We are considering visiting this area after a 2 week driving tour throughout Portugal. We are 70 years old, not into hiking, but do love beautiful scenery, touring, beaches, eating, and relaxing with a gorgeous view! I am wondering what you might suggest to do, and where to stay that is most convenient as we will not have a car, and will rely on taxis. As for where to stay, our price range is maximum &350 a night , but prefer to spend less if the hotel is highly recommended. Thanks!

Hi
We are staying around Vilamoura and like it.
We choose it because it's flat (for easy walking), has lots of restaurants, hotels and it's beach front.
It's very touristy, so English is spoken almost everywhere, however it does not have historical buildings.


Vilamoura marina and Tivoli hotel. There's a Crowne Plaza nearby.


Vilamoura restaurants at pedestrian walkway by marina


Cafe patio overlooking the Vilamoura marina


Photo of anchor at fisherman's pier. Vilamoura beach in the background, the white building behind the anchor is the Crowne Plaza

what time of year?

Lagos is a possibility. There is an old town, although the apartment buildings lining the port are modern. Taht's where we stayed.

https://flic.kr/p/2grLcG6 https://flic.kr/p/2grQHKF
If you like to cook, there is a good market on the waterfront. A beach is within walking distance. A boat ride to see the cliffs and caves are available

https://flic.kr/p/2grPNEB https://flic.kr/p/2grQDAZ
And the town is large enough that bus rides or tours would be available to near-by places of interest like Ponte de Sagre

https://flic.kr/p/2grQj8a
although I am speculating here since we had a car.

We've also stayed In Lagos but with a car.
Our favorite section of Lagos was not in the town center itself but at the area of Porto de Mós.
There you might consider the Belmar Spa & Beach resort within walking distance of the Praia Porto de Mós beach and apartments with views of the ocean.

https://www.belmarresort.com/en/