Cute, cosy and compact, tiny homes make for a fun-sized holiday whatever the time of year. Some are set amid countryside with a back-to-basics approach, while others are central in cities. Wherever you choose, these micro-pads will see you make the most of the space you're in so you can focus on what's important to you – whether that's hiking, hunkering down or watching the world go by from an outdoor spa bath. They might be small, but they sure aren’t boring, as this list attests.

This Grade II-listed stone cottage is tucked away in the hamlet of St Lawrence on the Isle of Wight and sleeps up to three guests. Dating back to the 15th century, Vestry Cottage is cute inside and out. Expect timber-beamed ceilings, wooden floorboards and a brick fireplace with wood-burner. The kitchen-diner has all the essentials while the two bedrooms are decorated in a shabby-chic style. This light and airy cottage also has a spacious patio garden and is pet friendly. Vestry Cottage is open May to October with rates from £250 ($312) per night.

Located in the town of Vöhrenbach, the Igluhut Tiny House Winterberghof’s unique and rustic materials shape ties in nicely with its countryside surroundings. Featuring one bedroom, one bathroom, a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen, this adorable cabin is spartan in style, leaving guests to focus on the important things, whether that be reading, conversation with loved ones or recuperating after a long day’s hike. Rent this tiny house from £118 ($143) per night. 

Lazy mornings never felt so good than at 6Sixteen The Banks, a boho-chic tiny home that sleeps four. The deck in front of the blue-panelled exterior has chairs, tables and comfy blankets along with a show-stopping wood-fired bathtub. Inside, there’s a cute kitchen, spacious bathroom and snug sofa that converts into one of the beds while a stepladder leads up to the spacious double bed. Sit out on the deck and take in the views which stretch out to the Grose Vale and the Blue Mountains. Rent it from £160 ($199) per night.

Experience the natural energy of this Guatemalan eco cabaña with its bottle-tiled walls, mosaic floor and solar panels. Simple and rustic, this popular Airbnb is stocked with cosy quilts for a back-to-basics feel, although there is electricity for the necessities. The quirky hideaway sleeps three in one bedroom with an outside shared kitchen, shower and compost toilet. There's a communal fireplace and yoga deck too, where you can get to know your neighbours. Rent this quirky home from £19 ($24) per night. 

The Cedar Tiny House is perfect for those looking to cosy up after a long day of walking along the coast. Inside the small wooden cabin you’ll find the living room with a corner sofa and TV, plus a kitchen-diner with a breakfast bar. Head upstairs to the open-plan double bedroom, complete with skylight and another TV. The place is furnished with light wood and grey decor throughout, creating a calming vibe. Rent this tiny home from £120 per night ($150).

If you like minimalism, look no further than Casa Tiny in Oaxaca's Punta Pájaros. Think smooth grey walls, floors and countertops, wooden shutters on the windows and doors and... well, not much else. This architect-designed home prompts guests to follow a pared-down lifestyle too. Inside, there’s the kitchen, bathroom and step-accessible bedroom while outside there’s a hammock, private pool, garden and even a pizza oven to enjoy. Rent Casa Tiny from £152 ($190) per night with a minimum two-night stay.

Originally built in the late 1800s, this rustic cabin is filled with American charm – think timber beam frames, wood-panelled walls and an all-important decking area complete with hammock, barbecue and tables and chairs. Inside, the open-planned layout oozes cosiness with an inviting king-sized bed, kitchen-diner with modern appliances and a sparkling modern bathroom. Rent this private log cabin from £120 ($190) per night.

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You won’t want to leave this seriously swish pad on New South Wales' central coast. The kitchen has all the kit with a breakfast bar for dining while gazing out across the outside space, and you access the bedroom by a pulley-controlled ladder. Also downstairs is the bathroom, which uses filtered rainwater, and a compact living area where board games are provided. But you’ve got to make the most of its outdoors area: there’s a spa bath and seating on the decking, with steps leading down to a firepit and barbecue area. Rent this tiny home from £167 ($208) per night.

Micro in size but magnificent in nature, this diddy dwelling in the Lake District is only a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Windermere village. As you step inside, the coffee station, fireplace and king-sized bed are to your left, while a compact bathroom complete with shower lies to the right. With chic wood panelling and decor encapsulating the spirit of the outdoors you can chill out in this affordable luxury space by making good use of the TV (Netflix included) and grazing on snacks from the mini-fridge. Bliss! Rent this micro home from £101 ($16) per night with three-night minimum stay.

This simple alpine mountain lodge in historic little village Roč is a great place to base yourself if hiking or cycling is on the agenda. Inside you'll find simple wooden furniture, a red-topped sofa and queen-sized bed (sleeps two) and a spacious, modern bathroom. It also includes a dishwasher, refrigerator and other amenities so you can really hunker down. With a minimum stay of five nights, you can rent this tiny home from £66 ($82) per night.

