Visiting Fatima
Is Fatima worth visiting? Well, for many Catholics the answer will be a resounding yes, but for those who are neither religious nor particularly spiritual, there are more aspects to consider, especially as there’s already so much to see and do in the rest of Portugal. The thing is, visiting Fatima requires a bit of effort, as it’s around an hour and a half north of the capital, hence the title of this post. Being a place of profound religious significance, Fatima attracts millions of travelers and pilgrims from all over the world each year. Some seek spiritual solace, some historical insight, while others probably had no idea it even existed, and are merely passing through for an hour or so as part of a day trip from Lisbon! In this travel guide we aim to unravel the rich history of the town, to offer suggestions for how to get there, including day tours to Fatima from Lisbon, and to round up some of the best Fatima hotels to rest your weary bones in. So, grab your candle and let’s get started…
Where is Fatima in Portugal?
Fatima is located in central Portugal, about 88 miles (142 kilometers) north of Lisbon. It lies within the region of Santarém and is part of the Centro subregion. The town of Fatima itself is relatively small, with a population of around 11,000 people as of recent estimates. However, it attracts millions of visitors annually due to the its religious significance to the Catholic faith – more details of which below.
Getting to Fatima from Lisbon & Porto
Visiting Fatima from either Lisbon or Porto is relatively straight forward and you have a few different options. Firstly though, it is important to note that the train from Lisbon to Fatima isn’t really feasible unless you want to do your own mini pilgrimage for the last part. This is because Fatima train station is located half an hour’s drive, or a 4 and a half hour walk from the Fatima Sanctuary itself. The same applies to Porto to Fatima by train. So realistically, the best ways to get to Fatima from Lisbon are the following:
1. Take a bus from Lisbon to Fatima: board from various bus stations located around Lisbon including: Sete Rios, Oriente and Gare Oreinte, enjoying a scenic and cost-effective route in around 1 hour 30 minutes or less – ideal for budget-conscious travelers. Full details of all providers and tickets here.
2. Guided Tours from Lisbon to Fatima: a guided tour to Fatima from Lisbon includes transportation and usually offers up local insights into the town. They are also ideal if you want to combine your day trip to Fatima with stops at other nearby cultural sites, of which there are several. More details below or check out Viator for tour tickets.
3. Renting a car and driving from Lisbon to Fatima: hiring a car in Lisbon and driving to Fatima is certainly the most flexible of all options. The distance between Lisbon and Fatima is approximately 88 miles (142 kilometers), and the journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours by car, depending on traffic conditions. You can take the A1 highway northbound from Lisbon towards Porto and exit at the Fatima/Ourem junction (Exit 8) onto the N356 road, which leads directly to Fatima. There are literally thousands of parking spaces all around the religious complex, so unless you choose to visit on the 13th on summer’s day, you should have no problem finding a car park.
4. Renting a car and driving from Porto to Lisbon: if hiring a car in Porto and driving to Fatima The distance between Porto and Fatima is approximately 118 miles (190 kilometers), and the journey by car typically takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. You can take the A1 highway southbound from Porto towards Lisbon and exit at the Fatima/Ourem junction (Exit 8) onto the N356 road, which leads directly to Fatima.
Why is Fatima famous?
The tiny village of Fatima in central Portugal became known in the early 20th century. On May 13th, 1917, three young children named Lucia (10), Francisco (9), and Jacinta (7), claimed to have seen apparitions of the Virgin Mary while out grazing their flock. These apparitions, known as Our Lady of Fatima, continued over the following 6 months, with each taking place on the 13th. The messages conveyed during these encounters were of peace, prayer, and a glimpse into future global events i.e that the Great War would soon end. Despite much local scrutiny and the efforts of Fatima’s Mayor to discredit the apparitions and debunk the claims made by the children, word soon spread both locally and nationally as Fatima became an unexpected gateway to the divine.
