The Aqueduto das Águas Livres, which brings water from the Sintra hills to Lisbon, and stretches 30 kilometres (19 mi), was finished in the 1770s and includes the largest masonry arch ever built, located in Campolide — the local coat of arms also displays the aqueduct (like others along its way).

One of the largest urban communities in Portugal, Amadora forms a conurbation with Lisbon, sharing the same subway, bus and train networks.

It is dominated by large apartment blocks, commercial parks, industrial areas and some headquarters of international companies.

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 6 civil parishes (freguesias):[4] Amadora has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa) with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

As commercial zones, it has IKEA, Nokia, Decathlon, Alegro, Continente and Ubbo (one of the biggest shopping malls in Europe).