View source for Leiria

{{Infobox Portuguese subdivision
| type                    = municipality
| official_name           = Leiria
| image_flag              = Flag of Leiria.png
| flag_border             = no
| image_shield            = Arms of Leiria.svg
| image_skyline           = {{Photomontage
| photo1a                 = Leiria (25746536508) (cropped).jpg
| photo1b                 = Enjoying the afternoon (39430537200).jpg
| photo2a                 = Castelo de Leiria visto da Encarnacao (cropped).jpg
| photo3a                 = Sé de Leiria - Portugal (40317072481) (cropped).jpg
| photo3b                 = Castelo de Leiria - Portugal (28003610998).jpg
| spacing                 = 2
| position                = center
| color_border            = white
| color                   = white
| size                    = 280
| foot_montage            =
}}
|image_caption=Panoramic, afternoon in the city, Castelo de Leiria, [[Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Leiria|Leiria Cathedral]], view from the Castle
| coordinates             = {{coord|39|45|N|8|48|W|type:adm1st_region:PT_dim:100000|display=inline,title}}
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=280|frame-align=center|zoom=8|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#5f5f5f}}
| map_caption        = Interactive map of Leiria
| region                  = [[Centro Region, Portugal|Centro]]
| CIM                     = [[Região de Leiria]]
| district                = [[Leiria District|Leiria]]
| leader_party            = [[Socialist Party (Portugal)|PS]]
| leader_name             = [[Gonçalo Lopes]]
| area_total_km2          = 565.09
| population_total        = 128640
| population_as_of        = 2021
| parishes                = 18
| holiday                 = Our Lady of the Assumption<br>May 22
| website                 = {{url|http://www.cm-leiria.pt}}
| postal_code             = 2400 Leiria
}}
'''Leiria''' ({{IPA|pt-PT|lɐjˈɾi.ɐ|-|Pt-pt Leiria FF.ogg}}) is a city and municipality in the [[Central Region, Portugal|Central Region]] of [[Portugal]]. It is the 2nd largest city in that same region, after [[Coimbra]], with a municipality population of 128,640 (as of 2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Resultados Preliminares |url=https://www.ine.pt/scripts/db_censos_2021.html |publisher=INE |access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> in an area of {{convert|565.09|km2}}.<ref name=dgt>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dgterritorio.pt/cartografia_e_geodesia/cartografia/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal_caop_/caop__download_/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal___versao_2017__em_vigor_/ |title=Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país |access-date=2018-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105172426/http://www.dgtertritorio.pt/cartografia_e_geodesia/cartografia/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal_caop_/caop__download_/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal___versao_2017__em_vigor_/ |archive-date=2018-11-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the seat of [[Leiria District|its own district]] and the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Leiria-Fátima]]. The city is part of the historical [[Provinces of Portugal|province]] of [[Beira Litoral Province|Beira Litoral]].

==History==
{{Unsourced|section|date=October 2021}}
The region around Leiria has long been inhabited although its early history is obscure. The first evident inhabitants were the [[Turduli Oppidani]],<ref>[[Strabo]], ''Geographikon'', III, 3, 5.</ref> a [[Celtici]] tribe (akin to the [[Lusitanians]]), who established a settlement near (around 7&nbsp;km) present-day Leiria. This settlement was later occupied by the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]], who expanded it under the original [[Celtiberian language|Celtiberian]] name ''Collippo''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arqueologia.patrimoniocultural.pt/index.php?sid=sitios&subsid=47530|title = Portal do Arqueólogo}}</ref> The stones of the ancient Roman town were used in the Middle Ages to build much of Leiria.

[[File:LEIRIA E CASTELO.jpg|thumb|left|Leiria and [[Castle of Leiria|its Castle]].]]
The name "Leiria" in Portuguese derives from 'leira' (from the medieval [[Galician-Portuguese]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ilg.usc.es/Tesouro/gl/search#search=normal&mode=lema&q=leira|title=Tesouro do léxico patrimonial galego e portugués}}</ref> form 'laria', from [[proto-Celtic]] *ɸlār-yo-,  akin to [[English language|English]] 'floor(ing)', [[Old Irish]] 'làr' 'ground, floor', [[Breton language|Breton]] 'leur' 'ground', [[Welsh language|Welsh]] 'llawr' 'floor') meaning an area with small farming plots.
It was occupied by the [[Suebi]] in 414 until they were forced by the Romans to retreat to Galicia and later incorporated by Leovigild into the [[Visigoths]] kingdom in 585 A.D.
Later the [[Moors]] occupied the area until it was re-captured by the first King of Portugal, [[Afonso I of Portugal|Afonso Henriques]] in 1135, during the [[Reconquista]].  

South of Leiria in that period was the so-called "no-man's land", until regions further south (like [[Santarém, Portugal|Santarém]] and [[Lisbon]]) were permanently taken and re-populated by the [[Christians]]. In 1142 Afonso Henriques gave Leiria its first ''[[foral]]'' (compilation of feudal rights) to stimulate the colonisation of the region.
[[File:LeiriaSquare.jpg|thumb|left|Main square and [[Leiria Castle]] uphill.]]
Both [[Afonso Henriques|Afonso I of Portugal]] and [[Sancho I of Portugal|Sancho I]] rebuilt the walls and the [[Leiria Castle]] to avoid new enemy incursions. Most of the population lived inside the protective city walls, but already in the 12th century part of the population lived outside the walls. The oldest church of Leiria, the Church of Saint Peter (''Igreja de São Pedro''), built in [[Romanesque architecture|romanesque]] style in the last quarter of the 12th century, served the parish located outside the walls.

