Portugal Untold

0339.63° N · 8.67° WSpiritual Journeys

Fátima Spiritual JourneyA journey of faith, reflection and discovery.

The Sanctuary of Fátima, the quiet paths of Valinhos and the shepherd children’s village of Aljustrel, at the pace of your own group.

Private experience
Duration
About 4–5 hours · Half day
Group
Your group only, up to 6 guests
Destinations
Fátima — Batalha
Plan this journey Itinerary

The story

Faith, reflection and pilgrimage

In 1917, in a stony pasture called the Cova da Iria, three shepherd children – Lúcia and her younger cousins Francisco and Jacinta – said that a Lady had appeared to them. A little over a century later, Fátima is one of the great Marian sanctuaries of the world, and still a place where the loudest sound is often a whispered Rosary.

This half-day is planned for both kinds of visitor who come here: those who arrive in faith, and those who arrive out of curiosity and want to understand. You visit the sanctuary unhurried, with time to sit, to light a candle or simply to watch. Then we leave the crowds for the countryside the children knew: the dry-stone walls and olive trees of Valinhos, and the low stone houses of Aljustrel where they grew up.

Your driver shares the story and the local context along the way and waits while you visit. Inside the sanctuary you move at your own rhythm, and if you would like to attend Mass, we plan the morning around it.

Highlights

Moments to look forward to

  1. Pilgrims praying quietly before the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the statue of Our Lady of Fátima stands

    The Chapel of the Apparitions

    A small open chapel on the spot where the children said the Lady appeared, and the heart of the sanctuary. Prayer here is almost continuous, in many languages.

  2. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and its colonnade at the Sanctuary of Fátima

    Two basilicas, one esplanade

    The white tower of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, where the three seers are buried, faces the modern Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity across the vast prayer esplanade.

  3. The white stone monument marking the fourth apparition at Valinhos, framed by holm oaks on a sunny day

    The Way of the Cross to Valinhos

    Fourteen stations along a quiet path through olive groves and stone walls, ending at the Hungarian Calvary and the place of the August 1917 apparition.

  4. The simple whitewashed family house of Lúcia in Aljustrel, with stone-framed door and windows and a tiled roof

    The shepherds’ village

    In Aljustrel, the family homes of Lúcia and of Francisco and Jacinta keep the scale of a rural childhood: low ceilings, a hearth, a well in the yard.

  5. The Unfinished Chapels of the Monastery of Batalha in golden limestone

    Batalha, if you wish

    Add the great Gothic monastery of Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built to give thanks for a victory and home to the tombs of King João I and Philippa of Lancaster.

Itinerary

The journey, stop by stop

A suggested plan. Order and timing are adapted to your group, the day and opening hours.

  1. Pick-up

    Pick-up

    We collect your group at your accommodation or an agreed meeting point, at a time set in advance around your wishes, including Mass if you would like to attend.

    Why it matters

    On the way, your driver sets the scene: the Portugal of 1917, the families of the three children, and how a remote parish of the Serra de Aire became a place of pilgrimage.

  2. VisitTime here: 90–150 min

    Fátima · 39.63° N · 8.67° W

    Pilgrims praying quietly before the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the statue of Our Lady of Fátima stands

    Walk the prayer esplanade at your own pace. Stop at the Chapel of the Apparitions, light a candle, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the tombs of the three seers, and the bright, circular Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.

    Why it matters

    The Chapel of the Apparitions was built in 1919 on the site the children described; five of the six apparitions of 1917 were reported here. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was dedicated in 1953 and holds the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia. The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, dedicated in 2007, seats more than 8,000 people.

    Optional: Attend Mass or the Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions. Celebrations are held in several languages; times vary and are published by the sanctuary.

    Good to know: Entry to the sanctuary is free. Dress as you would for any church, and keep voices low near the Chapel. Check fatima.pt for the day’s celebrations before you travel.

  3. WalkTime here: 30–60 min

    Valinhos · 39.62° N · 8.67° W

    The white stone monument marking the fourth apparition at Valinhos, framed by holm oaks on a sunny day

    A quiet walk along the Way of the Cross, between olive trees and dry-stone walls, to the monument of Valinhos and the Hungarian Calvary. Your driver can drop you at the start and wait at the end, so you choose how much to walk.

    Why it matters

    The children reported the fourth apparition here on 19 August 1917, after they had been held by the local administrator on the 13th and missed the gathering at the Cova da Iria. Nearby is the Loca do Cabeço, where, according to Lúcia’s memoirs, an Angel appeared to them in 1916. The fourteen stations and the Chapel of St Stephen were offered by Hungarian Catholics and blessed in 1964.

    Good to know: Unpaved, uneven paths with gentle slopes. Comfortable shoes are best; after rain the ground can be muddy.

  4. VisitTime here: 30–45 min

    Aljustrel · 39.62° N · 8.66° W

    The simple whitewashed family house of Lúcia in Aljustrel, with stone-framed door and windows and a tiled roof

    Step inside the modest family homes of Lúcia and of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and walk the lane to the Arneiro well in the yard behind Lúcia’s house.

