Best Homestays in Manali & Old Manali (2026)
Manali has two faces: the touristy Mall Road chaos and the peaceful Old Manali vibe. If you're searching "Airbnb Manali" hoping for an authentic mountain stay, you're better off looking at homestays run by Himachali families.
Here are our top picks — all Google-verified with real reviews.
Old Manali vs New Manali vs Solang
Old Manali
Backpacker paradise turned upscale. Cafés, live music, Manu Temple. Walking distance to everything. Best for solo travellers and couples.
New Manali (Mall Road)
Convenient but noisy. Close to bus stand and markets. Best for families who want amenities.
Solang Valley Side
10 km from town. Apple orchards, quiet, mountain views. Best for nature lovers and long stays.
Top Picks
1. Apple Orchard Cottage, Solang Road
A wooden cottage in a working apple orchard with Himalayan views from every window. Two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a sit-out where the host serves fresh apple juice.
- ●Rating: 4.7★ on Google
- ●Price: From ₹2,500/night (whole cottage)
- ●Best for: Families, couples
2. Riverside Homestay, Old Manali
Right on the Beas River with the sound of rushing water as your alarm clock. Simple rooms, great food, and a bonfire every evening.
- ●Rating: 4.6★ on Google
- ●Price: From ₹1,500/night
- ●Best for: Backpackers, writers
3. Mountain View Family Home, Naggar Road
A traditional Himachali house with a slate roof and wooden balconies. The host family has lived here for 5 generations. Incredible home-cooked siddu and trout.
- ●Rating: 4.8★ on Google
- ●Price: From ₹1,200/night
- ●Best for: Culture lovers, foodies
4. Snow View Cottage, Solang
At 8,000 feet with views of the Solang Valley and snow-capped peaks. Wood-fired heating, thick quilts, and silence.
- ●Rating: 4.5★ on Google
- ●Price: From ₹2,000/night
- ●Best for: Winter trips, adventure seekers
Airbnb Manali vs Fursat
"Airbnb Manali" mostly shows hotel rooms and managed properties. On Fursat, every Manali stay is a real homestay or cottage with Google reviews — run by local families, not operators.
Browse all Manali stays on Fursat →
Best Time to Visit
- ●March-June: 10-25°C, clear. Peak season — book early.
- ●July-Sept: Monsoon. Lush green but landslide risk.
- ●Oct-Nov: Crisp autumn, fewer crowds. Best for trekking.
- ●Dec-Feb: Snow season. Magical but cold (-5 to 10°C). Book heated rooms.
Tips
- ●Stay in Old Manali not Mall Road — it's a 20-minute walk but a different world
- ●Rent a scooter to Solang — cheaper and more fun than taxis
- ●Eat at Drifter's Café in Old Manali — best Israeli food in the Himalayas
- ●Visit Jogini Falls — 30-minute walk from Old Manali, most tourists don't know about it
- ●Take the Manali-Leh highway drive to Rohtang — even if you don't go to Leh