The District of Vila Real (, ) is a district of northern Portugal. With an area of 4,239 km², the district is located east of the port city of
Porto and north of the
Douro River. Vila Real has always belonged to the historical province of
Trás-os-Montes. Approximate population in the 2001 census was 230,000. The population has shown negative rates in recent years due to emigration and aging. Many of the villages have lost population and have become deserted while the district capital has gained in population.