Many of the municipalities of Portugal are older than the country itself. Some cities, towns and villages have twice the age of Portugal, or even more. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe and in the world. The country was formed as a dependent county of the former Kingdom of Leon in the 1090's, in 1128 became an independent county with the support of many Portuguese (to be) cities, and turned into a kingdom by the year 1139 and into Republic in 1910.

Table of contents
1 Municipalities in Early Portugal
2 The Emanicipation of the Portuguese Municipalities
3 The Captured Municipality
4 List of Municipalities
5 External Links

Municipalities in Early Portugal

Therefore the municipalities in Portugal held a great importance in medieval independent Portugal. The Portuguese capital has changed places from Guimaraes, Lamego, Coimbra, Evora and, finally, Lisbon. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was during the Napoleonic Wars the Capital of Portugal.

Oporto never reached the status of capital of Portugal, but mantained the status of the most important city of the newly formed nation for some centuries, as Capital of Merchants. A similar status was given to Braga, as Capital of the Archibishops (or the Church). Before the invasion of the Moors, Braga was the Capital of the former kingdom of the Suevi. These two cities were a major loss to the Leonese kingdom. As the country grows in the south, the portuguese capital also moved southwards. But excepting for Coimbra and Lisbon, the other cities where capital for a very short period of time. The moving capital was a very important strategy for the Portuguese reconquista of the south, where important Moorish kingdoms where established.

The Emanicipation of the Portuguese Municipalities

By the 19th century, the republicans promised a federal organization for the Portuguese territory -- that the country would become a municipal republic. When the Republic was formed, however, they didn't adopt what they promised for almost half a century.

Later in the end of the 20th century, democracy has granted more independence to municipalities. And, the formation of two super municipalities, known as áreas metropolitanas (meaning "metropolitan areas") for the two major cities of the country (Lisbon and Oporto). Altought, there has been discussions of the creation of three new metropolitan areas for the cities around Aveiro, Leiria and Viseu.

The municipalities in Portugal are known as concelhos ("councils"), but the word município ("municipality") is used and also official.

The Captured Municipality

Map of Portugal with the invaded municipality of Olivença shown in orange.
The distances between continental Portugal and the islands of Azores and Madeira are not the real ones.

In 1801, Spain and France decides to invade Portugal because of Portugal's alliance with Britain and to make Portugal stops trading with Britain. A block was made Europe-wide by the pressure of Napoleon, but Portugal didn't join this. By this, Spain declares war on Portugal, invading and forcing the country to sign the Triety of Badajoz where Olivença is given to Spain among other premisses. In the spanish view, this territory isolates, in some manner, some spanish territories and, because of this, has a strategical position in southern Iberia. Portugal signs with the commitment that Spain won't invade the rest of the country.

By the year 1807, Spain and France invades Portugal and its Royal Family escapes to Brazil, a portuguese colony that by this will be turned into an associated kingdom of Portugal and, in fact, Rio de Janeiro turned into Capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarve during the invasion of metropolitan Portugal.

When the war was over and won, Portugal tried to regain it's lost territory. Spain signs with Portugal among other nations the Congress of Vienna, where, by its honor and will, promisses to return the Municipality of Olivença to Portugal and the Triety of Badajoz was declared, officially, null. Until today, Spain didn't make what it has promissed. Portugal has tried during these two centuries to regain Olivença, sometimes by force. But withdraws by fears of a new Peninsular War. In that region, till today there is no official border between the two countries.

List of Municipalities

The list of Portuguese municipalities are divided by regions or Metropolitans Areas. The used regions are the used ones by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, since the country officially is not divided into regions and districts falls in disuse. The list also includes the activities and main attractions of each municipality. Some municipalities shares a statute of World Heritage Site. This happens in the World Heritage region of Douro Vinhateiro that is shared by 13 municipalities. This also occurs in Madeira Island, where the Laurissilva Forrest is share by some municipalities. Others like Lisbon (two monuments classified) and Vila Nova de Foz Côa (Douro Vinhateiro and the Paleolitic pictures site) has more than one site.

Portugal has a unique kind of hotels known has Pousadas Históricas part of Pousadas de Portugal, that are located in national monuments, convents, castles and forts. They are also in the list. One can also find the monuments that were classified as National Monuments by Portugal, with the anacron N.M.. This features among others characterize each municipality, some like the Pousadas are seen in Portugal as a municipal pride.

Region
Metropolitan Area
Municipality Obs.

Azores Islands
pt. Arquipélago dos Açores

Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island

Bullfighting; World Heritage Site

Calheta (Azores), São Jorge Island

Bullfighting

Corvo, Corvo Island

Horta, Faial Island

Lagoa (Azores), São Miguel Island

Lajes das Flores, Flores Island

Lajes do Pico, Pico Island

Madalena, Pico Island

Natural beauties

Nordeste, São Miguel Island

Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island

Spas

Povoação, São Miguel Island

Spas

Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island

Fishery

Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island

Spas

Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Graciosa Island

Santa Cruz das Flores, Flores Island

São Roque do Pico, Pico Island

Velas, São Jorge Island

Natural beauties; bullfighting

Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island

Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island

Alentejo

Alandroal

Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Terena

Alcácer do Sal

Natural beauties; bullfighting; Pousada

Aljustrel

Almodôvar

Alter do Chão

Bullfighting

Alvito

Pousada

Arraiolos

Pousada

Arronches

Natural beauties

Avis

Barrancos

Natural beauties; bullfighting

Beja

Pousada; N.M.: Roman Villa of Pisões

Borba

Campo Maior

N.M.: Castle of Campo Maior, Pre-Historic settlement of Santa Vitória

Castelo de Vide

Natural beauties; spas

Castro Verde

Natural beauties

Crato

Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Flor da Rosa

Cuba

Elvas

N.M.: Castle of Elvas, Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Megalitic Monuments of Elvas

Estremoz

Pousada

Évora

World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of Évoramonte, Cathedral of Évora

Ferreira do Alentejo

Fronteira

Spas; bullfighting

Gavião

N.M.: Castle of Belver

Grândola

Natural beauties

Marvão

Natural beauties; mountains; spas

Mértola

Monforte

Bullfighting; N.M.: Roman Villa of Torre de Palma

Montemor-o-Novo

Natural beauties; N.M.: Grotto of Escoural

Mora

Natural beauties

Moura

Spas; bullfighting; Lagar de Varas do Fojo

Mourão

Nisa

N.M.: Castle of Amieira do Tejo

Odemira

Natural beauties; fishery

Olivença

Occupied by Spain

Ourique

Natural beauties; N.M.: Pre-Historic to Medieval Curcuit of Cola

Ponte de Sôr

Portalegre

Natural beauties; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Portalegre

Portel

Redondo

Reguengos de Monsaraz

Santiago do Cacém

N.M.: Roman Ruins of Miróbriga

Serpa

Natural beauties

Sines

Natural beauties; fishery

Sousel

Vendas Novas

Viana do Alentejo

Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Viana do Alentejo

Vidigueira

N.M.: Roman ruins of Villa Áulica and Convent of São Cucufate

Vila Viçosa

Pousada

Algarve

Albufeira

Alcoutim

Aljezur

Natural beauties; fishery

Castro Marim

Faro

Fishery; N.M.: Roman Villa of Milreu

Lagoa (Algarve)

Fishery; bullfighting

Lagos

Natural beauties; fishery

Loulé

Natural beauties; fishery

Monchique

Natural beauties; spas

Olhão

Natural beauties; fishery

Portimão

Natural beauties; fishery; N.M.: Megalitic Monuments of Alcalar

São Brás de Alportel

Silves

Tavira

Mountains; fishery; bullfighting

Vila do Bispo

Natural beauties; fishery; N.M.: Fortress of Sagres, Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe

Vila Real de Santo António

Natural beauties; fishery

Beira Interior

Aguiar da Beira

Spas

Almeida

Spas

Belmonte

Mountains; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of Belmonte, Roman Tower of Centum Cellas

Castelo Branco

Celorico da Beira

Natural beauties; mountains; spas

Covilhã

Natural beauties; mountains; spas

Figueira De Castelo Rodrigo

N.M.: Castle of Castelo Rodrigo, Church of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar

