Fatima stands as Portugal's most significant pilgrimage destination, a place where faith and history have shaped a nation's spiritual identity.
In 1917, this once-quiet rural town became the centre of extraordinary events when the Virgin Mary appeared to three young shepherd children - Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta - on six occasions, culminating in the famous Miracle of the Sun witnessed by over 70,000 people.

Today, this sacred site attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors annually. The once-humble location has been transformed into an impressive religious complex, featuring the stunning Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the modern Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity (one of the world's largest churches), and a vast plaza capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. At its heart stands the simple Chapel of the Apparitions, built at the exact spot where Mary appeared, fulfilling her direct request to the shepherd children.

This guide will help you plan your visit to Fatima, whether you're coming as a pilgrim or a cultural traveller, covering everything from the site's religious significance to practical travel information.

 

 

The magnificent Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário.

Attending a church service at the Capelinha das Aparições, where Our Lady of Fatima first appeared.

Visiting the rustic houses where the shepherd children grew up - the above image shows Casa da Lúcia.

The peaceful and reflective atmosphere of the Santuário de Fátima, where devout pilgrims gather in prayer.

Visitors to Fatima generally fall into two main categories: pilgrims seeking a spiritual experience through prayer and devotion, and cultural tourists interested in exploring one of Portugal's most significant religious sites. While their motivations differ, both groups can find meaningful experiences here.

For religious visitors, Fatima offers a profoundly moving experience. The Santuário de Fátima maintains a deeply reverent atmosphere where pilgrims can attend services at the Capelinha das Aparições (built on the exact site of Mary's first apparition), participate in devotional practices like candle lighting, and visit both the magnificent Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the grand Basílica da Santíssima Trindade.

 

 

For cultural visitors, Fatima presents a more modest experience. While the site holds immense religious significance, its relatively recent history - dating to 1917 - means most structures are modern and somewhat plain. The only standout building is the Nossa Senhora do Rosário Basilica, while all the others, though impressive in scale, follow a more functional design. Beyond the religious complex itself, Fatima offers limited attractions for general tourists.
Nearby Tomar, with its richer historical heritage, offers a more engaging day trip from Lisbon.

The interior of the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário

The entrance to the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, has a giant monument dedicated to the Rosary

Fatima can be visited as a day trip from Lisbon, but involves either a 1h10m drive or 1h30m bus journey each way (public transport details are at the end of this article).

A typical visit to Fatima takes three hours. During this time, visitors can explore all the religious buildings of the Santuário de Fátima, discover the shepherd houses in the village of Aljustrel (2.2km south), and visit the excellent Museu de Cera de Fátima (waxwork museum).

The typical tour of the Santuário de Fátima includes the two basilicas (Nossa Senhora do Rosário and Santíssima Trindade), the Capelinha das Aparições chapel, the Azinheira Grande tree, and the vast central plaza. Your visit may take longer if you wish to attend a church service or light a candle at the Capelinha das Aparições - be aware that queues can be very long during peak periods.

A good place to begin your day trip and gain an understanding of Fatima is the Museu Interativo, which provides a detailed overview of the site's history. After visiting the religious buildings, we recommend the excellent Museu de Cera de Fátima (wax museum), which features beautiful and lifelike statues depicting the events of 1917.

 

 

A visit to Fatima often includes visiting the shepherd's houses, in the village of Aljustrel, 2.2km south from the Santuário de Fátima. These modest homes, where Lúcia Santos and Francisco and Jacinta Marto lived, have been carefully restored to their 1917 condition. The houses feature original furnishings and period items, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the humble backgrounds of the three shepherds and rural Portuguese life in the early 20th century.

Another pleasant activity is to walk the Valinhos Via Sacra (Valinhos Stations of the Cross), which winds through tranquil woods up to the Calvário Húngaro crucifixion monument. The 1.5km route begins at the Three Shepherds Monument roundabout, though visitors can easily join the later sections from Aljustrel and the shepherd houses.

