Which Are the Cities of Portugal?

Dear friends of Boa Onda Guesthouse Peniche, today’s post is dedicated to discovering new insights about Portugal. Specifically, we will explore which cities are in Portugal, providing a comprehensive list of Portuguese cities, their respective municipalities, population numbers, and the date when they officially gained city status.

Portugal is a land rich in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Its cities offer a unique mix of architecture, traditions, and natural beauty that captivate every visitor. Whether you’re an art lover, a foodie, a surf enthusiast, or a nature seeker, discovering the most beautiful cities in Portugal will leave you with unforgettable memories. For more details or helpful information about Portuguese culture, we recommend checking out some of our most-read articles: Portuguese telephone code, current time in Lisbon.

Which Are the Cities of Portugal?

Cities – Municipality – Population

Below you will find a summary table with key information about Portuguese cities, their respective municipalities, their resident populations, and the year they officially became cities.

Flag	Cities	Council	Population	City Since
	Abrantes	Abrantes	14.775	14/6/1916
	Agualva-Cacém	Sintra	121.000	12/9/2001
	Águeda	Águeda	11.357	14/8/1985
	Albufeira	Albufeira	16.237	20/8/1986
	Alcácer do Sal	Alcácer do Sal	9.118	12/7/1997
	Alcobaça	Alcobaça	9.775	30/08/1995
	Almada	Almada	101.500	16/06/1973
	Almeirim	Almeirim	11.607	16/08/1991
	Alverca do Ribatejo	Vila Franca de Xira	29.086	09/08/1990
	Amadora	Amadora	151.500	17/09/1979
	Amarante	Amarante	11.000	14/08/1985
	Amora	Seixal	53.638	02/07/1993
	Anadia	Anadia	3.533	09/12/2004
	Angra do Heroísmo	Angra do Heroísmo	21.200	21/08/1534
	Aveiro	Aveiro	67.003	11/04/1759
	Barcelos	Barcelos	20.000	06/09/1928
	Barreiro	Barreiro	50.232	28/06/1984
	Beja	Beja	23.475	10/04/1521
	Braga	Braga	170.250	Diritto antico
	Braganza	Braganza	19.998	23/02/1464
	Caldas da Rainha	Caldas da Rainha	30.006	26/08/1927
	Câmara de Lobos	Câmara de Lobos	16.842	02/08/1996
	Caniço	Santa Cruz	11.586	09/06/2005
	Cantanhede	Cantanhede	7.066	16/08/1991
	Cartaxo	Cartaxo	10.115	30/08/1995
	Castelo Branco	Castelo Branco	34.525	20/03/1771
	Chaves	Chaves	19.307	18/03/1929
	Coimbra	Coimbra	138.540	Diritto antico
	Costa da Caparica	Almada	14.100	09/12/2004
	Covilhã	Covilhã	36.147	20/10/1870
	Elvas	Elvas	28.106	03/04/1513
	Entroncamento	Entroncamento	20.065	16/08/1991
	Ermesinde	Valongo	40.139	10/08/1990
	Esmoriz	Ovar	11.200	02/07/1993
	Espinho	Espinho	10.500	16/06/1973
	Esposende	Esposende	9.148	02/07/1993
	Estarreja	Estarreja	7.000	09/12/2004
	Estremoz	Estremoz	9.011	31/08/1926
	Évora	Évora	46.417	Diritto antico
	Fafe	Fafe	15.323	23/08/1986
	Faro	Faro	43.757	07/09/1540
	Fátima	Ourém	10.302	12/07/1997
	Felgueiras	Felgueiras	15.100	10/08/1990
	Figueira da Foz	Figueira da Foz	36.500	20/09/1882
	Fiães	Santa Maria da Feira	13.100	12/07/2001
	Freamunde	Paços de Ferreira	7.452	12/07/2001
	Funchal	Funchal	100.526	21/08/1508
	Fundão	Fundão	8.957	19/04/1988
	Gafanha da Nazaré	Ílhavo	14.021	21/07/2001
	Gandra	Paredes	5.200	26/08/2003
	Gondomar	Gondomar	25.000	16/08/1991
	Gouveia	Gouveia	3.500	01/02/1988
	Guarda	Guarda	32.274	27/11/1199
	Guimarães	Guimarães	52.181	23/06/1853
	Horta	Horta	9.000	04/07/1833
	Lagoa	Lagoa	5.000	12/07/2001
	Lagos	Lagos	20.000	27/01/1573
	Lamego	Lamego	12.000	Diritto antico
	Leiria	Leiria	50.264	13/06/1545
	Lisbona	Lisbona	508.209	Diritto antico
	Lixa	Felgueiras	5.500	30/08/1995
	Loulé	Loulé	24.000	01/02/1988
	Loures	Loures	26.000	09/08/1990
	Lourosa	Santa Maria da Feira	11.300	12/07/2001
	Macedo de Cavaleiros	Macedo de Cavaleiros	7.800	24/06/1999