Fornos De Algodres

Fundão

Spas

Gouveia

Guarda

Natural beauties; N.M.: Cathedral of Guarda

Idanha-a-Nova

Spas, N.M.: Roman ruins of Egiptânia and Medieval Idanha-a-Velha

Manteigas

Natural beauties; spas

Mêda

Spas; N.M.: Castle of Marialva

Oleiros

Penamacôr

Pinhel

Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Pinhel

Proença-a-Nova

Mountains

Sabugal

Natural beauties; spas

Seia

Mountains

Sertã

Trancoso

Vila de Rei

Vila Nova de Foz Côa

World Heritage Sites

Vila Velha de Ródão

Beira Litoral

Águeda

Albergaria-a-Velha

Anadia

Spas

Arganil

Natural beauties

Armamar

World Heritage Site

Arouca

Natural beauties; N.M.: Monastery of Arouca

Aveiro

Natural beauties; fishery

Cantanhede

Fishery

Carregal do Sal

Castro Daire

Spas

Castelo de Paiva

Coimbra

N.M.: Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Monastery of Santa Cruz, New Cathedral of Coimbra, Old Cathedral of Coimbra

Condeixa-a-Nova

Natural beauties

Cinfães

Mountains

Estarreja

Figueira da Foz

Natural beauties; fishery

Góis

Mountains

Ílhavo

Fishery

Lamego

World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Ferreirim, Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão

Lousã

Mangualde

Spas

Mealhada

Spas

Mira

Fishery

Miranda do Corvo

Moimenta da Beira

Montemor-o-Velho

Natural beauties; spas; N.M.: Castle of Montemor-o-Velho

Mortágua

Murtosa

Fishery

Nelas

Mountains; spas

Oliveira de Azeméis

Oliveira do Bairro

Natural beauties

Oliveira de Frades

Mountains

Oliveira do Hospital

Spas; Pousada

Ovar

Natural beauties; fishery

Pampilhosa da Serra

Mountains

Penacova

Spas; N.M.: Monastery of Lorvão

Penalva do Castelo

Penedono

Penela

N.M.: Castle of Penela

Resende

Spas

Santa Comba Dão

Spas

Santa Maria da Feira

Spas; N.M.: Castle of Santa Maria da Feira

São João da Madeira

São João da Pesqueira

World Heritage Site

São Pedro do Sul

Spas

Sátão

Sernancelhe

Sever do Vouga

Soure

Spas

Tábua

Spas

Tabuaço

World Heritage Site

Tarouca

N.M.: Monastery of São João de Tarouca

Tondela

Spas

Vagos

Fishery; bullfighting

Vale de Cambra

Vila Nova de Paiva

Vila Nova de Poiares

Bullfighting

Viseu

Vouzela

Natural beauties

Entre Douro e Minho

Amarante

Spas

Amares

Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Rendufe

Arcos de Valdevez

Baião

Barcelos

Braga

N.M.: Monastery of Tibães, Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios, Cathedral of Braga

Cabeceiras de Basto

Caminha

Fishery; N.M.: First Church of Caminha

Celorico de Basto

Esposende

Fishery

Fafe

Felgueiras

N.M.: Monastery of Pombeiro

Guimarães

Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Palace of the Duckes of Bragança, Castle of Guimarães, Church of São Miguel do Castelo

Lousada

Marco de Canaveses

Spas; N.M.: Pre-Historic and Roman ruins of Tongobriga

Melgaço

Natural beauties; spas

Monção

Natural beauties; spas

Paços de Ferreira

Paredes

Paredes de Coura

Penafiel

Spas

Ponte da Barca

Ponte de Lima

Natural beauties; mountains

Póvoa de Lanhoso

Santo Tirso

Spas

Terras de Bouro

Natural beauties; mountains; spas

Trofa

Valença

Viana do Castelo

Fishery, N.M.: Citânia de Santa Luzia

Vieira do Minho

Mountains

Vila Nova de Cerveira

Pousada

Vila Nova de Famalicão

Vila Verde

Vizela

'''[[Metropolitan areas of Portugal|Lisbon Metropolitan
 Area]] '
pt.
Área Metropolitana de Lisboa''

Alcochete

Natural beauties; bullfighting

Almada

Natural beauties; fishery

Amadora

Azambuja

Bullfighting

Barreiro

Cascais

Natural beauties; fishery

Lisbon
pt. Lisboa

Bullfighting; World Heritage Sites; N.M.: National Palace of Ajuda, Library of Ajuda, Tower of São Vicente de Belém, Monastery of Jenónimos, Cathedral of Lisbon, Church of São Vicente de Fora, Church of Santa Eugrácia and National Panteon

