Visitors to Provincetown are following in the footsteps of history. This town on the northern tip of Cape Cod is the site of the “Mayflower” landing in 1620, which brought the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World. A few years earlier, the English explorer and founder of the Jamestown colony in Virginia, Benjamin Gosnold, had led a pioneering expedition to the cape and named it after the profusion of codfish in its waters. Today, this freewheeling seaside resort is a magnet for artists, bohemians, and fans of alternative culture, with demand for Provincetown vacation rentals peaking during the summer festival season.
Friendly, laid-back “P-town”, as the locals call it, is compact enough to explore easily on foot. Downtown Provincetown vacation rentals place you at the heart of the resort’s fabled cultural and social scene. Commercial Street is lined with quirky stores and bohemian bars, and the lively waterfront is a popular spot for socializing and dining. The Fine Arts Work Center runs a prestigious program of visiting artists and writers, Provincetown Art Association and Museum chronicles the origins of one of the country’s oldest art colonies, while the iconic Pilgrim Monument commemorates the signing of the Mayflower Compact in 1620.
A guided tour of the fascinating historic district of Dune Shacks of Peaked Hill Bars showcases the creative side of this unique community. The dune shacks are among the heritage highlights of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Originally built to provide shelter for shipwrecked sailors, the secluded shacks gradually became popular as summer homes for artists and writers, including Eugene O’Neill, Jack Kerouac, and Jackson Pollock. Dune tours depart from downtown Provincetown and range from informative 1-hour narrated trips to specialist watercolor-painting days and sunset tours culminating in a traditional New England clambake.
If you're planning a vacation around the weather, August, July, September and June are the hottest months to visit, when temperatures average 67°F.
Provincetown is incorporated within the protected environment of Cape Cod National Seashore, which encompasses wetland, woodland, and beach habitats. A network of paved cycle and walking trails opens up the possibility of exploring the scenic beauty of this unspoiled coast and catching glimpses of its native wildlife, without damaging its fragile ecosystem. Wild cranberry bogs are a special feature of the inland peninsula, while its shoreline provides a safe nesting site for many federally protected species, including the endangered piping plover and the elusive spadefoot toad.
Fly into Provincetown, MA (PVC-Provincetown Municipal), the closest airport, located 2.3 mi (3.6 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal), which is 27.1 mi (43.6 km) away.
Whether you want an intimate retreat for you and your love or someplace roomy to fit all your friends, you'll find some top vacation rentals in and around Provincetown. Here are a couple to get you started:
For even more great options, use the search bar at the top of the page to find the perfect Provincetown vacation rental for you.
For a different kind of vacation experience, book one of Vrbo's tiny house rentals in Provincetown. We'll warn you though — after you've lived the tiny house life, the temptation to downsize and move into one of these pint-sized pads will be hard to resist!
Whether you want to spend your vacation adventuring outdoors or connecting with your loved ones, we've got charming log cabins where you can do both. Take a peek at these favorites in and around Provincetown:
Clock out on Friday and then forget about your cares. If you're craving some relaxation and fun, these escapes in and near Provincetown promise an unforgettable weekend getaway:
Typically small, affordable and conveniently located, it's not difficult to be impressed by a studio apartment. Escape to one of these options and experience Provincetown up close:
With the money you save on your studio apartment, you can afford to discover more of Provincetown. Cultural sights like Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and Oberon will help you understand the character of this destination.
Just because you only have a day or two free doesn't mean you have to spend it in a soulless hotel. Head off on vacation but still have the home comforts you love at one of these short-term rentals in or around Provincetown:
Whether spent in a rustic cabin or a luxury condo, a romantic weekend getaway is one of the best ways to say "I love you." Whisk your honey away for a couple of leisurely days at one of these enticing escapes in or near Provincetown:
We've got some incredible mansions for rent in and around Provincetown. If you're seeking somewhere with plenty of room as well as a large dollop of wow factor, these stunners will tick all your boxes:
Share your vacation and boost your odds of having fun. Whether you're organizing an adventurous getaway with friends or a big family get-together, there's no shortage of large group vacation rentals in and around Provincetown:
Nothing says fun like a pool does. Blow up your inflatable doughnut and check out these houses in or near Provincetown that come with this vacation necessity:
Wondering what the weather's like in Provincetown? It has a humid subtropical climate, with average temperatures in summer ranging from 65 ºF to 70 ºF. If you're seeking a little more inspiration on where to stay in this epic destination, use the search bar at the top of the page and adjust the filters to check out our entire selection of Provincetown vacation rentals.