# List of cities in Portugal

This is a list of cities in Portugal. In Portugal, a city (Portuguese: cidade) is an honorific term given to locations that meet several criteria, such as having a minimum number of inhabitants good infrastructure (schools, medical care, cultural and sports facilities), or have a major historical importance. The country's demographic expansion of the 1980s prompted the elevation of several towns to city status and, as of 2018, 159 locations in Portugal are considered a city.

## Overview

In Portugal, the city is not an administrative division, therefore a city generally does not necessarily correspond to a municipality, which is the second-level local government in the country. Some entirely urban municipalities do coincide with cities, such as Lisbon, Porto, Funchal, Amadora, Entroncamento, and São João da Madeira.
The municipality with the most cities is Paredes Municipality, which contains four cities.
Until 1910, a location was proclaimed city by royal charter (carta régia), which happened 25 times to current Portuguese cities (royal charters were also granted to cities of the Portuguese Empire; for example, São Paulo in 1711). During the Portuguese First Republic, the process was transferred to the parliament, which elevated three towns to the category of city. The dictatorial Estado Novo regime proclaimed seven cities on the Portuguese mainland (as well as some more in the colonies), this time by government decree. After the 1974 Carnation Revolution, proclamation of cities returned to parliament and now, Portugal has 156 cities, one of the consequences being that the title no longer holds the prestige it once had.
Eight locations have been always considered cities since Portugal became an independent kingdom (de facto 1128): Braga, Coimbra, Lamego, Porto and Viseu, as well as Évora, Lisbon and Silves, which were annexed at a later date. Guarda was the first city proclaimed as part of the independent kingdom, in 1199.

## City designation

In Portugal, a locality can only be called a city if more than 8,000 inhabitants live in the city's urban area. In addition, at least half of the following infrastructure must be present:
* Hospital
* Pharmacy
* Fire department
* Event center and cultural center
* Museum and library
* Hotel
* Primary and secondary school
* Pre-school and kindergarten
* Public transportation
* Garden or public park

### Cities being towns

In Portugal there are localities with more than 8,000 inhabitants and with the required infrastructure installed, but not having the designation of "city", but rather as "town", for example:
* Algueirão-Mem Martins
* Corroios
* Rio de Mouro
* Cascais
* Sintra

### Towns being cities

Just as there are "cities" being "towns", there are also "towns" being "cities", because they have the required infrastructure in place, but have no more than 8,000 inhabitants or because since the locality received the designation "city" it has lost over the years the 8,000 inhabitants, for example:
* Miranda do Douro
* Santana
* Sabugal
* Peso da Régua
* Reguengos de Monsaraz

## Metropolitan areas

Portugal's two metropolitan areas, Lisbon with over 2.8 million inhabitants and Porto with over 1.7 million inhabitants, are the largest agglomerations in the country. In the two metropolitan areas, in addition to the large cities of Lisbon and Porto, there are other cities that together form the metropolitan area.
The Lisbon Metropolitan Area consists of the large city of Lisbon, but also the cities of Amadora, Queluz, Agualva-Cacém, etc.
The Porto Metropolitan Area is made up of the large city of Porto, but also the cities of Vila Nova de Gaia, Gondomar, Rio Tinto, Póvoa de Varzim, Matosinhos, etc.

## Large cities outside metropolitan areas

There are also large cities in Portugal that do not belong to any metropolitan area. These cities are mostly capitals of sub-regions that are not considered metropolitan areas because the population is mainly located in the capital of the sub-region.
The city of Braga is the capital of the sub-region of Cávado.
The city of Funchal is the capital of the autonomous region of Madeira.
The city of Coimbra is the capital of the sub-region Região de Coimbra.

