adminVisiting Fátima is something you cannot miss, for an unforgettable personal experience and to get to know the Portuguese soul better. The small town of Fátima, unknown until 1917, today houses one of the main sanctuaries of Marian worship in the world, an international pilgrimage destination, and a favorite place for prayer and fulfillment of promises for believers, from anonymous people to Popes.
Fátima thus became one of the must-see places in Portugal, due to its historical and religious importance, gradually becoming one of the main religious destinations in Europe, attracting millions of believers from all over the world, but also non-believers. Today, Fátima is known to many as “the altar of the world”.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE STORY OF THE APPARITIONS
Before visiting Fátima, you should know the story of the apparitions that transformed Fátima into a worldwide phenomenon.
1. The vision of Our Lady of Fátima
On May 13, 1917, three children, who were herding sheep, heard a flash of lightning and saw, on top of a holm oak tree, a “Lady brighter than the Sun”. Lúcia (10 years old), and her little cousins, Jacinta (7 years old) and Francisco (9 years old), quickly realized that they were witnessing a unique event in the history of Portugal.
Lúcia was able to speak to the apparition, and asked her – “Where do you come from?” – to which the Lady replied – “My place is heaven”. Surrounded by such an intense spiritual and physical light, the three little shepherds had an experience of contact with themselves and the Divine. Urging them to pray to achieve peace and the end of the war (it was in the middle of the First World War), the Lady of Fátima invited them to return to the same place, every month, for the following six months.
2. The Miracle of the Sun and the identity revealed
In the following months, against the opinions of the family and authorities, the phenomenon gained strength and popularity, attracting more and more people to Cova da Iria. On the appointed days, new apparitions took place, new messages of peace and hope were transmitted, mystical visions were revealed and the famous 3 secrets of Fátima took shape.
On October 13th, with an attendance of around fifty thousand people, the “Miracle of the Sun”, previously promised by the Lady of Fátima, amazed all those who watched, believers and skeptics, with the Sun performing erratic movements and exhibiting a unusual appearance. Revealing herself as “Our Lady of the Rosary” (a Marian title presented at the time of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to São Domingos de Gusmão, founder of the Order of the Dominicans, in 1214), she asked that a chapel be erected on the site and that they should keep praying the Rosary to achieve peace in the world, revealing that the end of the war was near. World War I would end just over a year later, in November 1918.
3. The Sanctuary of Fátima
In 1919, the Chapel of Apparitions was built in Fátima, and, gradually, the message of Our Lady of Fátima gained strength within the Catholic church and among the population. In 1953, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was inaugurated and, in 2007, the modern Basilica of the Holy Trinity.
Today, the Sanctuary of Fátima, twice the size of St. Peter’s Square, has several places of worship, hosts masses attended by hundreds of thousands of people, and is the final destination of pilgrimages for those who arrive walking to the sanctuary from all over Portugal but also from abroad. Popes Paul VI, John Paul II (three times), Benedict XVI and Francis also visited the Sanctuary of Fátima, the most recent visit being during World Youth Day Lisbon 2023.
4. The fate of the three shepherd children and the Secret of Fátima
What happened to the three little shepherds after the Catholic Church accepted the Apparitions of Fátima? Unfortunately, Jacinta and Francisco died as children, victims of the Spanish Flu, Francisco in April 1919 and Jacinta in February 1920. In May 2017, on the centenary of the Apparitions of Fátima, Pope Francis visited the Sanctuary as a pilgrim, and canonized Jacinta and Francisco. The two shepherd brothers are the youngest non-martyr saints in the history of the Catholic Church.
Unlike her cousins, Lúcia would have a full life, but dedicated to the Church, becoming a nun and living her entire life in convents, in Tuy and Pontevedra (Spain) and later in Coimbra. She wrote her Memoirs, detailing the history of the Apparitions and their meaning, in particular the so-called Secret of Fátima (revealed to the shepherd children by Our Lady on July 13, 1917), of a prophetic nature.
The first two parts of the Secret of Fátima (dealing with the vision of Hell and the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the conversion of Russia) were revealed in 1941 in a document written by Lúcia, while the third part (written by Lúcia in 1944) , would only be revealed in 2000, a scene described in symbolic language that is difficult to decipher, interpreted as a description of a failed attempt on the Pope’s life in 1981, in Rome, but which many believe to be a prophecy of the end of the Catholic Church. Lúcia died in 2005, at the age of 97, and her remains were transferred to the Basilica of Fátima, where she was buried alongside her cousins, Jacinta and Francisco.
5. Fátima, the Guardian Angel and the History of Portugal
In her Memoirs, Sister Lúcia also said that, between April and October 1916, before the Apparitions of Fátima, the three shepherd children had, three times, a vision of a celestial being inviting them to prayer and penance, and affirming to be the “Angel of Peace, the Angel of Portugal”. The Guardian Angel of Portugal is associated with the legend of the vision of Christ and his angels that D. Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal, had in the Battle of Ourique, on July 25, 1139, the outcome of which dictated such a great victory over the Muslims that D. Afonso Henriques was acclaimed “King of the Portucalenses or King of the Portuguese” while still on the battlefield, with the title and independence of Portugal recognized by the King of León in 1143 and by Pope Alexander III in 1179.