The miracle of the sun
Arguably the most important and controversial chapter in Fatima’s history took place during the final apparition, on October 13, 1917. With an estimated 70,000 people present on site, it is claimed that the sun emerged after a heavy rainstorm to then suddenly shoot across the sky in all directions, shining bright and vivid colours to all those below and instantly drying the rain sodden earth beneath their feet. This event went on to become known as the ‘Miracle of the Sun’ by many of those present. Among the attendees, however, there was also a number who claimed not to have seen nor noted anything special about events on that day.
The devotion shown by the children to the Fatima apparitions has had a lasting impact on Catholic spirituality. An estimated 7 million visitors per year come from around the world to pay homage to them, and to engage in prayer and reflection at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima.
What happened to the children of Fatima?
Lucia dos Santos was the eldest of the three children and was the only child with whom Mary spoke to during the apparitions (Jacinta was able to see and hear Mary, while Francisco could only see her). She later went on to become a Carmelite nun, where she continued to share the events and teachings from the apparitions throughout her life. In 1948, she published her memoir, titled “Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words.” She passed away on February 13, 2005, at the Carmelite Convent in Coimbra, Portugal, aged 97. Francisco Marto and his younger sister, Jacinto Marto both died from the Spanish flu epidemic, in 1919 and 1920 respectively at just 10 and 9 years old. Both Francisco and Jacinta were canonized and declared saints on the 13th of May, 2017 by Pope Francis. Having lived significantly longer, the process for the possible canonization of Lucia is still ongoing.
What to see in Fatima
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, is the name of the entire sacred complex. The evolution of this area into the religious site as we see it today began almost immediately after the apparitions, apparently at the request of Mary herself. It has since been subsequently developed and enlarged over the course of the next century to honour the events of 1917. The Sanctuary houses:
- The ‘Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary’, built between 1928 – 1953 and the location of each of the three children’s tombs.
- A huge colonnade spanning both sides of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
- The ‘Chapel of Apparitions’, located on the exact spot where Mary is believed to have appeared to the children over an oak tree.
- A vast square for gatherings and prayers, with a centrally located holy water fountain.
- The 8,633-seater ‘Church of the Most Holy Trinity’, designed by Greek architect built between 2004-2007.
Religious pilgrims gather here, seeking spiritual connection and tranquillity, often participating in mass, or taking part in evening candlelight processions which illuminate the night with thousands of flickering flames.
Other things to do in Fatima
Aside from the Sanctuary of Fatima itself, there are a few other things to do in Fatima, including the Museum of the Sanctuary of Fatima, where you can explore the history of the apparitions through artifacts, documents, and the personal belongings of the shepherd children, despite how intrusive that sounds. The Fatima Wax Museum is a pretty unique visual experience, bringing to life the events of 1917 through meticulously crafted wax figures. Additionally, you can visit the homes of Lucia, Franscisco and Jacinta in the village of Aljustrel, just south of the shrine to Virgin Mary. This provides insight into their lives before the apparitions.
When is the best time to visit Fatima?
As mentioned above, Fatima gets extremely crowded on the 13th of each month between May until October, as pilgrims flock to be there on the same dates of the original apparitions. Unless you are visiting for religious reasons it might be worth avoiding those times, although they are spectacles in and of themselves and lay testament to human devotion and faith. If you’re not so big on humans and would rather just visit the site with relative ease and comfort, then also avoid weekends and any Catholic festivals and you should be good to wander around in relative peace. I visited on a Friday morning/lunchtime just before Christmas, and, as you can see from the photos, it was a relaxed day, largely devoid of crowds. This is also one of the main benefits of taking one of the guided Fatima tours from Lisbon (see below), as your experienced company and guide will be aware of the best time to visit Fatima all through the year, depending on what it is you want from your visit.
How long do you need in Fatima?
Well, this of course depends on you, and your level of interest in the site. If you are merely dipping your toe into the spiritual, religious and historical offerings that Fatima provides, then you could stop by for a short time as part of a day tour encompassing other nearby sites too. Fatima, Nazare (big wave surf town) and Obidos (medieval fortress village) are all relatively close to each other, so if your time is limited and you want to combine a short spell in each as part of a day trip from Lisbon, then there are several of these available, including this private Fatima, Obidos, Batalha and Nazare tour from Lisbon.