## Urban areas

The following list shows the number of inhabitants and the population density of each respective city. Only the inhabitants living in the urban area are counted, not the inhabitants living in the entire municipality.
In the case of large cities like Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Coimbra and Setubal, the inhabitants of the entire municipality are not listed, because the municipality does not only include the city, but also other towns and villages around the city, which nevertheless belong to the municipality, but form a separate parish and therefore do not belong to the respective city.
In the case of large cities like Lisbon, Porto, Amadora and Funchal, the inhabitants of the entire municipality are listed because the city spreads over the entire municipality and the respective parishes within the municipality are seen as "neighborhoods".
Cities with an italic font are capitals of subregions, cities with a bold font are capitals of regions.
| Position | City | Municipality | Population | Population | Area | Density per km$^2$ | Sub-region | Region |
| Position | City | Municipality | 2011 | 2021 | Area | Density per km$^2$ | Sub-region | Region |
| 1. | Lisbon | Lisbon | 552,700 | 545,796 | 100.05 km$^2$ | 5456.5 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 2. | Porto | Porto | 237,591 | 231,800 | 41.42 km$^2$ | 5165.6 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 3. | Vila Nova de Gaia | Vila Nova de Gaia | 186,502 | 188,421 | 56.22 km$^2$ | 3351.8 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 4. | Amadora | Amadora | 175,136 | 171,454 | 23.79 km$^2$ | 7195.4 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 5. | Braga | Braga | 136,885 | 146,543 | 61.38 km$^2$ | 2351.9 | Cávado | North |
| 6. | Coimbra | Coimbra | 105,842 | 106,655 | 94.65 km$^2$ | 1054.3 | Region of Coimbra | Center |
| 7. | Funchal | Funchal | 111,541 | 105,590 | 76.15 km$^2$ | 1389.2 | Madeira | Madeira |
| 8. | Setúbal | Setúbal | 98,131 | 98,470 | 51.49 km$^2$ | 1755.6 | Setúbal Peninsula | Setúbal Peninsula |
| 9. | Almada | Almada | 96,404 | 85,851 | 13.98 km$^2$ | 6309.1 | Setúbal Peninsula | Setúbal Peninsula |
| 10. | Agualva-Cacém | Sintra | 79,805 | 81,006 | 10.42 km$^2$ | 7775.4 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 11. | Queluz | Sintra | 75,169 | 73,047 | 29.49 km$^2$ | 3398.7 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 12. | Rio Tinto | Gondomar | 64,815 | 65,469 | 15.04 km$^2$ | 4353.2 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 13. | Barreiro | Barreiro | 63,353 | 62,860 | 14.92 km$^2$ | 4230.5 | Setúbal Peninsula | Setúbal Peninsula |
| 14. | Aveiro | Aveiro | 60,058 | 62,130 | 81.19 km$^2$ | 716.1 | Region of Aveiro | Center |
| 15. | Viseu | Viseu | 57,975 | 60,570 | 64.85 km$^2$ | 917 | Viseu Dão-Lafões | Center |
| 16. | Odivelas | Odivelas | 56,847 | 58,170 | 5.02 km$^2$ | 11873.3 | Grater Lisbon | Grater Lisbon |
| 17. | Guimarães | Guimarães | 54,094 | 54,750 | 48.19 km$^2$ | 663 | Ave | North |
| 18. | Leiria | Leiria | 50,533 | 54,540 | 108.05 km$^2$ | 633.1 | Region of Leiria | Center |
| 19. | Faro | Faro | 47,575 | 49,360 | 74.75 km$^2$ | 619.5 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 20. | Matosinhos | Matosinhos | 49,486 | 49,034 | 11.28 km$^2$ | 4348.3 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 21. | Loures | Loures | 43,127 | 46,246 | 32.82 km$^2$ | 434.4 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 22. | Portimão | Portimão | 40,658 | 43,810 | 75.69 km$^2$ | 650.8 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 23. | Póvoa de Varzim | Póvoa de Varzim | 40,053 | 41,206 | 29.24 km$^2$ | 1699.3 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 24. | Amora | Seixal | 40,513 | 41,140 | 27.31 km$^2$ | 1807.1 | Setúbal Peninsula | Setúbal Peninsula |
