Hip Apartments in Madeira, Portugal, You'll Want to Call Home

Looking for a homely apartment in the heart of Funchal? Casa da Praça offers family-friendly one- and two-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens and bright bedrooms. Each apartment or room comes with air conditioning, free wifi and a balcony or patio. Guests can also make use of the free bicycle hire to explore the surrounding area, including the Mercado dos Lavradores farmers’ market set in a historical 1940s building just a short distance from the apartments.

This 19th-century Madeiran home is located in the Sé district in the city centre of Funchal, just minutes from the city’s magnificent cathedral. The building has been restored and transformed into seven unique apartments of various sizes, each with traditional windows and sunny balconies or courtyards. While the architecture is traditional, the interiors are bright and contemporary, with crafted timber furnishings, pretty pastel upholstery and fully equipped modern kitchens. Carefully curated details such as old luggage trunks and statement lighting give the apartments plenty of personality.

These vibrant apartments are close to both Marina do Funchal and Avenida do Mar, the city’s main seafront promenade. There are six air-conditioned apartments to choose from, ranging from studios to one-bedroom apartments that can sleep up to four. Each apartment features a well-equipped kitchen, with microwave, fridge, oven, kettle and coffee machine, as well as a spacious living and dining area. The interiors have been designed to evoke chilled summer holiday vibes, with elegant linens, splashes of bright yellow and colourful handwoven rugs.

Immerse yourself in Madeiran history at this one-bedroom apartment in a historic building on Rua da Conceição that dates back to 1942 and evokes the charm of the belle époque era. Behind the handsome coloured facade, guests will discover a four-star apartment that was fully renovated in 2010, with air conditioning, wifi, a fully equipped kitchen and characterful stone feature walls. There’s also an office area that makes it suitable for mixing business and leisure travel. Its central location, near to Praça do Carmo, makes it ideal for visitors wanting to explore the city on foot.

Bold black-and-white furnishings meet elegant timber detailing in these apartments in the heart of Funchal. The 15 one-bedroom and studio apartments are located in a five-storey building with easy access to public transport and parking. The studio apartments are designed with couples or solo travellers in mind and have balconies which offer either expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean or picturesque city views. The one-beds are ideal for groups of friends travelling together, with two single beds and a double sofa bed. Visit the famous farmers’ market a 10-minute walk away, then cook up a feast in the fully equipped kitchen.

Planning an extended stay in Funchal? Apartamentos Vila Marta is a pretty, terracotta-roofed hotel located in a quiet, almost rural setting just 4km (2.5mi) from the city centre – and the multilingual owner offers special rates for long-term stays. There are eight standard studios with wood-panelled kitchenettes and one extra-spacious suite with sea views, as well as large verandas and terraces with excellent views over the ocean and the surrounding banana plantations. Each apartment also features a comfy sitting area with plush sofas or pretty wicker chairs upholstered in floral fabrics.

You’ll feel like a local staying at this four-star Funchal studio apartment, which is situated close to the beach, Funchal Marina and Complexo Balnear do Lido, a renowned seafront bathing complex built into the rocks. The modern apartment has two single beds beneath a black-and-white photographic mural depicting the iconic Funchal town square and colourful yellow and red furnishings with an industrial edge. If you fancy staying in, settle back in the chic grey sofa and watch a film on the plasma TV. To get your trip off to a good start, a round-trip airport transfer is also included.

If poolside relaxation is of paramount importance when considering your next Madeira getaway, picture yourself basking by the outdoor pool at Vila Toca. With hazy treetop views, a neat garden and studio apartments decorated in an elegant style, Vila Toca is an uber-chic place to stay. Most apartments have balconies overlooking the ocean and the communal courtyard is filled with plants and adorned with beautifully patterned tiles.

This contemporary aparthotel in Ponta Delgada, a small village on the northern coast of Madeira, is the perfect rural getaway for visitors wanting to escape city life. The interiors feature sleek timber joinery, rock feature walls and modern furnishings, much of it with a fun nostalgic twist. Each unit has a private balcony or a patio with a garden and a kitchen fitted with an oven, microwave, refrigerator and kettle. Take a walk around the charming town and pick up fresh produce or local handicrafts, admire the church by the ocean or pay a visit to the former home of lauded Portuguese poet, writer and journalist Horácio Bento de Gouveia.