Along the Valinhos Via Sacra lies the Loca do Cabeço, a rocky hollow where the Angel of Peace made his first and final appearances to the shepherds in 1916. These angelic visitations prepared the children for the famous Marian apparitions that would follow the next year. Visitors can find the path to this sacred site at the 11th Station of the Cross monument.

Below is an interactive map detailing the main sights of Fatima.

Legend: 1) Chapel of the Apparitions 2) Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary 3) Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity 4) Lucia's House 5) House of Jacinta and Francisco Marto 6) Arneiro Well (Poço do Arneiro) 7) Valinhos Stations of the Cross 8) Angel's Hollow (Loca do Cabeço) 9) Hungarian Calvary (Calvário Húngaro) 10) Monument to the Three Shepherds 11) Fatima Wax Museum 12) Interactive Museum 13) Sanctuary Museum of Fatima 14) Life of Christ Museum 15) Matriz de Fátima church

Most evenings between May and October there are beautiful candle processions, which are a magical experience (details provided further on).

Within Fatima, there is a wide choice of restaurants and cafes, and there are many good inexpensive options – primarily design for Portuguese visitors who would refuse to accept over-inflated tourist prices!

Most visitors find that half a day is sufficient to explore Fatima's main sites. If you're travelling by car, consider extending your day trip with stops at the medieval castle of Ourém or the spectacular limestone caves of Grutas da Moeda.

Advice: To avoid crowds, plan your visit for weekdays, avoiding the 13th of each month when pilgrim numbers peak. Additionally, consider the weather forecast, as the Santuário de Fátima offers limited shelter during rain.

It’s worth staying in the Fatima region but maybe not necessarily in the town itself, as there are many more fascinating destinations in the surrounding region.

To the west is the historic city of Tomar and the pretty hilltop castle of Ourém, while to the east are the two grand monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, and the charming beach town of Nazaré.
For the best experience of the region, we recommend basing yourself in the historic city of Tomar and making a day trip to Fatima.
Related articles: Tomar – Nazaré – Batalha

Hotels in Fatima
Fatima offers diverse accommodation options to suit all needs, from luxury hotels to modest pilgrim houses, most within easy walking distance of the Sanctuary. The peak season (May-October) sees higher rates and limited availability, so early booking is recommended, especially during major celebrations and feast days.

The interactive map below displays available lodging across the city, helping you select the perfect base for your visit. You can adjust the dates to see current prices and availability for your specific travel period.

Booking.com

The modern Basílica da Santíssima Trindade, was completed in 2007 and has seating for 8,633

Tombs of Lucia and Jacinta in the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário

An organised tour is an excellent way to discover Fatima. The standard of tours in Portugal is consistently high, featuring knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides who understand modern tourists' needs. These tours efficiently pack multiple sights into a single day whilst eliminating the hassle of public transport.
Having worked with GetYourGuide for the past seven years, we recommend these popular tours including Fatima:
• Fátima region tour from Lisbon
• A popular small group tour of Fatima, Obidos and Nazaré from Lisbon
• Fátima, Nazaré, Óbidos from Lisbon
• Fátima and Coimbra full-day tour from Porto

The main pilgrimage days to Fatima align with the dates of the six apparitions, which all occurred on 13th of each month, from the 13th May (first vision), up to the Miracle of the Sun (13th October 1917).

The 13th May and 13th October are major pilgrimage days to Fatima (the Peregrinação de Fátima) and on the preceding night (the 12th) there is a beautiful candlelit procession led by the bishop and church leaders.

During May to October, there are candle processions most evenings, which are a beautiful spectacle to behold. The latest schedule, along with times of masses can be seen on the official Shine of Fatima website: www.fatima.pt/en/schedule

The Santuário de Fátima holds profound spiritual significance for pilgrims, many of whom visit seeking solace during times of illness, loss, or personal hardship. As a place of worship and reflection, visitors are asked to maintain a respectful demeanor, dress modestly, and refrain from treating the site as a tourist attraction. Photography should be minimal and discreet, respecting the privacy of those in prayer.
All religions and faiths are welcomed at Fatima.

