To think I can find Island charm vibe in Portugal in June ? (Never been)

[SonnyHoney]

Husband and I are going away on our first ever break without the children. It’s 3–4 nights in Portugal in June.

I’m looking for a hotel in a lovely town with beautiful beaches, clear water, and a sandy beach.

Hotel
No sunbed hoggers who run down first thing to claim their sunbed (we avoid hotels for this reasonwe usually stay in Airbnbs or resorts with our own space).
Good food
Nice pools
Ideally a spa where you can get a nice massage (not essential)

Location
Walking distance to:
The beach
Great restaurants and bars
We prefer a relaxed boho vibe rather than a glitzy, formal one.

For context, my favourite place is the north side of Koh Phangan, Thailand (not the Full Moon side). My ideal place would be the European version of this!

First off Portugal obviously isn't an island. Ive only visited Portugal twice, Faro for business and Albufeira for holiday. I liked Faro, nice vibrant city but Albufeira wasn't great tbh. I found it a bit grotty, and touristy and the beach and Sea (ocean not great).
I have also been to Portuguese islands Madiera and the Azores, Although Azores remote and in the middle of Atlantic.

Cascais, west of Lisbon. Sandy beaches, varied hotel prices, lots of restaurants, pedestrian walks, clear water. But be aware that Portugal is on the Atlantic, not the Med or Indian ocean, so the water will be freezing.

Ericeira, about 45 mins north of Lisbon.

Not loads of big hotels, a couple of nice boutique hotels. I like the vibe there - laid back surfy/ yoga.

sea is the Atlantic so freezing cold.

Carvoiero is a small quite Boho type of resort with small bars and restaurants, small sandy beach and some evening entertainment.

That would be my suggestion too. Charming place and nice beach . As others have said , the sea isn’t warm like it can be in Spain or Greece but when it’s very hot it’s good to get in sea. Lagos is nice too.

I second Caiscais, it’s a lovely little town with a good mix of lively and quaint, we have friends out there and visit at least a couple of times a year. Even in mid-summer the beaches are never rammed, and even if you like them even quieter you can head out towards Estoril or out and beyond Cabo da Roca for wonderful clifftop walking and paths down to secluded cove beaches. But yes, I also agree with ColdAsAWitches: the Atlantic is chillier if you’re more used to Thailand!

Just to clarify, I didn't think it was an island! 😂