Feel both remote and exposed in PurePod, Canterbury. This all-glass pod – yes, even the bathroom – is situated in some of South Island’s most engrossing greenscape overlooking the Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Range and Mount Fyffe. Inside you’ll find a kitchen, double bed, bathroom with toilet and shower and bio-fuel heating. There are also comfy deck chairs, a barbecue and even a telescope for inspecting the night sky. Rent PurePod from £310 ($380) per night.

Whether you’re with a pal, partner or by yourself, this teeny-tiny space in the heart of the Cairngorms is a gorgeous bolthole. The contemporary cabin comes with a sofa nestled against the window which, with a fold-out table, doubles as the dining area. The kitchen includes a kettle, coffee maker and oven and just behind is the small bathroom. Climb the stepladder to reach the cosy double bed and gaze out of the skylight. Hike the five miles (8km) to Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s Scottish holiday home. Rent this tiny house from £170 ($212) per night. 

Treat yourself to a solo break at Tiny House Dreamcatcher, near artsy Sarchí Sur. Resembling a blue beach house from the outside, inside there’s a double bed with a TV perched in the high corner. In the next room is the kitchen which comes with a dishwasher, seating area, TV, washing machine, refrigerator and coffee machine, while the bathroom includes a shower and complimentary toiletries. Located on a coffee plantation, the garden space also features a small firepit and deckchairs. Rent this pad from £45 ($55) per night.  

Tiny House Ekoti is perfect for cyclists or those with outdoor gear they don’t want to traipse indoors. Accommodating up to three guests, there’s a double bed upstairs and a sofa bed downstairs. There’s a breakfast bar next to one of the wash-up areas with a private bathroom next to it. Outside is the kitchen and dining area complete with kitchenware, tea/coffee maker and a round wooden table with three deck chairs. Rent it from £40 ($49) per night. 

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Go totally off-grid at the Water Tower Retreat in Elk. Nestled among redwood trees, this distinctive house has a bohemian feel with thick candles, Aztec-style rugs and wispy plants dotted around. The kitchenette comes with basic appliances and utensils, the bathroom consists of a bath with a standing shower and the bedroom is reached by a stepladder. There’s no Wi-Fi or phone signal and there's often a waiting list for this hot spot, so book early! Rent this tiny home from £268 ($328) per night.

This garden hideaway in northeast Berlin is in a quiet spot, but it's also only a 20-minute tram ride from the city centre. There’s a modern bathroom, kitchen and dining space with a breakfast bar. You can dine outside on one of the comfy chairs overlooking the garden when the weather's right too. Cross the stone path to reach the greenhouse that produces fresh tomatoes and keep an eye out for wandering chickens. Rent this tiny house from £50 ($62) per night.

Located in the midst of the countryside in Abergele, this North Wales pad includes a larger wooden dining table with benches, steps leading up to the bed, a sleek kitchen with all the essentials and a bathroom tucked away behind a private door. Soak up the meadow views in your very own outdoor hot tub and, if you’re travelling with a plus one, grab a cwtch (cuddle in Welsh) as you watch the night sky take over. Rent this cosy cabin from £110 ($137) per night.

This modern-day tiny home was actually created from a former shipping container. It’s much more homely today, though, with a queen-sized bed sleeping two guests, a full-sized tiled shower and neutral contemporary furnishings. The interior is clad with white pine shiplap and the exterior with cedar siding. This basic bolthole is complete with a sofa, spacious bathroom and kitchen/dining-area, but its standout feature is the rooftop deck. Head up here at night when the LED rail lights illuminate this private area. Rent Stillwater House from £90 ($112) per night.

Take in the Northern Lights from the comfort of your remote tiny home in Hella, southern Iceland. The Glass Cottage sleeps two and is furnished in a modern Nordic style, complemented with an outdoor hot tub. The well-equipped kitchen comes with an espresso machine while the two-way mirror effect bathroom means that nobody can see in from the outside – not that you'll see many passing travellers. This open-plan space also includes a double bed with independent shops and markets just five minutes away. Rent the Glass Cottage from £313 ($381) per night.

It may not look like the cosiest of houses, but inside The Phoenix House you’ll feel right at home. This architect-designed Airbnb is located on a volcanic lava field and while there's certainly a utilitarian-feel, there’s plenty of inviting space to relax in. The kitchen comes with a mini fridge, the living room has its own porch and the bedroom, accessed by a stepladder, includes a queen-sized bed and unique artwork as gorgeous as the ethereal views from your window. This modern Airbnb can be rented from £195 ($244) per night.

