Top 12 Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Grahamstown, South Africa - Updated 2024

Karina
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read

Grahamstown is located in South Africa, half-way between Port Elizabeth and East London, in the Eastern Cape province. One of the most iconic buildings in the city is St Michael and St George Cathedral. The imposing building cannot pass unnoticed as its Gothic and Victorian architecture catches all eyes. Nature and outdoor aficionados will love wandering around the Makana Botanical Gardens, which are the second oldest botanical gardens in South Africa, with over 100 bird species. Even more bird species, along with different kinds of local wildlife can be seen at the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, right outside of town. Check out these great Airbnb vacation rentals in Grahamstown, South Africa.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 23, 2024.

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1. Spacious four-bedroom retreat (from USD 258)

Experience a warm vacation with this charming Airbnb accommodation in Grahamstown. Boasting four bedrooms, it provides ample space for you and your companions. Step onto the big deck and savor moments of relaxation amidst the natural surroundings. A well-equipped kitchen caters to your culinary needs, while a dedicated workspace ensures productivity remains uninterrupted. For entertainment, enjoy a TV equipped with Fire TV, offering a variety of streaming options for your leisure moments.

Rest easy with free parking on the premises, ensuring your arrival and exploration are hassle-free. Convenience is at your doorstep as you will be situated just one block away from St. Andrews Prep.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
38.37 km (23.9 mi) from The Big Pineapple
68 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 5 Beds 8 Guests 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 8

Top guest reviews
Host:
the host is friendly and very helpful
great host and perfect for a large family
krista was very communicative and responsive to all of our needs
elvis was very helpful and would love to stay at the place again
her assistant elvis was super friendly proactive and efficient
Location:
great location and safe
fantastic house location and decor
located in a nice quiet area
the quite location brings tranquility and quality peace
great location krista and elvis were amazing
Cleanliness:
the house is beautiful spacious and very clean
beautiful spacious and clean home in a safe and quiet area
awesome place quiet area spacious and clean
krista's house was perfect - spacious clean and very peaceful
the house is soooo beautiful it was sparkling clean
Amenities & Room:
furniture and beds are great and comfortable
we had a fantastic stay it was comfortable spacious and had all the amenities we needed
the inverter was super valuable for us to still have wi-fi and plugs to charge equipment
loved the space and very comfortable for 7 of us
me and my 7 family members enjoyed a 3 nights comfortable stay at kristy's beautiful house
Read more reviews

2. Home with proximity to Kingswood

Discover comfort and convenience in this inviting three-bedroom house for rent in Grahamstown, strategically located near Kingswood and The Highlander. Enjoy the ease of free parking on the premises, ensuring a seamless arrival and departure. You can also indulge in the luxury of a private pool, so you can unwind in style and create memorable moments with loved ones. A washing machine adds to the convenience, allowing you to keep things fresh during your stay.

Step outside to your private patio, where you can relax and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
37.48 km (23.3 mi) from The Big Pineapple
20 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 5 Beds 6 Guests 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 6

Top guest reviews
Host:
the host is so great and everything went smoothly
the host is responsive and proactive
michaela is a friendly and responsive host and provided some great restaurant recommendations
wonderful stay and a very thoughtful host
michaela was very helpful when i needed to communicate with her
Location:
house is ideally situated close to everything
a beautiful home located in a very quiet neighbourhood
the house is lovely clean and in walking distance to the town and the university
Amenities & Room:
we took a quick dip in the pool which was cool and refreshing
the kitchen is very well provisioned with high quality appliances and kitchenware
it is so tastefully decorated and comfortable with many family photos throughout
the beds were incredibly comfortable and we slept very well
Read more reviews

3. Bohemia's Loft (from USD 33)

This three-person loft, one of the cheapest accommodations in Grahamstown, is located right next to the main house but has a separate entrance and all the facilities and amenities needed so guests can enjoy a cozy, intimate stay. The downstairs area has a lounge, a desk, and a well-appointed kitchenette, while upstairs is the bedroom. The full bathroom comes with a toilet, a basin, and a shower. Other amenities include off-street parking, pool access with prior arrangement, television, ironing facilities, Wi-Fi, and a desk. The rental is pet-friendly.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
37.88 km (23.6 mi) from The Big Pineapple
202 reviews   Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible
Entire guest suite 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Host:
very friendly host and lovely space
the friendly animals make this feel like home
the people friendly and helpful
the host is really friendly and absolutley welcoming
lovely comfy space with friendly hosts
Location:
close to town and very peaceful
good location and value for money
good location and value for money
the loft is in a great neighborhood and close to everything
great location looks exactly like the pictures
Cleanliness:
clean and well laid out
efficient clean comfy friendly
a lovely clean comfortable and quiet spot
loved the cleanliness and little personal touches
perfect for 1 or 2 clean friendly helpful
Amenities & Room:
marissa always goes out of her way to make sure that you're comfortable
this was a very comfortable space to be able to unwind and to do some work
Read more reviews

