Spectacular Caves You Can Rent

Finding unique places to stay these days isn't tough — there are tiny homes and treehouses and houseboats galore on vacation rental sites. But in keeping with these anxiety-laden times, we couldn't help but feel like caves might be just the thing for escaping everything. They're darker, cooler, and — in many cases — quite isolated from the rest of the world. Here are 15 caves across the planet that offer an unusual getaway.

Related: 25 Vacation Rentals with Secret Rooms and Hidden Passages

Parthenon, Arkansas
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Gather up your covid-bubble peeps for a stay at this northwest Arkansas cavern that's been transformed into a high-end retreat overlooking the Ozark Mountains. There's a catch-and-release pond on the 256-acre property, as well as a fire pit and lots of hiking trails.

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The 5,800-square-foot property sleeps 12 and includes four bedrooms, four baths, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, and other modern amenities like an LED smart TV and WiFi.

Farmington, New Mexico
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You won't be roughing it at this northern New Mexico rental. At 1,600 square feet, it includes a fireplace, TV/DVD, Bluetooth stereo, washer/dryer, and more. Man-made using blasting and hydro-drilling techniques, the owners note it is located 70 feet below the surface.

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Other amenities at Kokopelli's Cave include a waterfall shower, jacuzzi tub, and two outdoor areas for taking in the sunsets over Shiprock Peak while enjoying a glass of wine.

Related: Beyond Niagara: Where to Find Waterfalls in All 50 States

Santorini, Greece
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At just under 500 square feet, it's not big, but it is luxurious, with an indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi and terrace offering spectacular views of the Aegean sea. Legend has it that this space once served as a late 19th-century sailor's home.

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Inside, the cave is sparsely but tastefully decorated with "pearl white" walls and a king bed and includes a small kitchen and bath. 

Boulder, Utah
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If you like your caves with a side of isolation and fresh air, this is the accommodation for you. Located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on 40 acres of farmland, this cave rental requires a four-wheel drive to get to and offers limited 21st-century amenities, but you'll be rewarded with peace, incredible views, and star-packed nighttime skies.

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Amenities in this southern Utah rental include a full kitchen, swimming hole, and easy driving distance to a number of the state's incredible national parks and recreation areas. 

Related: 33 National Monuments Everyone Should Visit at Least Once

Trenton, Georgia
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Located just south of the Tennessee border (aka the state that has the largest underground cave system in the U.S.), this 700-square-foot rental features a quiet and idyllic country setting that offers plenty to do for outdoor enthusiasts including mountain biking, rock climbing, and caving. Or head to Chatanooga, just 17 miles away, to explore its dining and shopping scene.

Related: Free and Cheap Underground Spaces to Explore

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At the end of the day, head back to the rental to cook a meal in the fully equipped kitchen, sip wine by the fire pit, or soak in the hot tub while taking in the views.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas
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If you've always wanted to make like Frodo and the gang, this trio of Arkansas hobbit caves — each with a king bed, Jacuzzi tub for two, 50-inch flatscreen TV, DVD player, and WiFi — will let you do so in style.

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Each hobbit house also includes a covered private deck where you can take in the sites and sounds of the surrounding Ozark countryside.

Centre, France
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This troglodyte home — which is what the French call domesticated cave dwellings — is located only a few miles from the area's many historic castles and is just north of the scenic River Loire.

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The apartment includes a large bathroom, bed, and kitchenette. It also has a terrace overlooking the town of Ambroise, which was once home to Leonardo da Vinci.

Monachil, Spain
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Colorfully and eclectically furnished with white painted "walls," this tiny home-like cave has a kitchenette, two bedrooms, and a bath.

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It also features a terrace with a grill overlooking the Andalusian countryside. A shared pool is on the property, and village amenities and a bus stop are only about a minute's walk away.

Matera, Italy
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Stay in an area of this northern Italian town known as the Sassi di Matera, a complex of cave dwellings in the Gravina River valley that are also considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. With one bedroom, a bath, and a kitchen, this 1,000-plus-square-foot rental can accommodate a family of four.

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The rental also includes a large patio perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing and taking in views of the surrounding area, which has been named both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a European Capital of Culture.

Winterton, South Africa
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Located in this small South African town near the banks of the Tugela River, this Bushman- themed cave rental offers dramatic views of the nearby Drakensberg mountains, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Amenities include a lounge area overlooking an outdoor rock pool, WiFi, bathroom with "rock" bath and separate shower, and kitchen. And music lovers take note: The owner points out that the residence is also near the "world-famous" Drakensberg Boys Choir, which holds concerts on most Wednesday afternoons.

Artenara, Spain
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Nestled into a secluded hillside in the Gran Canarias mountains, this minimalist cave-dwelling, which the owner says has "roots reaching back into the 6th century," can accommodate six guests, and includes a kitchen and bath.

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This rental is best suited for the adventurous who don't mind giving up modern-day amenities like WiFi for what one reviewer called a "once in a lifetime" stay. Other reviewers concur: One said it was the "most memorable Airbnb experience you could ever imagine," while another noted that the location and views make you feel "connected to the gods."

Related: Bucket List Experiences for Adrenaline Junkies

Cappadocia, Turkey
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At around 900 square feet, this cave home is located in an area of Turkey known for its geological features, which include "fairy chimneys" and more otherworldly landscapes and, of course, caves.

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This rental features a fully equipped kitchen, a smart TV, and a home theater system. Wake up early to catch the sunrise over Mount Erciyes from the cave's private terrace.

Worcestershire, United Kingdom
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Rockhouse is somewhat famous in the UK, having been featured on a number of British television shows. Its website notes that: "The grueling restoration of this 800-year-old hand-sculpted wonder created a wave of national and international media coverage." Close to many nearby attractions, the rental can sleep two.

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Other amenities include a kitchen, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, dining terrace, and three acres of private woodland to explore. 

Coober Pedy, Australia
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This area of the Land Down Under is renowned for its underground residences, known as "dugouts," and its opal mining industry. The Desert Cave opened in 1988 and offers 50 rooms, including 19 below-ground rooms like the one pictured here.

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The hotel also has what it claims is the "world's only underground bar and gaming room," a below-ground shopping arcade, and it offers desert cave tours.

Bilpin, New South Wales, Australia
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This cave for two located west of Sydney offers incredible views of the surrounding area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site know for its eucalyptus forests, sandstone plateaus, and gorges.

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Amenities include a full kitchen, bath with inground hot tub, outdoor shower, and panoramic vistas of the Blue Mountains.

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