Loures

Mafra

Fishery; N.M.: Palace and Convent of Mafra

Moita

Bullfighting

Montijo

Bullfighting

Odivelas

Oeiras

Palmela

Pousada

Sesimbra

Natural beauties; fishery

Setúbal

Natural beauties; fishery; bullfighting; Pousada

Seixal

Sintra

Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: National Palace of Pena, National Palace of Queluz, National Palace of Sintra

Vila Franca de Xira

Natural beauties; bullfighting

Madeira Islands
pt. Arquipélago da Madeira

Calheta (Madeira), Madeira Island

Câmara De Lobos, Madeira Island

Funchal, Madeira Island

Natural beauties; mountains; World Heritage Site

Machico, Madeira Island

World Heritage Site

Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island

Porto Moniz, Madeira Island

Porto Santo, Porto Santo Island

Natural beauties

Ribeira Brava, Madeira Island

Natural beauties

Santa Cruz, Madeira Island

Santana, Madeira Island

World Heritage Site

São Vicente, Madeira Island

World Heritage Site

Desertas Islands
pt. Ilhas Desertas

Savage Islands
pt. Ilhas Selvagens

'''[[Metropolitan areas of Portugal|Oporto Metropolitan
 Area]] '
pt.
Área Metropolitana do Porto''

Espinho

Fishery

Maia

Matosinhos

Fishery

Gondomar

Oporto
pt. Porto

World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Oporto

Póvoa de Varzim

Fishery; bullfighting

Valongo

Natural beauties

Vila do Conde

Fishery

Vila Nova de Gaia

Natural beauties; N.M.: Monastery of Grijó

Ribatejo e Oeste

Abrantes

Alcanena

Natural beauties

Alenquer

Natural beauties

Almeirim

Bullfighting

Alcobaça

Natural beauties; spas; fishery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Alcobaça

Alpiarça

Alvaiázere

Ansião

Arruda dos Vinhos

Bullfighting

Batalha

World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Batalha

Benavente

Natural beauties; bullfighting

Bombarral

Cadaval

Natural beauties; mountains

Caldas da Rainha

Spas, fishery

Cartaxo

Bullfighting

Castanheira de Pera

Mountains

Chamusca

Constância

Coruche

Natural beauties

Entroncamento

Figueiró dos Vinhos

Mountains

Ferreira do Zêzere

Mountains

Golegã

Natural beauties; bullfighting; N.M.: First Church of Golegã

Leiria

Spas, fishery

Lourinhã

Fishery

Mação

Spas

Marinha Grande

Fishery

Nazaré

Fishery

Óbidos

Pousada

Ourém

Natural beauties; spas

Pedrogão Grande

Natural beauties

Peniche

Natural beauties; fishery

Pombal

Bullfighting

Porto de Mós

Natural beauties; N.M.: Chapel of São Jorge

Rio Maior

Salvaterra de Magos

Santarém

Natural beauties; bullfighting; N.M.: Church of Santa maria da Graça de Santarém

Sardoal

Sobral de Monte Agraço

Tomar

World Heritage Site; N.M.: Convent of Christ

Torres Novas

Natural beauties

Torres Vedras

Spas; fishery

Vila Nova da Barquinha

Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Almourol

Trás-os-Montes

Alfândega da Fé

Alijó

Bullfighting; World Heritage Site

Boticas

Spas

Bragança

 

Carrazeda de Ansiães

Mountains; spas; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Castle of Ansiães

Chaves

Mountains; spas; N.M.: Castle of Monforte

Freixo de Espada à Cinta

Natural beauties; N.M.: First Church of Freixo de Espada à Cinta

Macedo de Cavaleiros

Natural beauties

Mesão Frio

Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada

Miranda do Douro
mirandese Miranda de l Douro

N.M.: Church of Miranda

Mirandela

Mogadouro

Moncorvo

Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; N.M.: First Church of Torre de Moncorvo

Mondim de Basto

Montalegre

Natural beauties; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Montalegre

Murça

Spas

Peso da Régua

Spas; World Heritage Site

Ribeira de Pena

Sabrosa

Mountains; World Heritage Site

Santa Marta de Penaguião

World Heritage Site

Valpaços

Vila Flor

Spas

Vila Pouca de Aguiar

Spas

Vila Real

Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Vila Real, Roman Sanctuary of Panóias

Vimioso
mirandese Bimioso

Vinhais

Natural beauties; mountains

External Links