As Europe gears up for another busy travel season, where you stay can make a bigger difference to your budget than ever.
New short-term rental data reveals a continent of extremes, with nightly rates ranging from less than €40 in parts of the Balkans to well over €200 in some of Europe’s most sought-after destinations.
The research has revealed the cheapest and most expensive places to book a short-term stay in Europe in 2026, offering a snapshot of where holiday budgets stretch furthest and where demand and popularity continue to drive prices sky-high.
AirDNA, a short-term rental data and analytics platform, looked at the average daily rates (ADR) – or daily cost of accommodation – as well as occupancy, the time between booking and arriving, and length-of-stay trends across Europe.
With that data, the company was able to identify the continent’s most affordable and priciest short-term rental markets for 2026.
