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. [1]

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:[2]

  • 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:

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:

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, Setúbal, Almada, 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.[3]

Position City Municipality Population Area Density

per km2

 Sub-region Region
2011 2021
1. Lisbon 552,700 545,796 100.05 km2 5456.5 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
2. Porto 237,591 231,800 41.42 km2 5165.6 Porto Metropolitan Area North
3. Vila Nova de Gaia 186,502 188,421 56.22 km2 3351.8 Porto Metropolitan Area North
4. Amadora 175,136 171,454 23.79 km2 7195.4 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
5. Braga 136,885 146,543 61.38 km2 2351.9 Cávado North
6. Coimbra 105,842 106,655 94.65 km2 1054.3 Region of Coimbra Center
7. Funchal 111,541 105,590 76.15 km2 1389.2 Madeira
8. Setúbal 98,131 98,470 51.49 km2 1755.6 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
9. Almada 96,404 85,851 13.98 km2 6309.1 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
10. Agualva-Cacém Sintra 79,805 81,006 10.42 km2 7775.4 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
11. Queluz Sintra 75,169 73,047 29.49 km2 3398.7 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
12. Rio Tinto Gondomar 64,815 65,469 15.04 km2 4353.2 Porto Metropolitan Area North
13. Barreiro 63,353 62,860 14.92 km2 4230.5 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
14. Aveiro 60,058 62,130 81.19 km2 716.1 Region of Aveiro Center
15. Viseu 57,975 60,570 64.85 km2 917 Viseu Dão-Lafões Center
16. Odivelas 56,847 58,170 5.02 km2 11873.3 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
17. Guimarães 54,094 54,750 48.19 km2 663 Ave North
18. Leiria 50,533 54,540 108.05 km2 633.1 Region of Leiria Center
19. Faro 47,575 49,360 74.75 km2 619.5 Algarve
20. Matosinhos 49,486 49,034 11.28 km2 4348.3 Porto Metropolitan Area North
21. Loures 43,127 46,246 32.82 km2 434.4 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
22. Portimão 40,658 43,810 75.69 km2 650.8 Algarve
23. Póvoa de Varzim 40,053 41,206 29.24 km2 1699.3 Porto Metropolitan Area North
24. Amora Seixal 40,513 41,140 27.31 km2 1807.1 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
25. Maia 40,134 40,534 10.80 km2 3753.2 Porto Metropolitan Area North
26. Évora 41,898 40,373 112.06 km2 183.5 Central Alentejo Alentejo
27. Montijo 36,159 40,130 31.46 km2 1316.3 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
28. Ponta Delgada 40,661 40,050 23.41 km2 1265.3 Azores Azores
29. Santa Maria da Feira 18,194 39,576 23.52 km2 841.4 Porto Metropolitan Area North
30. Ermesinde Valongo 38,869 38,570 7.65 km2 5110.4 Porto Metropolitan Area North
31. Viana do Castelo 37,972 37,860 11.86 km2 2121.2 High Minho North
32. Vila Nova de Famalicão 34,843 35,770 11.45 km2 2028.8 Ave North
33. Castelo Branco 34,278 33,450 170.26 km2 202.4 Low Beira Center
34. Covilhã 34,481 31,950 25.95 km2 702.1 Beiras and Serra da Estrela Center
35. Alverca do Ribatejo Vila Franca de Xira 30,586 30,930 23.92 km2 1524.6 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
36. Seixal 29,373 29,850 24.09 km2 1893.1 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
37. Santarém 29,777 29,790 55.46 km2 541.3 Lezíria do Tejo Alentejo
