Best areas for Airbnb in Brighton and Hove: an owner's guide

The best areas for Airbnb in Brighton and Hove are the ones close to the sea, the station and the city's big events: the city centre and the Lanes, Kemptown, central Hove and the streets around Preston Park. Each one attracts a different guest, and each comes with its own parking and neighbour questions.

Here is how the main areas compare, and what to check before you choose.

What do Brighton guests look for?

Most people who stay overnight in Brighton are on holiday. In 2024, 65% of staying trips were holidays, mostly by UK visitors on short breaks. They want to walk to the beach, the Lanes and the bars, and they want to arrive by train without needing a car.

That is why walking distance matters more here than in many cities. A home 10 minutes from the seafront is easier to sell than a bigger one that needs a bus.

Is the city centre good for Airbnb?

The centre suits couples and friends on weekend breaks. Guests can walk from Brighton station to the shops, restaurants and seafront, and there is plenty to do in the evening.

The trade-off is space and noise. Homes are often flats above shops or in older buildings, with little storage and no parking. Late-night noise can also work both ways: your guests may be disturbed, or your neighbours may be. The council names noise late at night as one of the main problems it sees with short lets.

Is Kemptown good for Airbnb?

Kemptown sits east of the Palace Pier, close to the seafront, and is home to many of Brighton's best-known LGBTQ+ bars. That puts it at the centre of the celebrations during Pride, which VisitBrighton says takes place on the first weekend of August.

Homes here can earn strong prices on Pride weekend and through the summer. Regency buildings and seafront views photograph well. Expect lively streets, and plan house rules and neighbour contact with care.

Is Hove good for Airbnb?

Hove is calmer and more residential, with wide streets, the seafront lawns and plenty of independent shops. It suits families, longer stays and guests who want a quieter base while still being close to Brighton's centre.

Parking is controlled in much of central Hove. For example, the council's Zone R covers the areas around Church Road, Portland Road and Poet's Corner. Check which zone your street is in before you promise guests a parking space.

Are Preston Park and Seven Dials good for Airbnb?

These areas sit north of the centre, near Preston Park and Brighton station. Preston Park hosts Pride on the Park and is the start line for the Brighton Marathon, so homes nearby pick up strong demand on those weekends.

Family houses with gardens are more common here than in the centre, which suits groups and longer stays. Transport links to London also make the area useful for business guests.

What about Brighton Marina and the edges of the city?

The Marina has modern flats, parking and sea views, and suits guests with cars. Areas further from the centre can offer more space for less money, but they rely more on price and on guests who do not mind a bus or taxi.

How do you match the home to the area?

The right area depends on the home you have. A one-bed flat near the Lanes suits couples on a weekend break. A three-bed house near Preston Park suits families, runners on marathon weekend and groups coming for Pride. A sea-view flat in Hove suits longer, quieter stays.

Photograph and price the home for the guest the area already attracts. Selling a busy city-centre flat as a quiet retreat only leads to poor reviews.

How much does parking matter?

Much of central Brighton and Hove has controlled parking. Residents in these zones can buy visitor permits, but the council asks for proof of address dated within the last three months. Resident permits are for people who live at the address at least five nights a week, so an owner who does not live in the home cannot simply buy one for guests.

If your home has no off-street parking, say so clearly in your listing and point guests to the nearest car parks. Honest listings get better reviews than disappointed drivers.

What should you check in any area?

• Planning: full-time lets may need permission wherever you are. See our guide to Airbnb rules in Brighton and Hove.
• Lease: many flats in converted buildings limit short stays.
• Neighbours: thin walls and shared hallways need firm house rules.
• Costs: second homes pay extra council tax. Read council tax, business rates and tax on Brighton short lets.

What could your street earn?

Two homes a few streets apart can earn very different amounts. Our Airbnb management in Brighton covers the whole city, from Hove to the Marina. Get your free valuation and we will tell you what your address could earn, and what guests there will expect.

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This is general information, not legal or tax advice. It is our own interpretation of the rules and figures as they stand on the date shown above, and they can change. Speak to a qualified solicitor or accountant before you act on anything here.