Editors: I want to tag this for Portugal but do not know how..can you do this for me here?? Thank you!

I've read about this area for years and my very brief impressions are that it is very developed, akin to the Costa del Sol but maybe with prettier landscapes. Coastline sprouting large, concrete condo developments, menus in several languages, etc.

But maybe I am totally wrong (it's happened before!!) I would be visiting in late winter, early spring, so no swimming or beaches for me, except maybe for walking. Does the region offer much to do other than the beach part? Are there interesting towns to visit that are lively with locals during that time? Great food markets, great restaurants (casual or upscale??) Is the scenery beautiful enough to warrant a visit? I could rent a car and after Algarve and continue on to Andalucia. Imagine it is better to drop the car within Portugal and then rent a second one after crossing the border to Spain, to avoid drop-off charges, right? How much are drop-off charges in a second country..I've never done that.

Is that easy to do? Or better to rent car in southern Spain and drive west to Algarve, explore for up to a week, and then drive back to Spain??

From photos i've seen (and sadly and, unfortunately, much of what I've seen visually was the area connected to the McCann case that area looked filled with concrete and not appealing to me at all, but I can hardly learn what the Algarve is like from that small area, do not even know the name of the town that was endlessly shown on tv news reports and stories in the press. Are there small, charming towns not overrun with English-speaking tourists (yes, I know I ma one of those!)

Any and all comments welcome.

I've cycled the length of the Algarve in November, I've visited it and the Alentejo by car. Of the two the Alentejo is far prettier. The most westerly part and the most easterly parts of the Algarve are either more rugged or interesting. I also like the old centre of Faro. There are also some human free areas where migrating birds rest up especially river mouths etc etc.

Urban developments are pretty well controlled and far nicer than many Spanish similar but even so they do tend towards the hotel, pool, potato chips, beer and a golf course. Fine dining, I guess there is some, never found it.

BB,Thanks every so much for your answer, which I found very helpful. Algarve does not sound as if would be a good fit for me. Too far to drive for only Faro, although i am sure that is lovely. Alentejo? Quick peek at map shows that the area is adjacent to northern Andalucia and to Extremadura.. I did take a trip to Extremadura and liked it very much but not sure about a weeks-long stat in one place there....(???) Is there one place in Alentejo that you would consider for a stay of a week or so? I see it is not so far from Lisbon.

Things to see away from the beaches:

Igreja de São Lourenço, Almansil

https://flic.kr/p/2grQVZW
Loulé. its market, and the nearby pilgrimage church compound

https://flic.kr/p/2grRqnH https://flic.kr/p/2grRXpC
the old town of Lagos

https://flic.kr/p/2grKZE5
I would stay in Lagos and take day trips, which is what we did. It is reflected in the entire album with the exception of Tabira that we visited briefly on our way to Lagos.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmENSCvb