Donegal Airbnb Guide: 21 Of The Most Unique Airbnbs In Donegal To Visit In 2021

Howaya! If you’re in search of unique Airbnbs in Donegal, the guide below should tickle your fancy.

Donegal is home to its fair share of funky Airbnbs.

From hobbit huts and tipis to island libraries and more, there’s a little bit of something that’ll appeal to every kind of traveller.

In the guide below, we’ve rounded up the best rentals Donegal has to offer, so grab a cup of tea and dive on in.

Airbnb Donegal: Our guide to the most unique rentals

Over the years, we’ve published guides to everything from the best places to go glamping in Donegal to the most scenic Donegal cottages to spend a night or 3.

The guide below is a combination of the most unique accommodation from each of these articles. To see more unique Irish accommodation, hop into our Where To Stay hub.

Note: if you book a hotel through one of the links below we’ll make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

Section 1: Our favourite Airbnbs in Donegal

Section 1 tackles what are, in our opinion, the best Airbnbs Donegal has to offer, based on either personal experience of reviews online.

If you can’t find availability in any of the rentals listed below, just go to the Donegal section on Airbnb and filter by date.

1. Meadowsweet Forest Lodge

The ‘Honeymoon Suite’ at Meadowsweet Forest Lodge looks like something you’d see deep south in America.

Minus the chap sat on the front porch with a glass of whiskey and a sawn-off shotgun… This really is a gorgeous little spot and it boasts character by the bucket load.

You’ll find Meadowsweet Hill Lodge nestled in the hills of Donegal near Fintown in a secluded woodland area.

The Lodge is situated in a quiet and peaceful location where it’s tucked into a scenic woodland well off the beaten track.

It’s also part of an organic farm where the hosts grow their own veg and produce homemade herbal teas. 

Check prices + see more photos here

2. Crohy Cottage

If you’re in search of Airbnbs in Donegal by the sea, look no further than Crohy Cottage. This place enjoys a picture-perfect location surrounded by rugged Donegal scenery and Atlantic views.

The well-appointed living room has wood flooring, sofa, dining table and a central logburner feature. There’s a modern kitchen with loads of space and a pine dining table for family meals.

Upstairs, three bedrooms sleep 6 in comfort with 3 double beds and an additional single if required. There are 3.5 bathrooms and outside space for enjoying this peaceful location.

Check prices + see more photos here

3. Mamore Cottages (some of the most beautiful Airbnbs in Donegal)

Mamore Cottages are like something from a land that time forgot, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Thatch roofs, cosy interiors and white-wash walls combine to make these cottages a dream for anyone that fancies a night away with a difference.

There are a number of different cottages to choose from at Mamore and, most importantly, each is a stone’s throw from endless adventure opportunities on the Inishowen Peninsula.

If you’re in search of beautiful, picture-perfect Donegal holiday homes, Mamore Cottages are well worth checking out.

Check prices + see more photos here

4. Lough Mardal Glamping

Next up is arguably one of the best Airbnbs in Donegal for those of you exploring with a group of friends.

Nothing says comfy like a yurt fitted with sheepskins, woolen blankets and fluffed pillows. There is even a woodburning stove with an abundance of firewood inside.

Outside of your yurt is awe-inspiring views of the forests, lake and mountain nearby. You might even think you are in the wild wild west.

The Lodge amenity close by comes with a large kitchen, showers and a huge fireplace to bask in. There is no electricity in the yurt though the Lodge has lockers where phones can be charged.

Check prices + see more photos here

5. Tom Crean’s Eco Cabin

Located in the magical Knader forest (a 5 minute spin from Ballyshannon), this comfy cabin is the perfect spot for anyone looking to reset and relax.

This Donegal Airbnb was inspired by famous Irish explorer Tom Crean so the cabin is tech-free with no WIFI or electricity to help you reconnect with nature.

The cabin is a stone’s throw from a number of Donegal attractions and the reviews online are excellent.

6. Seaside Cottage

This charming little home right next to the water is a 3 bedroom cottage that overlooks a secluded bay just 5 minutes walk from Derrybeg.

Fully furnished it has a downstairs master bedroom with sea views and a double and twin room in the loft.

There’s a cosy woodburner, dining table and leather sofa in the sitting room with sea views. It is flooded with natural light from the floor to ceiling window.  

7. Breasty Bay House (for those of you in search of Donegal Aribnbs with sea views)

A gorgeous home at the wild Malin Head, Breasty Bay House it is the perfect remote escape that you can share with up to five of your friends or family.

You’ll get to enjoy the rugged beauty of the North Atlantic coastline in this unique but surprisingly affordable place.