4. Farm cottage

This one-bedroom cottage is 10 minutes away from Grahamstown and half-way between Durban and Cape Town. The accommodation sits on a working family dairy farm, offering guests a stay in the middle of farm life, surrounded by birds, fresh air, and starry skies. There is a lounge with a dining and living area, which opens onto the garden, a bedroom with a double bed, a fully equipped kitchen, an ensuite bathroom with shower, and a garage. There is also a braai area for guests to enjoy, Wi-Fi, television, ironing facilities, and heating.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
34.72 km (21.6 mi) from The Big Pineapple
52 reviews   Wifi Available
Farm stay 3 Beds 4 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Host:
hosts friendly & caring
she is a fabulous host
friendly reception and helpful
the hosts were friendly and accommodating
friendly kind and patient
Location:
perfect location on the n2 close to grahamstown
secluded location and the nicest people you could meet mike
nice place if you don't mind spiders big spiders
a great place to stay for few days
Cleanliness:
the bed and bathroom were very clean
beds were very comfortable and everything very clean
Amenities & Room:
the beds were super comfortable and warm
so best suited to families where you don't mind sharing the bathroom off the main bedroom
otherwise neat and comfortable for an overnight stay
Read more reviews

5. Studio for two

This self-catering studio rental for two is open space and comes with a king-size bed, a seating and dining area, and a small kitchen. The full bathroom comes with a shower and a toilet. Other amenities include free off-road parking, free Wi-Fi, a laptop-friendly workspace, towels, linens, and basic toiletries. There is also a small courtyard, where guests can relax. Every morning, guests can enjoy a delicious, complimentary breakfast.

Stayed at this property?

38.75 km (24.1 mi) from The Big Pineapple
33 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE RENTAL UNIT 1 Bed 2 Guests 0 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Host:
very helpful host
she was very accommodating and helpful
the owner of the guest room was kind and courteous
jeanine is a great host very welcoming and helpful
jeanine's place was an ideal stay quick response time and was very accommodating to my late booking
Location:
perfectly situated to relax but close enough to town
had such a pleasant stay at jeanine's place
i had a lovely stay at jeanine's place
i had a lovely stay at jeanine's place
second time staying at jeanine’s place and everything was just as great as the first time
Cleanliness:
clean spacious and amazing value
clean quiet good value for money
clean comfortable and safe space with a very affordable rate
lovely clean place in a nice area
the bed is very big and comfortable and everything is spotless and works very well
Amenities & Room:
a tv would be nice
beautiful room really love the small touches although was only one night/would definitely book again
Read more reviews

6. Ashwood cottage

This lovely cottage rental consists of two adjoining studios, which travelers can rent separately. Each studio comes with a bedroom and a bathroom, and access to a lovely deck, a garden, and a pool. Guests should keep in mind that there are four dogs living on the property, and there is no Wi-Fi. Free parking is available on the premises. This vacation rental is not suitable for infants under the age of two.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
32.38 km (20.2 mi) from The Big Pineapple
46 reviews  
Entire apartment 1 Bed 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom
Top guest reviews
Host:
kevin is a wonderful host
friendly reception and lovely peaceful surrounds
wonderful hosts who went out of their way to accommodate us
michelle and kevin are very friendly and welcoming hosts
hosts went out of their way to communicate and make the stay superb
Location:
great location slightly outside grahamstown
a peaceful and beautiful location
close to town but quiet and very restful
great accommodation good value easy to find & close to town
kevin's property is very close to the n2 and easy to find
Cleanliness:
it was very clean and well decorated
clean neat quiet and decent value
peaceful surroundings and clean comfortable accommodation
their place is beautiful and very clean
lovely and clean and comfortable bed
Read more reviews

