I'm thinking that we might spend two or three nights exploring the west coast from cvo in the summer as we'll be at the villa for longer than usual. I'm lookng for a couple of hours drive (give or take), village/town on the coast with character with a few small hotels or B & B accommodation, a few bars and restaurants that we can walk to and a nice beach.

Any suggestions?

Just to add to this, also happy to stay in an apartment

You might want to consider Odeceixe. We've visited it twice, never overnight tho, and found it to be a friendly and tidy-looking old community. The village has lots of narrow streets, a few shops and a selection of restaurants/cafes. There seems to be accomodation options available: Casas do Moinho looks interesting. It is about a 3km drive out to the seashore where there is a nice sandy beach.

Praia da Arrifana is another option (a spectacular, mostly sandy, beach). It looks as if there are accomodation options there. Restaurante O Paulo (out near the ruined fort on the cliff) is recommended.

Many thanks for your response.

I had wondered about Odeceixe or Zambujeira, probably favouring Odeceixe so your feedback is very helpful

We can recommend Vila Nova de Milfontes - really beautiful little town with lovely beaches.
We have stayed three times at Casa D'Adro (as a stopover from Lisbon to CVO) which is a small b&b run by Idalia who makes you very welcome and provides the most amazing breakfasts!

Another vote for Vila Nova de Milfontes and Casa D'Adro.
They only have a few rooms, and get full quite quickly, so book as soon as you can. From recollection we booked with booking.com
Breakfasts on the terrace were outstanding!

Thanks carolyn and allenshouse - I will chevk this out

We visited Vila nova de milfontes twice. Once out of season and it was lovely. Stayed in a B and B on a corner in the main square near a Spanish restaurant ( sorry can't remember the name). The town is very nice and there is a fantastic fish restaurant on the beach. However we went again in June and it was a completely different place, very crowded and best avoided during summer

Hi Caroline

Porto Covo is a pretty little place : we stayed at a residencia Ze Inacio, but there are plenty of eateries there...it's also the start (I think, we started there anyway) of the Trlho Historico and you could have a lovely walk south along the cliffs. Very scenic. Nice beaches. we went in November, might be crowded in summer.