One of the main highlights of this place is the incredible location – it’s finely plonked near the northernmost point of Ireland.

It’s also based on a 60-acre property which is only shared with one other cottage, so you’ll feel as though you have the entire coastline to yourself. 

Check prices + see more photos here

8. The Native American Tipi 

You’ll find this tipi beautifully located in the forests of the Knader, surrounded by clear lakes, mysterious mountains and fields.

Now, if you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Eh, there’s no way I’m sleeping in a tent in Donegal, pal – the hole would be frozen off of me’, then don’t be worrying – this place is nice and cosy (see below)!

Here’s how the host describes this unique Donegal Airbnb; ‘Whether you wanna head off after a hearty breakfast with homemade bread and free-range eggs and go ride the waves of the wild sea or swing yourself on the back of a horse.

hike the green mountains or canoe the great lakes, go out for some action and do a bit of whitewater-rafting or cliff-jumping, or take it easy and follow the footsteps of famous Irish writers, poets and revolutionaries exploring the country’s mysterious ancient and recent history – we’ve got you covered’.

9. The Barn by the beach

You’ll find our fifth Donegal Airbnb in a mighty little corner of the county known as Rathmullan where it’s home to many a fine view.

The Barn is a couple’s getaway dream. Overlooking a beautiful, secluded beach, this small but perfectly formed apartment has heaps of character and a good whack of seaside charm.

Think guitars on the walls, vintage crockery and retro floor tiles and you’ll get the idea. Rathmullan itself is a lovely little village that boasts a handful of great pubs and restaurants.

10. A hideaway in the hills of Donegal

Aptly known as ‘The Hideaway’, this cosy AirBnB in Donegal is a beautifully handcrafted cabin that offers stunning views towards Glenveagh National Park. 

The hosts describe the cabin as a cosy, self-contained space that has been designed to make the most of the stunning mountain views that surround it.

If you’re looking to steer clear of the crowds and immerse yourself in peace, quiet and a good dollop of scenery, this place should do the job.

It comes equipped with a stove to make the place toasty and a lovely little outdoor seating area where you can eat, drink and soak up the views. 

Section 2: Airbnbs in Donegal by the beach

The second section in our Donegal Airbnb guide is packed with places to stay that are finely plonked right next to the sea.

If you can’t find availability in any of the rentals listed below, just go to the Donegal section on Airbnb and filter by date.

1. The sea-view suite

This Tidal View Suite includes your own lounge, bedroom and en-suite with a private entrance and terrace on this property on Cruit Island.

It’s the perfect location to enjoy the beaches and scenic coast of the island with just a short 10-minute drive to Donegal airport and Carrickfinn Beach.

The coastal view is the main draw of this little cottage. The front garden leads down to the nearest beach with beautiful views across the sea to the mainland.

The lovely cosy lounge area has a fireplace and large glass windows so you can admire the view from the comfort of indoors.

2. The Fort Cottage

This gorgeous cottage earned a place in our guide to the best Airbnbs by the beach in Ireland, and it’s not hard to see why – this place is class!

The Fort Cottage is an ideal little gaff for couples seeking a seaside retreat in one of the most picturesque corners of the country.

Packed with old-world charm yet clean, modern and cosy, the Fort offers breathtaking views across the bay and out onto the Atlantic Ocean. 

If you visit when the weathers bad, you can kick back with a coffee and soak up the sea views from afar. 

Check prices + see more photos here

3. A Luxurious cliff lodge with panoramic sea views

This newly renovated swanky cliff-side lodge overlooks the stunning Rossnowlagh Beach and offers visitors panoramic views of the rugged Donegal coastline.

You can nearly hear the crash of the waves and smell the salty sea air from a glance at the photo below.

If you fancy taking a ramble out to the beach, it’s a handy 7-minute stroll, with restaurants and pubs just 2 minutes away.

According to the hosts, this unique Donegal Airbnb contains state of the art electrical appliances, furniture and fittings to deliver the perfect self-catering experience.

4. A snug cottage with a private beach

Yes, you read correctly – this Airbnb in Donegal comes with its own PRIVATE BEACH. This one has caused me a bit of physical pain. I’d love to own somewhere like this.

This Airbnb is a traditional granite cottage that was fully refurbished for 2018 with a contemporary timber extension.

The cottage itself is over 100 years old and even though it has been recently refurbished, it retains its original ‘underthethatch’ (I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds class) under a modern roof.

5. Island Hill House (one of the best Airbnbs in Donegal if you’re exploring with a group)

You’ll find Island Hill House a handy 5-minute drive from the little fishing village of Killybegs in Donegal.

