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Albufeira
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Although altered by tourism, which leaves it too full in July and August and nearly empty the rest of the year, Albufeira is still well worth visiting. Once a peaceful fishing village, it keeps its narrow streets in the old town and whitewashed houses perched over a charming beach where, when tourism allows it, visitors can walk amidst colouful fishing boats ornamented with eyes, animals and stars. Shops, bars and restaurants fill every corner, but there are also the old castle, the buildings which still preserve Moorish arches and interesting churches, like the one of São Sebastião. From Albufeira, the coast until Faro is filled with tourist resorts, with villas or tall hotels and well known and often beautiful beaches, such as Oura, Olhos de Água, Santa Eulália, etc. The most famous of these tourist complexes is Vilamoura: an enormous area encompassing a casino, hotels, small tourist villages of villas and swimming-pools, golf courses, tennis courts and many other facilities. The main attraction is the marina, full of colourful yatchs and surrounded by restaurants, cafés and shops. A more picturesque drive is leaving Albufeira and visiting the village of Alte, perched on a hill and with its 16th-century Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção and the beautiful decorated tiles of the Chapel of São Sebastião. Near the village of Guia, children will enjoy visiting Zoomarine, with nice gardens, pools and playgrounds and trained dolphins and seals, amongst other attractions.
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