	Maia	Maia	40.000	23/08/1986
	Mangualde	Mangualde	8.107	12/07/2001
	Marco de Canaveses	Marco de Canaveses	9,000	02/07/1993
	Marinha Grande	Marinha Grande	29.100	19/04/1988
	Matosinhos	Matosinhos	47.703	28/06/1984
	Mealhada	Mealhada	5.500	26/08/2003
	Mêda	Mêda	2.004	09/12/2004
	Miranda do Douro	Miranda do Douro	2.000	10/07/1545
	Mirandela	Mirandela	11.000	28/06/1984
	Montemor-o-Novo	Montemor-o-Novo	14.000	18/04/1988
	Montemor-o-Velho	Montemor-o-Velho	30.000	26/04/1903
	Montijo	Montijo	30.486	14/08/1985
	Moura	Moura	10.000	01/02/1988
	Odivelas	Odivelas	54.500	10/08/1990
	Olhão da Restauração	Olhão	31.100	14/08/1985
	Oliveira de Azeméis	Oliveira de Azeméis	15.000	16/05/1984
	Oliveira do Bairro	Oliveira do Bairro	5.005	26/08/2003
	Oliveira do Hospital	Oliveira do Hospital	4.400	02/07/1993
	Ourém	Ourém	11.100	16/08/1991
	Ovar	Ovar	18.900	28/06/1984
	Paços de Ferreira	Paços de Ferreira	9.000	02/07/1993
	Paredes	Paredes	12.500	16/08/1991
	Penafiel	Penafiel	10.000	03/03/1770
	Peniche	Peniche	17.500	01/02/1988
	Peso da Régua	Peso da Régua	10.000	14/08/1985
	Pinhel	Pinhel	3.500	25/08/1770
	Pombal	Pombal	18.500	16/08/1991
	Ponta Delgada	Ponta Delgada	46.102	02/04/1546
	Ponte de Sor	Ponte de Sor	11.000	14/08/1985
	Portalegre	Portalegre	15.700	23/05/1550
	Portimão	Portimão	40.700	11/12/1924
	Porto	Porto	240.227	Diritto antico
	Vila Baleira (a.k.a. (Porto Santo)	Porto Santo	4.475	02/08/1996
	Póvoa de Santa Iria	Vila Franca de Xira	28.000	24/06/1999
	Póvoa de Varzim	Póvoa de Varzim	38.257	16/06/1973
	Praia da Vitória	Praia da Vitória	6.500	20/06/1981
	Quarteira	Loulé	21.000	24/06/1999
	Queluz	Sintra	116.124	24/07/1997
	Rebordosa	Paredes	12.100	26/08/2003
	Reguengos de Monsaraz	Reguengos de Monsaraz	7.900	09/12/2004
	Ribeira Grande	Ribeira Grande	6.350	29/06/1981
	Rio Maior	Rio Maior	11.102	14/08/1985
	Rio Tinto	Gondomar	61.227	30/08/1995
	Sabugal	Sabugal	2.300	09/12/2004
	Sacavém	Loures	17.000	04/06/1997
	Santa Comba Dão	Santa Comba Dão	3.200	24/06/1999
	Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz	6.500	02/08/1996
	Santa Maria da Feira	Santa Maria da Feira	16.900	14/08/1985
	Santana	Santana	3.300	01/01/2001
	Santarém	Santarém	30.100	24/12/1868
	Santiago do Cacém	Santiago do Cacém	7.753	16/08/1991
	Santo Tirso	Santo Tirso	14.100	14/08/1985
	São João da Madeira	São João da Madeira	21.102	28/06/1984
	São Mamede de Infesta	Matosinhos	27.000	12/07/2001
	São Salvador de Lordelo	Paredes	11.000	26/08/2003
	Seia	Seia	7.000	23/08/1986
	Seixal	Seixal	31.101	02/07/1993
	Serpa	Serpa	9.990	26/08/2003
	Setúbal	Setúbal	120.636	19/04/1860
	Silves	Silves	11.000	Diritto antico
	Sines	Sines	15.555	12/07/1997
	Tarouca	Tarouca	3.200	09/12/2004
	Tavira	Tavira	13.300	16/03/1520
	Tomar	Tomar	20.000	12/02/1844
	Tondela	Tondela	10.120	01/02/1988
	Torres Novas	Torres Novas	14.900	14/08/1985
	Torres Vedras	Torres Vedras	27.200	03/02/1979
	Trancoso	Trancoso	3.350	09/12/2004
	Trofa	Trofa	22.000	02/07/1993
	Valbom	Gondomar	14.100	09/12/2004
	Vale de Cambra	Vale de Cambra	4.200	02/07/1993
	Valongo	Valongo	27.900	10/08/1990
	Valpaços	Valpaços	4.102	24/07/1999
	Vendas Novas	Vendas Novas	10.103	02/07/1993
	Viana do Castelo	Viana do Castelo	36.750	20/01/1848
	Vila do Conde	Vila do Conde	32.257	01/02/1988
	Vila Franca de Xira	Vila Franca de Xira	19.000	28/06/1984
	Vila Nova de Famalicão	Vila Nova de Famalicão	30.100	14/08/1985
	Vila Nova de Foz Côa	Vila Nova de Foz Côa	3.303	12/07/1997
	Vila Nova de Gaia	Vila Nova de Gaia	302.296	28/06/1984
	Vila Nova de Santo André	Santiago do Cacém	12.123	26/08/2003
	Vila Real	Vila Real	27.250	20/07/1925
	Vila Real de Santo António	Vila Real de Santo António	11.000	19/04/1988
	Viseu	Viseu	50.583	Diritto antico
	Vizela	Vizela	10.100	01/09/1998

