Do you mean Pria do Castelo near Albufeira?

Yes, I'm sure that's the place!

I've searched Google, but was after some first-hand advice as to the area, please.

Well I can see it from my window. It's about a mile away from me as the crow flies across the Albufeira marina. If you visit Google Maps, zoom in on Albufeira and go west past the marina and find Sesmarias. Look for the Est EN 1282 and go directly south. The Rua da Torre Velha leads towards the sea and the various beaches and there is a reasonably good satellite image. The Castelo area is basically the bit between where it says Sesmarias and the sea.

The area has been developed quite a bit even since I have been here (just over 2 years) but is quiet compared say to the town. There is a scattering of bars and restaurants but I cannot comment on them as I do not go there very often.

It's a couple of miles from the old town centre of Albufeira, set on a hill above the sea. Obviously I don't know exactly where you are intending but one thing I will say is that access to most of the beaches over there is down (and back up) several steep flights of steps. The beaches are little semi-circular coves, sandy and safe but some do get almost covered at high tide. If you wanted a larger, flatter beach you would need to head along to Gale, about a mile to the west.

You will almost certainly need a hire car to get about. The bus service round that area is very limited and none after 7pm. Taxis are a present bane in the lives of visitors as there are not enough to go around at peak holiday times. However the old town centre of Albufeira is a pedestrians only zone and if you visited with a car you might end up half a mile or so from where you would like to be as most of the car parks are on the edge of town and those nearer the middle are usually full at the crack of dawn.

But there are masses of other places to go to!

There a number of 'mini-markets' and a couple of fairly decent supermarkets not far away but for a 'big shop' you would have to possibly think about going to the Continente hypermarket near Guia (4 miles) or Modelo in Albufeira - about 3 miles.

I hope that helps for the time being; if you need any further information send me a personal message.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply cubsur!

Unfortunately, the villa we wanted to stay in has now actually been booked for the week we wanted, so look like we'll be looking at somewhere else along the coast.

I'm not sure the steps etc would be feasible for a 17 month old to navigate though, so that's worth bearing in mind.

Thanks again!

Oh well! Just to say that many of the beaches around here are accessible only by steps or steep ramps so best to check carefully before you committ yourself. Good exercise though!

Thanks I'll bear that in mind.

It'll be good exercise for me, as I'll be the one carrying the baby - and most probably the bags as well!!