| 25. | Maia | Maia | 40,134 | 40,534 | 10.80 km$^2$ | 3753.2 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 26. | Évora | Évora | 41,898 | 40,373 | 112.06 km$^2$ | 183.5 | Central Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 27. | Montijo | Montijo | 36,159 | 40,130 | 31.46 km$^2$ | 1316.3 | Setúbal Peninsula | Setúbal Peninsula |
| 28. | Ponta Delgada | Ponta Delgada | 40,661 | 40,050 | 23.41 km$^2$ | 1265.3 | Azores | Azores |
| 29. | Santa Maria da Feira | Santa Maria da Feira | 18,194 | 39,576 | 23.52 km$^2$ | 841.4 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 30. | Ermesinde | Valongo | 38,869 | 38,570 | 7.65 km$^2$ | 5110.4 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 31. | Viana do Castelo | Viana do Castelo | 37,972 | 37,860 | 11.86 km$^2$ | 2121.2 | High Minho | North |
| 32. | Vila Nova de Famalicão | Vila Nova de Famalicão | 34,843 | 35,770 | 11.45 km$^2$ | 2028.8 | Ave | North |
| 33. | Castelo Branco | Castelo Branco | 34,278 | 33,450 | 170.26 km$^2$ | 202.4 | Low Beira | Center |
| 34. | Covilhã | Covilhã | 34,481 | 31,950 | 25.95 km$^2$ | 702.1 | Beiras and Serra da Estrela | Center |
| 35. | Alverca do Ribatejo | Vila Franca de Xira | 30,586 | 30,930 | 23.92 km$^2$ | 1524.6 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 36. | Seixal | Seixal | 29,373 | 29,850 | 24.09 km$^2$ | 1893.1 | Setúbal Península | Setúbal Península |
| 37. | Santarém | Santarém | 29,777 | 29,790 | 55.46 km$^2$ | 541.3 | Lezíria do Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 38. | Figueira da Foz | Figueira da Foz | 30,012 | 29,690 | 33.26 km$^2$ | 933 | Region of Coimbra | Center |
| 39. | Vila do Conde | Vila do Conde | 28,636 | 29,328 | 8.94 km$^2$ | 3545.7 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 40. | Póvoa de Santa Iria | Vila Franca de Xira | 29,348 | 29,170 | 9.16 km$^2$ | 4462 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 41. | Olhão | Olhão | 28,630 | 28,310 | 9.43 km$^2$ | 1506.5 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 42. | Caldas da Rainha | Caldas da Rainha | 27,652 | 27,790 | 59.20 km$^2$ | 514.2 | West | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 43. | Vila Real | Vila Real | 27,735 | 27,370 | 16.39 km$^2$ | 1471.1 | Douro | North |
| 44. | Santo Tirso | Santo Tirso | 28,333 | 26,959 | 23.24 km$^2$ | 886.1 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 45. | Gondomar | Gondomar | 27,047 | 26,669 | 47.40 km$^2$ | 1797.1 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 46. | Senhora da Hora | Matosinhos | 27,747 | 26,088 | 3.80 km$^2$ | 5531.3 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 47. | Valongo | Valongo | 23,564 | 25,530 | 24.10 km$^2$ | 1073.9 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 48. | Guarda | Guarda | 25,993 | 25,182 | 37.66 km$^2$ | 702.2 | Beiras and Serra da Estrela | Center |
| 49. | Sacavém | Loures | 24,822 | 24,672 | 3.89 km$^2$ | 6344.7 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 50. | Bragança | Bragança | 23,186 | 22,851 | 35.69 km$^2$ | 635.8 | Lands of Trás-os-Montes | North |
| 51. | São Mamede de Infesta | Matosinhos | 23,122 | 22,844 | 5.21 km$^2$ | 5531.4 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 52. | Beja | Beja | 23,254 | 22,260 | 73.77 km$^2$ | 325.9 | Low Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 53. | São João da Madeira | São João da Madeira | 21,713 | 22,143 | 7.94 km$^2$ | 2788.9 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 54. | Albufeira | Albufeira | 19,879 | 21,290 | 10.90 km$^2$ | 1953.0 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 55. | Chaves | Chaves | 22,363 | 21,210 | 33 km$^2$ | 521.4 | High Tâmega | North |
| 56. | Espinho | Espinho | 21,185 | 21,011 | 1.77 km$^2$ | 554.8 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 57. | Caniço | Santa Cruz | 20,163 | 20,800 | 12 km$^2$ | 2004 | Madeira | Madeira |
