11 of the best Airbnbs in Virginia Beach – all within easy walking distance of the sand
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- Known for its entertainment-packed boardwalk and beaches, Virginia Beach is a vibrant resort town.
- We found the best Airbnbs in Virginia Beach to enjoy a summer beach vacation.
- Every Virginia Beach vacation rental we chose is within walking distance of the beach.
With 35 miles of sandy beaches that stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is a popular destination with lively hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Most are centered around the famous three-mile-long boardwalk.
While the oceanfront boardwalk is where the action is, those seeking a quieter getaway can head to the beachfront communities of the North End, or south to the secluded neighborhoods of Sandbridge and Croatan, where my family lived for more than 15 years. The mostly residential Chick’s Beach, nestled on the Chesapeake Bay, is a great option for those with kids, with calm waters and crowd-free beaches.
And while the city is filled with hotels and resorts, you’ll enjoy more space to spread out in a vacation rental like those found on Airbnb. All our Airbnb options offer a range of amenities, price points, and are within walking distance of the beach.
Browse the best Virginia Beach Airbnbs below, or jump directly to a specific area here:
Here are the best Airbnbs in Virginia Beach, sorted by price from low to high.
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Stretching from Virginia Beach Boulevard to 23rd Street, between Pacific Avenue and the Convention Center, the ViBe District is an artistic hub packed with outdoor installations and colorful murals, artists’ studios, independent shops and restaurants, breweries, plus a popular Saturday Farmers Market.
This cute, cozy, wonderfully affordable studio is located on the first floor of a townhouse in the heart of the ViBe district, just a few blocks’ walk to the ocean. Ideal for couples or solo travelers, the small space is well-appointed with a Queen-sized bed, a bathroom with a tub and shower combo, and a kitchenette with a coffee maker, refrigerator, water cooler, and microwave. Bikes and all the beach essentials you need, including towels, chairs, an umbrella, and a cooler, are provided.
Cozy one-bedroom in Rudee Inlet
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A hub for waterfront dining with a picturesque marina where you can charter fishing boats, Rudee Inlet is just across Pacific Avenue from the beaches on the southern tip of the Oceanfront.
Light and bright and decorated with contemporary white and ecru furnishings and subtle nautical touches, this upper-story apartment is situated in a quiet residential neighborhood, but just a block from the Rudee Inlet waterfront, and three blocks from the beach.
There is a Queen-sized bed, kitchenette, and dining nook, making it best suited to couples. Though, there is a fold-out couch that can accommodate two more guests. The rental comes with bikes, beach chairs, and beach towels.
Renovated condo a block from the ocean
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This renovated one-bedroom is set in the heart of the area known as the Oceanfront, just a block from the beaches and boardwalk, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Set on the second floor of a small complex, the condo features a nice-sized living/dining area decorated with furnishings done up in a soothing, beach-inspired palette of greys and whites with splashes of turquoise. There is a large bedroom with a King-sized bed, and a kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, and coffeemaker. A pull-out sofa in the living room offers additional sleeping and a pack and play or other children’s items are available upon request.
Make use of the included beach chairs, towels, umbrella, beach blankets, and snorkeling gear, for a great day at the beach.
Oceanfront studio with a shared pool in the North End
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Tucked away in the desirable North End, just steps to the boardwalk, beach, and area attractions, this nicely updated apartment features water views that are hard to beat at this starting price. A spacious balcony is a prime space to admire the vantage point over the Atlantic, especially first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee.
The studio is open plan, meaning the Queen bed, living area (with Queen-size sofa bed), and kitchen all share one large room, so this home is best for a solo traveler or couple. The kitchen is small but functional with stainless steel appliances, all the pots and dishware you’ll need, and a coffee maker, though, there’s no dishwasher.
The host provides linens, towels, beach towels, beach chairs, and a cooler, and staying here includes a reserved parking space, plus access to shared community amenities such as a saltwater pool facing the ocean, a large BBQ deck area, and a lawn on the beach.
Midcentury modern home in the North End
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One of two units in an oceanside bungalow located in the North End area of Virginia Beach, this property has a cool, retro vibe thanks to midcentury modern-style furnishings and bright, primary-colored accents in the separate living and dining rooms.
A more sedate gray-and-cream design scheme defines the bedroom, which has a Queen-sized bed. There is also an inflatable Queen-sized mattress, two full bathrooms, and a large patio outside with separate lounging and dining areas, surrounded by leafy trees. Hang out and fire up the grill or rinse off in the outdoor shower after a day at the beach.
