With its charming downtown, great food and drink options, and affordable prices, Knoxville is an underrated travel destination in Tennessee. There are plenty of familiar, brand-name hotels in the city, but you can also have a unique and homey stay in a Knoxville vacation rental property.
Based on where you want to be in town, your group size, and how much you’re willing to spend, here are some top Airbnbs in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Cozy Knoxville Cottage
Up to four people can stay in this Knoxville cottage with two bedrooms and one bathroom for their trip. It’s a great “home away from home” and tucked away from the busy area of town. Yet you can get to the sports games and Historic Market Square within about 15 minutes. The home has its own kitchen, living room, queen-size bed in the master bedroom, and a full-size bed in the second bedroom.
Historic Craftsman Retreat
If you want to be close to downtown Knoxville, consider this Airbnb for two people. It has one bedroom with a queen-size bed and a sofa bed, as well as one bathroom and a living room. The rental is a guest suite on the back side of the host’s house. The host lives in the main house, which is 1.5 miles from downtown. You’ll enjoy being in this neighborhood because of the affordable price, historic homes, diverse vibe, and proximity to downtown.
Knoxville Little House
A fun option for your Knoxville trip is to stay in this 380-square-foot tiny house with a bedroom, bathroom, laundry, kitchen, and living space. It’s ideal for a couple or solo traveler, and one child can be accommodated inside too. The tiny house is in a quiet neighborhood that is within minutes of downtown Knoxville and I-75. Equipped with Wi-Fi and cable TV, the house is about 75 feet behind another Airbnb rental. Meanwhile, the outside space has a 24-foot by 20-foot covered pavilion with a table, rocking chairs, glider love seat, charcoal grill, koi pond, and corn hole set.
South Waterfront Light & Open Urban Flat
Book this Airbnb property to be in a quiet, fully equipped apartment that has a bright, open, and urban atmosphere. This is an apartment in the Barber Street Flats and in a 1910 historical building that was remodeled in 2020. You’ll have full access to the apartment and also a small outdoor seating area beneath shade trees in the back of the building. Kayak and bike storage is available for guests staying here. Other perks are the modern kitchen and the option to rent a separate apartment across the hall if you have a group larger than four guests.
Fountain City Bungalow with Hot Tub
Here’s an adorable bungalow available to rent on Airbnb for up to four people. It has one bedroom with a queen-size bed, a living room with a sofa bed, and one bathroom. It’s a safe and quiet place in the northern part of the city by the duck pond and park. This bungalow also has a 50-inch smart TV, kitchen with cooking essentials, and fast internet. It’s also nice to stay here because there is a front and back yard to enjoy some outside space. A shared hot tub is available on the property, as well as free parking on the premises.
Barn Apartment
With this popular Knoxville vacation rental, you’ll get a private room in a barn for up to four people. It’s a private apartment on the ground level and with its own separate entrance. The location is a remote, 50-acre piece of property surrounded by wildlife but still close to Knoxville attractions. The host lives on the hay floor above this rental apartment and provides guests with kitchen and bathroom supplies. When you stay here, you can get farm-fresh eggs from a nearby farmer and experience a peaceful vibe in a unique space. This is a pet-friendly barn apartment.
New Studio with Hot Tub
Airbnb guests love this studio apartment in Knoxville that has a lofted queen-size bed, full kitchen, and open-concept living space in a historic neighborhood. It’s a dog-friendly rental with a fenced backyard and a back deck with a hot tub. The Airbnb host provides a TV, convertible couch that turns into a full-size bed, a fridge, and controllable heat and A/C system. The host family’s kids and pets use the backyard space here as well, and there are two dogs and a cat that access this shared space too. You will need to pay a pet fee to bring your dog along.
English Garden Cottage
Four travelers can stay in this Fountain City cottage that is one of five cottages built in the 1930s and 1940s here. You’ll be in a convenient location to explore the Knoxville area with this Airbnb booking. An infant can stay here with four adults, and the host can provide a travel crib upon request. Your group will have access to the entire cottage and garden. The host provides high-speed Wi-Fi, a smart TV, coffee and tea supplies, and a Bluetooth speaker.
TreeHouse Haven
For two people coming to Knoxville, there’s the option of the TreeHouse Haven, which has one bedroom and one bathroom. The bedroom has a queen-size bed in this upper-level garage studio apartment that has its own private entrance. You’ll enjoy being in the lovely neighborhood off of Kingston Pike in West Knoxville. The kitchen is equipped with a small fridge, microwave, and toaster oven, but it is better for short-term stays rather than long-term rentals. When you stay here, you’ll be just a few minutes from Whole Foods and I-40. You must be able to climb stairs to access this space.
Williamswood Castle
You can take a step back in time and experience secret passageways, towers, armor, and magic when you stay at this castle Airbnb in Knoxville. The Williamswood Castle is 10 minutes from downtown and surrounded by the Ijams Nature Center. Guests enjoy the multi-level balcony that overlooks the Tennessee River, stained-glass windows, and having a pint of beer at the Black Dog Pub onsite. Up to six people can stay at this vacation rental property because there are three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. This Airbnb provides a truly unique experience with antique furnishings, hand-carved wood details, and 300 acres of land for plenty of room to roam.
Mimosa Studio Apartment Close to Downtown
The Mimosa Studio Apartment is a rental unit for two guests in Knoxville. The apartment is across the bridge from downtown and has exposed brick, hardwood floors, and old-house charm. The space includes a queen-size bed, a large couch that can sleep an extra person for an additional fee, and a bathroom that’s been recently remodeled. Guests can use the fire pit in the backyard and also the back deck where you enter your apartment unit. It is part of a triplex, and the host lives adjacent to this Airbnb.
Vintage Camping on the Farm
For a really unique stay in Knoxville, book this 1973 Shasta camper that has been refurbished but still retains its awesome vintage charm. Up to three people can stay here and use the microwave, hot plate, and backyard by the camper. It is a pet-friendly vacation rental located in the host’s backyard, yet far enough away from other people to give you privacy. You’ll have views of the farm while being just about 10 miles from Downtown Knoxville. In the backyard, there are Adirondack chairs, swings, a bench, and a fire pit that you can use.
Fountain City Retreat
Another good option for two guests is the Fountain City Retreat, an Airbnb with one bedroom that has a queen-size bed and a bathroom. This is a private and newly remodeled space inside a private home and that has its own private entrance. You’ll be close to the interstates, the park, shopping and restaurants on Broadway and Merchants. This mother-in-law suite also comes with a fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker with coffee supplies. There are four small dogs living on the property, but they do not come into the guest space.
