The town of Torrão, the parish seat, was granted a Manueline charter on 20 December 1512, becoming the municipal seat.[citation needed] Formed in 1801 by the parishes of Torrão, Odivelas and Santa Margarida do Sado, this municipality had 2,413 inhabitants and belonged to the Comarca de Setúbal.
During the 19th century, the municipality of Torrão was integrated into the municipality of Alvito, which belonged to the District of Beja, with the exception of Santa Margarida do Sado, which was transferred to the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo. However, in 1871, the parish of Torrão became part of the municipality (current municipality) of Alcácer do Sal, which was part of the district of Lisbon until the creation of the district of Setúbal. Shortly afterwards, in 1936, the parish of São Romão do Sado was incorporated into that of Torrão.