10 Things to Do in Fatima That You Shouldn't Miss

March 17, 2018 Deane Carmody

Lovely as it is, this little country town of less than 8,000 about 75 miles north of Lisbon wouldn’t be on the radar if it weren’t for its most famous citizens: the three shepherd children who, in 1917, saw monthly visions of the Virgin Mary in the Cova da Iria pasture. Today, the site is marked by the Basílica de Fátima, where pilgrims come on the 13th of every month to honor the Virgin and her young visionaries, especially in May and October, when the apparitions originally began and ended.
Restaurants in Fatima

1. Santuario di Fatima

Travessa Joao Paulo II, Fatima 2495-409, Portugal +351 249 539 600
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 353 reviews

Santuario di Fatima

Reviewed By Iguana Hunter - North Bay, Ontario

This compound is not what I was expecting. I guess I didn’t do my research. The old church sits elevated above a very large open area for crowds to gather for services, with the new church opposite. There is a small glass building on one side of the open area, beside an olive tree that is supposed to be the site of the next appearance of the Virgin Mary. The old church is quite plain inside, although you can visit the tombs of the children who claim to have seen the first appearance a century ago. The new church is very large, with a retractable roof, but not really a beautiful building. The streets surrounding the sanctuary are what you would expect, full of hotels and souvenir shops. I am glad we saw it, but were not impressed.

2. Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Fatima

Cova da Iria, Ourem, Portugal +351 249 539 600
Excellent
78%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 132 reviews

Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Fatima

Reviewed By RodMcLeod - San Francisco, California

This basilica sits at the top of the wide, wide esplanade of Fatima. For me, the esplanade was the main feature of visiting Fatima. The basilica holds religious importance of course for Catholics and must be visited. Architecturally, the basilica is not so different from others.
But the expansive esplanade - more than twice as large as St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, is humbling in the extreme, especially when observing streams of
religious pilgrims walking through it to the Cathedral or the chapel off to the side.

3. Valinhos Sanctuary

Via Sacra, Fatima 2495-301, Portugal
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 224 reviews

Valinhos Sanctuary

Reviewed By Nelma M - MGrande

Honestly I kinda bumped into it on one end not really knowing where I was. I was wondering around with my dog and liked the olive trees.
As I was walking in and finding the shrines it became clear that it was related to the path of Jesus carrying the cross.
It was a sunny Sunday morning around 11am so most people where at the main Cathedral still there were many tourists with guides. Most people were quiet and respectful visiting the path and walking it as it was normal to find people sitting or kneeling in prayer.
The statue of Mary where She first appeared to the three shepherds is very beautiful not to mention the meaning of the spot but furder on the path the one of the shepherds with the Angel is also breathtaking.
Even if you not religious it's a lovely path to walk. Very peaceful with pleasent shades from the olive trees.
I highly recommend a visit alone or with family or friends (just remember to talk in a lower tone) if you are in town or just passing by. ☀️

4. Castelo de Ourem

Estrada Nacional 356 | Nossa Senhora das Misericórdias, Ourem 2490-781, Portugal +351 249 540 900
Excellent
45%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 194 reviews

Castelo de Ourem

Reviewed By frenchi700 - Derbyshire

I found Ourem on Tripadvisor and asked our friends who live in Portugal if we could go there. We drove up the hill and parked near the church. We wandered around and up to the castle. It was fabulous. I just wish we could have gone inside. We walked around as much as we could and admired the beautiful views. I would recommend this castle to tourists.

5. Shrine of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima

Rua de Rainha Santa Isabel 26, Fatima 2495-424, Portugal +351 249 539 600
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Shrine of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima

This national shrine is the site where three young peasant shepherds spied a "lady brighter than the sun," which was, many believe, the first of six apparitions of the Virgin Mary in this region of Portugal.

Reviewed By Mark O - Darwen, United Kingdom

As part of a day trip we stopped at Fatina where there was 6 apiritions just over 100 years ago on our day of our visit it was raining so there was not many people visiting which added to our visit, for Catholics this is a must visit if staying nearby

6. A Ginjinha d'Castelo de Ourem

Rua Beato Simao Lopes, Ourem 2490-473, Portugal +351 965 003 170
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 103 reviews

A Ginjinha d'Castelo de Ourem

The house "Ginginha The Castle" is a business for almost 100 years. From traditional old grocery store, in 1993 it became the Bar - Traditional Tavern "Ginjinha The Castle", making it one of the landmarks to visit for those in the historical area of ​​Ourém. Taste the traditional cherry liqueur and treat yourself!

Reviewed By mossgrant - London, United Kingdom

Great ambient to this bar. The gin and tonics are massive!!! The port was good too, but do take change as the bar owner never had change

7. Ecoparque Sensorial da Pia do Urso

Pia do Urso, Batalha, Portugal
Excellent
37%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 69 reviews

Ecoparque Sensorial da Pia do Urso

Reviewed By Lo_tully - Geraldton, Australia

The actual parquet is a little tired but worth a visit- I would say it took us about 30 mins to walk through as long as you allow yourself to get distracted by a few thing. The village has a few cafes and restaurants which can stretch out the visit!

8. Capela Das Aparicoes

Santuario de Fatima, Fatima 2496-908, Portugal +351 249 539 600
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 482 reviews

Capela Das Aparicoes

Reviewed By mrportland

We entered the courtyard and there was a device going on at 8:00am. The space was packed and they had over 12 priests. The day we came was cold. It's open air so remember to bring a jacket. I would definitely come back!

9. Casa De Francisco & Jacinta Marto

Rua dos Pastorinhos, Fatima 2495-301, Portugal
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 395 reviews

Casa De Francisco & Jacinta Marto

Reviewed By Esther P - Chicago, Illinois

The village is about 2 km away from the Fatima shrine and worth visiting. If you don't have your own transportation, there is a tourist train you can take that makes a stop there. There are two houses you can visit for free; and a museum that charges a small admission. There are also a few souvenir stores.

10. Casa De Lucia

Rua dos Pastorinhos, Fatima 2495-301, Portugal
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 359 reviews

Casa De Lucia

Reviewed By Mary3131 - Phoenix, Arizona

A must see to understand how the children and families lived in 1917. Our tour guide Nelson provided far greater explanations than the small plaques in each room.

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