Fátima is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Each year millions of pilgrims arrive, especially around the commemorations in May and October. Around 130 km north of Lisbon, it is an easy day trip by road.
A short history
In 1917 three shepherd children, Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta, reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the Cova da Iria. The apparitions were later recognised by the Catholic Church, and a sanctuary grew around the site.
What to see
- Chapel of the Apparitions. The small chapel built where the apparitions are said to have occurred; the spiritual heart of the sanctuary.
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. The neoclassical basilica with a tall tower, where the tombs of the three seers are found.
- Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. A very large modern church, consecrated in 2007.
- Aljustrel and Valinhos. The village where the shepherd children lived and the Way of the Cross nearby.
How to get there
By train and bus it is possible but slow, with connections. By car or private tour it takes roughly an hour and a half each way, which leaves several hours at the sanctuary.
Visiting etiquette
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered inside the churches.
- Silence is expected in prayer areas.
- Photography rules vary by area; follow the signs.
- Check the Mass schedule if you wish to attend.
Make it a fuller journey
Many visitors combine Fátima with Santarém, where the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Miracle is linked to a Eucharistic miracle recorded since the 13th century. Our private religious tour from Lisbon visits Lisbon Cathedral, Santarém and Fátima in one unhurried day, with time for prayer.
For a simpler trip, see the Fátima private tour, or request a quote.