The vast central plaza of the Santuário de Fátima, which can accommodate the many thousands of pilgrims who visit on important feast days.

The tiny Capelinha das Aparições chapel is the focal point for all devotion to Fatima, and its construction was instructed by Mary herself.

The exact site of Mary's apparition, just in front of the chapel, is marked by a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. A modern open-sided church now encompasses both the chapel and statue, and this is where masses are held.

Pope John Paul II had a profound connection with Our Lady of Fatima, believing the third secret of Fatima foretold the assassination attempt on his life in 1981 and protected him during it. In devotion, one of the four bullets that struck him is now encased in the crown of the Our Lady of Fatima statue.

Insight: When pilgrims pay homage to Fatima by walking on their knees or crawling, they are heading to the Capelinha das Aparições, and not the grand Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário.

The Capelinha das Aparições chapel with the statue of Mary

When Mary first appeared to the shepherds in 1917, she appeared beneath an Azinheira tree (holm oak or holly oak). This blessed but unfortunate tree was soon stripped bare by locals seeking holy relics from its branches and trunk.

The Azinheira tree (holm oak) standing in the Santuário de Fátima today is the original tree under which the three shepherds prayed, now more than 110 years old.

The Azinheira tree adds a bit of greenery to the utilitarian plaza in the Santuário de Fátima

One of the religious highlights of Fatima is lighting a candle and praying for a special intention at the Capelinha das Aparições.
Candles are available from the stall behind the chapel, with prices ranging from €0.80 for standard sizes to €2.70 for 60cm devotional candles. The brown colour of these candles comes from their eco-friendly production using recycled wax from previously burned candles

The location where pilgrims light their candles. Due to the sheer number of candles burning at once, the area generates significant heat - many pilgrims add their candle directly to the glowing mass of flames.

One of the highlights of Fatima are the modest homes where the shepherd children lived. The two houses (Casa de Jacinta e Francisco Marto and Casa da Lúcia) lie in the village of Aljustrel, 2.2km south of the Santuário de Fátima.

Both houses have been carefully restored to their 1917 condition, featuring original furniture and period items that offer visitors an authentic glimpse into rural Portuguese life of the early 20th century. The simple stone buildings, with their basic furnishings and humble rooms, powerfully illustrate the modest backgrounds of the three young visionaries.

The Casa da Lúcia includes the family's garden, where visitors can find the Poço do Arneiro well. This well holds special significance as it was here that the Angel of Peace (Anjo de Portugal) made his second appearance to the children in 1916, between his first and third appearances at Loca do Cabeço.

Insight: The houses can be reached by following the Way of the Little Shepherds (Via dos Pastorinhos) from the sanctuary, or by a short drive with parking available nearby.

The restored bedroom in the Casa de Jacinta e Francisco Marto

Driving is the quickest way to travel to from Lisbon to Fatima. The route follows the A1 expressway and turns off at junction 8 (after passing through the hills of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros), which leads to the many car parks surrounding Fatima. The only downside to the 92km journey along the fast A1 road, is the high toll of €8.40 each way.

For public transport, bus travel is the only sensible option as Fatima train station is 20km to the east of the town, and there is no feasible travel option from the train station to the Santuário de Fátima.

The bus services are operated by Rede Expressos, the main intercity bus company of Portugal. There are up to 18 daily departures from Lisbon to Fatima, but tickets should be booked in advance, as popular services do sell out. The bus service departs from Sete Rios bus station in Lisbon, the journey takes 1h30m, and a single adult fare costs €12.80. The latest timetables and bookings can be made of the Rede Expressos website: www.rede-expressos.pt/
Related articles: Lisbon to Fatima - Sete Rios bus station

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