Jacksonville is an underrated vacation destination, with everything from a spectacular coastline and beautiful beaches to lively riverfront areas and a thriving arts scene.
The largest city by area in the continental U.S., Jacksonville offers the ideal mix of big-city attractions, buzzing nightlife, Southern charm, and outdoor adventure.
The question isn’t whether to visit, but where to stay. So if you’re looking for the best airbnbs in Jacksonville, check out the list below for the top picks from beachfront mansions to bungalows near the city’s hippest neighborhoods.
Related Read: 13 Incredible Airbnbs in Miami, Florida
1. Springfield Carriage House
Why you should stay: A super-affordable airbnb within walking distance to shopping and dining.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $64/night
If you want to enjoy the city attractions or catch an NFL game, this one-bedroom carriage house sits in an eclectic neighborhood just two miles from TIAA Bank Field (the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars) and less than three miles from the convention center. There are many places to enjoy a bite to eat or a drink within walking distance, too.
A cozy, stylish place, it comes with all the modern comforts and plenty of personal touches, like coffee and bath scrubs. Its only 400 square feet, but a light color scheme and simple decor makes it feel far roomier.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: Top 10 East Coast Vacation Spots You Never Considered (But Should!)
2. Amazing Retreat
Why you should stay: A destination in itself, or the perfect base for a beach vacation.
- Sleeps: 12
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $326/night
While this comfortable home is just a few minutes from the beach, you may not want to leave at all, with plenty to do night and day. Enjoy hanging out around the heated saltwater pool, relaxing in the hot tub, cooking on the grill, and dining al fresco in the screened-in outdoor sitting and dining area. After dark, have fun in the game room which includes foosball, shuffleboard and ping-pong, as well as a Smart TV with a Roku stick.
If you do decide to enjoy time on the sand, there are plenty of beach and chairs, plus a cooler so you won’t run out of cold ones on the beach.
Check Availability“The beach is 8 minutes away which is great! Great amenities pool, game room and jacuzzi. Plenty of room.”
Related Read: 10 Best Cabin Rentals in Florida for a Relaxing Vacay
3. Beach Bungalow
Why you should stay: Close to the beach, complete with everything you need for the ultimate vacation.
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $399/night
This beach bungalow includes a beautiful pool and is less than a half-mile to the beach, as well as one of the city’s top beach parks. The backyard is the ultimate oasis, with not only a heated pool, but a porch that has an outdoor TV for movies under the stars.
While the backyard is the definite highlight, there is really no detail overlooked here. The hosts have thought of most everything, so you should be quite comfortable the whole time you’re here. Sure, it’s not the cheapest of the airbnbs in Jacksonville, but if you visit in the off-season (spring and summer) you can get it at its lowest price.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 8 Weekend Road Trips From Tampa, Florida
4. Home Awave
Why you should stay: Shack up in an ultra-modern houseboat.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $264/night
Enjoy a stay on the water — literally — at Home Awave, a floating home with spectacular views from every room and luxury amenities, too. It sits in a quiet marina, providing a peaceful haven complete with a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, a Smart TV with DirectTV, and even a washer and dryer.
The only regret guests note is not having booked more time, and odds are you’ll do the same. So be sure and take that into consideration when reserving. It feels like sleeping on a lux yacht, but if you do feel the need to leave home, there’s a tiki bar at the marina you can stroll to on a few minutes.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 12 Best Glamping Spots in Florida for Soaking Up the Sunshine
5. Casa Grace
Why you should stay: Historic home with modern luxuries in a fantastic Jacksonville neighborhood.
- Sleeps: 6
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $109/night
Located in the heart of the Springfield Historic District in Jacksonville, Casa Grace is a historic home with a modern interior walking distance from parks, top restaurants and recreational activities.
The downtown theater district is four minutes away and all the city’s hotspots are within easy reach, from the river to the beaches. The home sleeps six, but you’ll be charged $39 extra per additional guest, so be sure to chat with the owners in advance if you’re filling the house.
“If you want to stay in an elegant, well-appointed home, this is the one! From the high, southern ceilings to the impeccable kitchen, the sumptuous main bathroom! I highly recommend staying here!”
Follow ’em: @casagrace904
Check Availability6. PV Beach House
Why you should stay: Ridiculously cool outdoor space with million-dollar decor inside.
- Sleeps: 10
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $645/night
This two-acre, resort-style estate is three miles from the beach and includes lots of luxuries while providing plenty of room for a large family, plus extended family, too.
Outdoors, you’ll have a screened-in veranda with a pool, a hot tub, a shower, bath, and kitchen, and inside, there’s a massive chef’s kitchen and roomy bedrooms. It’s one of the more expensive airbnbs in Jacksonville, but it’s a good fit if you’re looking for something luxurious.
Check Availability“GORGEOUS! I had my wedding and reception on the property and many of the guests inquired about booking the property. It was so beautiful and gave the right mix of sophistication and comfort.”
Related Read: 9 Gorgeous Beachfront Airbnbs in Florida
7. Secluded Estate
Why you should stay: A home that feels like your own personal private resort.
- Sleeps: 15
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $950/night
Book this secluded estate in Ponte Vedra Beach and feel like you’re staying in your very own resort, with a quiet setting and no other tourists to share the pool. It even comes with a theater for relaxing with a good movie, complimentary bikes to ride to the beach, and a lighted clay tennis court. While it has a kitchen that has everything you need to prepare your own meals, you can instead of to hire a private chef to do all the work for you.
Bring the cousins, aunt, uncles and grandparents, or a large group of your friends as this home is extra-spacious and ideal for entertaining. There’s an outdoor kitchen with a grill and gas cooking stove, a furnished patio and porches, and pool toys and floaties for the kids. If you do manage to tear yourself away from the home, you might want to explore St. Augustine, only 20 minutes away. (It’s about 30 minutes to downtown Jacksonville)
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 10 Unique Places to Stay in Florida for a Most Memorable Vacay
Plan Your Jacksonville Trip
- Spend a day at the beach at lively Jacksonville Beach, laid-back Huguenot Park and Micker’s Landing, or posh Atlantic and Neptune beaches.
- Watch for manatees, dolphins and a wide range of bird species atTimucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
- Take self-guided tour of the Jax Ale Trail, which highlights the Jacksonville area’s award-winning craft brewery scene. Pick up a Brewery Passport and get it stamped at each one you visit and you’ll get some free Jax Ale Trail beer gear to take home as a souvenir.
- Enjoy close encounters with tigers, lions, cougars, leopards and bobcats at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Shop the Riverside Arts Market, with food trucks, handcrafted jewelry, spectacular works of art, live music and dance performances, and farms showcasing fresh fruits, vegetables, and more.
- Hike the trails in the 126-acre Jacksonville Arbortetum & Gardens, which includes a large lake and centuries-old live oak trees.
- Explore the riverside Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens with more than 6,000 works of art, some of which date back to 2,100 B.C.
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Seen in: Florida, Southeast, Where to Stay