Although the legend was supposedly born only in 1485, more than 3 centuries after the battle, it had a profound impact on the Portuguese imagination. The importance of the battle of Ourique was such that it was quickly incorporated into the shield of the coat of arms of the nation of Portugal, which features five shields arranged in a cross (each with five silver coins inside), representing the five Moorish kings defeated in the Battle of Ourique, but also the Five Wounds of Jesus Christ. Even today, on the 10th of June, it is celebrated the day of Portugal, Camões and Portuguese Communities, but the Holy Guardian Angel of Portugal is also celebrated.
If you are interested in Portuguese history and want to know more, check out our “Plan your trip”.
PRACTICAL TIPS TO VISIT FÁTIMA
When visiting Fátima, it is good to have some basic ideas that will help you on the ground. So here are some practical tips for when you visit Fátima.
1. How to get to Fátima
Fátima is a small Portuguese city, located in central Portugal, in the Beira Litoral region, close to places associated with the sea and the beach, such as Nazaré, and historic centers such as the town of Óbidos, and the cities of Alcobaça and Tomar. Fátima is around 125 km from Lisbon (just over an hour’s journey), and about 200 km from Porto (almost two hours’ journey).
1.1. Visit Fátima with your own car
If you have your own car, you can reach Fátima easily, using the A1 motorway, and taking exit 8 towards Batalha/Ourém/Fátima. From there, just follow the signs to reach Fátima and the Fátima sanctuary in less than 5 minutes. From Lisbon to Fátima it takes approximately 1 hour (not counting traffic to leave the center of Lisbon).
If you don’t have a car, you can rent a car in Portugal through this link.
1.2. Visit Fátima by bus
The easiest option to visit Fátima is to use the bus service, for example from Lisbon or Porto. There are several companies that make a stop at the bus station in the city of Fátima, such as the “Rede Expressos” company.
1.3. Visit Fátima by train (and bus)
In reality, Fátima is not served by any train station, although there is a station on the Northern Line with that name. The nearest station is Caxarias Station, served by the CP Intercity service, Lisbon-Porto, Lisbon-Guimarães and Lisbon-Guarda. You can check the Intercity train service timetables here. At Caxarias station, you can take a bus towards Fátima. You can check the bus timetable between Caxarias and Fátima here.
2. When to visit Fátima
Fátima is a religious and tourist phenomenon that goes beyond climate and tourist seasons. You can visit Fátima at any time of the year, especially because temperatures almost never drop below 10°C, even in winter, although this season is usually quite rainy in Fátima. But the best time is definitely between May and October. The weather helps and the religious atmosphere is at its peak, especially on the 13th of each month.
For more information about the weather in Portugal, don’t forget to check out our “Plan your trip”.
The 13th of August also attracts thousands of Portuguese emigrants who take advantage of their holidays in Portugal to visit Fátima. The main celebrations are on the 13th of May, with the impressive Procession of Farewell to the Virgin, and on the 13th of October, with the salute to Our Lady, in the Little Chapel of Apparitions, and the beautiful Procession of Candles, on the night of the 12th.
3. Where to sleep in Fátima
When visiting Fátima, you will have numerous accommodation options in the city and surrounding areas, and in busy times it is not easy to find a place. Book in advance and compare prices. Here are some accommodation options.
- If you want cheaper accommodation in Fátima, you can choose between Fátima GuestHouse, Residência S. Francisco, or PinoyHouse Fatima, all very close to the sanctuary.
- If you want a standard hotel, try Essence Inn Marianos Hotel, Steyler Fatima Hotel & Congress, or Hotel Anjo de Portugal.
- For those traveling with family or groups in Fátima, you can try the houses casinha do corvo or Clarinha House, and the apartments Alto das Nogueiras House Fátima or Cozy Apartment With Garden.
- If you prefer more comfortable and exclusive accommodation in Fátima, you can try Hotel Santa Maria, Hotel Dom Goncalo & Spa or Consolata Hotel.
4. How to get travel insurance in Portugal
Travel insurance is more important than ever for a trip without worries, even when the trip does not involve any particularly dangerous activities. Like Portuguese people use to say “You don’t play with health!”.
You can buy your travel insurance for the trip to Portugal through this link.
For the latest update on entry requirements in Portugal, check out our “Plan your trip”.
5. Using bank cards in Portugal
Portugal is integrated into the international banking system, so using debit or credit cards will not be a problem in handling money in Portugal. With your debit or credit card, you can make payments at any store or commercial establishment, as well as withdraw euros in ATMs, which are widely available, the national network being called Multibanco. You can also find international networks of ATMs, but be careful with the conversion and transaction fees that are applied.