During the [[Middle Ages]] the importance of the village increased, and it was the setting of several ''[[Portuguese Cortes|cortes]]'' (feudal parliaments). The first of the ''cortes'' held in Leiria took place in 1245, under [[Afonso II of Portugal|King Afonso II]]. In the early 14th century, [[Denis of Portugal|the king]] restored the [[keep]] tower of the [[citadel]] of the castle, as can be seen in an inscription in the tower. He also built a royal residence in Leiria (now lost), and lived for long periods in the town, which he donated as feud to his wife, [[Elizabeth of Portugal]] (Rainha Isabel). 

The king also ordered the plantation of the famous Pine Forest of Leiria (''Pinhal de Leiria'') near the coast. Later, the wood from this forest would be used to build the ships used in the [[Age of Discovery|Portuguese Navigations]] of the 15th and 16th centuries.

In the late 14th century, [[John I of Portugal|King John I]] built a royal palace within the walls of the [[Leiria Castle|castle of Leiria]]. This palace, with elegant [[Gothic architecture|gothic]] galleries that offered wonderful views of the town and surrounding landscape, was totally in ruins but was partially rebuilt in the 20th century. 

John I also sponsored the rebuilding in late gothic style of the old Church of Our Lady of the Rock (''Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Pedra''), located inside the castle.
[[File:CASTELO DE LEIRIA.jpg|thumb|[[Leiria Castle]].]]
Towards the end of the 15th century the town continued to grow, occupying the area from the castle hill down to the river Lis. [[Manuel I of Portugal|King Manuel I]] gave it a new [[foral]] in 1510, and, in 1545, it was elevated to the category of city and became see of a [[diocese]]. 

The Cathedral of Leiria was built in the second half of the 16th century in a mix of late [[manueline]] and [[mannerist]] styles.

Compared to the Middle Ages, the subsequent history of Leiria is of relative decay. The city was stormed by the [[Peninsular War]], namely in the [[Invasion of Portugal (1807)|French Invasions]] of 1808 (the killing of Portela, by the troops of [[:fr:Pierre Margaron|Gen. Margaron]]) and the Great Fire of 1811, caused by the [[Napoleonic Wars|Napoleonic]] troops retreating from the [[Lines of Torres Vedras]].

In the 20th century, however, its strategic position in the Portuguese territory favoured the development of a diversified [[industry (economics)|industry]].

==Geography==
[[File:Rio Lis - Leiria - Portugal (51634968415).jpg|thumb|The Lis River crossing Leiria]]
[[File:LeiriaView.jpg|thumb|Leiria seen from its castle]]
Leiria is located in western [[Central Portugal]]. The municipality borders the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest, [[Marinha Grande]] to the west, [[Alcobaça, Portugal|Alcobaça]] to the southwest, [[Batalha, Portugal|Batalha]] to the south, [[Ourém, Portugal|Ourém]] to the southeast, and [[Pombal, Portugal|Pombal]] to the north and northeast. The city is located about halfway between [[Lisbon]] and [[Porto]]. The distance to Lisbon is {{convert|137|km|0|abbr=off}}, to [[Coimbra]] {{convert|70|km|0|abbr=off}} and to [[Porto]] {{convert|177|km|0|abbr=off}}. The historic city centre spreads between the castle hill and the river [[Lis River|Lis]].

Leiria is also the seat of its own sub-region, [[Região de Leiria]], which includes the cities of [[Marinha Grande]], [[Pombal, Portugal|Pombal]] as well the municipalities/town seats of [[Batalha, Portugal|Batalha]], [[Alcobaça, Portugal|Alcobaça]] and [[Porto de Mós]] located nearby.

===Climate===
The city of Leiria has a [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csb'') with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Its location near the Atlantic coast keeps temperature variation relatively minimal. The average annual temperature is around {{convert|15|C}}, varying between {{convert|10|C}} in January, to {{convert|20|C}} in August.

Winters are mild and wet. On average, around 50% of the days receive some form of precipitation in this season. Average temperatures range between {{convert|15|°C|0|abbr=on}} during the day and {{convert|6|°C|0|abbr=on}} at night and can go below {{convert|0|°C|0|abbr=on}} on colder days, with an average of 15 days with frost per year.<ref name="IPMA Monte Real 1971-2000">{{cite web |title=Normais Climatológicas - 1971-2000 |url=https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_71-00_MONTE_REAL_BASE_AEREA.pdf |publisher=[[IPMA]] |access-date=12 November 2025}}</ref>

Springs are pleasant, but usually rainy during the month of April. This season, though wet, is slightly drier than winter, with the majority of days receiving no precipitation. Average temperatures range between {{convert|19|°C|0|abbr=on}} at day and {{convert|10|°C|0|abbr=on}} at night.

Summers bring high temperatures and sunshine. Precipitation, when present, mostly occurs in the form of [[drizzle]], and accounts for only around 20% of days between June and September. Sunshine hours reach their maximum in August (which is sunny 70% of the time). Average temperatures range between {{convert|25|°C|0|abbr=on}} at day and {{convert|15|°C|0|abbr=on}} at night, the maximum can exceed {{convert|35|°C|0|abbr=on}} on hotter days.

Autumn, although mild, is the rainiest season of the year. Average temperatures range between {{convert|19|°C|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|10|°C|0|abbr=on}}.

Snowfalls in the city typically occur once every 20 to 30 years. The last time it snowed in Leiria was on 29 January 2006, during which the temperature peaked at {{convert|-3|°C|0|abbr=on}}. The highest temperature recorded was {{convert|42.3|C}} on 4 August 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=August 2018 bulletin |url=http://www.ipma.pt/resources.www/docs/im.publicacoes/edicoes.online/20180924/QyzZvZwgxxBnLFiHkSkX/cli_20180801_20180831_pcl_mm_co_pt.pdf |publisher=[[IPMA]] |access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Leiria (Monte Real Air Base), 1971-2000, altitude: {{convert|32|m|abbr=on}}
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto

|Jan record high C = 21.2
|Feb record high C = 24.4
|Mar record high C = 28.3
|Apr record high C = 29.6
|May record high C = 35.7
|Jun record high C = 42.3
|Jul record high C = 39.0
|Aug record high C = 39.5
|Sep record high C = 39.4
|Oct record high C = 34.0
|Nov record high C = 27.4
|Dec record high C = 24.0
|year record high C = 

|Jan high C = 14.3
|Feb high C = 15.3
|Mar high C = 17.3
|Apr high C = 18.1
|May high C = 19.8
|Jun high C = 22.8
|Jul high C = 24.9
|Aug high C = 25.1
|Sep high C = 24.4
|Oct high C = 21.1
|Nov high C = 17.4
|Dec high C = 15.1
|year high C = 

|Jan mean C = 9.6
|Feb mean C = 10.7
|Mar mean C = 12.3
|Apr mean C = 13.5
|May mean C = 15.5
|Jun mean C = 18.2
|Jul mean C = 20.0
|Aug mean C = 20.1
|Sep mean C = 19.1
|Oct mean C = 16.2
|Nov mean C = 12.8
|Dec mean C = 10.8
|year mean C = 

|Jan low C = 4.9
|Feb low C = 6.1
|Mar low C = 7.2
|Apr low C = 8.9
|May low C = 11.1
|Jun low C = 13.6
|Jul low C = 15.2
|Aug low C = 15.1
|Sep low C = 13.9
|Oct low C = 11.3
|Nov low C = 8.2
|Dec low C = 6.5
|year low C = 

|Jan record low C = -5.6
|Feb record low C = -4.0
|Mar record low C = -2.6
|Apr record low C = 0.0
|May record low C = 3.8
|Jun record low C = 5.0
|Jul record low C = 8.6
|Aug record low C = 8.4
|Sep record low C = 4.4
|Oct record low C = -1.2
|Nov record low C = -2.5
|Dec record low C = -4.0
|year record low C = 

|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 101.2
|Feb rain mm = 92.9
|Mar rain mm = 59.7
|Apr rain mm = 72.6
|May rain mm = 64.0
|Jun rain mm = 23.6
|Jul rain mm = 8.5
|Aug rain mm = 10.6
|Sep rain mm = 36.0
|Oct rain mm = 92.7
|Nov rain mm = 110.8
|Dec rain mm = 118.1
|year rain mm = 

|unit rain days = 0.1 mm
|Jan rain days = 14.5
|Feb rain days = 14.5
|Mar rain days = 12.5
|Apr rain days = 14.4
|May rain days = 11.9
|Jun rain days = 8.2
|Jul rain days = 5.6
|Aug rain days = 5.0
|Sep rain days = 8.2
|Oct rain days = 13.3
|Nov rain days = 14.0
|Dec rain days = 15.8
|year rain days = 

|time day     = 9 AM
|Jan humidity = 95
|Feb humidity = 88
|Mar humidity = 89
|Apr humidity = 79
|May humidity = 78
|Jun humidity = 77
|Jul humidity = 79
|Aug humidity = 81
|Sep humidity = 85
|Oct humidity = 87
|Nov humidity = 89
|Dec humidity = 90

|Jan sun = 148.1
|Feb sun = 140.9
|Mar sun = 205.1
|Apr sun = 213.7
|May sun = 242.7
|Jun sun = 262.5
|Jul sun = 285.7
|Aug sun = 281.8
|Sep sun = 225.9
|Oct sun = 186.9
|Nov sun = 148.0
|Dec sun = 128.3
|year sun = 

|Jan percentsun= 49
|Feb percentsun= 47
|Mar percentsun= 55
|Apr percentsun= 54
|May percentsun= 54
|Jun percentsun= 58
|Jul percentsun= 63
|Aug percentsun= 66
|Sep percentsun= 61
|Oct percentsun= 54
|Nov percentsun= 49
|Dec percentsun= 44
|year percentsun=

|source 1 = [[Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera]]<ref name="IPMA Monte Real 1971-2000"/>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Leiria (Alcobaça), 1991–2020, altitude: {{convert|36|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|collapsed   = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto

|Jan record high C = 23.7
|Feb record high C = 25.0
|Mar record high C = 29.8
|Apr record high C = 33.0
|May record high C = 35.3
|Jun record high C = 40.1
|Jul record high C = 40.0
|Aug record high C = 42.8
|Sep record high C = 38.5
|Oct record high C = 35.0
|Nov record high C = 28.3
|Dec record high C = 23.7
|year record high C =

|Jan high C = 15.3
|Feb high C = 16.3
|Mar high C = 18.5
|Apr high C = 19.7
|May high C = 22.1
|Jun high C = 24.6
|Jul high C = 26.1
|Aug high C = 27.0
|Sep high C = 25.9
|Oct high C = 22.9
|Nov high C = 18.2
|Dec high C = 16.1
|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 9.7
|Feb mean C = 10.4
|Mar mean C = 12.7
|Apr mean C = 14.0
|May mean C = 16.3
|Jun mean C = 18.9
|Jul mean C = 20.5
|Aug mean C = 20.9
|Sep mean C = 19.4
|Oct mean C = 16.7
|Nov mean C = 12.5
|Dec mean C = 10.6
|year mean C =

|Jan low C = 4.0
|Feb low C = 4.5
|Mar low C = 6.8
|Apr low C = 8.2
|May low C = 10.4
|Jun low C = 13.1
|Jul low C = 14.9
|Aug low C = 14.8
|Sep low C = 13.0
|Oct low C = 10.5
|Nov low C = 6.9
|Dec low C = 5.2
|year low C =

|Jan record low C = -6.7
|Feb record low C = -6.2
|Mar record low C = -5.2
|Apr record low C = -0.5
|May record low C = 1.0
|Jun record low C = 4.7
|Jul record low C = 7.3
|Aug record low C = 6.0
|Sep record low C = 3.5
|Oct record low C = 0.2
|Nov record low C = -5.6
|Dec record low C = -5.8
|year record low C =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 112.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 81.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 74.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 83.2
|May precipitation mm = 61.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 18.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 7.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 12.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 38.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 102.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 127.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 104.4
|year precipitation mm =

|unit precipitation days = 1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11.7
|Feb precipitation days = 8.9
|Mar precipitation days = 9.3
|Apr precipitation days = 10.0
|May precipitation days = 7.7
|Jun precipitation days = 3.6
|Jul precipitation days = 1.5
|Aug precipitation days = 2.0
|Sep precipitation days = 4.9
|Oct precipitation days = 9.8
|Nov precipitation days = 11.8
|Dec precipitation days = 11.0
|year precipitation days =

|Jan humidity = 78
|Feb humidity = 76
|Mar humidity = 71
|Apr humidity = 69
|May humidity = 68
|Jun humidity = 69
|Jul humidity = 68
|Aug humidity = 67
|Sep humidity = 69
|Oct humidity = 73
|Nov humidity = 77
|Dec humidity = 78
|year humidity =

|source 1 = [[Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Normal Climatológica – Alcobaça / Estação de Fruticultura Vieira Natividade 1991-2020 |url=https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_91-20_ALCOBACA_E_FRUTICULTURA.pdf |publisher=[[IPMA]] |access-date=12 November 2025}}</ref>
}}

===Parishes===
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 18 civil parishes (''[[freguesia (Portugal)|freguesias]]''):<ref>{{cite web|title=Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 61|url=http://dre.pt/pdf1sdip/2013/01/01901/0000200147.pdf |access-date=24 July 2014|author=Diário da República |author-link=Diário da República |language=pt}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* Amor
* Arrabal
* [[Bajouca]]
* Bidoeira de Cima
* [[Caranguejeira]]
* [[Coimbrão]]
* Colmeias e Memória
* Leiria, Pousos, Barreira e Cortes
* [[Maceira (Leiria)|Maceira]]
* Marrazes e Barosa
* Milagres
* [[Monte Real e Carvide]]
* Monte Redondo e Carreira
* Parceiros e Azoia
* Regueira de Pontes
* Santa Catarina da Serra e Chainça
* Santa Eufémia e Boa Vista
* Souto da Carpalhosa e Ortigosa
{{div col end}}

== Politics ==
[[File:Câmara Municipal de Leiria 01.jpg|thumb|Leiria City Hall, the seat of Leiria's municipal government]]
[[File:Câmara Municipal Leiria 2025-2029.svg|thumb|Composition of Leiria city council (2025–2029):<br>{{color box|#FF66FF|border=silver}} [[Socialist Party (Portugal)|PS]] (7)<br>{{color box|#FF9900|border=silver}} [[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|PSD]] (3)<br>{{color box|#222256|border=silver}} [[Chega|CH]] (1)]]
[[Gonçalo Lopes]] took office as the Mayor of Leiria on 26 August 2019, after the resignation of his predecessor. He was re-elected following the [[2025 Portuguese local elections|2025 local elections]].

=== Local election results 1976–2025 ===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; font-size:95%; line-height:23px;"
|+ Summary of local elections for Leiria city hall, 1976–2025
! rowspan="2" valign="center" align="left&quot;" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |Election
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[Electoral Front United People|FEPU]]<br>[[United People Alliance|APU]]<br>[[Unitary Democratic Coalition|CDU]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[Socialist Party (Portugal)|PS]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|PSD]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[CDS – People's Party|CDS]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[Democratic Renewal Party (Portugal)|PRD]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[People's Monarchist Party (Portugal)|PPM]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[Independent politician|IND]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[Left Bloc (Portugal)|BE]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[People Animals Nature|PAN]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[LIVRE|L]]
! align="right" valign="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" |[[Chega (political party)|CH]]
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" width="33" align=right valign=center|[[Liberal Initiative|IL]]
! width="33" rowspan="2" |{{abbr|O/I|Other parties and Invalid/Blank votes}}
! rowspan="2" |Turnout
|-
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Unitary Democratic Coalition}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Socialist Party (Portugal)}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Social Democratic Party (Portugal)}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|CDS - People's Party}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Renewal Party (Portugal)}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|People's Monarchist Party (Portugal)}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Left Bloc (Portugal)}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Party for Animals and Nature}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|LIVRE}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Chega (political party)}};" |
! class="sortable" style="background:{{party color|Liberal Initiative}};" |
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''1976'''
|5.3
|24.4
|{{Party shading/PSD}}|'''37.4'''
|25.4
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|7.5
|'''65.2'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''1979'''
|7.3
|17.7
|{{Party shading/PSD}}|'''39.9'''
|30.7
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|4.4
|'''71.1'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''1982'''
|7.5
|20.6
|31.0
|{{Party shading/PP}}|'''37.2'''
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|3.7
|'''66.7'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''1985'''
|5.7
|10.6
|30.9
|{{Party shading/PP}}|'''45.0'''
|4.6
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|3.2
|'''60.9'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''1989'''
|3.9
|29.2
|{{Party shading/PSD}}|'''45.2'''
|17.4
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|4.3
|'''59.4'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''1993'''
|3.9
|33.3
|{{Party shading/PSD}}|'''39.1'''
|17.9
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|5.8
|'''61.6'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''1997'''
|2.8
|38.4
|{{Party shading/PSD}}|'''43.4'''
|8.6
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|2.3
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|4.5
|'''63.2'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''2001'''
|2.0
|20.9
|{{Party shading/PSD}}|'''52.0'''
|9.7
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|9.9
|0.9
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|4.6
|'''61.4'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''2005'''
|2.5
|35.5
|{{Party shading/PSD}}|'''42.6'''
|9.3
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|3.4
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|6.7
|'''62.0'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''2009'''
|2.4
|{{Party shading/PS}}|'''44.9'''
|37.6
|7.7
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|3.4
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|4.0
|'''59.4'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''2013'''
|4.4
|{{Party shading/PS}}|'''46.3'''
|27.9
|4.7
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|3.3
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|13.4
|'''49.8'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''2017'''
|2.4
|{{Party shading/PS}}|'''54.5'''
|27.0
|5.0
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|2.7
|2.2
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA" |
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|6.2
|'''54.6'''
|-
| align="center" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |'''2021'''
|2.5
|{{Party shading/PS}}|'''52.5'''
|22.4
|4.2
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
|2.4
|1.8
|0.7
|5.7
|2.4
|5.4
|'''53.2'''
|-
! align="center" |2025
|1.5
|{{Party shading/PS}}|'''54.1'''
|21.8
|2.0
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| bgcolor="#AAAAAA"|
| colspan="3" align=center|1.5
|11.5
|3.7
|3.9
|'''60.0'''
|-
| colspan="16" align="left" |Source: Marktest<ref>{{Cite web |title=Concelho de Leiria : Histórico de resultados Eleitorais - Autárquicas : Dossier : Grupo Marktest |url=https://www.marktest.com/wap/a/p/id~d0/conc~100900.aspx |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=www.marktest.com |language=pt}}</ref>
|}

== Demographics ==
{| class="wikitable center"
|-
! colspan="20" | Demographic evolution of Leiria<ref>{{cite web|title=UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA|url=http://www.igeo.pt/atlas/Cap2/Cap2d_2.html|access-date=16 October 2012|language=pt|archive-date=27 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927101941/http://www.igeo.pt/atlas/Cap2/Cap2d_2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-  style="background:silver; text-align:center; text-align:center;"
|| 1801 
|| 1849 
|| 1900 
|| 1930
|| 1960
|| 1981
|| 1991
|| 2001
|| 2011
|| 2021
|- style="text-align:center;" 
|| 37,930
|| 29,803
|| 54,422
|| 55,234
|| 82,988
|| 96,517
|| 102,762
|| 119,847
|| 126,879
|| 128,640
|}

==Culture==
In addition to being a site of historical interest, the castle of Leiria provides a venue for cultural events. Nearby is the Church of Saint Peter (''Igreja de São Pedro''), the site of the city's annual music festival. Leiria is home to the ''Museu da imagem em movimento'' (Museum of the Moving Image)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cm-leiria.pt/pages/722 |title=Museu da imagem em movimento &#124; C.M. Leiria |access-date=2015-06-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627053914/http://www.cm-leiria.pt/pages/722 |archive-date=2015-06-27 }}</ref> as well as Portugal's restored first paper mill, ''Moinho do Papel'' (The Paper Mill),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cm-leiria.pt/pages/311|title=Moinho do Papel - C.M. Leiria|website=www.cm-leiria.pt|access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref> the Theatre Miguel Franco in the ''Mercado de Sant'Ana'' (Saint Anne's Market)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cm-leiria.pt/pages/604|title=Mercado de Sant'Ana - C.M. Leiria|website=www.cm-leiria.pt|access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref> and the Theatre José Lúcio da Silva<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teatrojlsilva.pt/|title=Teatro José Lúcio da Silva|website=Teatro José Lúcio da Silva|access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref> are venues for theatrical, musical, cinematic and dance performances.

Today the central square, ''Praça Francisco Rodrigues Lobo'', named after the Portuguese poet [[Francisco Rodrigues Lobo]], is home to a thriving café culture, regularly used for cultural events. The city was the principal residence of the Portuguese king, [[Denis of Portugal|Denis]], who wrote [[Trovadorismo|lyric poetry]] in the [[troubadour]] tradition, and briefly the home of the modern realist writer [[Eça de Queiroz]], whose first novel, [[O Crime do Padre Amaro]] ("Father Amaro's Sin"), published in 1875, is set in the city.

In October 2012, Leiria opened the city's "Centro Cívico", a modern architecture building, designed to have social impact on the community. This building has the life of [[Eça de Queiroz]] as a theme. In here, there's senior classes and ''Associação Fazer Avançar'' runs SPEAK, with support from [[EDP Group|EDP]] and [[Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation]], among others.

The city has several cultural entities like Leiria's Public Library [[Afonso Lopes Vieira]], Arquivo, Ateneu, Leirena and O Nariz (theatre groups), Associação Fazer Avançar, FADE IN, Metamorfose, ECO and many others which make Leiria a culturally vibrant city, offering the busiest calendars of events.

In recent years, Leiria has seen much redevelopment on the banks of the [[Lis River]], with the creation of several new parks, public spaces, children's play areas, skateboard parks and a series of themed bridges. A long riverside promenade was built which is popular with walkers and joggers.