7. Crafter's cottage

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage can comfortably host a large family, or even two smaller families, as it can sleep a total of six people. There are two spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms available. One of the bathrooms has a walk-in shower, while the second bathroom has a large Victorian bathtub. Other amenities include a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, a laptop-friendly workspace, ironing facilities, heating, television, and Wi-Fi. Families traveling with children will also find a crib and fireplace guards here. Outside, guests will find an enclosed courtyard, where they can sit and relax, in the sun.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
36.36 km (22.6 mi) from The Big Pineapple
69 reviews  
Entire cottage 4 Beds 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathrooms
Top guest reviews
Host:
great response times from host before and during the stay
very nice place with super friendly host
the self check-in works well but it would have been great to meet our host
cate is a very responsive and helpful host
cait was a wonderful host being very accommodating to our date changes communication was great
Location:
a very cute cottage in a central location
close to local attractions and restaurants
a quiet and safe location
absolutely loved the location so very central and close to all amenities
a lovely central and secure place to stay
Cleanliness:
the cottage is a well thought out space clean and neat
centrally located beautiful decor welcoming fireplace clean and neat has everything for a comfortable stay
Amenities & Room:
quaint cottage - comfortable stay
the space itself is very comfortable
wonderful stay in grahamstown beautiful apartment in old historic part of town
Read more reviews

8. Pet-friendly vacation rental with garden access

Here is a beautiful vacation rental in Grahamstown, with high ceilings, wooden floors, and a large, lovely garden. There are two bedrooms in the house, one with a king-size bed, and the other one with a queen-size bed. Linens, towels and electric blankets are available. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and off-street parking for two cars. There is also an outdoor pool that guests can use. The vacation rental is pet-friendly.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
37.89 km (23.6 mi) from The Big Pineapple
48 reviews  
Entire guest suite 2 Beds 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms
Top guest reviews
Host:
very welcoming host
the hosts are amiable kind sensible and helpful
pet friendly great space and warm hospitality
lovely hosts electric blankets a plus
very good location - excellent hosts - very good security
Location:
a lovely old house very close to town
beautiful house very comfortable stay and close to town
a very quiet location and very comfortable beds
the accommodation is in an excellent location for the town schools and university
great location for easy access to schools and restaurants
Cleanliness:
the rooms are big and well appointed and kept very clean
the two bed/two bath that we stayed at was nice clean and quaint
everything was super clean neat & tidy with all the little things one might need
Amenities & Room:
beds are comfortable (with really nice duvets) and the electric blankets are wonderful on those icy winter nights
there was wifi which was great as well as a fridge and water kettle
massive room and bathroom with an exceptionally comfortable bed
Read more reviews

9. The Oak Tree guest suite

Here is a spacious double bedroom with lots of books, plenty of closet space, and a work desk. Guests also have access to a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a shared lounge, and a shared dining room. Some of the amenities include off-street parking, an indoor fireplace, access to a washer and dryer, television, and free Wi-Fi. Guests can always go outside and relax in the lovely garden, where they will find plenty of seating and a heated pool. Coffee, tea, and Continental breakfast are available every day.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
38.05 km (23.7 mi) from The Big Pineapple
76 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Private room in guest suite 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Host:
friendly host and beautiful garden
such wonderful hospitality from warm and kind margaret
she was very helpful and friendly
the host is amazing excellent hospitality and communication
she is very gracious and accommodating
Location:
accommodation and location was excellent
the location is perfectly positioned being a stones throw away from the schools
margaret's home is very well situated just a short walk from most of the sights in grahamstown
we only stayed 1 night but are very happy we chose her place
this place is very clean and organized it's walking distance from the shops
Cleanliness:
the accommodation is clean and comfortable
clean convenient and easy with nice touches
very clean and a very nice homey setting
you can expect a very clean beautiful and homely environment
i enjoyed my stay facilities clean and comfortable
Amenities & Room:
furnishings throughout were in excellent condition and most comfortable without beng overtly luxurious
the room was very comfortable with a great view of the awesome pool and garden
beautiful picturesque garden with a heated swimming pool
great host and amenities incredible value for money and comfortable
our stay was very comfortable with freshly squeezed orange juice with our breakfast
Read more reviews

