Sitting pretty close to the Algarve's celebrated coastline, this villa treats guests to a panoramic view of the region's white rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea from the terrace up on the third floor – and this isn't the only bit of outside space. Head back down to the ground level and you'll find a peaceful private garden that leads out to larger communal grounds and a shared swimming pool.

Although you'll undoubtedly be spending a vast amount of your time here outside, you'll like what you see when you eventually have to head indoors. There's a traditional edge to the design, what with the terracotta tiles underfoot and the colourful artwork hung on whitewashed walls, but other parts feel way more contemporary – the bright and airy kitchen and bathrooms, in particular.

When you want to see a little more of the local region, the local town of Armação de Pêra can be easily reached on foot and offers a 6km-long stretch of bay, plus lots of restaurants and nightlife. Further along the coastline, the destinations of Albufera and Faro, as well as a huge number of golf courses, lie not too far away by car.

Home truths:
*The home is spread over four floors with no elevator, although there's a bedroom on the ground level, there are stairs to all bedrooms
*The pool and larger garden are shared with other local residents
*There's space to park on the premises
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace