landlord restrictions) or compliance issues in purely residential areas where regulators may scrutinize commercial hospitality activity.
The reason some areas are effectively off-limits comes down to community rules designed to protect residential character, combined with the practical reality that tourism accommodation compliance is easier to achieve in buildings designed for mixed or hospitality use.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Bahrain compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Bahrain in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Bahrain is around $140 (BHD 53, EUR 130), while the median sits lower at approximately $110 (BHD 41, EUR 100).
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Bahrain listings falls between $70 and $220 (BHD 26 to 83, EUR 65 to 200), with most of the inventory clustered in the middle of that range.
Location is the single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Bahrain, with waterfront properties in places like Amwaj Islands commanding significantly higher rates than comparable units in central Manama.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Bahrain.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Bahrain can vary by more than double between the most expensive areas like Amwaj Islands (averaging $200 or BHD 75 or EUR 185) and more affordable neighborhoods like Saar or parts of Muharraq (averaging $90 to $100 or BHD 34 to 38 or EUR 85 to 95).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Bahrain are Amwaj Islands ($170 to $250 or BHD 64 to 94 or EUR 160 to 230), Reef Island ($170 to $220 or BHD 64 to 83 or EUR 160 to 200), and Bahrain Bay ($150 to $200 or BHD 57 to 75 or EUR 140 to 185).
The more affordable areas include Saar, Muharraq city center, and some parts of Juffair, where you can find listings averaging $90 to $130 (BHD 34 to 49, EUR 85 to 120), and these areas still attract solid bookings from budget-conscious business travelers and regional weekend visitors.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Bahrain is around 30%, which translates to roughly 9 booked nights per month for an average host.
The realistic range that covers most listings is between 13% (for bottom-quartile performers) and 49% (for top-quartile performers), with significant variation based on listing quality and management approach.
This occupancy level is relatively modest compared to more established short-term rental markets in Europe or North America, reflecting Bahrain's smaller tourism base and the concentration of demand around specific events and seasons.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Bahrain is operational quality: professional photography, responsive communication, and consistent guest experience are what separate the top 10% (achieving 69% occupancy) from everyone else.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Bahrain is approximately $800 (BHD 300, EUR 740).
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of listings falls between $400 and $1,200 (BHD 150 to 450, EUR 370 to 1,100), depending on location, property type, and management quality.
Top-performing listings in premium locations like Amwaj Islands can achieve $1,500 to $2,500 per month (BHD 565 to 940, EUR 1,390 to 2,315), especially during high season. For example, a well-managed waterfront two-bedroom at $200 per night with 50% occupancy would generate around $3,000 monthly.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Bahrain.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, high-season monthly revenue for a typical Bahrain Airbnb averages around $1,375 (BHD 520, EUR 1,275), while low-season months drop to approximately $1,000 (BHD 385, EUR 950).
High season in Bahrain runs primarily from November through February, when the weather is pleasant and events like the Autumn Fair drive visitor numbers, while low season falls in the hotter months of March through September, with March typically being the slowest revenue month.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Bahrain range from $400 to $900 (BHD 150 to 340, EUR 370 to 835) for apartments and $900 to $2,000 (BHD 340 to 755, EUR 835 to 1,855) for villas.
Utilities, particularly air conditioning, represent the largest single expense category in Bahrain due to the climate, often running $150 to $400 per month (BHD 57 to 150, EUR 140 to 370) depending on unit size and usage patterns.
Most hosts in Bahrain should expect to spend between 40% and 60% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with professionally managed properties typically at the higher end due to management fees (commonly 15% to 25% of revenue).
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Bahrain.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a typical Bahrain Airbnb ranges from $150 to $400 (BHD 57 to 150, EUR 140 to 370), with profit per available night averaging around $8 to $20 (BHD 3 to 8, EUR 7 to 19).
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most listings spans from near break-even for poorly performing properties to around $1,200 (BHD 450, EUR 1,110) for top-quartile operators in prime locations.
Net profit margins for Bahrain Airbnb hosts typically fall between 15% and 35% of gross revenue, with professionally managed waterfront properties at the higher end and self-managed budget listings often struggling to clear 20%.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Bahrain Airbnb listing is around 15% to 20%, meaning you need roughly 5 to 6 booked nights per month just to cover your operating costs before seeing any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Bahrain, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Bahrain versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Bahrain as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Bahrain as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Bahrain has approximately 850 active short-term rental listings, with the majority concentrated in Manama (about 456 listings) and Amwaj Islands (about 140 listings).
The market has grown steadily over recent years as Bahrain's tourism sector expands, with the government targeting an increase in tourism's GDP contribution to 11.4% by 2026, which suggests continued growth in accommodation demand and likely more listings entering the market.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Bahrain as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Bahrain are Juffair, Seef, Amwaj Islands, and the Bahrain Bay and Diplomatic Area corridor, where you'll find the highest concentration of competing listings.
These areas became saturated because they combine the building stock that appeals to short-term renters (modern high-rises with amenities, waterfront views, proximity to business and entertainment) with established expat rental demand, creating a natural magnet for hosts and guests alike.
Relatively undersaturated areas that may offer better opportunities include Adliya (known for dining and nightlife but with fewer dedicated STR listings), parts of Muharraq outside the main tourist zone, and emerging master-planned communities like Dilmunia and Diyar Al Muharraq where supply hasn't yet caught up with development.
What local events spike demand in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Bahrain are the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix (April 10 to 12, 2026), the Autumn Fair at Exhibition World Bahrain (January 22 to 31, 2026), and various business conferences and exhibitions throughout the year.