    Why it matters

    This hamlet in the parish of Fátima is where the three children were born and grew up. The houses show the simplicity of rural life in early 20th-century Portugal, and the well is where, according to Lúcia, the Angel’s second apparition took place in the summer of 1916.

    Good to know: The houses are small, with narrow doors and a step or two at the entrance. Opening times vary.

  5. VisitOptionalTime here: 60–90 min

    Batalha · 39.66° N · 8.83° W

    The Unfinished Chapels of the Monastery of Batalha in golden limestone

    Continue to Batalha to see the soaring church, the Royal Cloister, the Founder’s Chapel and the roofless Unfinished Chapels, open to the sky.

    Why it matters

    King João I founded the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória to give thanks for the victory at Aljubarrota in 1385. It is one of the masterpieces of Portuguese Gothic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. João I and his English queen, Philippa of Lancaster, lie side by side in the Founder’s Chapel.

    Optional: Adds around an hour and a half to the day.

    Good to know: The church is usually open to visitors without a ticket; the cloisters, Chapter House and Unfinished Chapels are ticketed. Stone floors and some steps.

  6. Return

    Return

    An unhurried drive back to your accommodation or another agreed drop-off point.

    Why it matters

    A quiet hour in the car is often when the day settles, and a good time for any questions that came up along the way.

Route map of Fátima Spiritual Journey1Sanctuary of Fátima2Valinhos3Aljustrel4Batalha

The route

  1. 1 Sanctuary of Fátima
  2. 2 Valinhos
  3. 3 Aljustrel
  4. 4 Batalha

Road routes calculated from OpenStreetMap data. Your driver may choose a different road on the day.

Visiting with respect

Fátima asks for nothing more than attention, and a little silence.

Whether you come to pray or to understand, the sanctuary welcomes you. A few customs help everyone share the place well.

Pilgrims praying quietly before the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the statue of Our Lady of Fátima stands

  • Dress and silence

    Dress as you would for a church: covered shoulders are a respectful choice. Near the Chapel of the Apparitions, where prayer is almost constant, keep voices low and phones silent.

  • Mass and the Rosary

    Mass and the Rosary are celebrated daily, often in several languages. Times vary with the season and the calendar, so check fatima.pt before your visit and we will plan around it.

  • Lighting a candle

    Candles can be bought at the sanctuary and lit at the candle burners near the Chapel. Many visitors light one for someone they love; you are welcome to do the same, whatever your faith.

  • The penitential path

    A smooth strip crosses the esplanade towards the Chapel. Some pilgrims walk it on their knees, in fulfilment of a promise. Give them space, and avoid photographing them closely.

  • Great pilgrimages

    The largest pilgrimages are on 12–13 May and 12–13 October, with others on the 12th and 13th of each month from May to October. These days bring very large crowds and traffic, and some visitors choose them for exactly that reason. Tell us your preference.

  • Accessibility

    The esplanade is wide, open and paved, with gentle slopes, but distances between the basilicas are considerable and there is little shade in summer. Tell us about mobility needs in your request and we will plan the drop-off points.

Chronology

From a pasture to a sanctuary

The events as the sanctuary and the Church present them, from the children’s accounts to the canonisation of two of them a century later.

  • History
  • Tradition

Dates follow the sanctuary’s chronology. The 1916 apparitions of the Angel are known from Sister Lúcia’s later writings and are marked as tradition; the events of 1917 are described as the children and witnesses reported them.

  1. 1916

    Tradition

    The Angel of Peace

    According to Lúcia’s memoirs, written years later, an Angel appeared to the three children three times: twice at the Loca do Cabeço and once by the well in Aljustrel.

  2. 13 May 1917

    History

    The first apparition

    While pasturing their sheep at the Cova da Iria, the three children reported seeing a Lady brighter than the sun, who asked them to return on the 13th of each month.

    Pilgrims praying quietly before the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the statue of Our Lady of Fátima stands

  3. 19 August 1917

    History

    Valinhos

    Held by the administrator of Ourém on 13 August, the children missed the gathering at the Cova da Iria. They reported the apparition a few days later at Valinhos, near their village.

    The white stone monument marking the fourth apparition at Valinhos, framed by holm oaks on a sunny day

  4. 13 October 1917

    History

    The “miracle of the sun”

    A large crowd gathered in the rain for the last apparition. Many present, including journalists, reported seeing the sun move and change colour in the sky.

  5. 1919

    History

    The first chapel

    Local people built the small Chapel of the Apparitions on the site. That same year Francisco died, aged ten; Jacinta died in 1920.

  6. 13 October 1930

    History

    Church approval

    After a canonical inquiry, the Bishop of Leiria declared the visions worthy of belief and authorised devotion to Our Lady of Fátima.

  7. 1953

    History

    Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

    Begun in 1928, the basilica with its tall white tower was dedicated on 7 October 1953. The three seers now rest inside.

