starting our 9 days in portugal in the Algarve. then we plan 3 days in Obidos and then 3 more in the Duoro Valley. will have a car and we will have already spent 8 days in the Andalucia and when we leave portugal will spend 9 days in northern spain. where would be a good base to wander the Algarve?

thanks

no help?

It depends if you want to go into the Alentejo as well as you might be best around Loule. The Algarve has a motorway (well a little one) that goes EW a few miles inland and then a parallel normal road nearer the coast. Faro is the not that exciting as a base so logically you either stay E or W of it. If East I'd recommend Tavira, if going to the West then there are loads of nice places and we nned to know if you want the beach etc. Albufeira is well spoken of, I like the grit of Portimao but not to everyone's taste. Lagos is ok, so Probably Albufeira is a good Western base.

We stayed in Carvoeiro. Pretty centrally located, on the water, and good restaurants in town and nearby, although a very small quiet town. If you are looking for action or nightlife, you won't find it there.

You probably know this, but it will likely not be beach weather in May. We were there in mid-June and it was barely warm enough to swim (we thought so anyway - admittedly the Brits who were there seemed to have a different opinion, and one couple even asked us if we are from Florida or somewhere very warm - we are not! - since we seem to find the weather so cold!)

I also recommend the Alentejo region, by the way - we had a fabulous visit to Evora and a memorable guided tour of the megaliths in the surrounding region.