Enjoy exploring Funchal from this studio apartment, located in the heart of the city. Restaurants, shops, local markets – you name it, it's within walking distance, making this the perfect spot for a bit of sightseeing. Hop on the cable car for panoramic views, admire the Gothic altar at Funchal Cathedral, then stroll down to the marina and watch the boats bob on the water. In between, wander the city's historic streets, stopping by the Mercado dos Lavradores for fresh fruit to snack on during your adventures.

During your downtime, come home to this pocket-sized pad and sprawl out on the sumptuous bed for an afternoon snooze. The design is light and bright, and we love how the host has peppered in photos of Madederia's picturesque scenery. We think the layout works well to separate the spaces – the small kitchen is perfect for rustling up light bites after your catnap and the table doubles as a desk if you need to catch up on work. But the best part is the private balcony. On low-key evenings, pad out there with a glass of wine and watch the sun go down over the mountains and the stars twinkle in the sky.

Home truths:
*This is a studio apartment – there’s no separation between the living space and bedroom *If you’re travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot, high chair and baby bath on request *There’s no closet or wardrobe here, only a clothes rail – we suggest packing light *The wi-fi can be a bit patchy *The kitchen lacks an oven – we think it’s best suited to preparing light bites rather than large meals *There isn’t a desk here, but the dining table doubles as a laptop-friendly workspace *You won’t need a car in Funchal – shops, restaurants and access to public transport are all within easy reach *As this apartment is in a central location, expect to hear some noise