Since 2010, Associação FADE IN organizes ENTREMURALHAS, one of the most important gothic festivals in the world ([[List of gothic festivals]]).

===Gastronomy===

Leiria's gastronomy offers a good variety of Portuguese dishes including fresh fish dishes and the famous "Leitão" da Boavista (barbecued piglet/ [[suckling pig]]). 
The nearby village of Cortes is known for "[[Migas]]", a dish of corn bread with spinach, garlic and olive oil which is eaten as an accompaniment to fish or meat.

'''Typical Dishes''': Morcela de Arroz; Lentriscas; Bacalhoada com migas; Bacalhau com feijão frade; Ossinhos; Fritada; Cabrito; [[Feijoada]]; Leitão; Chanfana; Fritada dos peixinhos; Bacalhau com Chícharos.

'''Traditional sweet pastry''': [[Brisas do Lis]]; Lampreia de Ovos; Ovos Folhados; Bolinhos de [[Pine nut|Pinhão]]; Tarte de [[Lathyrus sativus|Chícharos]] (Alvaiázere); Canudos de Leiria; Doce de amêndoa; Broas Doces de Batata; Merendeiras dos Santos; Filhós de abóbora.

'''Wines of the region''': Caves Vidigal, S.A./ Vale da Mata, Cortes / Quinta da Serrinha (Vin Bio), Barreira / Santos & Santos, Torres Vedras / Quinta da Sapeira, Serra d'Aire / Paço Côrtes, Lda. IGP Lisboa, Sub-região Alta Estremadura. These wines are labeled D.O.C. ([[Denominação de Origem Controlada]]) which secures a superior quality. Also parte of the Portuguese wine region [[Encostas d'Aire DOC|Encostas de Aire (DOC)]].

===Panoramic view===
{{wide image|LEIRIA PANORAMICA.jpg|770px|Panorama of Leiria}}

==Economy==
Leiria has an economy concentrated on services and light industries. It has several industries related with plastics and moulds, as well as animal food, milling, cement, and civil construction, among other light industries. Agriculture, tourism, and state-run public services, such as education (including the [[Polytechnical Institute of Leiria]]), health (the [[district hospital]] ''Hospital de Santo André''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hsaleiria.min-saude.pt/ |title=Hospital de Santo André, EPE |publisher=Hsaleiria.min-saude.pt |access-date=2013-12-08}}</ref>) and general public administration, are an important part of Leiria's economy.

[[Monte Real Air Base]], a major [[Military airbase]] of the [[Portuguese Air Force]] in [[Monte Real]], where all Portuguese [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F16]] fighter squadrons are stationed, is also notable employer in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Base Aérea Nº 5|url=http://www.emfa.pt/www/unidade-18-ba5|access-date=16 October 2012|language=pt}}</ref>

[[File:Castelo de Leiria 8.jpg|thumb|[[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] gallery in the Castle of Leiria.]]

==Transport==
Leiria is connected to its suburbs and the rest of Portugal by a motorway network. There are four motorways passing the city; 
* [[A1 - Auto-estrada do Norte]] linking [[Porto]] to [[Lisbon]], passing by Leiria.
* [[A8 motorway (Portugal)|A8]] linking Leiria to Lisbon.
* [[A17 motorway (Portugal)|A17]] linking [[Marinha Grande]] to [[Aveiro, Portugal|Aveiro]]. 
* [[A19 motorway (Portugal)|A19]], linking Leiria and Batalha, using part of the IC2.

There is a railway ''Linha do Oeste'' (west railway line linking Cacém ([[Sintra]]/Lisbon area) to [[Figueira da Foz]]) which serves the central western coast of Portugal. Leiria railway station is a few km from the city centre (about 2&nbsp;km).

The main bus station service is in the city centre. The bus service, called Mobilis, is composed by 9 lines connecting surrounding neighbourhoods and parishes of Leiria with the city centre. This includes two bus loops and a specific line (uMob) that connects the city centre with Campus 1 and 2 of the [[Polytechnic Institute of Leiria|Instituto Politécnico de Leiria]].

There is a small [[airfield]] (''Aérodromo José Ferrinho''), used for sports and recreation.

==Leiria-based newspapers==

* Região de Leiria – Weekly
* Jornal de Leiria – Weekly
* Diário de Leiria – Daily
* O Mensageiro – Monthly - closed

==Education==
Leiria hosts a national public [[polytechnic (Portugal)|polytechnic]] institution of [[higher education]], the [[Instituto Politécnico de Leiria]]<ref>{{cite web|title=IP Leiria|url=http://www.ipleiria.pt/|access-date=16 October 2012}}</ref> which has 5 campuses, 3 of them located in Leiria.
* Campus 1 - School of Education and Social Sciences (ESECS).
* Campus 2 - School of Technology and Management (ESTG) and the School Of Health Sciences (ESS)
* Campus 5 - Institute for Research, Development and Advanced Studies (INDEA), the Training Centre for the Courses of Technology Specialization (FOR.CET) with around 900 students, the Centre of New Opportunities (CNO), a Transfer Technology and Information Center (OTIC) and an E-Learning Unit (UED).
There is also a private institution, o Instituto Superior de Línguas e Administração (ISLA).<ref>{{cite web|title=Instituto Superior de Línguas e Administração|url=http://www.leiria.unisla.pt/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108172629/http://leiria.unisla.pt/|archive-date=2012-11-08}}</ref> 
 
