Airbnb properties in Athens see stronger demand in April, May and September than in summer, according to a new AirDNA analysis. However, this advantage does not come with higher rates: the average daily rate across these three months was 3.6% lower than in June, July and August.
The Greek capital is among a group of ten major European cities that are challenging the usual peak tourism calendar. Joining it are Seville, Turin, Rome, Florence, Milan, Madrid, Venice, Naples and Lyon.
For property managers, this picture raises an important question: how closely does the traditional distinction between the expensive summer season and the cheaper months before and after it now reflect demand?
What sets Athens apart
Across the ten cities, average daily demand was 22.4% higher in April, May and September 2026 than in summer. The average daily rate, known as ADR, was also 8.8% higher.
Athens was the only exception in terms of rates. In the other nine markets, guests paid more on average during these months than in summer.
This alone does not prove that Athens hosts are underpricing their properties. It does show, however, that stronger demand outside summer is not accompanied by the same pricing pattern seen in the other cities in the group.
What exactly the comparison measures
AirDNA compares the nights stayed at properties per day in each period. This avoids distortions caused by differences in the length of the months.
Therefore, the 22.4% increase is neither an annual increase in bookings nor an increase in revenue. It reflects the difference in average daily demand between two periods within the same year.
This distinction also matters for Airbnb properties in Athens: more nights stayed across the market do not automatically translate into higher revenue for every property.
Summer is not the peak season for everyone
The trend is particularly pronounced in Seville, where average daily demand across the three months outside summer was 50.5% higher and the average rate was 35.1% higher.
The ten cities combine hot summers with travel for sightseeing, culture and business commitments. These activities can benefit from the milder temperatures of spring and September.
This pattern does not, however, characterise Europe as a whole. Across the European market, these same months continue to lag behind summer in both demand and rates.
What hosts should watch
For Airbnb owners and property managers in Athens, the practical takeaway is to reconsider automatic seasonal discounts.
April, May and September require assessment based on booking pace, events, neighbourhood demand and the performance of comparable properties.
Similarly, a higher advertised summer rate is valuable when it generates satisfactory overall revenue. Tracking occupancy alongside rates helps managers identify when a seasonal assumption needs to change.