It’s the view out over Fintra Beach that gives this Donegal Airbnb it’s zing. You’ll (literally) be able to see the sand from your doorstep.

The house is a new, modern, spacious home, with 5 double bedrooms, 5 bathrooms (3 ensuites + 2 jacuzzi baths), kitchen/ dining, family room, sitting room, games room and study.

Considering its size along with its proximity to Killybegs (a 15-minute stroll), this would be the perfect spot for a night away with a group of friends.

6. An Corrach by the waterfront

An Corrach is not only stunningly built – it’s also situated in an absolutely magnificent location that provides those that stay with breathtaking views out over Tranarossan Beach.

Less than two years old (it was built in 2018), an Corrach offers the perfect blend of luxury and scenery. One thing to note is that An Corrach is directly at the waterfront.

According to the hosts, young children will need supervision as there are steep cliffs and dangerous areas surrounding this Donegal Airbnb.

This is one of those places that I could see myself happily retiring in. Imagine waking up to that view every morning. Mad stuff. 

Section 3: The most unique Airbnbs in Donegal

Although many of the Donegal Airbnbs listed above fall firmly in the ‘unique’ category, they don’t have a patch on what’s to come.

If you can’t find availability in any of the rentals listed below, just go to the Donegal section on Airbnb and filter by date.

1. The Birdbox

This place looks all kiiiiiinds of fancy from the outside. The Birdbox is a cosy, handcrafted treehouse that’s nestled in the branches of beautiful mature oak and scots pine trees. 

This treehouse boasts stunning views towards Glenveagh National Park that you can soak up while you kick-back in the morning with a coffee, or with something a little stronger as the sun starts to drop.

The Birdbox is a self-contained treehouse that’s suitable for adults only. You’ll access it via a 30-metre walk along a stepped wooden walkway through a bank of mature trees, which lead to the decked area of the treehouse.

The last five metres is accessed by the rope bridge you can see in the photos above. I’d happily live in this place!

Check prices + see more photos here

2. The hobbit hut

The chances are that you’ve seen this place before. But it’s easily the quirkiest Airbnb in Donegal, so it’d be impossible to exclude it from this list.

You’ll find this place built into the rugged landscape of Southwest Donegal, in Glencolumbcille (a stunning part of Donegal that’s often missed).

Here’s how the host, Gary, describes it: An amazing contemporary mountain pod inspired by Irish archaeology and under new ownership, this bespoke ‘one-off’ retreat is a perfect ‘minimoon’/Honeymoon destination in a wilderness landscape. 

He goes on to say that you can, ‘Walk to the secluded beach or up ‘your’ mountain to discover the seven lakes.’ 

Check prices + see more photos here

3. An off-grid eco-cottage

This eco-cottage is a 3-minute walk to the Atlantic Ocean… It sits alone in a wild, iconic location above a smooth-stoned beach and the tiny harbour of Port in Donegal. 

If you stay here, you’ll be a handy 25-minute drive to Maghera’s huge sandy beaches and caves, 35 minutes from Silver Strand and 45 minutes from Tramore, and Bundoran.

According to the host: ‘This is a simple, mod-con-free, and genuinely eco, zone. A small amount of power comes from the solar panels – enough for a 12V. few lights Our water comes into the house from a hillside river, and we heat it at the back of a wood-burning stove.

We have no fridge – food is chilled in the outside larder and milk/drinks in the stream. This is an important part of the simple charms of Port, but it wouldn’t suit anyone too power-hungry’.

More mighty places to stay in Donegal

So, as you can tell, there’s heaps of great Airbnbs in Donegal where you can kip for a few nights. However, there’s plenty of other cool places to stay, if you know where to look.

Below, you’ll find everything from 5-star hotels and luxury cottages to campsites, quirky guesthouses and much more.

1. Hotels

There’s plenty of incredible hotels in Donegal, with something to suit most budgets, once you know where to look. Here’s some guides to our favourites:

• 21 hotels in Donegal worth your hard-earned €€€
• 7 of the finest spa hotels in Donegal for a pamper
• The fanciest luxury accommodation and five star hotels in Donegal

2. Camping and glamping

Donegal’s home to heaps of places to camp and glamp. In the 2 guide below you’ll find the best campsites and glampsites on offer:

• 17 quirky places to go glamping in Donegal
• 13 scenic places to go camping in Donegal

3. Incredible cottages

Although we covered some cottages in our Donegal Airbnb guide above, there’s plenty more, as you’ll discover in our article on the most scenic Donegal cottages to rent.