Fatima
Portugal's popular religious destination
City Overview
Fatima is located one-hour drive from Lisbon and is surrounded by mountainous parks and villages with stoned houses. Most tourists flock to the spiritual city as it is known for its miracles in the iconic Sanctuary of Fatima.
The most popular times to visit Fatima is between May and October. Many that travel to the sanctuary are facing terminal illnesses or bereavement and looking for religious guidance.
If you want to attend a church service in Fatima the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima has several services per day depending on the day of the week.
The economy of the city relies on religious tourism with numerous shops and stalls devoted to the sale of religious articles and souvenirs.
Getting Around
Fatima is a city located in the district of Santarem situated 130 kilometres from Lisbon (1 hour & 30 minutes’ drive) and around 200 kilometres away from Porto (2 hours’ drive). The nearest airport to Fatima is Lisbon airport, around 100 kilometres away.
Fatima is a small city with a large Bus Station in the city, where buses arrive from cities like Lisbon and Porto which is very close to the sanctuary. The main railway station is 20 kilometres east of the city.
Places to stay
Hotels and B&B´s in Fatima are plentiful and offer good value for money. Whatever type of accommodation you are looking for, you are sure to find it here conveniently located in the sanctuary.
Book well in advance if planning to visit during Easter and another important religious date.
Sightseeing
Fatima is not only known as a religious site but the city is also filled with cultural activities. From lighting a candle at the sanctuary for a loved one to visiting local villages, the city has a lot to offer.
The main square of the Sanctuary of Fatima is larger than the square of the Vatican and can hold thousands of people.
This Basilica, known as “Basilica da Nossa Senhora do Rosário” in Portuguese, is a limestone church built between the 1920s and 50s which has a 65-meter bell tower and a statue of Our Lady of Fatima at the entrance to the church. The church is decorated in Baroque style. 4. Light a candle
A religious highlight in Fatima is lighting a candle. You can purchase candles near the Chapel of Apparitions from €1 and light this in honour of someone.
Cafes & Restaurants
Fatima as a place for pilgrimages and therefore inside the sacred grounds there is no food available. A few minutes away, the city of Fatima is filled with affordable local cafes and restaurant to try typical Portuguese dishes and desserts.
Arcos de Fatima is a typical restaurant using local products and old recipes to produce classic Portuguese dishes at affordable prices.
Kansha is a place to eat vegan food in Fatima. They usually have a vegan buffet as well as offering specials. Kansha also has delicious mouth-watering vegan cakes.
Manhas is 200 meters away from the sanctuary with a modern interior serving traditional Portuguese food. They also have several vegetarian options.
Restaurante O Leque is a “tasca” (tavern) serving classic authentic Portuguese dishes as very reasonable prices.
Tia Alice is a family-run restaurant is a 5-minute drive from the sanctuary and is a Michelin selection. This rustic restaurant with stone walls is probably the most famous restaurant in Fátima so book ahead.
Other
Currency - Euro (EUR)
Language - Portuguese
Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe
Best Time To Visit - March – October
Timezone - Western European Standard Time (GMT)
Homosexual Activity - Legal