Our 10 Favorite Airbnbs Around the World You Can Still Book Today

We’ve stayed in more than 70 apartments around the world — many through Airbnb — and we all know they don’t always live up to the pictures or inflated reviews. That’s why we wanted to boil it down to our favorite 10 that you can still book today. Are they all perfect? No. But we find that Airbnbs offer an affordable and comfortable way to explore a location and sometimes even give a more local vibe. All of these options were exceedingly comfortable, in a great location, and either had an outstanding view, unbelievable price, or charm that added to our experience. The last one is the spot we can’t wait to book again!

1. Havana, Cuba

If you want to experience old Havana, this is your spot. The apartment was in a perfect location with restaurants and entertainment nearby – and the interior was lovely.

We were also able to arrange experiences through Airbnb, including a walking tour and a cooking class. Read about our trip here. Explore the Airbnb here.

2. Palermo, Italy

This centrally located Airbnb in Sicily’s capital had the most amazing rooftop view and old-world charm. The building hides behind a large wooden door on the street. You cross the interior courtyard and enter the halls of the old building.

The space was huge and quirky with cool art and cute accents, like the tiny stairs leading to the rooftop. Explore the Airbnb here.

3. Ushuaia, Argentina (Patagonia) 

Looking for stunning panoramic views from the southern tip of the Americas? This is your spot. This space was also huge and the views were jaw-dropping. The only problem: it was physically a bit difficult to walk into town from here, but it was close to everything.

So, if you have a car or want to Uber, it’s an excellent location and well worth it for the views and comfort. Read about our trip to Patagonia here. Explore the Airbnb here.

4. Tromso, Norway

Now let’s travel all the way north to the Arctic circle. While this Airbnb was more rustic inside, it was, once again, all about the views.

The heart of town was only a short drive away. We did some walking, but it was definitely more of a location for driving, which we didn’t mind this time because we rented a car to explore the fjords of the area. When we wanted to have some wine with dinner, it was easy to find a taxi from town back to our apartment. Explore the Airbnb here.

5. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

This lake is absolutely gorgeous and so was the Airbnb. We stayed a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride outside of Panajachel (Pana). The apartment had stunning views and a hot tub. Although it was not in walking distance to anything, it was a perfect place to relax.

We arranged for a private cook and in-home massages, as well as a boat tour of the area. The host was super helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. Read about our trip to Guatemala here. Explore the Airbnb here.

6. Cartagena, Colombia

Admittedly, the beach at Bocagrande is nothing special, but we really enjoyed simply lounging around this gorgeous condo and hanging out by the pool all day.

We found delicious food in walking distance and hopped in an Uber to take the quick trip into the historic district. You can’t beat the comfort of this place for $105 a night. Read about our trip to Cartagena here. Explore the Airbnb here.

7. Oaxaca, Mexico

This is the culinary capital of Mexico and such an excellent spot to explore markets, restaurants, and more. Our Airbnb was super spacious for two couples and had a huge private balcony where we watched parades and other celebrations.

Bonus: it was also located on a square with ice cream shops and a beautiful cathedral. Read about our trip to Oaxaca here. Explore the Airbnb here.

8. Marseille, France

We had one of the best meals of our lives in Marseille, and it was nice to come home to a beautiful apartment.

We stayed at the Old Port with lovely views of the harbor and plenty of stores and restaurants in walking distance. Read about our culinary trip to France here. Explore the Airbnb here.

9. Talkeetna, Alaska

Sure, this cabin in Alaska is rustic, but it’s also super charming and unique.

Even better: it’s located in the heart of Talkeetna in walking distance to restaurants and provides a perfect launching point for exploring this region of Alaska – we even caught a view of Denali’s peaks on our way back into town. Read about or road trip in Alaska here. Explore the Airbnb here.

10. Panama City, Panama

This is easily one of the best spots that we would love to keep coming back to as a winter escape. The apartment is spacious, comfortable, and beautiful — with stunning views. You have everything you need right here: the Foodie market downstairs, multiple restaurants in the building, a gorgeous pool, a spa and casino next door at the Hilton, walking paths in the park, and a short Uber ride to Casco Viejo.

You can also easily arrange day trips to the canal, the jungle, and the islands and beaches. (Blog post coming soon!) Explore the Airbnb here. 

Where was your favorite Airbnb? Let us know in the comments.

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