10. Cottage on Clarke

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom vacation rental is suitable for couples or solo travelers. It is located in a quiet suburb, not far from the Rhodes University. There is no Wi-Fi or television available at the moment, but guests will find linens, towels, ironing facilities, a laptop-friendly workspace, and children’s books and toys. There is free parking both on the street and on the premises. Check-in time is between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and check out is by 11:00 a.m.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
38.64 km (24.1 mi) from The Big Pineapple
39 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire guesthouse 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Host:
wonderful hosts: thanks so much
all round great host
she was also extremely responsive and flexible
jill is a great host beautiful and comfortable room
jill and her husband are among the most kind accommodating and hospitable hosts that i've ever had
Location:
i enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the quiet suburban location
Cleanliness:
neat and clean with delicious muesli surprise
it was also very nice to return home to a room that had been tidied during the day
Amenities & Room:
fan heater suitcase rack
we enjoyed the small but important things such as the good coffee and the wifi
their space very cute and it has everything you'd need including heaters and heated blankets
Read more reviews

11. Hillsview self-catering apartment

This modern one-bedroom apartment is the ideal place for couples. It comes with a queen-size bed and a sleeper couch for a third guest, if necessary. The living, dining, and kitchen areas are open-space, offering plenty of room for the guests to spend time together. There is off-street parking available, free Wi-Fi, a laptop-friendly workspace, television, linens, towels, and basic toiletries. The hosts allow check-in between 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Smoking, pets, and events or parties are not allowed.

Stayed at this property?
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
35.65 km (22.2 mi) from The Big Pineapple
149 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire guest suite 1 Bed 3 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 3

Top guest reviews
Host:
edyta was a great host
edyta is such a wonderful host
edyta is a very friendly host and made us feel welcome
thanks edyta for bring such a great host
the hosts are friendly and the place is well kept and modern
Location:
good location and value for money
probably the best feature of the location
the location is on the outskirts of town but it's quiet and safe
a really lovely stay and beautiful location
would definitely come back to this place
Cleanliness:
very clean and a beautiful area
lovely clean place to stay overnight
stylish spotlessly clean and very spacious place
great accommodation clean comfy and convenient
it is spotlessly clean and veey comfortable
Amenities & Room:
the accommodation was comfortable with pleasant little touches such as chocolates & biscuits in a jar
quiet safe light comfortable with enough space to work relax and sleep
we had a great comfortable stay
the bed was comfortable with a down duvet that kept us warm in the middle of winter
Read more reviews

12. Self-catering guest suite

This lovely guest suite is ready to welcome guests in a private, comfortable space. Even though the hosts live on the premises, guests have a separate entrance. Indoors, they will find a sleeping area with a queen-size bed, a seating area with a cozy sofa, a coffee table, and a desk, and a kitchen area. The fully equipped kitchen has a breakfast bar, a refrigerator, a microwave, a toaster, a mini stove, and a kettle. Other amenities include Wi-Fi, television, an ensuite bathroom, heating, and essentials.

Stayed at this property?

38.78 km (24.1 mi) from The Big Pineapple
79 reviews   Wifi Available
Entire guest suite 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Host:
very very nice host
frances was a wonderful host
the hosts are friendly and very helpfull
the host was extremely accommodating she accommodated our special needs above our expectations
loved the place and the host is wonderful
Location:
the location is incredibly central and safe
an ideal place to stay whilst in grahamstown
a beautiful place set in a safe convenient location with wonderful little extra touches and thoughtful hosting
france's place is perfectly equipped recently renovated and was very comfortable
really a great place to stay away from home
Cleanliness:
super clean private and convenient
frances janes place is clean and very comfortable
fabulous place - peaceful and sparkling clean with some thoughtful touches
very clean in a very quiet and safe neighborhood
really appreciated the extra touches to add to the very clean and comfortable place
Amenities & Room:
very comfortable neat space with all the amenities needed and a lovely view of the garden
very comfortable with many welcome extras
great welcoming and hospitable hosts central location ample amenities and incredibly comfortable
the service is great spacious reliable wifi excellent tv service and nicely quiet place
very nice modern bathroom
Read more reviews

Grahamstown, South Africa — a lively university town with a buzzing atmosphere

Travelers who come to Grahamstown, South Africa, should expect to find a lively town with lots of festivals, outdoor attractions, and a blend of Georgian and Victorian architecture. Check out these great places to rent in Grahamstown, South Africa.

If you want to explore the nearby areas such as Port Alfred, you might want to take a look at the top Airbnb vacation rentals as well as some of the best self catering accommodation in the heart of the Sunshine Coast of South Africa.

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb vacation rentals in Grahamstown, South Africa


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Karina, a content creator rooted in Bucharest, Romania, embodies the spirit of a globetrotter. Her fascination with the beloved series F.R.I.E.N.D.S and a fervent love for coffee add vibrant layers...Read more

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