In [[Secondary education]], Leiria has the following schools, the first two in the center, the last in the outskirts.
* Escola Secundária de Francisco Rodrigues Lobo (former Liceu)<ref>{{cite web|title=Escola Secundária de Francisco Rodrigues Lobo (ESFRL)|url=http://www.esfrl.edu.pt/}}</ref>
* Escola Secundária de Domingos Sequeira (former Escola Comercial)<ref>{{cite web|title=Escola Secundária Domingos Sequeira|url=http://www.esds.edu.pt/}}</ref>
* Escola Secundária de Afonso Lopes Vieira, in Gândara dos Olivais, Marrazes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Escola Secundária Afonso Lopes Vieira|url=http://esalv.pt/|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20120120232801/http%3A//esalv.pt/|archive-date=2012-01-20}}</ref>

In [[Primary education]], Leiria has the following schools, teaching from the 5th grade until 9th grade. 
* Escola D. Dinis<ref>{{cite web|title=Escola D. Dinis|url=http://aeddinis.ccems.pt/}}</ref> 
* Escola Correia Mateus (with 1st cycle)<ref>{{cite web|title=Escolas Dr. Correia Mateus|url=http://agcorreiamateus-m.ccems.pt/}}</ref> 
* Escola José Saraiva<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cm-leiria.pt/pages/191|title=Escolas do Concelho de Leiria|website=www.cm-leiria.pt|language=pt-PT|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
* Escola de Marrazes<ref>{{cite web|title=Escola Marrazes|url=http://eb23marrazes-m.ccems.pt/}}</ref> 
* Colégio Dinis de Melo<ref>{{cite web|title=Colégio Dinis de Melo|url=http://www.cl-dinis-melo.pt/}}</ref> 
* Colégio Senhor dos Milagres<ref>{{cite web|title=Colégio Senhor dos Milagres|url=http://www.colegiosenhormilagres.pt/}}</ref> 
Besides this there are multiple schools in the Municipality for the 1st cycle, from 1st grade until 4th grade.

==Sport==
[[File:Estádio Municipal de Leiria.jpg|thumb|[[Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa|Stadium Dr. Magalhães Pessoa]]]]
The city of Leiria has its own [[Association football|football]] team, the [[UD Leiria|União Desportiva de Leiria]], commonly called just '''União de Leiria'''. It currently plays at the second level of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] football, in [[Liga 3 (Portugal)|Liga 2]], but recently spent 16 seasons in the [[Primeira Liga]].

An important facility is the ''[[Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa]]'', situated close to Leiria castle. The modern stadium has a capacity for 23,888 people and was built for the [[UEFA Euro 2004]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Venues Guide – Leiria |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/venues_guide/3513299.stm |publisher=BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation) |access-date=17 June 2012 |date=25 May 2004 }}</ref> Efforts were made to sell it, as its debt (nearly €50M) overburdens the city finances,<ref>{{cite news|title=Câmara de Leiria admite vender estádio construído para o Euro 2004|url=http://www.publico.pt/desporto/noticia/camara-de-leiria-admite-vender-estadio-construido-para-o-euro-2004-1415650|access-date=10 May 2015|work=Público|date=29 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Estádio de Leiria custa 16.750 euros por dia à Câmara|url=https://economico.sapo.pt/noticias/estadio-de-leiria-custa-16750-euros-por-dia-a-camara_195211.html|access-date=10 May 2015|work=Sapo.pt|date=9 June 2014}}</ref> União de Leiria rents the stadium, but played the [[2011–12 Primeira Liga|2011-12]] season in [[Estádio Municipal da Marinha Grande]] due to a rent dispute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leiria constrói três relvados sintéticos na Marinha Grande|url=http://www.sol.pt/noticia/24401|access-date=10 May 2015|work=Sol|date=18 July 2011}}</ref>

The [[Leiria District|district]] football in Leiria is managed by the [[Leiria Football Association]], overseeing the regional leagues.<ref>{{cite news|title=Factos Históricos da A.F. Leiria|url=http://afleiria.fpf.pt/Associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o/Hist%C3%B3ria.aspx|work=afleiria.fpf.pt}}</ref>

Regarding other sports, Leiria has a notable women's handball team, [[Juve Lis]], which plays in the [[1ª Divisão de Andebol Feminino|Women's Handball League]], and also participated in [[European Handball Federation|EHF]] competitions.<ref>{{cite news|title=História|url=http://www.juvelis.pt/?m=pages&page=juvelis&id=6|work=juvelis.pt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416224937/http://juvelis.pt/?m=pages&page=juvelis&id=6|archive-date=2015-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=POR Juve Lis|url=http://www.eurohandball.com/ec/chc/women/2014-15/clubs/006506/Juve+Lis|work=EHF.com}}</ref> Since 2013 Leiria has had a chess academy (Academia de Xadrez) offered as an activity for young people by the Corvos do Lis. Enrolled students have won titles in National Competitions: second place by teams under 12 years old in 2014 and 2015 and a National Champion, (Blitz, 2013, Under 8) and (Super Rapid play, 2015, under 10). They work with many primary schools in the region teaching chess, considering it a useful complement to developing intellectual skills.<ref name=Corvosdolis2015>{{cite web|title=Clube Cultural e Desportivo Corvos do Lis|url=http://www.corvosdolis.com/xadrez/5a-etapa-mimo/|website=Corvosdolis.com|publisher=CorvosdoLis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218131209/http://www.corvosdolis.com/|archive-date=December 18, 2015|language=pt}}</ref>

Leiria also holds other facilities that can host different sport activities. They are Campo Futebol Aldeia do Desporto, Centro Nacional de Lançamentos, Pavilhão Gimnodesportivo dos Pousos (and adjacent Campo da Charneca), and Pavilhão do Lis. The latter was recognized by the Portuguese Paralympic Committee has the first [[Paralympic sports|paralympic]] inclusive venue of its kind in Portugal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pavilhão do Lis|url=https://www.cm-leiria.pt/areas-de-atividade/obras-municipais/pavilhao-do-lis-concluida|publisher=Câmara Municipal de Leiria|language=pt}}</ref>

