More holidaymakers are looking for unusual places to stay instead of standard hotels. According to a new study, travelers in Europe are increasingly choosing historic castles, cozy caves, and floating houseboats for their vacations.
France came out on top as the world's leading destination for unique accommodations, with 2,947 listings available online. The ranking, created by the company Holafly, counted eight types of properties listed on Airbnb, including treehouses, windmills, and lighthouses. France led several specific categories, offering more than 1,000 castles, 400 houseboats, and 30 windmills for rent.
Other European countries also ranked high on the global list. Italy placed third overall with 1,050 listings, popular for its Tuscan castles, historic cave dwellings in Matera, and traditional stone huts in Puglia. The United Kingdom placed sixth globally with 696 listings, including nearly 250 castles, almost 150 domes, and 23 lighthouses.
Greece ranked ninth overall with 599 unique places to stay. It led the world for cave stays with 279 options, while also placing second for windmill properties. Globally, the United States finished second behind France, while South American countries like Brazil and Colombia also made the top five.