Where to Stay in Virginia Beach: 7 Best Areas

For beachfront fun, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and family-friendly attractions, you can’t beat the coastal vibe of Virginia Beach. With 28 miles of sandy beach fun and 38 miles of shoreline, Virginia Beach is the longest pleasure beach in the world.

That’s according to the Guinness Book of World Records, so you know it must be true. The three-mile Virginia Beach Boardwalk is popular with walkers, runners, bicyclists, and in-line skaters.

Located on the Atlantic Ocean, where it meets the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is the largest city in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and the largest city in Virginia. The resort city has loads of luxury hotels, resorts, budget-friendly options, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals with ocean, bay, and boardwalk views.

Enjoy the sandy shores of Chic’s Beach (on the Bay), Sandbridge Beach, and the main area of Virginia Beach and the boardwalk. The area hosts a wide array of festivals and events that range from 5Ks, seasonal light shows (you get to drive on the boardwalk for that one), patriotic parades, USO experiences, craft shows, food and wine festivals, and music events such as VA Beach native Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water music festival.

Speaking of celebrities and musicians, Missy Elliott supposedly owns a home there (and it was featured on MTV Cribs) and Marvel’s Hulk, Mark Ruffalo, grew up in the area. Now, you probably won’t see any of them walking down the boardwalk, but wouldn’t it be cool if you did?

Popular attractions in Virginia Beach include the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the Neptune Statue, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, and First Landing State Park, which is located near Cape Henry and the site of the 1607 arrival of the Jamestown colonists from England.

Let’s get started discovering the best areas to stay in Virginia Beach!

TLDR; Our Favorite Accommodation in Virginia Beach

Best Areas to Stay in Virginia Beach

Best area for first-timers/tourists – North Boardwalk
Best area for budget travelers – Inland
Best area for luxury travelers – Town Center District
Best area for safety – Chic’s Beach
Best area for families – Sandbridge
Best area for nightlife – Oceanfront Boardwalk
Best area for culture/history – ViBe Creative District