Curling 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of Massachusetts, Cape Cod juts out like a flexing arm. It’s an apt geographic metaphor for a summer vacation spot that packs a mighty punch: Within these roughly 1,300 square miles, you’ll find historic fishing villages and whaling ports, lighthouses, hiking and biking trails, boutique-lined main streets, and hundreds of miles of pristine beaches.
The region boasts plenty of unique lodging options, including a glamping resort with Airstream trailers, but if you truly want to get on Cape Cod’s salty, nautical wavelength, an Airbnb is the best way to live like a local. Sip Cape Codders in the backyard with friends, grill seafood or slurp down oysters, and slow down to the pace of these laid-back coastal communities, where little has changed since the days the Kennedys sought solitude on these sandy shores.
This Cape Cod map shows the area’s different towns.
Illustration by Shutterstock
Cape Cod regions and towns
Among Cape Cod’s many towns are quaint Chatham, historic Sandwich, artsy Wellfleet, and the LGBTQ haven of Provincetown (aka P-town) at the Cape’s windswept tip. Here are the main areas to consider when booking an Airbnb or vacation rental in Cape Cod.
The Upper Cape: At only about an hour’s drive from Boston, Cape Cod’s most accessible stretch comprises the towns of Falmouth, Mashpee, Bourne, and historic Sandwich, which dates back to 1639. Less glitzy than some of the more remote destinations farther along the peninsula, the area is home to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, historic museums, and charming fishing hamlets.
The Mid-Cape: Flanked by Cape Cod Bay to the north and Nantucket Sound to the south, the region’s buzzing tourist heart includes Dennis, Yarmouth, and the seven villages of Barnstable—one of which, Hyannis, is often referred to as the Capital of the Cape. The former stomping grounds of the Kennedy clan, this populated and commercial section is also a gateway for sightseeing tour boats and the ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
The Lower Cape: Located on the Cape’s “elbow,” this stretch includes four towns: Brewster, with its grand sea captains’ mansions; artsy Orleans, with its galleries and performing arts venue; the former whaling port of Harwich, from which you can now embark on seal-watching cruises; and pedestrian-friendly Chatham, with its high-end boutiques and plenty of access to nature.
The Outer Cape: Dominated by the 44,000-acre Cape Cod National Seashore and its 40 miles of beaches and lighthouses, the cape’s ruggedly wild tip includes bucolic Truro, which inspired the paintings of Edward Hopper; Eastham, crisscrossed with hiking and biking trails; Wellfleet, which boasts its own variety of oysters; and Provincetown, a historic village that dates back to the arrival of the Pilgrims (they came here before Plymouth, 402 years ago) and later emerged as one of the East Coast’s gay-friendliest beach resorts and party destinations.
7 Highly Vetted Airbnbs in Cape Cod
At the time of publishing, these Cape Cod Airbnbs are all part of Airbnb’s Guest Favorites collection, which launched in 2023. Each of these vetted rentals has an overall rating of 4.90 or higher and all positive reviews from previous guests. From sprawling multi-bedroom homes to cozy beachfront cottages, these seven Airbnbs are the perfect jumping-off point for a beachy summer getaway.
Previous guests rave about this Airbnb’s location in the heart of Chatham.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Family-friendly, five-bedroom house near the beach
- Location: Chatham
- Sleeps: 12
- Book now: airbnb.com
With five bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, this cedar-shingled house is perfect for entertaining a crowd—and thanks to the available crib, pack ’n’ play, safety gates, and kids’ toys, that crowd can happily include the under-five set. Expect subtly maritime touches like crab-print wallpaper and wall art depicting seascapes or bathing suits, plus a sunny kitchen with navy-blue cabinetry and glass-fronted storage spaces that would look right at home in a Nancy Meyers rom-com. Located on a quiet side street, the house is a quick stroll from Main Street and its movie theater, restaurants, ice cream shops, and Veterans Field, home to the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. And you’re mere minutes away from Oyster Pond Beach, a saltwater tidal inlet where the water is calmer, warmer, and shallower than ocean beaches—excellent for young swimmers.
With walking access to everything in P-town, you won’t need a car at this Airbnb if you take the ferry from Boston.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Quiet modern home with decks and a fireplace
- Location: Provincetown
- Sleeps: 4
- Book now: airbnb.com
The five framed maritime signal flags on the living room wall set the tone here, and if you don’t speak the language of the seas, we’ll help you crack the code: They spell out P-TOWN! Throughout the classic Cape Cod–style home, you’ll find a patriotic palette of reds, whites, and blues with thoughtful touches like a traditional golden cod above the door and vintage books like Edward Rowe Snow’s A Pilgrim Returns to Cape Cod in case you forgot to pack something to read. In addition to its two bedrooms, there’s a loft with a pull-out double bed, and the gas fireplace is a welcome addition if you book during the brisk off-season. A few minutes walk from bustling Commercial Street, the house is especially well located for history buffs, who will enjoy access to the nearly 253-foot-tall granite Pilgrim Monument, the Provincetown Museum, and the Provincetown Cemetery, where author Norman Mailer and painter Robert Motherwell are buried.