Leiria was chosen as one of the European Cities of Sport in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=European cities of Sport|url=http://aceseurope.eu/european-cities-of-sport/|publisher=ACES Europe|language=en}}</ref>

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Portugal}}
[[File:Friendshipcitiesleiria.jpg|thumb|Monument of the twin cities in Leiria|alt=|249x249px]]

According to the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anmp.pt/anmp/pro/mun1/gem101l0.php?cod_ent=M2400|title=Consulta|website=www.anmp.pt|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> Leiria is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tokushima (city)|Tokushima]], Japan (since 1969)
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[Setúbal]], Portugal (since 1982)
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saint-Maur-des-Fossés]], France (since 1982)
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Maringá]], Brazil (since 1982)<ref name="Leiria Town Hall">{{cite web|url=http://www.cm-leiria.pt/PageGen.aspx?WMCM_PaginaId=30748|title=Câmara Municipal de Leiria|publisher=Cm-leiria.pt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109045038/http://www.cm-leiria.pt/PageGen.aspx?WMCM_PaginaId=30748|archive-date=2013-11-09|access-date=2013-03-26}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Olivenza]], Spain (since 1984)
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Olavarría, Argentina|Olavarría]], Argentina (since 1992)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cm-leiria.pt/pages/890|title=Geminações|website=www.cm-leiria.pt|language=pt-PT|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|CPV}} [[São Filipe, Cape Verde|São Filipe]], Cape Verde (since 1994)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Rheine]], Germany (since 1996)
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Borough of Halton|Halton]], United Kingdom (since 1997)
*{{flagicon|China}} [[Tongling]], China (since 1999)
*{{flagicon|Mozambique}} [[Nampula]], Mozambique (since 2002)
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Quint-Fonsegrives]], France (since 2010)
*{{flagicon|China}} [[Penglai, Shandong|Penglai]], China (since 2014)<ref name=":0" />

== Notable people ==
[[File:Francisco Rodrigues Lobo (Corte na Aldea, 1619).png|140px|thumb|Francisco Rodrigues Lobo, 1619]]
[[File:Rui Patrício 2018.jpg|140px|thumb|Rui Patrício, 2018]]
* [[Francisco Rodrigues Lobo]] (1580–1622), the ''Portuguese [[Theocritus]]'', a poet and [[bucolic]] writer.<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle= Lobo, Francisco Rodrigues | volume= 16 | page = 837&ndash;838 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Adriano Sousa Lopes]] (1879-1944), a Portuguese [[Modern art|modernist]] painter and engraver
* [[Lino António]] (1898–1974), an artist using [[modernist]] frescoes, he made many friezes, frescos, stained glass and ceramic panels for public buildings
* [[Fabricio Soares]] (1918-1986), a Portuguese [[agronomist]], he researched [[Black pod disease]]
* [[José Hermano Saraiva]] (1919–2012), a Portuguese professor, historian, jurist and TV personality
* [[António Campos]] (1922–1999), a pioneer filmmaker of [[visual anthropology]].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0133195/  António Campos, IMDb Database] retrieved 23 July 2021.</ref>
* [[António Cardoso e Cunha]] (1933–2021), politician, Govt. minister & first [[European Commissioner]].
* [[António-Pedro Vasconcelos]] (born 1939), a Portuguese film director.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0890367/  António-Pedro Vasconcelos, IMDb Database] retrieved 23 July 2021.</ref>
* [[Joaquim Justino Carreira]] (1950−2013), Bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Guarulhos]], Brazil.
* [[José António Vieira da Silva]] (born 1953), a Portuguese politician and Govt. minister, 2015-2019
* [[António Lacerda Sales]] (born 1962), a Portuguese politician and Secretary of State, 2019-2022.
* [[David Fonseca]] (born 1973), a musician, singer-songwriter and photographer.
* [[Kura (music producer)|Rúben de Almeida Barbeiro]] (born 1987), known as ''KURA'', an [[electro house]] music DJ and producer. 
=== Sport ===
* [[Nascimento (Portuguese footballer)|Rui António da Cruz Ferreira]] (born 1960), known as ''Nascimento'', a retired footballer with 345 club caps
* [[Vânia Silva]] (born 1980), a female [[Hammer throw|hammer thrower]]
* [[João Paulo Andrade]] (born 1981), a Portuguese footballer with over 380 club caps
* [[Rui Patrício]] (born 1988), a football goalkeeper with over 430 club caps and 97 for [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]]
* [[Irina Rodrigues]] (born 1991), a female [[discus throw|discus thrower]]
* [[João Vieira (footballer, born 1991)|João Vieira]] (born 1991), a Portuguese footballer with over 250 club caps
* [[Ivan Domingues]] (born 2006), racing driver

== See also ==
{{portal|Portugal}}
* [[Centro Region, Portugal]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage}}
*{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Leiria |volume=16 |short=x}}
* [http://www.cm-leiria.pt Municipality of Leiria]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090922222942/http://www.cm-leiria.pt/pagegen.asp?SYS_PAGE_ID=835308 Mobilis Municipal Bus (in Portuguese)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090306183754/http://portaldeleiria.com/ Portal of Leiria (Business and Social Network)]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/1444890/ Photos from Leiria]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090705221419/http://www.leiria2009.com/ 2009 European Team Championships]

{{Municipalities of Leiria}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Leiria| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Leiria District]]
[[Category:Cities in Portugal]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Leiria District]]