Airbnb Occupancy Rate in Cologne, Germany, Data & Trends 2026
Curious about the performance of short-term rentals in Cologne, Germany? Over the last year, the average occupancy rate was 58% with an ADR (Average Daily Rate) of 118€. Hosts earned on average 1839€ per month.
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90-day occupancy forecast for Cologne so you can update rates and stay ahead of competitors.
Market summary in Cologne
Key metrics to optimize your pricing strategy
Avg. Monthly Revenue
1839€
$1673 USD
YoY Revenue Change
4%
vs. previous year
Occupancy Rate
58%
~17 days/month
Average Daily Rate
118€
$107 USD
Seasonality Index
39%
demand variation
Best Months
December, October
peak season
Worst Months
January, February
low season
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What Cologne's occupancy and ADR actually mean
Over the analysis period June 2025 to May 2026, Cologne averaged 58% occupancy at a 117€ ADR, producing about 1,829€ in average monthly revenue across roughly 102 active listings and 208 booked nights a year. That occupancy sits about 4 points below the four-city German average of around 62%, reflecting Cologne's event-driven rather than constant demand. Its 117€ ADR, however, runs well above the national average of roughly 102€ (the second-highest rate in this German dataset after Berlin) so the city earns through price rather than sheer fill.
The encouraging signal is direction: revenue grew 2% year on year, against declines in several other German markets. A low seasonality index of 39% confirms a relatively even calendar, December and October lead, January and February lag, but the spread is gentle, so a flat base rate punctuated by event surcharges suits Cologne better than the steep peak-trough pricing that bigger-swing cities demand.
Monthly Airbnb occupancy in Cologne
Average occupancy rate by month in Cologne, compared with the same month a year earlier.
| Month | Occupancy | Prior year |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | 57.2% | 55.8% |
| Aug 2025 | 64.5% | 65.2% |
| Sep 2025 | 56% | 56.3% |
| Oct 2025 | 63.3% | 60% |
| Nov 2025 | 61.6% | 58.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 64.2% | 64% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.5% | 41.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 56.1% | 57.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 54.2% | 57.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 57.3% | 55.3% |
| May 2026 | 55.3% | 59.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 65% | 61.4% |
Historical Airbnb occupancy in Cologne (last 12 months)
📌 Historical trends reveal seasonal highs – plan accordingly.
Airbnb occupancy forecast in Cologne (next 90 days)
These figures reflect real-time demand in Cologne, helping you plan and price strategically.
Why people book Airbnbs in Cologne
Cologne's short-term rental demand rests on two pillars that rarely peak together: leisure tourism built around the Kölner Dom (the twin-spired cathedral that is among the most visited landmarks in Europe), the twelve Romanesque churches, the Rhine promenade and the city's thirty-plus museums; and a heavyweight trade-fair calendar at Koelnmesse, the exhibition complex in Deutz on the right bank that hosts more than 80 fairs a year, including gamescom, Europe's largest gaming show. Visitors arrive easily via Köln/Bonn airport and the Köln Hauptbahnhof ICE hub next to the cathedral.
For operators this means mid-week business beds during fair weeks and leisure weekends the rest of the year, a healthier mix than purely seasonal resorts. Whole-apartment listings near the Altstadt and within a tram ride of Koelnmesse capture both audiences, while the fair calendar lets sharp managers spike rates on specific dates rather than relying on a single summer window.
When Airbnb demand peaks in Cologne
Cologne's strongest months are December and October. December is carried by the Christmas markets clustered around the cathedral, the Old Town and the Rhine harbour, which run from mid-November (roughly 16 November) to 23 December 2026 and draw large weekend crowds. October benefits from autumn city breaks and trade-fair traffic at Koelnmesse. The biggest single demand spike, though, is Carnival: the "crazy days" run 12–18 February 2026, peaking on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday, 16 February 2026), when the city fills and rates can be set well above normal.
The low season is deep winter outside Carnival: January and February (the non-Carnival weeks) are the weakest, when cold weather and the post-holiday lull cut leisure travel. Summer adds Cologne Pride / Christopher Street Day, whose parade falls on 5 July 2026, and gamescom from 26 to 30 August 2026, both of which compress hotel and rental capacity. The practical play is event-led pricing: lift rates hard around Carnival, gamescom, Pride and the Christmas-market weekends, and use weekly discounts to soften the January–February gap.
Best neighbourhoods for short-term rentals in Cologne
The Innenstadt (Altstadt-Nord and Altstadt-Süd around the cathedral and the Rhine) is the prime leisure zone, commanding the highest nightly rates and the steadiest occupancy thanks to walkable sights, but supply there is tight and entry prices high. Deutz, on the right bank, is the trade-fair play: it surrounds Koelnmesse and the Köln Messe/Deutz station, so listings here fill reliably during fair weeks with business guests willing to pay a premium, while being quieter between events.
The Belgisches Viertel and the adjoining Neustadt are the trendy bar, boutique and gallery quarter, popular with younger weekend travellers and Pride visitors. Südstadt offers a relaxed, residential feel near the centre at slightly lower rates. Further out, Ehrenfeld and Nippes give operators lower acquisition costs and a hip, local character that appeals to longer and repeat stays, a sensible choice for chasing yield rather than headline ADR.
Short-term rental rules in Cologne
Cologne regulates short-term lets under North Rhine-Westphalia's Housing Strengthening Act (Wohnraumstärkungsgesetz, WohnStG NRW, in force since 1 July 2021) and the city's own misuse-of-housing ordinance (Zweckentfremdung). In practice, letting residential space to tourists is subject to a notification requirement for up to 90 days per calendar year and a permit requirement (Genehmigung) beyond that; registration with the city's housing office (Wohnungsamt) is mandatory from the first booked night.
Every listing must obtain and clearly display a housing identity number (Wohnraum-Identitätsnummer), which can be requested online and is issued automatically for permitted uses, and platforms such as Airbnb enforce it. Holders must also report each individual short-term booking to the city. Operating without the number or letting beyond the permitted window risks fines, so secure the registration before publishing the listing.
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* Calculations based on 30 days/month. Actual results may vary depending on market, season, property type, and implemented strategy.
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Frequently asked questions about Airbnb occupancy in Cologne
Over the June 2025 to May 2026 period, Cologne listings averaged 58% occupancy, about 4 points below the roughly 62% average across the German cities we track. That works out to around 208 booked nights a year. The figure reflects Cologne's event-driven demand: strong around Carnival, gamescom, Pride and the Christmas markets, quieter in the weeks between.
December and October are the strongest months, with December lifted by the Christmas markets (roughly 16 November to 23 December 2026). The single biggest spike is Carnival, peaking on Rosenmontag (16 February 2026). Summer adds Cologne Pride / CSD (parade 5 July 2026) and gamescom (26–30 August 2026). January and February outside Carnival are weakest, discount to fill them.
Yes. Under NRW's Wohnraumstärkungsgesetz and Cologne's Zweckentfremdung ordinance, short-term letting to tourists requires notification for up to 90 days a year and a permit beyond that. Every listing must display a housing identity number (Wohnraum-Identitätsnummer), obtained from the city's housing office, and each booking must be reported. Register before you publish, as operating without it risks fines.
The Innenstadt (Altstadt) around the cathedral commands the top rates and steadiest leisure occupancy. Deutz, surrounding Koelnmesse, is the trade-fair play that fills during fair weeks. The Belgisches Viertel and Neustadt draw younger weekend and Pride visitors, while Ehrenfeld and Nippes offer lower acquisition costs and a local character suited to longer stays and yield over headline ADR.