Somewhere like Pollensa.... but in Portugal?

[OllieinOrange]

We are looking to go to Portugal in the summer but struggling to know which areas/regions to look at.
We'd like a house in or on the edge of a village/small town with a few restaurants etc but thats also within reach of some other towns/cities/sights (i.e. within 1.5 hours drive time)
We loved Pollensa in Mallorca as it wasnt too big, we could walk into the centre for dinner and could easily reach other locations for day/half day trips.
Does such a place exist in Portugal? If so, where?

Watching

We stayed in a lovely villa in Alvor, which was originally a small fishing village, so has a lovely feel to it and it's not over developed. We took a bus to Portimao, and my parents took the train to Lisbon and stayed overnight.

We went to Alvor this year. It's great, not too big not too small. Fab beach, lots of excursions easy enough to do yourself- Lisbon, Lagos etc. Lagos probably a bit more "happening" than Alvor.

Lagos, Alvor, Cascais (I haven’t been to the latter but it’s on my list).

Alvor is great.. quite a small, quaint resort.. fab restaurants.. The beach Praia Tres Irmaos is stunning.. look at it on google images!

I live in carvoeiro, sandy beach, plenty of restaurants to choose from and easy to drive to Silves, Monchique for history, and other resorts and beaches

Happy to answer any questions

Thank you so much for responses - am about to jump down the black hole that is looking at holiday houses etc based on your recommendations! They sound just the sort of thing we were looking for.

We are now hooked on the silver coast. The beaches are fantastic, still unspoilt. But if you like a bit more civilization, with children that is a good idea, we booked a week in Praia da Luz once that was lovely an near Lagos.

We lived Tavira - pretty, traditional town with amazing beaches accessed via boat - Ihla de Tavira

Silves, medieval capital of the Algarve. Cathedral, Castle. Plenty of history. Plenty of restaurants, it's very much a place where people actually live rather than a tourist hotspot
Nearest beaches Portimao about 20 mins away.
I'll be there in about 2weeks, can't wait to go again

We have been to Carvoeiro, loved it.

Ironically we are now looking at possibly going to Majorca this year and were wondering about whether to stay in Pollensa.

Cascais near Lisbon though the sea is bloody cold. Fab place though.

Or Ericeira

@ineedaholidaynow we went to pollensa last year. It was lovely and going again this year! Nice restaurants, lovely market on Sunday, went snorking which was fantastic.