Small town east of Faro?

[Twoshoesnewshoes]

Looking for a bit of sun and mooching - we can fly to Faro but big hotels, crowds and English breakfast is not our thing!
I think east of Faro is less developed?
can anyone recommend a smallish town, preferably with an old town, beach, some authentic (ish) restaurants and a few bars, not massively built up?
thank you

Tavira

Absolutely agree, lovely town

Oooh great, having a look now
thank you!

We stayed in Cabanas a few years ago for a week and loved it.

try the Maria Nova hotel in Tavira

Another recommendation for Tavira

Vila Monte Farmhouse, Moncarapacho near Tavira. Just lovely.

Thanks everyone! Are there places to visit from there? The mountains look interesting

Tavira ticks your boxes and we loved it. We also stayed in the AP Maria Nova but it's adults only. You don't say if you're travelling with kids.

The beach is amazing but you do need to take a boat to it as it's a massive sandbank.

Alte, Silves and Monchique are good days out.

@CheeseWisely just DP and I

Then AP Maria Nova might suit you. It's up a bit of a hill from town but manageable unless you've got any mobility issues. Really nice rooftop bar with entertainment. We had many happy hours up there drinking wine and playing backgammon (something I look forward to doing again in circa 18 years when baby DS is all grown up ).

Cabanas