List of Portugal Districts and Capitals

Portugal is divided into 18 districts (distritos in Portuguese), plus two autonomous regions. The districts are the main administrative divisions of the country, and are further subdivided into municipalities (municípios)

Portugal is a Southern European country located on the Iberian Peninsula and bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into 18 districts on the mainland and 2 autonomous regions consisting of Atlantic archipelagos. Lisbon is the national capital and also the largest city in Portugal.

The country includes Atlantic coastlines, river valleys, mountain ranges, plains, islands, vineyards, and Mediterranean landscapes spread across southwestern Europe. Different districts and autonomous regions are known for tourism, wine production, fishing, agriculture, shipping, and cultural heritage.

Key Facts

• National capital: Lisbon
• Total population: 10,500,000 (Official estimate 2025)
• Total area: 92,212 km² (35,603 sq miles)
• Currency: Euro (€ , EUR)
• Bordering country: Spain
• Total Districts and Autonomous Regions: 20
• Total Municipalities: 300+

List of Districts and Autonomous Regions of Portugal

Total administrative divisions shown: 20 | Combined population: 10,500,000 | Combined area: 92,212 km²

Largest Districts and Regions by Area

• Beja - 3,948 sq mi (10,225 km²)
• Évora - 2,854 sq mi (7,393 km²)
• Santarém - 2,605 sq mi (6,747 km²)
• Castelo Branco - 2,577 sq mi (6,675 km²)
• Bragança - 2,551 sq mi (6,608 km²)
• Portalegre - 2,341 sq mi (6,065 km²)
• Guarda - 2,131 sq mi (5,518 km²)
• Setúbal - 1,956 sq mi (5,064 km²)

Most Populous Districts and Regions

• Lisbon - Population: 2,350,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Porto - Population: 1,750,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Setúbal - Population: 890,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Braga - Population: 870,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Aveiro - Population: 715,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Leiria - Population: 480,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Faro - Population: 470,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Santarém - Population: 425,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Districts and Regions by Area

• Madeira Autonomous Region - 309 sq mi (801 km²)
• Viana do Castelo - 871 sq mi (2,255 km²)
• Azores Autonomous Region - 896 sq mi (2,322 km²)
• Porto - 925 sq mi (2,395 km²)
• Braga - 1,032 sq mi (2,673 km²)
• Lisbon - 1,066 sq mi (2,761 km²)

Administrative Divisions by Geographic Grouping

• Alentejo Region: Évora
• Algarve Coast: Faro
• Atlantic Islands: Azores Autonomous Region, Madeira Autonomous Region
• Capital Region: Lisbon
• Central Coast: Aveiro, Leiria
• Central Highlands: Viseu
• Central Interior: Castelo Branco
• Central Portugal: Coimbra
• Eastern Borderlands: Portalegre
• Mountain Interior: Guarda
• Northern Coast: Viana do Castelo
• Northern Highlands: Vila Real
• Northern Portugal: Braga
• Northeastern Highlands: Bragança
• Northwestern Coast: Porto
• Southern Coast: Setúbal
• Southern Plains: Beja
• Tagus Valley: Santarém

Districts and Regions with Coastline

• Aveiro
• Azores Autonomous Region
• Faro
• Leiria
• Lisbon
• Madeira Autonomous Region
• Porto
• Setúbal
• Viana do Castelo

Districts Sharing Borders with Spain

• Bragança
• Castelo Branco
• Évora
• Guarda
• Portalegre
• Vila Real

Major Economic Activities by District and Region

Sources

• Statistics Portugal
• World Bank - Portugal Data
• CIA World Factbook - Portugal
• Encyclopaedia Britannica - Portugal
• Government of Portugal