Airbnb’s at Greek Carnival Destinations Almost Fully Booked

Photo source: Municipal Public Benefit Company- Patras Carnival

Short-term rentals across Greece are seeing occupancy rates rise, as the three-day Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) weekend approaches, primarily in the top 2 carnival towns, Patra and Xanthi, in Greece.

Based on Airbnb data, released by E-real Estates – Panhellenic Network of Real Estate, short-stays in Patra and Xanthi, as well as in towns such as Arachova, Metsovo, and Kalavryta are almost fully booked for the Kathara Deftera weekend which officially marks the end of carnival season.

Indicatively, pre-bookings in Patra and Xanthi are at 92 percent and 91 percent, respectively. Indicatively, a four-member family will pay an average 1,013 euros for a three-day short-stay in Patra and 860 euros in Xanthi.

Xanthi- the old town. Photo Source: Municipality of Xanthi

Prebookings for short-term accommodation at popular winter destinations are also going strong with Kastoria at 95 percent, Karpenisi at 92 percent, Kalavryta at 85 percent, Arachova at 80 percent, and Metsovo at 71 percent.

Prebookings for stay at short-term rentals at Kalambaka and Trikala for the three-day Clean Monday holiday are at 83% and 71% respectively. Bookings at the city of Ioannina, a traditional destination for winter getaways, have reached 89 percent and properties available for rent are under 50.

Moreover, prebookings in Kalamata and Nafplio have reached over 60 percent.

According to the E-real Estates – Panhellenic Network of Real Estate, demand at popular winter destinations countrywide mostly concerns flats or villas. Analysts add that due to relatively few available listings in many of the winter or carnival destinations, travelers are opting to book nearby. At the same time, flexible cancelation policies and good weather are expected to send occupancy levels even higher.