If you don’t want to feel rushed, and perhaps you have, or want to explore, a deeper connection to the site, then taking your time to spend a full day in Fatima would be advisable. This should give you enough time to visit each of the chapels and churches at the Sanctuary, to light candles and perhaps also to visit the museums and the children’s family homes. If you would like to take part of one of Fatima’s evening candlelit processions then you may also want to consider staying overnight in a local hotel.
Fatima Hotels
Of course, around the dates of the original apparitions, the village gets very crowded and most Fatima Hotels fill up fast. However, as you may expect there have been many hotels in Fatima built to cater to the thousands of international pilgrims visiting the site each year, so no matter where you’re from, the hotel infrastructure is very good and hotel prices remain very reasonable throughout the year, aside from the apparition dates or on days with other big events taking place. Hotels in Fatima also range from budget to five star, and most of them are also located within walking distance to The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. Check out the options for Fatima Hotels here and book early if you plan to visit at apparition time.
Luxury hotels in Fatima
Luz Charming Houses
Luz Charming Houses offer a boutique and super stylish accommodation experience characterised by cozy rooms, suites, or standalone cottages situated close to the Sanctuary. With a focus on personalized hospitality, expect attentive service and a range of amenities including an outdoor pool and shared outdoor patios and gardens, as well as a wonderful breakfast. Set among large grounds, Luz Charming Houses also provides a range of activities for its guests including yoga classes, bike hire and local tours in nature. Prices from around €150 for a double room.
Mid-range hotels in Fatima
Hotel Estrela de Fatima
Hotel Estrela de Fatima is possibly the best located of all the hotels on this list, being right next to the main entrance of the sanctuary! They offer a range of modern rooms, equipped with everything that you’d expect, and for the more adventurous among you, their horse riding experience at the nearby Alcaria Equine Centre provides something a little different.
Also check out Steyler Fatima Hotel & Congress or Hotel Santa Maria for similarly priced mid-range hotels in Fatima.
Budget hotels in Fatima
Coração de Fátima Boutique Hotel
Coração de Fátima Boutique Hotel is located a few steps away from the Sanctuary. Its interior showcases a blend of modern elegance and traditional Portuguese elements, and the restaurant serves up traditional Portuguese cuisine. From the hotel rooftop terrace you can take in panoramic views of the sanctuary and surrounding area. A great budget option as prices for a double room start at just €50 per night.
Also check out Hotel Anjo, the Aurea Fatima Hotel Congress and Spa or the Mercure Fatima for other reasonably priced hotels in Fatima.
Visiting Fatima: is it worth it? Outro...
For believers: this one is obvious really, as the spiritual energy of the Sanctuary and the opportunity to attend a mass or join a pilgrimage offer moments of spiritual connection to Catholics from all over the world. Going to the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco is a no-brainer!
For non-believers: on the other hand, non-believers still have plenty to look at and learn about on a day trip to Fatima from Lisbon, not least the historical and cultural significance encapsulated in the Museum of the Sanctuary of Fatima and the Fatima Wax Museum, both of which give its visitors a broader understanding of events and the circumstances around them. Furthermore, the entire story of Fatima provides an interesting insight into Portuguese village life in the early 20th century as demonstrated through visits to Aljustrel and the homes of the shepherd children. Besides that, in my view, Fatima also shines slight on religious and political philosophical life during the first world war, as Portugal struggled with the consequences of its soldiers never returning home. Whether you believe the events that allegedly transpired in 1917 or not, there is sufficient history, zeitgeist and beauty within the Sanctuary’s past and present to interest secular visitors too, even if you’re just here for a short time on a guided tour.
For those considering a longer stay in Fatima, the town’s infrastructure is very well developed and there are several great value modern hotels to cater to pilgrims and visitors.
For those of you that are also visiting Lisbon as part of your trip to Portugal, then do check out my posts on traditional Portuguese food and my thoughts on the best time to visit Lisbon.
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