This four-bedroom house is great for larger groups.
Photo by Joseph Mouzon
Farmhouse-style haven with vaulted ceilings
- Location: Chatham
- Sleeps: 8
- Book now: airbnb.com
This farmhouse-inspired cottage in Chatham features exposed timber beams and abundant seafaring design elements, including model sailboats, porthole-like mirrors, a sperm whale carving on the living room wall, and a chair upholstered with sea fan coral print fabric. Cozy up on the deep-set leather sectional around the fireplace, plan a backyard barbecue, or head to the nearby Hardings and Ridgevale Beaches on Nantucket Sound. Among the property’s four bedrooms is a ground-floor suite with its own entrance, which affords an added touch of privacy if you need a break from a larger group. And the listing’s comments section is filled with tales of owner Bill living up to his title of “superhost,” dropping everything to deliver a new propane tank for the grill or offer area recommendations.
Keep in mind the shower is located outdoors and the sleeping loft is accessible by ladder steps.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Rustic writer’s cabin in the woods
- Location: Wellfleet
- Sleeps: 2
- Book now: airbnb.com
There’s something magical about this tiny home, hidden in the woods outside of Wellfleet, with its colorful quilts, stained glass, wood-burning stove, and shelves lined with hundreds of books. Owners Susannah and Russell are, respectively, a writer for the arts section of the local newspaper and a carpenter who’s been building Cape Cod–style homes for more than three decades, and they’ve crafted a relaxing retreat that’s surrounded on all sides by nature. Wellfleet’s beaches, ponds, trails, and shops are all easily accessible, but once you walk the wooded path and climb the stairs to this cozy cabin, you may be more inclined to spend your time in quiet contemplation in the reading nook, at the writing desk, or surrounded by birdsong on the porch. Bonus: You’ll wake up to a batch of freshly baked muffins on your doorstep.
The monochromatic details in this beachfront cottage evoke the ocean outside.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Newly renovated beachfront cottage
- Location: North Truro
- Sleeps: 6
- Book now: airbnb.com
The two-bedroom Atabey Cottage is a study in white that extends from the walls to the rafters, the bedding to the sun-drenched kitchen. Punctuating that beachy minimalism are a series of design details rendered in seafoams and turquoises, as a reference to the ocean outside your door: The blue-green colors appear on the coffee pot, the toaster, the tea kettle, the dishware, the wineglasses, the knives, and more whimsical touches, such as a school of fish swimming across the living room wall. On the private beach out back, you can put your feet in the sand while relaxing in the Adirondack or lounge chairs or around the picnic table, and the second-floor balcony provides an even better vantage point for watching playful seals or even the occasional breaching humpback whale. The property is a seven-minute drive to Provincetown and located next to the photogenic Days’ Cottages, which have been a landmark in these parts for more than 90 years.
This spacious house in Hyannis Port includes 100 feet of private beachfront.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Spacious house with private beachfront
- Location: Hyannis Port
- Sleeps: 10
- Book now: airbnb.com
If you’re traveling with a group, this four-bedroom house in Hyannis Port is made for entertaining. Most of your time will be spent in the multi-story living space, with its vaguely A-frame roof and timber beams, plenty of windows overlooking the harbor, and a serene loft reached via a spiral staircase. The decor forgos beachside clichés in favor of a more classic New England look (think lots of sturdy wood furniture), though you’ll only have to step outside to experience the shore, in the form of 100 feet of private beach access. There’s an outdoor shower for washing off the sand and a grill for alfresco dining next to the seagrass-covered dunes. Come evening, you can watch the sunset over one of the finest slices of real estate in the region: the Kennedy Compound.
A barrel sauna is one of the many perks in this property’s well-stocked backyard.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Mid-Cape home with barrel sauna and paddleboards
- Location: Yarmouth
- Sleeps: 8
- Book now: airbnb.com
Some Airbnbs are made for total relaxation; others are better suited for those who can’t sit still. This three-bedroom house in Yarmouth is, impressively, a bit of both. Sure, it comes with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (life vests included), perfect for exploring nearby Flax Pond or Long Pond, a few minutes away on foot. And, yes, there’s a “party shed,” a cleverly designed cabana in the backyard complete with a neon sign, smart TV, bar stools, and mini fridge. But there are also plenty of places to just sit and chill, including cushioned seating around a Solo Stove firepit out back. The coolest amenity is no doubt the barrel sauna, which heats up to 200ºF, fits six people, and comes with essential oils. The house is stocked with all the essentials for parents (pack ’n’ play, bassinet, kids’ dishware), pet owners (leashes, memory foam pet beds, toys, a crate), and even coffee lovers (a Nespresso, a Keurig, a drip coffee pot, a French press, and a Chemex pour-over coffee maker).
This article was originally published in 2022; it was updated on April 25, 2024, with current information.