    The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and its colonnade at the Sanctuary of Fátima

  8. 13 May 2000

    History

    Beatification

    Pope John Paul II beatified Francisco and Jacinta at Fátima. Lúcia, who had become a Carmelite nun, was present; she died in 2005.

  9. 2007

    History

    Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity

    A vast, light-filled church for more than 8,000 people was dedicated on 12 October 2007, opposite the older basilica.

  10. 13 May 2017

    History

    Two child saints

    On the centenary of the first apparition, Pope Francis canonised Francisco and Jacinta Marto at Fátima.

The white stone monument marking the fourth apparition at Valinhos, framed by holm oaks on a sunny day
The simple whitewashed family house of Lúcia in Aljustrel, with stone-framed door and windows and a tiled roof
Carved stone tracery framing the Royal Cloister of the Monastery of Batalha

Practical information

Before you go

Duration
Typically about 4 to 5 hours including pick-up and return; add around an hour and a half for Batalha. Confirmed when you book.
Pick-up
At your accommodation or an agreed meeting point within the area we cover, from the Silver Coast to Leiria and Fátima. From Lisbon the day is longer. Confirmed when you book.
Drop-off
At your accommodation or another agreed point, such as a restaurant or your next hotel.
Group size
Private: your group only, up to 6 guests (luggage permitting).
Walking
Moderate. The esplanade is large and the Valinhos path is unpaved and uneven. You can walk as much or as little of it as you like.
What to wear
Respectful clothing for churches, comfortable shoes for paths, a hat and water in summer, a light waterproof in the cooler months.
Accessibility
The sanctuary esplanade is paved and open, with gentle slopes. The paths at Valinhos and the houses in Aljustrel are harder for wheelchairs. Tell us in your request and we will adapt the day.
Season
All year. The 12th and 13th of each month from May to October, especially May and October, bring very large crowds.

Included

  • Private vehicle and local driver for the agreed itinerary
  • Pick-up and drop-off within the agreed area
  • Local knowledge and context along the way
  • Flexible timing around Mass or a celebration, if you wish

Not included

  • Entrance tickets (Batalha, if chosen)
  • Candles, offerings and personal purchases
  • Meals and drinks
  • Guided visits inside the sanctuary or monuments

Price

One price for your whole group

The price covers the whole tour — a private vehicle and driver for your group alone, never seats on a shared excursion. It depends only on how many of you travel.

Your private experience

Guests

€280 total

€140 per person

Private tour · Just your group

Request your private tour Customize this journey

Open this route in the journey builder and make it yours.

Entrance tickets, meals and drinks are paid separately unless your proposal says otherwise.

Sending a request is free and is not a booking.

Questions

About this journey

Do we need to be Catholic, or religious at all?

Not at all. Many visitors come out of curiosity, history or simple respect. The day is planned so you can take part as much or as little as you wish.

Can we attend Mass?

Yes. Mass is celebrated daily at the sanctuary, often in several languages. Times vary, so we check the sanctuary’s calendar for your date and plan the morning around the celebration you choose.

Is there a charge to enter the sanctuary?

No, the sanctuary is free to enter. Tickets apply only to the optional Monastery of Batalha, and are not included.

Will the driver guide us inside the sanctuary?

Your driver shares the history and local context along the way, but is not a certified tourist guide and does not lead visits inside. The sanctuary has its own information services where you can ask about guided visits.

Should we go on the 13th?

From May to October, the 12th and 13th of each month are pilgrimage days, and May and October are the largest. They are deeply moving, and very crowded. If you prefer quiet, we suggest another date.

Is the day suitable for older guests or limited mobility?

Largely, yes. The esplanade is paved and the car can drop you close to the main areas. Valinhos and Aljustrel involve uneven ground and small steps. Tell us in your request and we will plan around it.

Can we add Batalha, or somewhere else?

Yes. Batalha is the natural addition, a short drive from Fátima. Other changes are welcome; tell us in your request and we will confirm what fits the day.

Pair it with

  • Private7–8 hFull day

    UNESCO Heritage Trail

    Architecture, World Heritage and the making of Portugal

    Alcobaça, Batalha and Tomar: the three great monasteries that shaped this region long before Fátima.

    1. Alcobaça
    2. Batalha
    3. Tomar

    From €320 / private group Up to 6 guests.

  • Private7–8 hFull day

    Knights Templar Experience

    Mystery, stone and the origins of Portugal

    Tomar and Almourol, and the castle of Ourém, the medieval town on the hill above Fátima.

    1. Tomar
    2. Almourol
    3. Ourém

    From €320 / private group Up to 6 guests.

  • Private6–7 hFull day

    Hidden Wonders

    Nature, caves and lesser-known Portugal

    The caves and limestone uplands of the Serra de Aire, just south of Fátima, in the same landscape the shepherds knew.

    1. Mira de Aire
    2. Serra de Aire
    3. Pia do Urso

    From €290 / private group Up to 6 guests.

A journey of faith, reflection and discovery.

Plan this journey Customize this journey

Priced per vehicle, not per person — only your group travels.