This Airbnb is also within walking distance to First Landing State Park, with a lush maritime forest, lagoons, marshes, and 20 miles of hiking trails.
Waterfront apartment in Croatan
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Located about 1.5 miles south of the bustling Oceanfront, the upscale Croatan neighborhood is a great option if you’re looking for a quieter beach experience. Set on the ground floor of a lakefront home, this freshly renovated apartment features wood floors, a sleek tiled kitchen with industrial lighting, a four-seater breakfast bar, and a soothing gray and cream color scheme throughout.
The two bedrooms have Queen-sized beds and the pull-out sofa adds extra sleeping space. Two spacious decks — one covered — offer plenty of outdoor seating for lovely sunny days, plus a grill for summer barbecues.
It’s just two blocks to Croatan Beach, which has fewer crowds than many area beaches given the residential neighborhood’s parking restrictions. All the restaurants and bars of Rudee Inlet and the Oceanfront are just a short drive away.
Centrally located stay in a renovated beach shack
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This three-bedroom apartment is set inside a charming, bright-blue beach shack dubbed The Old Salt, built in 1910 and was just renovated this year. You won’t get much closer to the action than here; the home is a block from the Boardwalk, the beach, and 24th Street Park, where festivals and live concerts regularly take place.
Decorated in a distinctly beachy style, the apartment features understated nautical accents and an open living room/kitchen with a large island for dining. There’s also a bar area with everything you need to mix up cocktails, which are best enjoyed on the upper deck, which has seating for eight. There are two bedrooms, one with Queen-sized beds, the other with a King, and both are simply decorated but have attractive wood floors.
While the property very centrally located, it’s surrounded by restaurants and hotels, so be aware that the views are mainly of parking lots.
Family-friendly beach retreat with a pool in Sandbridge
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Great for nature lovers, the secluded peninsula community of Sandbridge offers miles of pristine beaches as well as freshwater activities like fishing and boating on the bay side. At the southern end is the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, with biking and walking trails and plenty of bird-watching.
Abutting the refuge is this family-friendly, three-story home, complete with a large outdoor pool, poolside tiki bar, and lots of indoor/outdoor dining and lounging space. Children will love all the thoughtful play areas, including a mini, kid-sized kitchen and a cool pirate ship filled with “cannonballs.”
Of its four bedrooms, two have bunk beds, one has a fun nautical design, while the other has bright pink bedspreads. Walls also are painted with full-size maritime-inspired murals featuring whales and lighthouses.
The home is just a block from the beach and comes with all the gear you need, including beach carts, toys, and towels.
Recently-built house close to the Oceanfront
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Everything about this recently constructed home feels fresh, from the open-plan living/dining room/kitchen to the bright, spacious upstairs bedrooms. It has nice laminate wood floors and a serene, beachy color scheme, plus a well-equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a separate laundry room with a full-sized washer/dryer ideal for long-term stays. The private backyard has a gas grill and dining table and additional seating can be found on the front porch.
The home is located in a residential neighborhood just a few blocks from the beach and the boardwalk, though, be aware you’ll have to cross busy Pacific Avenue to get there. It’s also close to the bustling restaurant scene around 23rd Street.
Luxe abode in the historic Cavalier Shores neighborhood
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Just a block from the 42nd Street beach, at the northern end of the Boardwalk, this 2,500-square-foot, early 20th-century stucco home is set in the charming historic neighborhood of Cavalier Shores, which is dotted with vintage beach houses, red-brick Colonials, and ancient live oaks.
The home feels like a Mediterranean villa, with beautifully preserved architectural details, including high ceilings, French doors, oak-plank floors, transom windows, and a wood-burning fireplace. Outfitted with plush furnishings, rich textiles, and high-quality linens, it feels incredibly luxurious, while unique amenities such as a vintage hi-fi with a curated collection of LPs give it the personalized touch of a home.
The huge gourmet kitchen looks plucked from a magazine, with custom tile work, gleaming black counters, and a mirrored bar, but perhaps the most impressive space is the sprawling balcony off the main suite, with outdoor sofas and great views of the century-old Cavalier Hotel.
Big bay-front property in Chick’s Beach
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While much of Virginia Beach is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north is the Chesapeake Bay, with beaches well-suited to young children thanks to gentle, warm waters and a family-friendly vibe.