Which Are the Cities of Portugal Worth Visiting?

Portugal is a nation boasting an extraordinarily rich cultural and historical heritage, accompanied by diverse landscapes ranging from the rugged Atlantic coasts to the rolling hills of the interior. Portuguese cities reflect this diversity, offering unique experiences for every type of traveler. Here’s an in-depth look at the main cities of Portugal that truly deserve a visit.

Lisbon: The Vibrant Capital

Lisbon, the capital and largest city of Portugal, is a dynamic fusion of history, culture, and modernity. Perched on hills overlooking the Tagus River, Lisbon is renowned for its characteristic neighborhoods like Alfama and Bairro Alto, offering a mix of winding streets, pastel-colored houses, and lively outdoor cafés.

• Alfama: The city’s oldest neighborhood, famous for its narrow alleys, miradouros (viewpoints) with panoramic views, and the tradition of fado, the soulful Portuguese music.
• Belém: This area features historic landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Don’t miss the famous Pastéis de Belém pastry shop to taste the iconic pastéis de nata.
• Bairro Alto and Chiado: These neighborhoods represent the heart of Lisbon’s nightlife and cultural scene, with a wide range of restaurants, bars, theaters, and art galleries.

Lisbon is also a city in constant evolution, with emerging neighborhoods like Marvila and Beato gaining recognition for their alternative art scene and creative spaces repurposed from old factories.

Porto: A Northern Gem

Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, is located along the Douro River and is famous for its Port wine, produced in the historic cellars of nearby Vila Nova de Gaia. Porto combines impressive architecture with an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.

