This means that, if, in 2001, there were 134 places in Portugal that were considered cities, that number increased to 159 in 2022. The number has remained the same since 2012, it is also important to mention.

Of these 159 cities, 146 are on the mainland, 6 in the Azores and 7 in Madeira.

The North region is home to the most cities, totalling 54, 27 of which are included in the Metropolitan Area of Porto. This is followed by the Centre region, with 43 cities, and the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, with 17 cities.