Known to locals as Chick’s Beach, this peaceful residential enclave is where you’ll find this waterfront home, offering spectacular bay views plus direct access to the quiet, sandy beach. While pricier, it feels distinctly high-end.
There’s plenty of room to spread out in the multi-story home, which has two living rooms, a large dining area, and outdoor space on every level, including a sprawling beachfront deck with a gas grill and bar. The top-floor living area is ideal for entertaining, with lots of sleek white leather seating, a wet bar, and glass sliders opening to a wraparound deck with direct water views.
The four bedrooms feature a variety of sleeping configurations and each has its pluses, from direct ocean views right from bed to private balconies, and a bathroom with a massive walk-in shower.
FAQ: Airbnb in Virginia Beach
Where is Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is located on the southeast coast of the state of Virginia, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the most populous city in Virginia, made up of numerous inland and coastal communities, with the Virginia Beach Oceanfront being the main resort area.
Studded with marine-themed statues, including the towering bronze figure of Neptune, the 28-foot-wide paved boardwalk draws tourists and locals alike, who come to stroll, bike, roller-blade, and catch live music and festivals at its many seaside stages.
Where are the best places to stay in a Virginia Beach Airbnb?
If you want to be in the middle of the action, opt for the Oceanfront, which stretches from 2nd Street to 40th Street and is packed with hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues on and around the Boardwalk. Most vacation rentals here are condos and the party atmosphere appeals to a younger crowd.
If you want a larger house with amenities and a calmer beach experience, look for Airbnbs in Virginia Beach on the northern end, starting in the mid-30s and going up to 90th Street. The farther north you go, the quieter and more residential it gets.
During the high summer season, trolleys run frequently from the southern end of the Oceanfront to Shore Drive (roughly 83rd Street), so you can easily get to all the nightlife hotspots.
Other desirable oceanfront communities for Airbnbs in Virginia Beach include Croatan and Sandbridge to the south, and to the far north, the tranquil Chesapeake Bay beaches of Chick’s Beach offer a truly locals-only experience.
What is there to do in Virginia Beach?
By far the most popular attraction is the 3-mile-long Virginia Beach Boardwalk, whose wide, paved beachfront path is ideal for strolling, biking, or rollerblading.
Try your hand at high-octane water sports, including surfing, wakeboarding, parasailing, and jet-skiing, or more relaxing activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing.
State parks offer hiking and biking trails and fantastic bird-watching opportunities. For kids, there’s the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the Ocean Breeze Waterpark, and several other amusement parks. There’s also great dining, with a focus on local seafood, and more than 20 craft breweries and taphouses.
How much does it cost to rent a beach house in Virginia Beach?
There’s a big variety in terms of price, location, size, and amenities. As expected, rentals on or near the beach and close to the buzzy Oceanfront are generally more expensive.
You can often find better deals on properties along the quieter Chesapeake Bay beaches. Prices fluctuate wildly depending on the time of year; summer (from Memorial Day through Labor Day) is peak season so expect a surge in prices, especially on weekends and holidays. Shoulder season sees lower rates; September and October, when temps are usually still warm but crowds are fewer, are great months to visit.
A two-bedroom bungalow in walking distance to the beach can run as little as $80 per night in October, while that same property in July is $199 per night. Larger properties see bigger price surges, like a five-bedroom oceanside home that can be had for just $250 per night in the off-season, but the summer rate quintuples to $1,250. Many homes book up fast during the coveted summer season so be sure to plan ahead.
Be sure to also budget extra fees for cleaning, service fees, and other additional costs imposed by vacation rentals such as Airbnb.
Is Virginia Beach open to visitors?
If you are planning to travel to Virginia Beach during COVID-19, know that there are no Virginia Beach travel restrictions currently.
There is a statewide face-covering requirement in place; you can read more about Virginia’s current COVID travel restrictions on the state government’s website.
How do I book a vacation rental in Virginia Beach on Airbnb?
You may search for homes on Airbnb and filter results based on location, price, date, the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, amenities, and more. For more information on how to book on Airbnb, click here.
What is Airbnb’s cancellation policy?
Cancellation policies on Airbnb differ for every home. For a full breakdown of Airbnb’s cancellation policies, click here.
Is it safe to stay in an Airbnb right now?
Experts say that private home rentals on Airbnb are safe, especially compared to hotels. The CDC also now says it’s safe for fully vaccinated individuals to travel domestically in the US.
However, there are still risks associated with traveling. Be sure to follow CDC guidelines, such as practicing social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing hands frequently.
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