Pros of Casal dos Patos:
- close to everything. within a an hour driving radius, you may go to Lisbon, Sintra, Batalha, Alcobaça, Nazaré, Óbidos, Tomar... upper Alentejo within 2 hours.
- it's not a touristic area, it's calm all year round, very good to relax
- Lourinha has a very good tiny dynossaur museum with remains found in the area
Pros of the Algarve:
- higher sea water temperature (3 or 4 degrees)
- shorter waves (or none at all)
- better night live
- higher probability of fair weather

If I was looking for a cultural and/or sightseeing visit, I'd choose Casal dos Patos. If I was looking for sea and sun, I'd choose the Algarve. It's up to you to decide

Hi Jalong.
We were in Portugal at the end of April and beginning of May. We realized that being in the water was probably not an option for us, but we did not want to give up our enjoyment of the sea.

Originally we were looking to the Algarve, but narrowed our stay to between Porto and Lisbon. So this is why we searched along the Silver Coast and environs for a place to stay.

I found Casal dos Patos by accident. We usually try for self catering.
The setting couldn't have been more perfect. She also runs a B&B on the same property but we liked the privacy and roominess of the small cottage.

Everything lobo_mau says about Lourhina and the surrounding area is right on.
And you should click on his name and read all of his posts about Portugal. The information is invaluable.

I cannot give an opinion about the water because we did not swim, but just sat above the beach and walked along it. And since this was off season, I really cannot say how crowded they become.

Putting a deposit on the cottage was a little tricky, so if you want me to give you more information about this, write to me directly.
[email protected]

lobo_mau: my husband wants to return to Portugal again next year and I am torn between that and Croatia. Did I just read a recent post where you said you would pick Croatia? Is this because you live in Portugal? Can you expand on your reasons a little more?

You hit the point. I've never been to Croatia and I live in Portugal since the very day I was born :-) May be a little before :-) That's why.
My experience to former Eastern European block is limited to Budapest.
Whenever you come again, make sure you let me know and you and your husband are invited to a Pastel de Belém and a coffee.

Thanks for the clarification.
We enjoyed ourselves so much that we wish to return. But this time we are visiting the Alentejo and probably the Algarve and of course Lisbon. We only spent three days in Lisbon and I do not think it was enough.

I stopped counting the number of those pastries that we had from Porto to Lisbon. I think we ate them every day.
BUT the ones at the Blue Pastry Shop in Belem were our favorite.

And we will definitely notify you . Thank you for the invitation.

I was in Lisbon not too long ago and really enjoyed my stay.

The bacalhau comes from Norway, where I live, and yet it's impossible to get as good bacalhau dishes here than over in Lisbon *swoon*