| 58. | Barcelos | Barcelos | 20,579 | 20,723 | 15.19 km$^2$ | 972.6 | Cávado | North |
| 59. | Paredes | Paredes | 19,834 | 20,586 | 21.51 km$^2$ | 957.2 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 60. | Entroncamento | Entroncamento | 20,206 | 20,141 | 13.73 km$^2$ | 1466.9 | Medium Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 61. | Lagos | Lagos | 18,474 | 19,790 | 29.15 km$^2$ | 811.4 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 62. | Torres Vedras | Torres Vedras | 17,837 | 19,680 | 62.44 km$^2$ | 444.9 | West | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 63. | Quarteira | Loulé | 15,618 | 17,500 | 38.16 km$^2$ | 639.9 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 64. | Abrantes | Abrantes | 18,450 | 17,199 | 64.47 km$^2$ | 250.3 | Medium Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 65. | Trofa | Trofa | 17,389 | 17,099 | 27.48 km$^2$ | 777.8 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 66. | Ovar | Ovar | 17,164 | 16,980 | 86.40 km$^2$ | 340.6 | Region Aveiro | Center |
| 67. | Vila Franca de Xira | Vila Franca de Xira | 16,129 | 16,270 | 212.86 km$^2$ | 86.1 | Greater Lisbon | Greater Lisbon |
| 68. | Fafe | Fafe | 15,703 | 15,455 | 7.97 km$^2$ | 1939.2 | Ave | North |
| 69. | Oliveira de Azeméis | Oliveira de Azeméis | 15,071 | 15,449 | 25.95 km$^2$ | 796.6 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 70. | Felgueiras | Felgueiras | 16,094 | 14,927 | 17.44 km$^2$ | 1014.6 | Tâmega and Sousa | North |
| 71. | Loulé | Loulé | 14,900 | 14,890 | 108.90 km$^2$ | 227.1 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 72. | Paços de Ferreira | Paços de Ferreira | 14,486 | 14,530 | 8.31 km$^2$ | 1614.6 | Tâmega and Sousa | North |
| 73. | Águeda | Águeda | 14,571 | 14,360 | 36.03 km$^2$ | 380.5 | Region of Aveiro | Center |
| 74. | Elvas | Elvas | 16,640 | 14,324 | 202.70 km$^2$ | 71.2 | High Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 75. | Câmara de Lobos | Câmara de Lobos | 15,227 | 13,960 | 7.62 km$^2$ | 2172.7 | Madeira | Madeira |
| 76. | Portalegre | Portalegre | 15,374 | 13,960 | 23.51 km$^2$ | 609 | High Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 77. | Tomar | Tomar | 15,065 | 13,882 | 30.38 km$^2$ | 557.3 | Medium Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 78. | Valbom | Gondomar | 14,407 | 13,803 | 4.39 km$^2$ | 3647.1 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 79. | Tavira | Tavira | 13,312 | 13,762 | 147.99 km$^2$ | 104.2 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 80. | Alfena | Valongo | 14,397 | 13,670 | 15.70 km$^2$ | 919.6 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 81. | Peniche | Peniche | 14,822 | 13,302 | 8.34 km$^2$ | 1584.1 | West | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 82. | Gafanha da Nazaré | Ílhavo | 12,985 | 13,260 | 16.44 km$^2$ | 946 | Region of Aveiro | Center |
| 83. | Costa da Caparica | Almada | 12,211 | 13,031 | 10.18 km$^2$ | 1372.4 | Setúbal Peninsula | Setúbal Peninsula |
| 84. | Ribeira Grande | Ribeira Grande | 12,663 | 12,590 | 66.55 km$^2$ | 193.3 | Azores | Azores |
| 85. | Sines | Sines | 12,463 | 12,338 | 5.40 km$^2$ | 2285.0 | Alentejo Coast | Alentejo |
| 86. | Torres Novas | Torres Novas | 12,941 | 12,330 | 61.64 km$^2$ | 261.3 | Medium Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 87. | Amarante | Amarante | 12,660 | 12,120 | 15.21 km$^2$ | 760.3 | Tâmega and Sousa | North |
| 88. | Esmoriz | Ovar | 11,448 | 11,922 | 9.05 km$^2$ | 1317.5 | Region of Aveiro | Center |
| 89. | Pombal | Pombal | 12,125 | 11,890 | 97.61 km$^2$ | 172.9 | Region of Leiria | Center |
| 90. | Samora Correia | Benavente | 11,502 | 11,736 | 321.29 km$^2$ | 55.1 | Lezíria do Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 91. | Almeirim | Almeirim | 11,881 | 11,552 | 69.13 km$^2$ | 178.9 | Lezíria do Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 92. | Vila Real de Santo António | Vila Real de Santo António | 11,360 | 11,180 | 61.25 km$^2$ | 191.9 | Algarve | Algarve |
