Algarve, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Portimão.
Patients' advocacy groups have denounced inhumane conditions at Portimão Hospital's emergency department, citing long waits in ambulances. Meanwhile, emergency services in Braga and the Lisbon area are struggling with severe staffing shortages, leading the Northern Doctors' Union to advise medical staff to decline responsibility if safety standards are not met.
The Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) have arrested a 19-year-old man in Portimão on suspicion of sexually abusing two children while working as a babysitter. The investigation began following a formal complaint filed by the children's parents.
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) arrested eight suspects in Portimão this week in connection with multiple theft offenses. During the operation, officers recovered three stolen vehicles and seized over 1,000 liters of fuel in Olhão and Tavira.
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
The Portimão circuit is considered to have all the necessary requirements to host a Formula 1 race as early as this year.
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri visited Portugal for testing sessions at the Portimão circuit.
The motorsport publication 'The Race' suggests a potential date for the return of the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Portugal in 2027.
It’s summer and the Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA) has some behind-the-scenes work to accomplish. Jenny Clarke, APAA president, and Anita Wright are taking on the Alvor Charity The post Rolling up sleeves for animals across the Algarve appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Formula 1 circuit is back in Portugal for an event featuring the McLaren team and driver Lando Norris.
Home Beach of the week Beach of the Week: Praia do Vau Beach of the Week: Praia do Vau Only 2 km from Praia da Rocha, Praia do Vau offers a quieter alternative while still having everything you need for a day at the beach.
The sailing race Volta a Portugal à Vela makes a comeback after a 23-year hiatus, with a scheduled stop in the city of Portimão.
Home News Portimão holds blood donation campaign in the Algarve Portimão holds blood donation campaign in the Algarve At a time when health authorities are appealing for blood donations due to resource shortages, a blood donation campaign is being organised in Portimão, in the Algarve.
Home News Environment Agency to promote waste separation during the summer in the Algarve Environment Agency to promote waste separation during the summer in the Algarve The Marina de Portimão will host the final stop of the Portuguese Environment Agency’s ( APA) summer awareness roadshow this we
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) is bringing its nationwide Vamos Lixar o Lixo (Let’s Sort Out Rubbish) campaign to Portimão Marina this weekend, encouraging residents and holidaymakers to recycle more The post APA brings recycling campaign to Portimão Marina appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS Algarve) has strongly denied allegations that patients arriving by ambulance at Portimão Hospital’s emergency department are being left waiting in extreme heat, describing the The post ULS Algarve rejects claims of ‘inhumane’ conditions at Portimão Hospital A&E appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Home Algarve Alvor’s Bar Street Alvor’s Bar Street Rua Dr. Frederico Ramos Mendes, better known as “Rua dos Bares” (Bar Street), is one of the liveliest streets in the heart of Alvor.
The week will begin with a rise in temperatures, with thermometers marking above 30 degrees in the interior of the territory. According to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the coming days will be marked by dry weather. Maximums are expected to range between 24°C and 31°C on the western coastal strip and between 30°C and 40°C in the rest of the territory. The highest values, between 37°C and 40°C, are expected to occur in inland areas, including the Algarve, starting Tuesday, July 21. Despite some uncertainty in the forecast from mid-week onwards, IPMA predicts that minimum temperatures will generally vary between 14°C and 19°C. On the south coast of the Algarve, values are expected to be between 18°C and 20°C at the beginning of the week, gradually increasing to between 20°C and 24°C by the end. IPMA also predicts periods of morning cloudiness, with the possibility of mist or fog in some locations, especially in the western half of the country. The wind will generally be light in the North and Centre regions, with a sea breeze during the afternoon on the coastal strip. In the South, it is expected to blow moderately from the northwest, especially on the west coast. “Unworthy and inhumane”: commission denounces patients waiting in ambulances in the heat in Portimão. Heatwaves will have a greater impact on food prices than the war in Iran, says Oxford Economics.
The committee states that patients have to wait in ambulances, exposed to high temperatures, and that transfers to the interior are frequently carried out in full view of the public.
Patients and accident victims are “remaining for long waiting periods outside the hospital's emergency service, often inside the ambulances themselves, exposed to extremely high temperatures.”
The Users' Commission in Defence of Public Services (CUDESP) has warned of an “unworthy and inhumane” situation regarding the reception of patients at the Portimão emergency department. In a statement this Sunday, July 19, they claim that patients are forced to wait in ambulances, exposed to high temperatures. The commission has sent a formal complaint to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, parliamentary parties, and the president of the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS), including photographic evidence of ambulances waiting outside the hospital with doors open. The commission also highlighted a lack of privacy during patient transfers and clinical triage, and has requested urgent measures to ensure dignified conditions and patient confidentiality. Meanwhile, the health regulator has ordered a review of triage procedures following a death in Coimbra.
Home Algarve Lota Cool Market closes another successful edition in Portimão Lota Cool Market closes another successful edition in Portimão The old fish market in Portimão was once again transformed into one of the Algarve's most vibrant summer venues as Lota Cool Market returned for five evenings
Home Restaurant Reviews A New Dinner Spot for Vegans in Portimão A New Dinner Spot for Vegans in Portimão We Tried Balance’s New Vegan Dinner Menu.
Construction has begun on a new €5.65 million sports pavilion in Portimão, with the project set to deliver a modern indoor sports venue, upgraded green spaces and improved public amenities The post Portimão to get new €5.7 million sports pavilion appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Marques Valentim showcases an exhibition or work titled ‘Portugal – from Dictatorship to Democracy’ in the city of Portimão.
Visitors to Quinta da Rocha in Portimão are being encouraged to leave “only footprints” thanks to a new environmental awareness project promoting responsible behaviour and better waste management. The initiative, The post Portimão installs new eco trail at Quinta da Rocha appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Portimão will once again stay awake long after sunset later this month as the third edition of Noitada Portimão transforms the city’s riverside and historic centre into a giant open-air The post Noitada Portimão festival to light up the city appeared first on Portugal Resident.
PSP police have recovered more than 100 mobile phones and numerous identification documents believed to have been stolen during the Afro Nation festival in Portimão after a victim tracked her The post PSP recovers more than 100 stolen phones linked to Afro Nation appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Ferrari Challenge returns to the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão this weekend (July 18-19), bringing a grid of race-prepared Ferraris and a packed programme of high-speed action. Part of The post Calling all Ferrari fans to the Algarve appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Home Algarve A Touch of Miami in the Algarve: Hotel Pestana South Beach Alvor A Touch of Miami in the Algarve: Hotel Pestana South Beach Alvor Hotel Pestana South Beach Alvor stands out with its Miami-inspired chic vibe, Art Deco style, three infinity pools surrounded by palm trees, and overall b
Visitors and residents will once again be able to enjoy a wide range of free fitness classes and beach sports at Praia da Rocha this summer. Held at the Área The post Free beach fitness classes return to Praia da Rocha for the summer appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The modus operandi of the robbers, who have triggered over 50 complaints, is similar to the cell dismantled for crimes at 'Rock in Rio'.
Wine lovers will once again have the chance to sample some of the Algarve’s finest nectars as Portimão Wine Tasting returns to the Santa Catarina Fortress from July 17 to The post Sip Algarve wines at Portimão’s clifftop fortress appeared first on Portugal Resident.