• Ribeira: This riverside district is a maze of narrow streets, colorful houses, and riverside restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for an evening stroll and to admire the city’s iconic bridges like the Dom Luís I Bridge.
• Porto Cathedral: Known as Sé do Porto, this fortified cathedral offers breathtaking views of the city and the river. Inside, you can admire Gothic cloisters decorated with azulejos (painted ceramic tiles).
• Lello Bookstore: Considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, it’s famous for its neo-Gothic interiors and its double-spiral staircase, which even inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

Porto is also celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene, featuring Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional taverns serving dishes like “francesinha” and “bacalhau à Gomes de Sá.”

Coimbra: The University City

Coimbra, one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in Portugal, lies on the banks of the Mondego River and is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1290.

• University of Coimbra: The heart of the city, the university is famous for the Joanina Library, a Baroque masterpiece housing over 300,000 volumes. Don’t miss the Chapel of São Miguel with its stunning golden organ.
• Mondego River and Botanical Garden: The Mondego River offers scenic walks, while the nearby botanical garden, founded in the 18th century, is a tranquil oasis featuring a wide variety of exotic plants.
• Fado of Coimbra: Unlike Lisbon’s fado, Coimbra’s version is performed exclusively by men and has a more solemn, academic tone. It’s often sung by university students dressed in traditional black capes.

Coimbra offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant student atmosphere, making it a must-visit for those interested in Portuguese history and culture.

Faro: Gateway to the Algarve

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, the southern region of Portugal famous for its spectacular beaches and sunny climate. While many people see Faro as just a starting point to explore the Algarve, the city itself is worth a visit for its well-preserved historic center and relaxed atmosphere.

• Old Town (Cidade Velha): Surrounded by ancient Moorish walls, Faro’s old town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, quiet squares, and historic buildings, including Faro Cathedral located in Largo da Sé.
• Ria Formosa Natural Park: This natural park is a protected area of coastal lagoons and islands, ideal for birdwatching, boat tours, and hiking. Its biodiversity is impressive, with over 200 bird species spotted throughout the year.
• Ria Formosa Islands: From Faro, you can take a ferry to explore beautiful islands like Culatra, Armona, and Deserta, each offering pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Faro is also a great base for exploring other coastal towns in the Algarve, such as Albufeira, Lagos, and Tavira, known for their stunning beaches and charming towns.

Braga: The Rome of Portugal

Braga, located in northern Portugal, is a city with deep religious traditions and a history spanning over 2,000 years. Often called the “Rome of Portugal” due to its religious heritage, Braga is home to many churches, sanctuaries, and traditions.

• Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary: Situated on a hill east of the city, this sanctuary is one of Portugal’s most famous pilgrimage sites. Its Baroque staircase leading to the sanctuary is an architectural masterpiece, with fountains and chapels depicting the Stations of the Cross.
• Braga Cathedral: One of Portugal’s oldest cathedrals, showcasing a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Inside, visitors can marvel at numerous chapels, treasures, and relics.
• Roman Braga: Beyond its religious significance, Braga preserves many Roman-era remnants like the baths, theater, and the D. Diogo de Sousa Museum, which houses important archaeological artifacts.

Braga offers not only a rich historical heritage but also a vibrant cultural scene and delicious gastronomy, making it a must-see destination in northern Portugal.

Évora: An Open-Air Museum

Évora, located in the Alentejo region, is a historic city preserving a unique cultural heritage, earning its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its medieval walls and well-preserved buildings, Évora is a true open-air museum.

• Roman Temple of Évora: Also known as the Temple of Diana, it is one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Portugal. The temple stands in a central square surrounded by other historic buildings.
• Évora Cathedral: Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, this cathedral is an impressive example of Portuguese Gothic architecture. From its panoramic terrace, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and surrounding countryside.
• Chapel of Bones: One of Évora’s most macabre yet fascinating attractions is the Chapel of Bones, decorated with human skulls and bones. The chapel serves as a reflection on the impermanence of life, bearing the inscription, “Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos” (“We bones here, await yours”).

Évora offers a unique combination of history, culture, and traditions, making it an essential stop for those seeking to explore the authentic heart of Portugal.

Conclusions

We hope this guide on Portugal’s cities has been helpful. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us about accommodation in Peniche, surf school, or yoga courses.

The Boa Onda Guesthouse Peniche team is always at your service through the following contacts:

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