The 10 Best Airbnbs in Salem, Massachusetts

from spooky to shabby chic

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Why visit Salem, you ask? Well, aside from being a very charming small town in Massachusetts, it’s also a major destination for Halloween, thanks to its rich history related to all things spooky. After all, it’s where the namesake witch trials took place between 1692 and 1693 in which 20 of 200 accused witches were executed. The Salem witch trials are decidedly the town's greatest claim to fame, and a (festive?) illustration of what mass hysteria and paranoia can do to a community. That said, there’s a lot to see in Salem at any time of year and its colonial history as a major seaport goes beyond just the Hocus Pocus appeal. In fact, it’s a pretty cool coastal town to visit year round, as Massachusetts natives can attest to.:

“Salem is full of cobbled hills and alleyways lined with gorgeous homes dating back a couple of centuries,” says former PureWow assistant editor Delia Curtis. “You’ll find everything from quaint coffee shops like Gulu Gulu Cafe or the Ugly Mug Cafe to shops that cater to filling a witch’s arsenal with crystals and herbs like Haus Witch or The Coven’s Cottage. Get your tarot cards or astrological chart read, stomp through any of the many graveyards, saunter through The Witch House, or post up for a brew in one of their many local watering holes. My pro-tip as a Bostonian is to visit in the off-season if you’re not specifically looking to go around Halloween. Try for August or September to enjoy the fall activities without the massive crowds, or do and envelop yourself in the Jack-O-Lantern-filled joy of spooky season. You might even see a hearse at the local Dunkin Donuts like I did as a kid.”

Yep, from hearses and witch lore to quaint cafes and gorgeous colonial architecture, Salem has a lot to offer travelers during any season. (In fact, if you’re looking to book a budget-friendly stay, I would be remiss not to mention that October is the most expensive time to visit, for obvious reasons.) With that in mind, check out this list of the best Airbnbs in Salem so you can experience the historical intrigue for yourself.

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  • Price: from $229/night
  • Sleeps: 6

This newly-renovated space in a historic 1915 home is the perfect rental for Harry Potter fans (or anyone else looking to immerse themselves in the world of witchcraft and wizardry). There are other fantastic rentals available in the building (see the Creaky Cauldron below), but the ghoul’s attic gets high marks for its luxe amenities and unique vintage decor, as well as the incredible attention to detail that has gone into the design of each themed room. Best of all, this magical place is located in a quiet neighborhood, surrounded by other historic homes—all built after the Salem fire of 1914—and within walking distance of downtown.

  • Price: from $297/night
  • Sleeps: 4

Here, a stately colonial home—located just one mile from downtown—that dates back to 1850 and has since been lovingly restored inside and out. Highlights of the interior include two massive bedrooms, high ceilings, a renovated chef’s kitchen and marble fireplaces. Glowing reviews confirm that the Salem House is an architectural gem that has been furnished with exquisite taste and boasts just about every modern amenity under the sun. Oh, and did we mention there’s a backyard, too? Let’s just say this one checks all the boxes.

  • Price: from $396/night
  • Sleeps: 4

There’s nothing kitschy about this elegant one-bedroom home in Salem, so if you really wanted to lean into the Halloween stuff, you might consider other options. That said, you would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful and modern interior (Think: sun-drenched, fully-stocked, incredibly spacious and outfitted with comfortable designer furnishings.) There’s also a generously sized porch overlooking an expansive, fully-fenced yard. Best of all, the location—just blocks away from major attractions like the Salem Commons and the Witch Museum and surrounded by charming historic residential areas—is pretty hard to beat.

  • Price: from $240/night
  • Sleeps: 8

Located in the same historic home as the Ghoul’s Attic, The Creaky Cauldron is a whimsical B&B that can accommodate a larger group. There are seven separate themed rooms, all of them saturated with color and truly magical. Many happy guests remark on the fact that every room has been so thoughtfully designed and decorated with such detail that it’s practically like staying in a fairytale land. There were also many rave reviews calling out the extremely comfortable furnishings and plush linens, so let’s say it’s more like fairytale land meets five-star resort.

  • Price: from $212/night
  • Sleeps: 6

This comfortable two-bedroom apartment has cute Hocus Pocus-themed decor and all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay, including a well-stocked kitchen, three Smart TVs, WiFi, a dedicated workspace and plenty of games and books for family entertainment. It’s also worth noting that the location of this apartment is stellar: you can get to downtown Salem, Salem Commons, the Witch Museum, the original Hocus Pocus house and the beach in less than ten minutes on foot. (In fact, it’s just one minute to the beach and the home has ocean views!)

  • Price: from $397/night
  • Sleeps: 7

Another centrally located space that makes it easy to explore all of Salem’s historic attractions, this spacious downtown condo boasts a light-drenched interior with two thoughtfully designed bedrooms featuring luxury mattresses and linens and a well-appointed kitchen. You’ll be wanting for nothing if you stay in this clean and charming space, but don’t take my word for it, just browse the numerous five-star reviews, like this one that reads, “We loved the proximity to the downtown area. The home was very clean and stocked with all the essentials. The home itself was a nice blend of modern features and old-world charm.”

  • Price: from $390/night
  • Sleeps: 6

One of the highest-ranked vacation rentals in Salem, the House of Three Gables has an absolutely beautiful interior. There’s a spacious living room with a charming, exposed brick wall and ample seating, two sun-drenched bedrooms and an updated kitchen that’s stocked with everything you need. By all accounts, every room in the house is very well thought out, and the amenities are numerous. The House of Three Gables is also located within walking distance of everything Salem has to offer. Suffice it to say that if you book a Halloween stay at this cozy home, you might be tempted to hibernate there for the winter.

  • Price: from $437/night
  • Sleeps: 4

Probably the least spooky and most romantic property on the list, this delightful one-bedroom abode has, as its name suggests, a very generously-sized and lovely porch, outfitted with colorful flowers and surrounded by a beautiful garden. The small, but well-appointed interior is just as pleasant and completely stocked—a perfect blend of historic charm and modern amenities. It’s also the only property on the list that has over 100 reviews, repeat guests and a perfect 5.0 rating. (And yep, it’s also within walking distance of pretty much everything.)

  • Price: from $306/night
  • Sleeps: 6

If you’re looking for a spooky theme that is more gothic, cool than overkill, this is the place for you. The Sarah Collins House has historic charm in spades and the roomy interior is chock-full of amenities, including family-friendly features like children’s gear and toys, the themed decor is tasteful and, according to reviews, the beds are very comfortable, too. It’s also worth noting that this is a beachfront property, so you can really enjoy the unique coastal experience of Salem while still being within walking distance of all the downtown attractions.

10. Heights House

Airbnb

  • Price: from $329/night
  • Sleeps: 4

The interior design of this pet-friendly, two-bedroom home is more atmospheric (think: vaguely spooky) than the kind of cheap thrills you’d encounter at a haunted house. The numerous luxury amenities (and very comfortable beds) make this place a top choice for families and honeymooners alike. As for location, the immediate neighborhood is replete with great restaurants and charming boutiques, and all the major Salem attractions, including the downtown area, are a medium-length walk away.


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Freelance PureWow Editor

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  • Studied Sociology, Political Science and Philosophy in the CUNY Baccalaureate independent study program.

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