38. Figueira da Foz 30,012 29,690 33.26 km2 933 Region of Coimbra Center
39. Vila do Conde 28,636 29,328 8.94 km2 3545.7 Porto Metropolitan Area North
40. Póvoa de Santa Iria Vila Franca de Xira 29,348 29,170 9.16 km2 4462 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
41. Olhão 28,630 28,310 9.43 km2 1506.5 Algarve
42. Caldas da Rainha 27,652 27,790 59.20 km2 514.2 West Center
43. Vila Real 27,735 27,370 16.39 km2 1471.1 Douro North
44. Santo Tirso 28,333 26,959 23.24 km2 886.1 Porto Metropolitan Area North
45. Gondomar 27,047 26,669 47.40 km2 1797.1 Porto Metropolitan Area North
46. Senhora da Hora Matosinhos 27,747 26,088 3.80 km2 5531.3 Porto Metropolitan Area North
47. Valongo 23,564 25,530 24.10 km2 1073.9 Porto Metropolitan Area North
48. Guarda 25,993 25,182 37.66 km2 702.2 Beiras and Serra da Estrela Center
49. Sacavém Loures 24,822 24,672 3.89 km2 6344.7 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
50. Bragança 23,186 22,851 35.69 km2 635.8 Lands of Trás-os-Montes North
51. São Mamede de Infesta Matosinhos 23,122 22,844 5.21 km2 5531.4 Porto Metropolitan Area North
52. Beja 23,254 22,260 73.77 km2 325.9 Low Alentejo Alentejo
53. São João da Madeira 21,713 22,143 7.94 km2 2788.9 Porto Metropolitan Area North
54. Albufeira 19,879 21,290 10.90 km2 1953.0 Algarve
55. Chaves 22,363 21,210 33 km2 521.4 High Tâmega North
56. Espinho 21,185 21,011 1.77 km2 554.8 Porto Metropolitan Area North
57. Caniço Santa Cruz 20,163 20,800 12 km2 2004 Madeira
58. Barcelos 20,579 20,723 15.19 km2 972.6 Cávado North
59. Paredes 19,834 20,586 21.51 km2 957.2 Porto Metropolitan Area North
60. Entroncamento 20,206 20,141 13.73 km2 1466.9 Medium Tejo Center
61. Lagos 18,474 19,790 29.15 km2 811.4 Algarve
62. Torres Vedras 17,837 19,680 62.44 km2 444.9 West Center
63. Quarteira Loulé 15,618 17,500 38.16 km2 639.9 Algarve
64. Abrantes 18,450 17,199 64.47 km2 250.3 Medium Tejo Center
65. Trofa 17,389 17,099 27.48 km2 777.8 Porto Metropolitan Area North
66. Ovar 17,164 16,980 86.40 km2 340.6 Region Aveiro Center
67. Vila Franca de Xira 16,129 16,270 212.86 km2 86.1 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
68. Fafe 15,703 15,455 7.97 km2 1939.2 Ave North
69. Oliveira de Azeméis 15,071 15,449 25.95 km2 796.6 Porto Metropolitan Area North
70. Felgueiras 16,094 14,927 17.44 km2 1014.6 Tâmega and Sousa North
71. Loulé 14,900 14,890 108.90 km2 227.1 Algarve
72. Paços de Ferreira 14,486 14,530 8.31 km2 1614.6 Tâmega and Sousa North
73. Águeda 14,571 14,360 36.03 km2 380.5 Region of Aveiro Center
74. Elvas 16,640 14,324 202.70 km2 71.2 High Alentejo Alentejo
75. Câmara de Lobos 15,227 13,960 7.62 km2 2172.7 Madeira
76. Portalegre 15,374 13,960 23.51 km2 609 High Alentejo Alentejo
77. Tomar 15,065 13,882 30.38 km2 557.3 Medium Tejo Center
78. Valbom Gondomar 14,407 13,803 4.39 km2 3647.1 Porto Metropolitan Area North
79. Tavira 13,312 13,762 147.99 km2 104.2 Algarve
80. Alfena Valongo 14,397 13,670 15.70 km2 919.6 Porto Metropolitan Area North
81. Peniche 14,822 13,302 8.34 km2 1584.1 West Center
82. Gafanha da Nazaré Ílhavo 12,985 13,260 16.44 km2 946 Region of Aveiro Center
83. Costa da Caparica Almada 12,211 13,031 10.18 km2 1372.4 Lisbon Metropolitan Area
84. Ribeira Grande 12,663 12,590 66.55 km2 193.3 Azores
85. Sines 12,463 12,338 5.40 km2 2285.0 Alentejo Coast Alentejo
86. Torres Novas 12,941 12,330 61.64 km2 261.3 Medium Tejo Center
87. Amarante 12,660 12,120 15.21 km2 760.3 Tâmega and Sousa North
