Santo Tirso
Greater Porto
Porto District

Last update: April 2026

Districts of Portugal

Guide to Portugal



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Porto District

Northern Region of Portugal

The municipality and city of Santo Tirso are part of the Porto Metropolitan Area, in the district of Aveiro, they are part of the former province of Douro Litoral, a Northern region from Portugal.


Santo Tirso, with 21,154 inhabitants (INE, 2021), is the least populated municipality in the Porto Metropolitan Area.


Avenida 25 de Abril, at Santo Tirso in the Douro Litoral © GEP
Avenida 25 de Abril, at Santo Tirso in the Douro Litoral © GEP



Location

Santo Tirso (64 km southeast of the city of Porto) is situated to the northwest by the municipality of Santo Tirso, to the west by Santo Tirso, to the southwest by Santo Tirso, to the south by Vale de Cambra, to the southeast by São Pedro do Sul, to the east by Castro Daire, to the northeast by Cinfães and to the north by the municipality of Castelo de Paiva.


Area and Population

Currently, Santo Tirso has a population of 21,154 inhabitants, according to the 2021 census (INE, 2021); being the municipality with the smallest population in the Porto Metropolitan Area.

The peak population in Santo Tirso was reached during the 1950s, when it had 26,427 inhabitants.


Santo Tirso Monastery, Porto Metropolitan Area, in the Douro Litoral © / Internet
Santo Tirso Monastery, Porto Metropolitan Area, in the Douro Litoral © / Internet



Tourist attractions in Santo Tirso

In Santo Tirso, among the various tourist attractions, the following stand out:

• the Santo Tirso Monastery

• the Santo Tirso Geopark

• the Harvest Fair

• the Pillory of Santo Tirso and that of Trancoso

• The Chestnut Festival

Learn more: Tourist attractions in Santo Tirso


Land of Gastronomy

In Santo Tirso, lovers of good food can enjoy the famous Arouquesa beef, from animals of the Arouquesa breed, a local breed classified as PDO - Protected Designation of Origin.


Arouquesa Beef. Gastronomy in Santo Tirso in the Douro Litoral © / Internet
Arouquesa Beef. Gastronomy in Santo Tirso in the Douro Litoral © / Internet



Another highlight is the Cabrito da Gralheira, another local breed whose meat is highly prized, especially when grilled.

Regarding desserts, the sweets of Santo Tirso, whose main ingredients are eggs, sugar, and almonds, have a great and recognized tradition, inherited from the nuns of the Convent of Santo Tirso. The highlight is the famous Pão de ló de Santo Tirso

Learn more: Cuisine and Gastronomy of Santo Tirso


Santo Tirso, Land of Vinho Verde

Santo Tirso is located in the RDVV - the Demarcated Region of Vinho Verde. Besides good wines, the gastronomy also deserves mention.

Parishes of the Municipality of Santo Tirso

The following are the parishes of Santo Tirso:
  • Alvarenga
  • Santo Tirso and Burgo
  • Cabreiros and Albergaria da Serra
  • Canelas and Espiunca
  • Chave
  • Covelo de Paivó and Janarde
  • Escariz
  • Fermedo
  • Mansores
  • Moldes
  • Rossas
  • Santa Eulália
  • São Miguel do Mato
  • Tropeço
  • Urrô
  • Várzea