During major events like the F1 Grand Prix, hosts can typically expect booking rates to increase by 50% to 100% and nightly rates to double or even triple compared to normal periods, with properties near the Sakhir circuit and in well-connected Manama areas seeing the biggest gains.
Smart hosts should adjust their pricing and availability at least 2 to 3 months before major events, and for the F1 weekend specifically, setting premium rates 4 to 6 months in advance is not unusual since many visitors book early.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing hosts in Bahrain (the top 10%) achieve occupancy rates of around 69% or higher, meaning their properties are booked roughly 21 nights per month.
This is dramatically higher than average hosts, who typically see around 27% occupancy (about 8 nights per month), and the bottom quartile of hosts who struggle at just 13% occupancy (roughly 4 nights per month).
New hosts in Bahrain should realistically expect to take 6 to 12 months to approach top-performer occupancy levels, as building reviews, optimizing listings, and learning the local market dynamics all take time and consistent effort.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Bahrain.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Bahrain right now?
The most crowded price segment in Bahrain is the $90 to $140 range (BHD 34 to 53, EUR 85 to 130), where the majority of one-bedroom apartments in Manama compete directly with each other.
White space opportunities for new hosts exist at the higher end ($180 to $250 or BHD 68 to 94 or EUR 165 to 230) for truly premium waterfront properties, and in the family-oriented segment where well-appointed two and three-bedroom units are underrepresented relative to demand.
To succeed in the underserved segments, a new host would need either a genuinely premium waterfront location with hotel-quality finishes (for the high end) or a larger unit with family-friendly amenities like multiple bathrooms, a full kitchen, and possibly pool access (for the family market).
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Bahrain right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Bahrain as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom units get the most bookings in Bahrain's short-term rental market, accounting for nearly 58% of all active listings in Manama.
The booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Bahrain shows studios and one-bedrooms combined at roughly 60%, two-bedrooms at around 30%, and three-bedroom-plus units making up the remaining 10% of the market.
One-bedrooms perform best in Bahrain because the dominant guest profile consists of solo business travelers, couples on weekend trips from neighboring Gulf countries, and short-stay visitors who don't need extra space but do want a full kitchen and private apartment feel.
What property type performs best in Bahrain in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and condos are the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Bahrain, making up about 82% of all listings and matching the dominant demand profile of business and weekend leisure travelers.
Occupancy rates across property types show apartments achieving consistent performance around the market average (27% to 30%), while villas can achieve higher nightly rates but often have lower occupancy due to their higher price point and narrower guest appeal.
Apartments outperform in Bahrain because the market is heavily driven by short business trips and GCC weekend visitors who want convenient, well-located units with building amenities like pools and gyms rather than standalone houses that require more management and typically sit farther from business districts.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Bahrain, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Central Bank of Bahrain | It's Bahrain's central bank and the primary source for the country's monetary policy and currency framework. | We used it to understand the macro environment affecting real estate financing. We also referenced it for currency peg context relevant to USD and BHD conversions. |
| Bahrain Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission | It's the official government repository for Bahraini laws and legal texts. | We reviewed tourism law amendments to understand the regulatory framework. We used this to ground our compliance guidance in actual legal requirements. |
| Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority | It's the official authority responsible for tourism sector regulation and licensing in Bahrain. | We referenced it as the primary regulator for hospitality licensing. We used their portal to understand current compliance pathways for short-term rentals. |
| Bahrain National Portal | It's the official government portal providing access to laws, services, and public information. | We used it to verify tourism facility classification services exist. We cross-referenced service descriptions to validate our licensing guidance. |
| Ministry of Industry and Commerce | It's the ministry responsible for business licensing and commercial registration in Bahrain. | We referenced it for business registration requirements. We used their tourism strategy targets to contextualize market growth expectations. |
| Bahrain Open Data Portal | It's the national open-data platform publishing official tourism and economic statistics. | We used overnight data to validate seasonality patterns. We also referenced visitor statistics to understand demand sources. |
| Ministry of Finance and National Economy | It's a government source for official macroeconomic data and economic reports. | We used their quarterly reports to ground broader economic context. We referenced this to keep cost and inflation assumptions realistic. |
| CBRE Bahrain | CBRE is a major global real estate consultancy with consistent methodology across markets. | We used their market reviews to triangulate transaction activity. We referenced their insights on rental market direction and pricing trends. |
| Knight Frank | Knight Frank is a major global property consultancy publishing regular market reports on Bahrain. | We used their neighborhood analysis to identify expat rental demand hubs. We referenced their rent data as a reality check on pricing by area. |
| Formula 1 Official | It's the official organizer and schedule source for the Bahrain Grand Prix event. | We used it to confirm exact 2026 race dates. We referenced this as a concrete example of event-driven demand spikes. |
| Bahrain News Agency | It's Bahrain's official news agency commonly used for government-linked announcements. | We used it to confirm Autumn Fair 2026 dates. We referenced it as evidence of exhibition-driven demand periods. |
| AirDNA | AirDNA is a widely used short-term rental analytics provider trusted by investors and institutions. | We used their methodology framework for STR metrics like ADR and occupancy. We referenced their approach to validate our analytical methods. |
| AirROI Manama | It's a transparent STR dataset provider with timestamped market updates for Bahrain. | We used their Manama data for core metrics like ADR, occupancy, and revenue. We extracted performance tier distributions to show realistic ranges. |
| AirROI Bahrain | It's a structured rollup of STR metrics across Bahrain's major submarkets. | We used it to estimate nationwide listing counts by summing major markets. We compared Manama versus Amwaj pricing to illustrate neighborhood variation. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Bahrain. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.