Our Lady of Fatima

Fátima can be visited as a day trip from Lisbon, but staying overnight changes the experience. It allows you to pray at the Chapel of the Apparitions when the crowds are smaller and participate in the evening Rosary and candlelight procession.

• One day - Sanctuary, Chapel of the Apparitions, basilicas, Mass and the shepherd children's tombs.
• Two nights (recommended) - adds Confession, candlelight procession, Stations of the Cross, Valinhos and the shepherd children's homes.
• Three nights - allows a more relaxed pilgrimage and time for nearby destinations such as Santarém, Batalha or Coimbra.

Pilgrim Tip: Spend at least one early morning or late evening at the Chapel of the Apparitions. Fátima feels very different once the large tour groups leave.

May, June, September and early October offer the best combination of pilgrimage activity and comfortable weather.

Best Overall

May–June and September–early October

These months provide a strong pilgrimage atmosphere without the hottest part of summer.

May 12–13

The anniversary of the first apparition is one of the most important pilgrimage celebrations of the year.

The evening of May 12 includes the famous candlelight procession, followed by major celebrations and the farewell procession on May 13.

October 12–13

The anniversary of the final apparition and Miracle of the Sun is another major international pilgrimage.

July & August

Expect warmer weather and large numbers of visitors.

For a Quieter Pilgrimage

Choose weekdays in late April, May, September or early October and avoid the 12th and 13th of the month if large pilgrimage crowds are not important to you.

Best Overall: Lisbon (LIS)

Lisbon Airport has the strongest international connections and is approximately 120 km from Fátima.

From Lisbon you can continue by:

• Private transfer
• Rental car
• Express bus

For public transportation, Portugal's official tourism information recommends bus travel as the best option for reaching Fátima.

Alternative: Porto (OPO)

Porto is approximately 180 km from Fátima and can be a good option if airfare or your Portugal itinerary makes it more convenient.

Expect roughly two hours by car under normal conditions.

What About the Train?

There is a railway station named Fátima, but it is not located beside the Sanctuary or in central Fátima. For most pilgrims, the express bus or private transfer is considerably more convenient.

Our recommendation: Fly into Lisbon, then take an express bus or arrange a private transfer directly to your hotel in Fátima.

The Sanctuary itself is extremely walkable. The Chapel of the Apparitions, both basilicas, Prayer Area, Confession and other major Sanctuary sites are all within the same complex.

Aljustrel, where the shepherd children lived, is approximately 2 km from the Sanctuary, with Valinhos and other apparition-related locations along the route.

You can:

• Walk the Shepherds' Way
• Take a local taxi
• Arrange transportation through your hotel or pilgrimage group

A rental car becomes useful if you plan to visit Santarém, Coimbra, Batalha, Nazaré or other parts of Portugal.

The best area for pilgrims is around Cova da Iria and the Sanctuary of Fátima.

This makes it easy to:

• Attend early Mass
• Visit the Chapel before large groups arrive
• Return to your hotel during the afternoon
• Attend the evening Rosary and procession
• Walk back after nighttime prayer

Best For Pilgrims

• Hotels immediately surrounding the Sanctuary
• Pilgrimage-oriented hotels offering meals
• Religious guesthouses and retreat accommodations
• Hotels with elevators and accessible rooms for elderly travelers

Pilgrim Tip: Fátima has many hotels because of the volume of pilgrims, so prioritize location and accessibility over luxury.

The large Prayer Area and principal Sanctuary buildings have accessible routes, and ramps provide access to areas such as the Reconciliation chapels.

The Shrine also provides services specifically for sick and disabled pilgrims, including free wheelchair loans through its First Emergency Aid Unit.

For visually impaired pilgrims, the official Shrine of Fatima MyEyes app provides location information, navigation assistance and support for following pilgrimage routes.

Pilgrim Tip: The Shepherds' Way and some areas around Valinhos are less convenient than the main Sanctuary for wheelchairs or travelers with significant mobility limitations.

Build your pilgrimage around the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Rosary, Mass, Confession and the places connected with the three shepherd children.

Chapel of the Apparitions

This is the heart of Fátima. Five of the six reported apparitions of Our Lady in 1917 occurred at this location, and Mary asked that a chapel be built here.

Attend the Rosary, participate in Mass when scheduled and spend time simply sitting quietly in prayer.

Allow: 30–60 minutes, plus return visits
Best time: Early morning or later in the evening.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

The traditional basilica overlooking the Sanctuary contains the tombs of St. Francisco Marto, St. Jacinta Marto and Sister Lúcia.

Take time to pray at their tombs rather than simply walking through the church.

Allow: 30–45 minutes.

Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity

Located opposite the older basilica, this large modern church accommodates the enormous pilgrimage crowds that come to Fátima.

Many of the Sanctuary's major Masses are celebrated here. The lower level also contains the Reconciliation area and Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

Walk the Shepherds' Way

Follow the route from the Sanctuary toward Valinhos and Aljustrel, approximately 2–3 km away.

Along the way you can experience:

• Stations of the Cross
• Loca do Cabeço, associated with the apparitions of the Angel
• Valinhos, site of the August 19, 1917 apparition
• Homes of the shepherd children
• The Well of Arneiro

The official Shrine identifies these as part of its pilgrimage itinerary through Valinhos and Aljustrel.

Allow: 2–3 hours
Best time: Morning or late afternoon.

Candlelight Rosary Procession

One of the most memorable experiences in Fátima is praying the Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions and joining the candlelight procession through the Prayer Area.

The current Sanctuary schedule commonly places the evening Rosary and candle procession at 9:30 PM, though schedules should always be checked for your travel dates.

Allow: About 1 hour
Do not miss: If you are staying overnight, make this a priority.

Go to Confession

Reconciliation is an important part of the Fátima pilgrimage. Confession is celebrated daily in the Chapels of Reconciliation beneath the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.

Day One

• Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions
• Attend Mass
• Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary
• Pray at the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia
• Visit the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity
• Go to Confession
• Attend the evening Rosary and candlelight procession

Day Two

• Return to the Chapel early in the morning
• Walk the Stations of the Cross along the Shepherds' Way
• Visit Loca do Cabeço and Valinhos
• Visit the homes of Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia in Aljustrel
• Return to the Sanctuary for Mass or Rosary
• End with quiet prayer at the Chapel of the Apparitions

Have another day? Consider a pilgrimage excursion to the Eucharistic Miracle of Santarém, the Carmelite convent connected with Sister Lúcia in Coimbra, or nearby Batalha.

The daily program normally includes multiple opportunities for:

• Holy Mass
• Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions
• Confession
• Eucharistic Adoration
• Vespers
• Prayer and devotions
• Evening candlelight procession

The current schedule also includes an English-language Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions, though times and languages can change.

Confession is celebrated daily in the Reconciliation chapels.

Important: Check the official Sanctuary schedule shortly before your visit, particularly around the 12th and 13th of each month and major feast days.

Pilgrimage Essentials

• Rosary
• Small Bible or prayer book
• Written prayer intentions
• Journal and pen
• Small backpack
• Reusable water bottle

Practical Items

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Light rain jacket
• Sunscreen
• Hat and sunglasses
• Layers for cool mornings and evenings
• Portable phone charger
• European power adapter
• Modest clothing for churches

Pilgrim Tip: If you plan to walk the Shepherds' Way to Valinhos and Aljustrel, wear proper walking shoes rather than sandals or dress shoes.

Before leaving:

• ✓ Download the official Fátima app
• ✓ Check current Mass and Rosary schedules
• ✓ Write down your prayer intentions
• ✓ Pack comfortable walking shoes
• ✓ Check the weather
• ✓ Arrange transportation from Lisbon or Porto
• ✓ Plan time for Confession
• ✓ Attend the evening candlelight procession
• ✓ Make time to walk to Valinhos and Aljustrel
• ✓ Leave room for quiet prayer at the Chapel of the Apparitions

Most Important: Don't experience Fátima only from the enormous Sanctuary plaza. Walk to Aljustrel, Valinhos and Loca do Cabeço. Seeing the simple places where Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia actually lived and prayed gives the events of Fátima a very different sense of reality.

Official Fátima App

Download Shrine of Fatima Official.

The free official app includes:

• Guide to the Sanctuary
• Prayer resources
• Current schedules
• Events calendar
• Personalized notifications

It is available in English, Portuguese, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish and German.

Currency

Portugal uses the Euro (€).

Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying a small amount of cash is useful for cafés, small purchases and offerings.

Local Language

Portuguese is the official language. English is commonly spoken around the Sanctuary, hotels and pilgrimage-oriented businesses.

Useful phrases include:

• Hello — Olá
• Good morning — Bom dia
• Thank you — Obrigado / Obrigada
• Please — Por favor
• Yes / No — Sim / Não
• Do you speak English? — Fala inglês?
• Where is the Sanctuary? — Onde fica o Santuário?

Pilgrim Tip: You can travel comfortably using English, but a simple “Bom dia” or “Obrigado” is always appreciated.

Religious Etiquette

Dress respectfully inside churches and chapels, silence phones during prayer and Mass, and maintain the atmosphere of prayer around the Chapel of the Apparitions. The Shrine specifically emphasizes silence and contemplation throughout the sacred complex.