88. Esmoriz Ovar 11,448 11,922 9.05 km2 1317.5 Region of Aveiro Center
89. Pombal 12,125 11,890 97.61 km2 172.9 Region of Leiria Center
90. Samora Correia Benavente 11,502 11,736 321.29 km2 55.1 Lezíria do Tejo Alentejo
91. Almeirim 11,881 11,552 69.13 km2 178.9 Lezíria do Tejo Alentejo
92. Vila Real de Santo António 11,360 11,180 61.25 km2 191.9 Algarve
93. Lamego 11,194 11,078 20.20 km2 597.6 Douro North
94. Vizela 10,633 11,072 7.68 km2 1441.7 Ave North
95. Mirandela 11,579 10,911 29.78 km2 382.9 Lands of Trás-os-Montes North
96. Marinha Grande 10,560 10,860 138.87 km2 232.8 Region of Leiria Center
97. Esposende 9,844 10,824 17.31 km2 708.6 Cávado North
98. Ílhavo 10,505 10,640 39 km2 427.6 Region of Aveiro Center
99. Cartaxo 10,898 10,552 28.23 km2 435.7 Lezíria do Tejo Alentejo
100. Penafiel 10,420 10,420 22.52 km2 696.1 Tâmega and Sousa North
101. Marco de Canaveses 10,336 10,390 17.49 km2 632.8 Tâmega and Sousa North
102. Fátima Ourém 8,880 10,265 84.97 km2 155.4 Medium Tejo Center
103. Freamunde Paços de Ferreira 10,443 10,180 4.68 km2 1614.7 Tâmega and Sousa North
104. Machico 11,505 9,990 17.41 km2 564.5 Madeira
105. Mangualde 10,407 9,858 46.25 km2 213.1 Viseu Dão-Lafões Center
106. Lordelo Paredes 10,025 9,106 9.25 km2 984.5 Porto Metropolitan Area North
107. Vendas Novas 9,681 9,048 222.39 km2 47.8 Central Alentejo Alentejo
108. Rio Maior 7,948 8,693 82.94 km2 150.9 Lezíria do Tejo Alentejo
109. Albergaria-a-Velha 8,220 8,600 47 km2 235.3 Region of Aveiro Center
110. Tondela 8,854 8,570 15.75 km2 331.1 Viseu Dão-Lafões Center
111. Rebordosa Paredes 9,106 8,496 11.17 km2 760.6 Porto Metropolitan Area North
112. Vila Nova de Santo André Santiago do Cacém 8,710 8,227 74.32 km2 138.7 Alentejo Coast Alentejo
113. Lagoa 8,080 8,210 20.47 km2 436.5 Azores
114. Peso da Régua 9,530 8,145 9.94 km2 895.9 Douro North
115. Angra do Heroísmo 8,654 8,050 18.02 km2 663.5 Azores
116. Lourosa Santa Maria da Feira 8,636 8,003 5.77 km2 1387.3 Porto Metropolitan Area North
117. Montemor-o-Novo 8,681 7,929 419.49 km2 25.8 Central Alentejo Alentejo
118. Fundão 8,065 7,600 57.83 km2 221.5 Beiras and Serra da Estrela Center
119. Estarreja 7,492 7,390 9.40 km2 786.2 Region of Aveiro Center
120. Ponte de Sor 7,752 7,270 332.82 km2 31.5 High Alentejo Alentejo
121. Fiães Santa Maria da Feira 7,991 7,096 6.40 km2 1109.0 Porto Metropolitan Area North
122. Moura 8,016 6,888 287.42 km2 27.9 Low Alentejo Alentejo
123. Santa Cruz 6,952 6,850 28.10 km2 253.9 Madeira
124. Estremoz 7,483 6,799 63.9 km2 123.4 Central Alentejo Alentejo
125. Vale de Cambra 5,312 5,492 13.29 km2 402.5 Porto Metropolitan Area North
126. Horta 5,553 5,110 8.48 km2 662.1 Azores
127. Santa Comba Dão 3,279 3,160 27.11 km2 162.5 Viseu Dão-Lafões Center

See also

References

  1. ↑ "PORDATA - Cidades". Pordata.pt. 2022-01-31. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  2. ↑ Assembleia Da República (1982-06-02). "Lei 11/82, de 2 de Junho" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  3. ↑ "Portugal: Regions and Cities". CITY POPULATION - statistics, maps & charts. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  1. "Cidades Portuguesas". Instituto Nacional de Estatística. Archived from the original on 2007-05-23. Retrieved 2006-07-08.
  2. "Municípios Portugueses". Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses. Retrieved 2006-03-27.
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