The Best Airbnbs in Calgary For City Life and Mountain Escapes

Calgary snuggles against the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and is the gateway to Banff National Park. Sometimes likened to Denver, Colorado, a glossy downtown skyscraper forest gives way to multicultural neighborhoods where outdoorsy adventurers and urbanites mingle in taprooms. Calgary’s commitment to sustainability is shown in environmental parks within city limits.

Stay around downtown to be close to nightlife and Eau Claire or consider north of Bow River for quick access to the Trans-Canada Highway. The coolest Calgary Airbnbs include skyline condos and unique rentals that’ll have you doubting your eyesight.

Traveling to Canada? Check out Matador’s Vancouver accommodations guides

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• The Best Airbnbs in Downtown Toronto, From the Harbourfront To the CN Tower
• The Best Airbnbs in Vancouver, From a Skyhigh Loft To a Beachside Cabin
• The perfect Vancouver hotels to experience the best of the city
• 13 Epic Airbnbs in Montreal for a Bachelorette Weekend

We hope you love these Airbnb Calgary vacation rentals! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Tropical getaway in Calgary

 

See more photosTropical digs in Calgary? Calgary, Canada? Yes – all domestic spaces at this deluxe dome are graced with monstera and succulents while floral photo booths will delight the most camera-shy. The backyard has seating nooks for all moods – sociable, solitary, hungry, you name it – plus a climbing frame for kids and a putting green for all golfing abilities. This one-of-a-kind Airbnb near the airport and Nose Hill Park is bloomin’ lovely for families.

Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $252 per night

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Urban jungle with a hot tub and epic views

 

See more photosThis Guest Favorite Airbnb in Calgary is a short walk from the happening 17th Avenue. The private rooftop patio is the star of the show with its vantage point over downtown and a bubbling Jacuzzi. The lower floor of the townhome has a barbecue patio next to the double-car garage. Lush interiors carry a botanical theme with safari accents and there’s a games room for going wild with giant Jenga and snooker.

Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $250 per night

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Downtown luxury Airbnb near Eau Claire Market

 

See more photosThe condo has a shockingly large private patio furnished with an inviting sectional and a grill for fairweather dining. The apartment’s interiors are equally sizeable with a gleaming kitchen island and hotel-standard bedrooms. Prince’s Island Park and the Calgary Tower are on the doorstep and just about anywhere downtown is walkable. The host has contacts for trusted babysitters/childminders and add a grocery service.

Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $127 per night

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Classy Beltline Airbnb with awesome views

 

See more photosNo car is necessary at this modern sub-penthouse on the border of Beltline and the Calgary Design District. Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows grant a stunning perspective of the metropolis. Pluck a book from the library and curl up on the couch on a wintery day or venture up to the seasonal rooftop terrace and befriend a Calgarian or two by the shared pool. It’s perfect for long-term stays.

Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $85 per night

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Play Airbnb in North Calgary riverside “village”

 

See more photosFor where to stay in Calgary with kids, you can’t beat Bridgeland and this fabulous family home takes the biscuit for location, comfort, and fun. Living and sleeping spaces blur seamlessly into one another. There’s a Pac-Man console and foosball table plus a gym and hot tub. The house is modeled on a traditional Mexican hacienda with loads of color. This village-like enclave is close to TELUS and the zoo.

Ten guests, three bedrooms
Price: $247 per night

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Four-season retreat one hour from Banff

 

See more photosThis riverside rental is one of the best Airbnbs in Calgary for planning a day trip to Banff National Park or using the athletic facilities at WinSport. The home fuses farmyard and cabin decor to create a cozy getaway in all seasons. Available seasonally, the private pool has a slide while the year-round hot tub has a waterfall feature. Slip down to the riverbanks for a refreshing dip or to skim rocks.

