Caminho de Fátima

In short: Caminho de Fátima: from Lisbon to Fátima. Length: around 150 km from Lisbon, duration: 6 to 7 days. Best time: Spring and autumn.

Overview

Fátima is one of the largest Marian shrines in the world. In 1917 three shepherd children reported apparitions of Mary there, and since then pilgrims have come from all over the world, especially on 13 May and 13 October.

The Caminho do Tejo starts at the cathedral in Lisbon and follows the Tagus to Santarém, then runs through the Serra de Santo António, the most strenuous part of the route. As far as Santarém it shares the path with the Way of St James. The blue arrows point to Fátima, the yellow ones to Santiago.

Some daily stages are long, and there is little shade on the way, so go in spring or autumn. You can get a pilgrim passport for a small donation.

Main stops: Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira, Azambuja, Santarém, Fátima.

On foot from Lisbon to Fátima

In 1917 the apparitions of Mary to three shepherd children made Fátima one of the great shrines of the Catholic world. From Lisbon the route runs together with the Portuguese Way as far as the turn-off. The waymarking for Fátima is blue, the one for Santiago yellow.

The route is flat but at first runs along roads and through suburbs. It gets nicer after Santarém, when the path leaves the Tagus valley.

Dates in Fátima

The big pilgrimage days are 13 May and 13 October. Tens of thousands are on the roads then, and accommodation books up early. If you want peace, choose another date.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 150 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

This route suits a first pilgrimage well. You need no mountain experience, normal basic fitness and broken-in shoes are enough.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 40 to 50 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 9 days that comes to roughly 350 to 450 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Portugal, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.