Best Cities for Vacation Rentals in 2026: Top 10 Places Where an Apartment Beats a Hotel

Searches for "vacation rentals" are up again this year, and it makes sense. If you're traveling as a family, staying more than a few nights, or working remotely, a place with a kitchen and a washing machine can make a trip better and cheaper. But 2026 is also the year that a lot of cities stopped tolerating short-term rentals. Barcelona is phasing out tourist apartment licenses, New York City's Local Law 18 has pretty much ended the classic Airbnb, and Amsterdam caps how many nights a year a whole home can be rented out.

So where do rentals still make sense? We ranked 10 cities where short-term rentals are widely available and where your money goes further than it would at a hotel. The rankings also take into account whether the city is safe to wander and whether its neighborhoods are good to live in for a week or a month. They use Voyica's comparison of 340 cities across 73+ metrics, including cost and rent data from Numbeo and Expatistan, safety data from the Global Peace Index and Numbeo Crime Index, and walkability scores from Walk Score.

The 10 Best Cities for Vacation Rentals in 2026

1. 1. Lisbon, Portugal

   Lisbon has tightened new rental licenses in its most crowded central parishes, but there are still lots of licensed apartments, and the good ones have tiled facades, tall ceilings and views across the Tagus. Look outside Alfama and Baixa. Campo de Ourique, Graça and Arroios feel more local and usually cost less. Numbeo's data puts Lisbon's costs well below those of Paris or London, though rents have been rising fast. Spring and early fall are the best times to go. Tip: always check that the listing shows an AL (Alojamento Local) registration number.

2. 2. Mexico City, Mexico

   Roma Norte and Condesa have the most apartments with good design, leafy streets and some of the best food in the Americas. TasteAtlas and Time Out both rank CDMX near the top for food. The city now caps how many days a year a unit can be rented, which has pushed out some operators, but supply is still huge. Numbeo's Crime Index puts it in the moderate range, so stay in well-reviewed neighborhoods and use ride-hail apps at night. October through April is dry and mild.

3. 3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

   Chiang Mai is one of the best places anywhere for a longer rental. Condos in Nimman and Santitham with a pool, a gym and fast Wi-Fi cost about what a basic hotel room costs in Western Europe, and Ookla's Speedtest data rates Thailand's fixed broadband highly. Thai law technically restricts condo rentals shorter than 30 days, so book monthly stays or licensed serviced apartments. Avoid burning season from roughly February to April, when IQAir readings spike. November to January is the best time.

4. 4. Bali (Denpasar region), Indonesia

   If you want a private pool villa at the price of a chain hotel room, Bali is hard to beat. Canggu and Uluwatu attract surfers and nomads. Ubud has jungle villas and a quieter pace. Traffic is bad, so pick your base carefully and don't plan to commute across the island. The dry season runs from May to September. Tip: book villas with backup power and a water filter.

5. 5. Tbilisi, Georgia

   Tbilisi is one of the most underrated rental cities in Europe and Asia. Old Tbilisi and Sololaki have apartments in restored 19th-century buildings with carved wooden balconies, and Numbeo and Expatistan both put costs among the lowest in the region. Americans can stay visa-free for up to a year, according to the Henley Passport Index, so a month-long stay is easy. The city feels safe for walking. Late spring and September are perfect.

6. 6. Split, Croatia

   Split's apartment culture is huge. Many locals rent out the top floor in summer, so you can find stone apartments inside or right next to Diocletian's Palace. In July and August, prices jump and so do the crowds. Go in May, June or September, when the Adriatic is warm and rates drop a lot. Split is also a good base for ferries to Hvar, Brač and Vis. Croatia ranks well on the Global Peace Index.

7. 7. Buenos Aires, Argentina

   Buenos Aires has spacious apartments in Palermo and Recoleta, often with balconies and Parisian-style layouts, at prices that are good for visitors paying in dollars. Argentina's exchange rates have been volatile, so check current conditions and whether your card gets a good rate. Walk Score rates the core neighborhoods very highly. Watch for pickpockets on the Subte. October to December brings jacaranda season and warm evenings.

8. 8. Kraków, Poland

   Kraków has a fairytale Old Town and rental prices that are still well below Western Europe's, per Numbeo. Kazimierz is the best neighborhood for a rental, with cafés, bars and a lot of history within walking distance. Poland rates highly for safety in both the Global Peace Index and the Numbeo Crime Index. December is surprisingly good, with a Christmas market and cozy apartments. Summer is warm but busy.

9. 9. Cape Town, South Africa

   Cape Town has some of the best-value luxury rentals in the world. Think sea-view apartments in Sea Point or Camps Bay, or Victorian cottages in Gardens with Table Mountain behind them. The US State Department advises extra caution in South Africa, so choose buildings with security, avoid walking alone after dark and use ride-hail apps. November to March is peak summer. Tip: ask whether the property has backup power in case of load-shedding.

10. 10. Medellín, Colombia

    Medellín is known as the city of eternal spring, and Climate-Data.org's temperature records back that up. Rentals often come with balconies and valley views, and you rarely need air conditioning. Laureles is calmer than El Poblado, has a strong local food scene and costs less. Colombia has tightened its rules on rental registration, so book listings with an RNT number. Stay alert: the State Department advisory for Colombia is elevated, and dating-app scams targeting foreigners have been reported.

Cities Where Vacation Rentals Are Getting Harder

Before you book, check the local rules. Short-term rental crackdowns are spreading, and illegal listings can be canceled at the last minute.

• New York City

  Stays under 30 days mostly require the host to live in the unit, so a hotel is usually the better choice.

• Barcelona

  Tourist apartment licenses are being phased out by 2028, and illegal listings get heavy fines.

• Amsterdam

  Whole-home rentals have an annual night cap and require registration, so supply is thin and prices are high.

• Budapest

  Some central districts have voted to ban short-term rentals, so check the exact address.

Vacation Rental Tips That Save Money and Headaches

• Book monthly for discounts

  Many hosts give big discounts for stays of 28 nights or more.

• Look at the total price

  Cleaning fees can make a cheap nightly rate for a two-night stay more expensive than a hotel.

• Check for a license or registration number

  In Portugal, Croatia, Colombia and many other countries, a legal listing shows one. No number is a red flag.

• Look at the neighborhood, not just the apartment

  Use walkability and safety data to compare areas before you commit.

• Pay only through the platform

  Hosts who ask for a wire transfer or payment outside the app are the most common scam.