| 93. | Lamego | Lamego | 11,194 | 11,078 | 20.20 km$^2$ | 597.6 | Douro | North |
| 94. | Vizela | Vizela | 10,633 | 11,072 | 7.68 km$^2$ | 1441.7 | Ave | North |
| 95. | Mirandela | Mirandela | 11,579 | 10,911 | 29.78 km$^2$ | 382.9 | Lands of Trás-os-Montes | North |
| 96. | Marinha Grande | Marinha Grande | 10,560 | 10,860 | 138.87 km$^2$ | 232.8 | Region of Leiria | Center |
| 97. | Esposende | Esposende | 9,844 | 10,824 | 17.31 km$^2$ | 708.6 | Cávado | North |
| 98. | Ílhavo | Ílhavo | 10,505 | 10,640 | 39 km$^2$ | 427.6 | Region of Aveiro | Center |
| 99. | Cartaxo | Cartaxo | 10,898 | 10,552 | 28.23 km$^2$ | 435.7 | Lezíria do Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 100. | Penafiel | Penafiel | 10,420 | 10,420 | 22.52 km$^2$ | 696.1 | Tâmega and Sousa | North |
| 101. | Marco de Canaveses | Marco de Canaveses | 10,336 | 10,390 | 17.49 km$^2$ | 632.8 | Tâmega and Sousa | North |
| 102. | Fátima | Ourém | 8,880 | 10,265 | 84.97 km$^2$ | 155.4 | Medium Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 103. | Freamunde | Paços de Ferreira | 10,443 | 10,180 | 4.68 km$^2$ | 1614.7 | Tâmega and Sousa | North |
| 104. | Machico | Machico | 11,505 | 9,990 | 17.41 km$^2$ | 564.5 | Madeira | Madeira |
| 105. | Mangualde | Mangualde | 10,407 | 9,858 | 46.25 km$^2$ | 213.1 | Viseu Dão-Lafões | Center |
| 106. | Lordelo | Paredes | 10,025 | 9,106 | 9.25 km$^2$ | 984.5 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 107. | Vendas Novas | Vendas Novas | 9,681 | 9,048 | 222.39 km$^2$ | 47.8 | Central Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 108. | Rio Maior | Rio Maior | 7,948 | 8,693 | 82.94 km$^2$ | 150.9 | Lezíria do Tejo | Oeste e Vale do Tejo |
| 109. | Albergaria-a-Velha | Albergaria-a-Velha | 8,220 | 8,600 | 47 km$^2$ | 235.3 | Region of Aveiro | Center |
| 110. | Tondela | Tondela | 8,854 | 8,570 | 15.75 km$^2$ | 331.1 | Viseu Dão-Lafões | Center |
| 111. | Rebordosa | Paredes | 9,106 | 8,496 | 11.17 km$^2$ | 760.6 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 112. | Vila Nova de Santo André | Santiago do Cacém | 8,710 | 8,227 | 74.32 km$^2$ | 138.7 | Alentejo Coast | Alentejo |
| 113. | Lagoa | Lagoa | 8,080 | 8,210 | 20.47 km$^2$ | 436.5 | Azores | Azores |
| 114. | Peso da Régua | Peso da Régua | 9,530 | 8,145 | 9.94 km$^2$ | 895.9 | Douro | North |
| 115. | Angra do Heroísmo | Angra do Heroísmo | 8,654 | 8,050 | 18.02 km$^2$ | 663.5 | Azores | Azores |
| 116. | Lourosa | Santa Maria da Feira | 8,636 | 8,003 | 5.77 km$^2$ | 1387.3 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 117. | Montemor-o-Novo | Montemor-o-Novo | 8,681 | 7,929 | 419.49 km$^2$ | 25.8 | Central Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 118. | Fundão | Fundão | 8,065 | 7,600 | 57.83 km$^2$ | 221.5 | Beiras and Serra da Estrela | Center |
| 119. | Estarreja | Estarreja | 7,492 | 7,390 | 9.40 km$^2$ | 786.2 | Region of Aveiro | Center |
| 120. | Ponte de Sor | Ponte de Sor | 7,752 | 7,270 | 332.82 km$^2$ | 31.5 | High Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 121. | Fiães | Santa Maria da Feira | 7,991 | 7,096 | 6.40 km$^2$ | 1109.0 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 122. | Moura | Moura | 8,016 | 6,888 | 287.42 km$^2$ | 27.9 | Low Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 123. | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | 6,952 | 6,850 | 28.10 km$^2$ | 253.9 | Madeira | Madeira |
| 124. | Estremoz | Estremoz | 7,483 | 6,799 | 63.9 km$^2$ | 123.4 | Central Alentejo | Alentejo |
| 125. | Vale de Cambra | Vale de Cambra | 5,312 | 5,492 | 13.29 km$^2$ | 402.5 | Porto Metropolitan Area | North |
| 126. | Horta | Horta | 5,553 | 5,110 | 8.48 km$^2$ | 662.1 | Azores | Azores |
| 127. | Santa Comba Dão | Santa Comba Dão | 3,279 | 3,160 | 27.11 km$^2$ | 162.5 | Viseu Dão-Lafões | Center |