When we travel abroad, we use the Wise debit Mastercard®. The borderless Wise account comes with a debit card and allows you to spend anywhere in the world at the real exchange rate. You will receive low conversion rates, free ATM withdrawals of up to £ 200 per month and zero transaction fees. You can create your Wise multi-currency account here and get your Wise debit card.
6. Visit Fátima on an organized tour from Lisbon or Porto
Visiting Fátima on an organized tour can be an excellent option if you are in Porto or Lisbon, and prefer not to worry about organizing your visit. You have the option of joining an organized full-day tour from Lisbon that will visit other small and beautiful villages, as well as historical places near Fátima, such as Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos.
Book here your full-day tour to Fátima (with Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos), from Lisbon.
You also can visit Fátima from Porto, and join a full-day organized tour including a visit to Coimbra and its historical university.
Book here your full-day tour to Fátima (with Coimbra), from Porto.
PLACES NOT TO MISS WHEN VISITING FÁTIMA
1. Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions of Fátima
The Chapel of Apparitions is where all the attention is directed within the Sanctuary of Fátima. It was there that Our Lady spoke to the shepherd children and, of the six apparitions of the Virgin Mary, five took place in this spot. Subject to minor changes since the 1920s, it maintains its original features.
2. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, built between 1928 and 1953, stands on the spot where the three shepherd children played on May 13, 1917, when the phenomenon that would change their lives forever occurred. Inside, there are the remains of Jacinta, who died on February 20, 1920, of Francisco, who died on April 4, 1919, and of Lúcia, the human face of Fátima and great disseminator of her message, who passed away on February 13, 2005.
3. Visit the Colonnade of Fátima
The Colonnade is an impressive architectural ensemble, and is made up of 200 columns and half columns and 14 altars, including a Via Crucis with ceramic panels.
4. Visit the Basilica of the Holy Trinity of Fátima
At a time when the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima no longer had the capacity to welcome the pilgrims who flocked to the Sanctuary, it was decided to build a new Basilica, in a modern style. In 2007, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity was inaugurated, on the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady. It has a circular shape with 125 meters in diameter and has a total of almost 9000 seats.
5. Visit the Prayer Precinct – Cova da Iria
The Prayer Enclosure corresponds to Cova da Iria, it is a large terrace, flanked by trees and the Basilicas of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima and the Holy Trinity. It is in this area that hundreds of thousands of people gather for the main celebrations of the Sanctuary.
6. Visit the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
In the center of the Prayer Enclosure, above a fountain, which existed there to satisfy the thirst of pilgrims, a column supports the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a central figure in the imagery and message of the Apparitions.
7. Visit Azinheira Grande
The Azinheira Grande is a tree over a hundred years old and was the only one of those that existed there at the time of the Apparitions that survived. It was not over her that Our Lady appeared, but it was in her shadow that the three shepherd children prayed the rosary before receiving the Lady’s visit.
8. Visit the Berlin Wall in Fátima
The block, weighing almost three tons, was offered by a Portuguese resident in Germany, and is one of the pieces of the infamous wall that, built on the night of August 12th to 13th, 1961, divided the city of Berlin for almost thirty years, having been demolished in November 1989.
9. Visit the Galilee of the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul
The Galilee of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul constitutes an underground corridor between the Basilica of the Holy Trinity and the Prayer Area. In this area you can access the chapels of Reconciliation – Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Chapel of the Death of Jesus, Chapel of the Resurrection of Jesus, Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
10. Visit the permanent exhibition Fátima Light and Peace
The permanent exhibition Fátima Luz e Paz has been open to the public since 2002, in the building of the Rectory of the Sanctuary of Fátima, part of the Casa de Retiros de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. There you can find part of the collections of the Sanctuary Museum. Among the objects on display, the crown of Our Lady of Fátima stands out, where the bullet that hit Pope John Paul II, in the 1982 attack, is located.
11. Visit the Houses of the Little Sheperds in Aljustrel
The house where Lúcia was born and lived is located in Aljustrel, about 2 kilometers from the Sanctuary of Fátima. There the first interrogations of the seers were carried out and fig trees can still be found from the time when the three shepherd children played hide and seek. The house where Francisco and Jacinta were born is about 200 meters from Lúcia’s house.
PLACES TO VISIT NEAR FÁTIMA
There are several places you should take the opportunity to explore while visiting Fátima:
- If you are a fan of paleontology, you can explore a much more remote past than the time of the Apparitions and visit the Serra de Aire Dinosaur Footprints Natural Monument, in Pedreira do Galinha, where you can see footprints made by sauropods 275 million years ago.
- The Grutas da Moeda (Coins Caves), just at the entrance to Fátima, is a must-visit place to discover the limestone underground in Portugal.
- If you like beaches and nature, on the coast you cannot miss a visit to Peniche and the Berlengas Islands.
- If you like the history of the Christian Reconquest and the Templars, be sure to visit the village of Dornes, on the banks of the Zêzere river.
- If you want to see one of Portugal’s main monuments, don’t miss the Batalha Monastery.
- If you want to discover an enchanted castle, worthy of a movie set, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Almourol Castle.
