Quick: think of the epitome of a 1950s or 1960s beach vacation. If you imagine a boardwalk dotted with ice cream shops and popcorn stands, family-friendly arcades on the boardwalk, and live music on the beach attended by families and couples canoodling on the sand, congratulations: you’re thinking of Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.
Photo: Bruce Goerlitz Photo/Shutterstock
There are no shortage of beach towns on the eastern seaboard, but they’re not all picturesque. Towns like Atlantic City have become more about casinos than the beach, and Ocean City, further south in Maryland, has more of a party vibe beloved by high schoolers and college students. That’s not to say that those places don’t offer great experiences, but if you want a laid-back beach vacation with the option for relaxed beach days, great restaurants, and some classic beachside entertainment, look no further than Rehoboth Beach.
And another great thing about Rehoboth Beach? It’s affordable. Sure, the prices can go way up on summer weekends. But if you need a warm-weather getaway in May or September (it’s the mid-Atlantic, so spring and early fall are still quite warm), it’s a great pick. You can find seriously nice home rentals in Rehoboth Beach for under $100 a night. Just know that weekends in the summer can be tricky as many Airbnbs switch to a minimum-stay model between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
If you like the sound of all that, you’ll find the perfect Airbnb in Rehoboth Beach on the list below. Homes are in order of least to most expensive, so scroll to the end if you’re looking for a larger space.
By the way, it’s pronounced ruh-hoe-beth.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! 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.
The best Airbnbs in Rehoboth Beach
Lofted Beach Condo
- Sleeps: 6
- Bedrooms: 2
- Rates from: $90/night
This cute lofted condo may check most of the boxes for travelers to Rehoboth Beach, including those for location: it’s just a one-block walk to the beach and Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. The clean and colorful condo is decked out in a vibrant, beachy color scheme, and the two separate relaxation areas are great if you’re traveling with kids or teens who may want their own space to hang out.
There’s also a kitchen big enough for all six guests to hang out at once, on-site laundry for your dirty towels and swimsuits, and loaner beach chairs and an umbrella to use during your stay. Note that there’s a minimum stay during the summer ranging from five to seven nights.
Rehoboth Beach Campervan
Photo: Airbnb
- Sleeps: 2
- Bedrooms: studio
- Rates from: $108/night
For something a little more unique, check out this mobile Airbnb in Rehoboth Beach. It’s a fully decked-out campervan made to be a rental, which means it was designed to use the space as smartly as possible. The camper has all the features you’d want in a comfortable rental, including a refrigerator, heat, a 30-gallon water tank that the hosts say can last four to five days, a cooktop, a fan, and a standing shower. It also has solar power, so you don’t need to worry about how you’ll keep your phone charged.
One cool thing about this rental is that you can go pretty much anywhere you want, from Rehoboth Beach south to Dewey Beach or further out to places like Assateague Island National Seashore. The rental is in Rehoboth Beach, but the owners can arrange pick-ups and drop-offs in case you want to use it for a point-to-point roadtrip. The owner has also lived in Rehoboth for the last seven years, so he can recommend plenty of cool (and beachfront) areas to park during your stay. Oh, and it’s dog-friendly, too.
Rehoboth Surf Condo
- Sleeps: 8
- Bedrooms: 2
- Rates from: $124/night
The surf condo may be the cutest Airbnb in Rehoboth, especially if you want to lean into the seaside town’s vintage beach vibes. It has partial ocean views, but that barely matters since it’s only a five-minute walk to the beach. The condo is fairly roomy, and the bright colors make it feel festive even if you catch it on an overcast day.
Note that this rental is in Dewey Beach, about three miles south of Rehoboth. Dewey has a bit more of a nightlife vibe and is even more LGBT+ friendly than Rehoboth, so it may be a good fit if either of those are what you’re going for. It’s also walkable to some of the more popular Dewey Beach bars, like Woody’s and Bottle and Cork. Note there’s a five-night minimum most of the year.
Ann Acres
- Sleeps: 6
- Bedrooms: 3
- Rates from: $137/night
If you want a larger Airbnb rental in Rehoboth Beach to fit your whole group, including a few dogs, this home may be the perfect spot. The mid-century modern home has details like dark hardwood floors, exposed beams, and wood paneling, plus a screened-in porch so you can enjoy the outdoors bug-free. There’s a roomy kitchen and three bedrooms so no one needs to sleep on the couch, and the outdoor space includes a grill and al fresco dining setup.
The home is two blocks from the beach and just under five minutes by car from both Rehoboth and Dewey beaches. It’s easy to walk to Dewey, or even Rehoboth if you don’t mind a longer stroll. (It’s about 1.4 miles from the boardwalk).