This rather unique-looking red tower in rural Ontario utilises its space through height. Relax on the decking area with two reclining seats and a table-and-chair set-up or make use of the barbecue and firepit, ideal for tucking into good grub beneath twinkling stars. Outside you’ll also find a shower and when you eventually retreat inside you’ll find windows lining the side of the tower to give higher views of your surroundings. The bed is reached via steps where there are more wraparound window views. Rent the artsy tiny home from £94 ($117) per night.

You could book a holiday based solely on this tiny home rental and we wouldn't judge. Mosaics cover the floor and kitchen countertops while the low ceilings and entranceways create a cavern-like atmosphere. With no TV, microwave or oven you’re prompted to go back to basics – or at least venture out to see where the locals go. Plonk the small dining table and two chairs outside the front for an Alfresco meal. There’s also a basic kitchen and bathroom and upstairs leads to the double bed and two small desks. Rent this tiny home from £26 ($33) per night.

This seriously sumptuous pad is seriously pricey, but it certainly delivers. Kunene’s Shipwreck Lodge gives guests the chance to explore Namibia’s rugged Skeleton Coast – if you want to leave its confines, that is. Designed by a local architect, these eco cabins are full of treasures inside with wraparound decks, en suite rooms, wood-burning stoves and comfy purple chairs complementing the bronze-gold furnishings. Rent Shipwreck Lodge from £1,700 ($2,082) per night.

Snuggle up in this tiny house that’s within walking distance of a beach and a 40-minute drive from Oslo. A single chandelier hangs from the ceiling in this all-white cabin and there’s a noticeable nautical theme. The living room area includes a sofa and tree-trunk coffee tables and there’s a small kitchen and dining table. The double-bed is reached by stepladder but the sofa converts into a double bed if you need more space. While there’s a sink and toilet inside, step outside for the hot shower or treat yourself to a wood-fired bath. Rent this tiny house for £75 ($94) per night.

Whether you want to explore the nearby city centre or simply stay tucked away in leafy surroundings, this tiny house in Cardiff is a dream. Sleeping up to two guests, the place is decked out with contemporary furnishings with soft grey and yellow hues. There’s a corner sofa, kitchen with a microwave and refrigerator and a modern shower room. While the double bed is accessible by stepladder, the sofa also converts into a sofa bed. With free Wi-Fi and use of Netflix, you can rent this two-night minimum stay from £73 ($89) per night.

Offering a balcony lounge, fast Wi-Fi and plenty of space, what’s not to love about Tiny Tall Haus? Its 20-foot (6m) height means you won’t feel as cramped as in others and an open-plan setting makes you feel as if you’re already in the great outdoors. You’re welcome to share the nearby pool with other guests, and your cabin has a tall rain shower and six steps leading up to a queen-sized bed and sublime sky views, you can rent this dreamy getaway from £58 ($71) per night.

Step inside to see this former lifeguard station transform into your own bolthole for the weekend. Close to Siesta Key and plenty of restaurants, this tiny house sleeps up to four guests and is painted and furnished with lime green, deep blue and fresh white. This compact space includes a sofa, dining table, refrigerator/freezer and other essential mod cons. The queen-sized bedroom features a TV and the twin bunk beds, in a separate room, are painted bright blue. Rent Blue Lifeguard Stand from £121 ($148) per night.

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Step back in time at Houghton West Lodge. Built in the 1840s, this micro-English home formerly guarded the entrance to the stately (and still-standing) Houghton Hall. Fine china lines the shelves, the walls are painted in pastel yellow and olive green furnishings, from the kitchen cupboards to the armchairs, form the interior. Settle down in front of the fireplace in the sitting room before retiring to the bedroom for the evening, which leads through to the private bathroom. This property sleeps two and costs from £75 ($92) per night. 

Even though Edge Hut Hill is a cosy tiny home complete with modern furnishings and a comfy queen-sized bed, you’ll likely find yourself spending most of your time outside. Sitting on a hilltop overlooking Great Lake Taupo, its spacious deck features two comfy chairs, ideal for lazing around outside and watching the world pass by. There’s also an outdoor bath and potbelly fire outside so you can make the most of your surroundings. Head here for a solo retreat – you won’t want to share the secret with anyone else. Rent this tiny home from £87 ($109) per night. 

These whitewashed conical houses, called trullo, are a tourist attraction in their own right, but they’re also a lovely place to stay. This selection across Alberobello is housed in UNESCO-listed buildings. Inside is a cosy affair with brick walls, low ceilings and antique furnishings. There are still modern and luxurious touches but overall a stay in a trulli makes for a rustic Italian experience. Rent one from £96 ($118) per night.

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