Visit Fátima from Lisbon

Beginning in Lisbon, discover the city of Fatima and its surroundings, high place of Catholic pilgrimage!

Like Paris, Lisbon does not represent Portugal’s cultural wealth alone and it is not a city like Fatima that will make us say the opposite.

From Lisbon it is possible to visit Fátima, in the centre of Portugal. One hundred years after the supposed apparition of the Virgin Mary to three little shepherds, Fátima is one of the most frequented Catholic pilgrimage places in the world. You will discover grandiose religious monuments, as well as the legendary history of apparitions...

History(s) of Fátima: apparitions of the Virgin, miracle of the sun and failed attack

Located 125 kilometres from Lisbon, in the centre of Portugal, Fátima is best known for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three young shepherds – Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta – were said to have witnessed six appearances of a “woman” on the trunk of an oak tree. On October 13, 1917, it was in front of thousands of people that the sixth apparition would have ended with a dance of the sun: the "math of the sun".

Following these events, the Chapel of Appearances was built in 1919 – in the very place of the oak where the Virgin appeared. In 1930, the Catholic Church authorized the worship of Fátima: the small town became one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the world. Today, five million pilgrims go there every year.

But the story doesn’t stop there. On May 13, 1981, in Rome, Pope John Paul II miraculously survived a bullet attack. For him, it was Notre-Dame de Fátima who slightly diverted the shot... To thank her, he makes the bullet extracted from his body in the crown of the statue of the Virgin in Fátima.

Visiting Fátima is therefore travelling in centuries-old stories and discovering grandiose religious monuments... Whether you are a believer or not, the tour has something to fascinate!

What to visit in Fátima?

The Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima

The Shrine Notre-Dame de Fátima includes several religious monuments.

• The Chapel of Appearances was built in 1919, at the place of apparitions. Look at the statue of the Virgin Mary there: the bullet that could have killed Pope John Paul II was inlaid in his crown.
• The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary is an imposing neo-Gothic monument, completed in 1953. It houses the burials of the little shepherds.
• The Basilica of the Holy Trinity of Fátima is the fourth largest Catholic church in the world. Built in 2004, it was fully funded by the gifts of pilgrims.
• The Fátima wax museum offers 31 scenes that retrace the history of Fátima’s apparitions. Count 7,50€ for a regular ticket (more on the wax museum website).

Walk on the Way of the Cross towards Aljustrel

From Fátima, walk down the Way of the Cross towards the small village of Aljustrel: about 30 minutes. The road is full of religious monuments, especially in Valinhos (follow the signs). If you don't want to walk, the tourist train offers a connection between Fátima and Aljustrel.

Once you arrive in the village of Aljustrel, visit the Maison-Musée d’Aljustrel. This exhibition gives a good idea of everyday life at the beginning of the century: costumes, local professions, customs, tools... Nearby you will find the old houses of Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco.

To visit around Fatima: Óbidos, Nazaré and the monastery of Batalha

On the road between Lisbon and Fátima, several steps are worth a visit. All are accessible by car or by bus with Rede Expressos.

80 kilometers from Lisbon, stop first Óbidos . With its narrow streets and white houses, this small medieval village is as picturesque as it is charming. 35 kilometers further, take a break in Nazaré, a former fishing village lined with beautiful sandy beaches where surfers can be observed on the mythical giant waves.

About 20 kilometers from Fátima, don’t miss the splendid Batalha monastery, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the organization, it is “one of the absolute masterpieces of Gothic art”!

How to move to Fátima?

Go to Fátima from Lisbon To visit Fátima from Lisbon, the easiest and cheapest way of transport is the bus. The Rede Expressos company provides routes between the Sete Rios train station in Lisbon and the Rodoviario terminal in Fátima (just next to the Sanctuary). Count 1:30. The return trip from Lisbon to Fátima costs €21.20 for adults, and €12 for children. To buy your ticket, come a little early at the train station: buses fill fast!

You can also rent a car in Lisbon to fully enjoy for several days of the region around Fátima.

Another solution is to book an online excursion in advance (see the button below). In one day you will visit Óbidos, Nazaré, the monastery of Batalha, and Fátima.

Getting around in Fátima: walking or taking the tourist train

To visit the monuments and museums of Fátima and Aljustrel, it is possible to walk: the walks are pretty and well-appointed. If you don’t want or can’t walk, you can also take the tourist train, which ensures the connection between the different points of interest.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Roberto Hungria