We are a couple in our 60's and we will be in Portugal from May 1-May 25. On May 8, we will leave Comporta for 5 days in the Algarve We don't need a big party scene, instead hoping for natural beauty and beaches and quaint towns.
Here's what we are generally thinking:

Head down the West Coast to Lagos and then across to Tavira before heading up through Evora on our way to the North. So here are some questions for any of you with experience or opinions:

We are thinking 1 night on the West Coast somewhere. Any ideas of small towns on the coast that would be a nice place to spend one night?

We are thinking of 2 nights in the middle of the Algarve somewhere. Alvor looks nice as does Carvoeiro. Any suggestions?

Then head over to Tavira for 2 nights. Does that sound right, or are there some other places worth exploring there?

And between May 8-May 13 do you think we will need reservations or would we be ok to just follow our instincts and allow ourselves to become enchanted.

Thanks for any help!

May 13th is the 100th anniversary of appartitions of Our Lady of Fátima. The Pope will be in Portugal. Fátima and the surrounding region are showing very expensive prices at hotels, etc.

Conerning the night you'd like to spend at the West coast, I'd say Zambujeira do Mar.

Thanks Helena,
We will not be near Fatima during that time.
I'll check out Zambujeira do Mar.

@Helena
How about Vila Nova de Milfontes at the Alentejo coast? Do you think Zambujeira do Mar is nicer?

@ksddfam
Sorry for hijacking your thread.

MyriamC, they are both nice, and at VNMilfontes you have two beaches, one at the river and the other at the sea. VNMilfontes is more windy, the river beach is more used because of that. I think I prefer Zambujeira because I had a bad experience at Milfontes, many years ago, with jellyfish. I also like Porto Covo (another small fishing village on west Coast) very much, lovely village, with a nice view to a small island (Ilha do Pessegueiro). I suggested ksddfam Zambujeira do Mar, because as they are leaving from Comporta towards Algarve, Zambujeira is more South that Vila Nova de Milfontes or Porto Covo.

Thank you, Helena.
We will stick to Vila Nova then. We will be in Carvoeiro the week after.
We have a car and will certainly visit Porto Covo and Zambujeiro, as well as Sines.

MyriamC, no worries about hijacking the thread. I loved hearing more about the Alentejo coast. Thanks HelenaFatima!

ksddfam, as you will stay in Tavira with a car, if you like cenic views visit "Cacela Velha". At sunset, it's the best time, the only bar inside the village opens at 17:30h, and has great seafood (and cheap).

Myriamc, Sines has an oil refinary. You may find (depending on the wind) the smell a bit strange.

I read about the oil refinery and the industry. But since it's close to Porto Covo, I though we may as well pay a short visit.