Nine guests, four bedrooms
Price: $499 per night

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Shanti Yurt with a hot tub in Bragg Creek

 

See more photosFeast your eyes upon one of the most romantic Airbnbs near Calgary. Translating to the “yurt of inner peace” this eco-friendly lodge was designed and hand-painted by a Mongolian artist. A skylight hovers above the bed for stargazing and snuggly sunrises. The chic bathroom, hot tub, and swingset are for your exclusive use. Spend days hiking, horseback riding, and golfing. Downtown Calgary is a 30-minute drive but heading south brings you to Bluerock.

Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $167 per night

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“Treehouse” with a net bed on the Elbow riverside

 

See more photosAt first glance, you’d think this heritage cabin was way out in the Banff outback. It’s actually tucked amid the woodlands in the artsy Mission district of Calgary and is only 15 minutes to downtown via CTrain. Rustic touches include a distressed wood kitchen and furnishings scooped from the scrap pile with stories to tell. Warning: you might wind up with a squirrel as a bedfellow.

Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $113 per night

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Dog-friendly city cabin close to everything

 

See more photosStay in Calgary’s trendiest neighborhood at this Inglewood Airbnb with a private hot tub in the enclosed backyard. The home is furnished with modern mid-century furniture and a full kitchen with the bedroom claiming the gabled attic. Walk one block and the streets are swimming in cafes, wine bars, brewpubs, and galleries. There’s free street parking for one car and bus Route 1 passes right by the house.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $150 per night

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Minimalist Airbnb with maximalist views

 

See more photosThis duplex penthouse in downtown Calgary has sweeping skyline views and a coveted perch close to transit, amusements, and nightlife. Panoramic windows make the most of the cityscape with zero need to draw the curtains at this elevation. The kitchen has everything needed for light meals through to feasts and the jetted bathtub is a welcome sight after a day in the Rockies.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $278 per night

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Remote worker’s haven in Kensington

 

See more photosThis homely Calgary Airbnb in a walkable riverside nook is perfect for families and digital nomads. The third bedroom features a bunk bed with a slide and there’s a laptop-friendly work table in the lounge. A fenced backyard is festooned with outdoor dining and a fire pit. The location is walkable to Eau Claire and Chinatown and gives you a head start on the drive to Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.

Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $160 per night

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What time zone is Calgary?

Alberta follows Mountain Standard Time (MST) between November and March, placing the time in Calgary at UTC/GMT -07:00. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) is observed from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November across Alberta.

Where is Calgary?

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, Western Canada. It sits at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers and near the southern reaches of the Alberta Rockies. Banff National Park is located 80 miles west of Downtown Calgary with the fast route taking less than 90 minutes. Jasper is a five-hour drive.

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is 10 miles northwest of Calgary. Many areas have a high walkability score but the sophisticated Calgary Transit is efficient and widely connected.

What to do in Calgary?

Calgary offers a mix of culture, outdoorsy, and athletic activities and attractions. There’s plenty for history buffs and foodies alike.

• Explore the sculpture-laden streets of Downtown Calgary and Stephen Avenue Walk.
• Tinker with instruments at the Studio Bell Music Museum.
• Enjoy panoramic views from the Calgary Tower, Scotsman’s Hill, and Tom Campbell’s Hill Natural Park.
• Picnic on Prince’s Island Park and see if your trip dates coincide with a festival, pop-up, or Canada Day.
• Get acquainted with hipster neighborhoods. Head to historic Inglewood for riverside strolls and brewpubs, the Beltline for art galleries and late-night cocktail lounges, and Kensington for indie shopping and artisanal coffee houses.
• Eat and shop your way along 17th Avenue – Calgary’s one-stop-shop for dining and nightlife.
• Take your pick from seasonal mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, hockey, zip-lining, and more at WinSport, the Canada Olympic Park.
• Hike or bike through the grasslands at Nose Hill Park.
• Spend a day at the Heritage Park Historical Village. Attractions include a Blackfoot and First Nations exhibit, rides on a paddlewheel ship, a ranch with farm animals, and a museum dedicated to antique vehicles.
• Brush up on the latest in technology at TELUS Spark Science Center and relive your childhood dream of becoming an astronaut.
• Rent a car and follow the Trans-Canada Highway to Banff National Park.

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