11 gorgeous Cape Cod Airbnbs for the perfect summer vacation
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With the official start of summer less than two weeks away, there’s never been a better time to book a summer vacation. And what better place to spend a week off than on the idyllic shores of Cape Cod?
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Martha’s Vineyard has the celebrities, Nantucket has the Figawi race, but Cape Cod has 15 picturesque towns, each with something different to offer a summer vacationer. And as luck would have it, there are tons of Cape Cod cottages, condos, and carriage houses available to rent on Airbnb. Here are 11 gorgeous ones.
Woods Hole Cottage in Falmouth
Woods Hole cottage in Falmouth.
This beautifully renovated 1930s cottage in the heart of Woods Hole Village in Falmouth is located within walking distance of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry, and the beach. The cottage is equipped with a gourmet kitchen, and its owner has the cottage set up to accommodate families with kids.
The reviews say: “This is a beautiful, quaint and cozy home with a seaside beach-y decor! The location offers an easy walk into Woods Hole and the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard as well as short drives to many nearby beaches and other points of interest.”
Cost per night: $88 for two guests; $7 for each additional guest, up to six.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Hygge Barn in Sandwich
Hygge Barn in Sandwich.
Hygge is a Danish word that means “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” If you’re looking for a bit more hygge in your life, this barn in Sandwich is a good place to start. Along with a European chef’s kitchen and high ceilings, the barn loft has a candlelit Jøtul stove, a creek-side yard with hammock and fire pit, and access to an on-site sauna.
The reviews say: “What a wonderful stay at Krista’s place. We were thrilled with the unique architecture and design. Even better than the pictures. The open layout made the four of us feel super comfortable just hanging out.”
Cost per night: $340 for up to four guests.
Distance from Boston: 1.5 hours.
Cape Cod Townhouse in Mashpee
Cape Cod Townhouse in Mashpee.
This Mashpee townhouse is great for families with kids, thanks to an expansive backyard and its location less than 100 yards from the beach. You’ll also be within easy access to nature hikes through the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge and Jehu Pond Conservation Area, and only be a short drive away from Seconsett Island and Monomoscoy Island.
The reviews say: “We absolutely loved staying in Dr. Rick’s beach house. The home had everything we needed — beach supplies, games, etc. We have two young kids, and the place was perfect for them. The beach was very close, and there were cute shops and restaurants within walking distance.”
Cost per night: $320 for up to six guests.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Waterfront House in Yarmouth
Waterfront House in Yarmouth.
While the Atlantic Ocean gets all the hype, you can still enjoy a saltwater swim miles inland from the ocean shores on the Cape. This waterfront Yarmouth home, located on the saltwater Follins Pond, offers guests a private dock, kayaks, and an elevated deck if you’d rather watch the aquatic activity from on high.
The reviews say: “The house is as beautiful as the pictures indicate and is stocked with all the creature comforts of home. Getting there was an easy jaunt from Boston, and getting to restaurants, supermarkets, playgrounds, and dog parks was so easy from the house.”
Cost per night: $285 for up to seven guests.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Sea Glass Cottage in Dennis
Sea Glass Cottage in Dennis.
Just north of Follins Pond is the freshwater Flax Pond in Dennis. That’s where you’ll find the Sea Glass Cottage, which features a sunroom with upholstered benches, vaulted ceilings, air conditioning, and marble countertops. Plus, kayaks are available for use if you want to explore the pond.
The reviews say: “Sea glass cottage was a perfect cozy haven for our foursome (plus dog). Aruna was great, easy to communicate with, and she has tons of great recommendations. We loved kayaking in the pond and strolling through the nearby nature trails, and the house is really convenient to all of the towns around Dennis.”
Cost per night: $149 for up to four guests.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Beach House in Brewster
Beach House in Brewster.
Brewster is located just before the horn of the cape, making it a great midway point for day trips all around Cape Cod. If you stay in this beach house, however, you may just cancel all the day trips and enjoy the wraparound deck, open-concept kitchen, and comfy entertainment room on the lower level. The house is also steps from the town center and less than a mile from the beaches of Cape Cod Bay.
The reviews say: “The pictures do not do this AMAZING place justice! The outdoor shower is phenomenal, spacious and hot! The baby bunnies and other wildlife hop right onto the lawn and frolic about all day. I love this place so much.”
Cost per night: $250 for up to eight guests.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Sara’s Carriage House in Harwich
Sara’s Carriage House in Harwich.
This carriage house in Harwich may be small, but it’s also two homes in one—it was built as a combination of a post and beam barn and an attached cottage. The cozily furnished house is centrally located for day trips all over Cape Cod, and less than half a mile from the Freedom Ferry to Nantucket, across from Saquatucket Harbor.
The reviews say: “We loved staying at Sara’s Carriage House in Harwich. We were expecting a small cottage, but what we got was a full house complete with a beautiful kitchen, living room and two bedrooms. We would definitely stay here again.”
Cost per night: $250 for up to five guests.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Private Lakefront Retreat in Orleans
Private Lakefront Retreat in Orleans.
Located at the end of a private road in a quiet, woodsy section of Orleans, this lakefront retreat offers outstanding views of Pilgrim Lake from its two outdoor decks. There’s plenty of outdoor furniture, a gas grill, and a private dock for swimming and boating. Plus, it’s a short drive away from four public saltwater beaches.
The reviews say: “This private lakefront retreat was everything that was promised – beautiful, bucolic setting but close to everything on the Cape. We loved having our morning coffee on the deck, watching the mist on the lake.”
Cost per night: $250 for up to six guests.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Charming Old Sea Captain’s B&B in Eastham
Charming Sea Captain’s B&B in Eastham.
If you’re up for a B&B experience with some lively, creative hosts, check out the Sea Captain B&B, run by a married couple who live in a recently built tree house across the yard. It’s vibrantly decorated and features a grand piano, and breakfast is served every morning on the screened porch or in the dining room.
The reviews say: “The place is just amazing! The room is clean, cozy, and pretty. My parents and I enjoyed an excellent experience here.”
Cost per night: $110 for two guests; $30 for each additional guest, up to four.
Distance from Boston: 2 hours.
Oceanfront Condo in Truro
Oceanfront Condo in Truro.
Step off the porch and onto the beach at this Truro oceanfront condo, with views of the Atlantic that can’t be beat. Conveniently located less than 10 minutes away from the center of Provincetown, guests can enjoy flinging both sets of glass sliding doors open to let in the ocean breeze, or cooling down with central AC when the mercury climbs.
The reviews say: “Everything was perfect. We have 3 young kids and it couldn’t have been better. Central AC was huge and the views were incredible.”
Cost per night: $257 for up to six guests.
Distance from Boston: 2.5 hours.
Quintessential Waterfront Cottage in Provincetown
Quintessential Waterfront Cottage in Provincetown.
Located just across the Provincetown/Truro border in the Beach Point area, this 1930s waterfront cottage has been carefully restored to maintain its original wood walls, ceilings and floors, and sun-filled rooms, while also adding the luxury of new bathrooms, a new kitchen, a gas grill, and an open living room with a wood-burning brick fireplace. Lucky for you, whoever built the house in the 1930s had the common sense to make sure each one of the bedrooms faces the water for some truly spectacular views.
The reviews say: “Just might be the best value we’re received in a long while. Would go back in a heartbeat. The cottage is every bit as great as the pictures indicate, and more.”
Cost per night: $145 for up to six guests.
Distance from Boston: 2.5 hours.