Pet owners should know that two dogs are welcome under 25 pounds. The listing says you’ll need approval for more pets, which is a bit ambiguous, but it may mean you can have a larger dog if you get the owner’s approval first.
Beach Gem with Hot Tub
- Sleeps: 4
- Rooms: 2
- Rates from: $144/night
Rehoboth Beach is best known for, well, the beach, but the other draw is usually inland: shopping. Delaware doesn’t have sales tax, so it’s a great place for outlet shopping. If that appeals to you, check out this beachy home with an outdoor firepit and private hot tub. It’s very close to some of the most popular outlet malls, but also only 3.5 miles from the beach. It’s also pet-friendly in the off-season (November to April).
The home is actually two units; this is just the listing for the bottom floor. However, you can rent both together for a discounted rate by messaging the owner, ideal if you have two families or groups of friends traveling together.
Cute beach cottage
- Sleeps: 2
- Bedrooms: 1
- Rates from: $150/night
The owners of this bungalow Airbnb in Rehoboth Beach know it’s as cute as can be, describing it as a “gem from the 1950s” that offers “serenity and sunshine.” It’s a guest cottage in the yard of a second home, which means it doesn’t have full cooking facilities — but guests still get a microwave, coffee maker, electric tea kettle, and mini-fridge. That makes it an ideal pick if you want a roomier space with a cozy front porch for the price of a smaller hotel room. It’s also walkable to the beach but a bit removed from the busy restaurant area, so you’ll have plenty of peace and quiet in the evenings.
The Tides Condo
- Sleeps: 8
- Rooms: 4
- Rates from: $156/night
This Airbnb in Rehoboth Beach is a roomy four-bedroom unit with a screened-in porch, which will come in handy if you time it wrong with the mid-Atlantic’s mosquito season. It’s in a gated community two miles from the boardwalk and is near hiking trails at Cape Henlopen State Park, either of which you can access with the provided bicycles.
The bedrooms are a mix of queen and king beds, though the fourth bedroom has a double and a twin, making it a good choice for kids or groups of single friends. The unit is in a development called the Tides, and guests get access to amenities like a community pool and hot tub. But one of the best features of this Airbnb in Rehoboth Beach is probably the big screened-in porch in the backyard, which makes a great place to hang out in the evenings without needing to constantly slather on bug spray.
Oceanfront Condo
- Sleeps: 8
- Rooms: 4
- Rates from: $156/night
Couples looking for a roomy suite with perfect ocean views won’t find much better than this beachfront condo with large windows just steps from the boardwalk. It’s just a block and a half from the main downtown area in Rehoboth Beach, so you can walk to popular restaurants like Federal Fritter and Bistro or DiFebo’s Italian. It was updated just a few months ago, and though it’s a studio, it’s quite large. The ocean-view balcony is also pretty roomy and makes a romantic spot to enjoy a sunset with a bottle of wine (or saltwater taffy and crab cakes. You do you).
Where is Rehoboth Beach?
Rehoboth Beach is a small coastal town in Delaware bordering the Atlantic. It’s about 2.5 hours south of Philadelphia, PA, and 2.5 hours east of Washington, D.C. It’s on a narrow strip of land that running between Delaware and Maryland, with Maryland’s Ocean City on the southern tip and Rehoboth at the top. There’s no real good way to get there other than driving, though you can take the Amtrak to Dover, Delaware capital, and rent a car to make the 30-ish minute drive to Rehoboth.
Is Rehoboth Beach gay-friendly?
Yes, Rehoboth Beach is known for being an LGBTQ+ friendly beach town. The town has a long history of welcoming LGBTQ+ visitors and residents, dating back to the 1940s and 1950s when it became a popular destination for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking a welcoming and accepting community.
Today, Rehoboth Beach is home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, with many businesses, events, and organizations catering specifically to LGBTQ+ visitors and residents. The town is also known for its annual Rehoboth Beach LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Overall, Rehoboth Beach is a welcoming and inclusive destination for all visitors, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Does Rehoboth Beach have a boardwalk?
Photo: Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock
Rehoboth Beach has a one-mile-long boardwalk that runs along the beachfront. The Rehoboth boardwalk is a popular attraction in the town, offering visitors a variety of activities and entertainment options.
The Rehoboth Beach boardwalk has many shops selling everything from beachwear and souvenirs to jewelry and art. There are also several food stands and restaurants with dining options ranging from famous popcorn and saltwater taffy stores to high-end oyster houses and beloved Italian restaurants.
In addition to shops and restaurants, the boardwalk offers several attractions and entertainment options for visitors. There are amusement rides for children and adults, such as bumper cars and a Ferris wheel. Visitors can also play arcade games or visit the Funland amusement park, first opened in 1939. In the summer, the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk hosts live music and events, including the popular summer music series on the weekends at the Rehoboth Bandstand. 