Fátima
The Sanctuary where Our Lady appeared in 1917, with a Rosary and candle procession every night, and the shepherd children's hamlet two kilometers away
Fátima is a Sanctuary built around the place where, from 13 May to 13 October 1917, Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children, Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The Bishop of Leiria declared the visions worthy of belief in 1930, and Francisco and Jacinta were canonized at Fátima on 13 May 2017. A pilgrim plans around the Sanctuary's timetable: the Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions (the Capelinha, "little chapel"), Mass in several languages in summer, and the Rosary and candle procession at 21:30 every night of the year, which the Sanctuary has held daily since February 2025. The tombs of Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia are in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. About two kilometers south, the hamlet of Aljustrel holds the children's homes, and the paths to Valinhos, the Loca do Cabeço and the Hungarian Calvary lead back to the Sanctuary. The 12th and 13th of each month from May to October are very large pilgrimages, and 12 to 13 May and 12 to 13 October are the biggest. Lisbon is about 120 kilometers south, a coach ride of about an hour and twenty minutes: see Lisbon and how to get to Fátima. Checked against the Sanctuary's timetable at fatima.pt on 31 October 2026.
Fly over Fátima in 3DA tour of the field where Our Lady appearedStart the tourTop sites
The Saints of Fátima
Saint Francisco MartoBorn in Aljustrel, died at home in 1919. He was canonized by Pope Francis at Fátima on 13 May 2017, and his feast is 20 February. His tomb is in the right transept of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Saint Jacinta MartoDied in a Lisbon hospital on 20 February 1920 and was canonized with her brother on 13 May 2017. Her tomb is in the left transept of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and she is remembered in Lisbon too.
Venerable Lúcia dos SantosThe eldest of the three seers, who became a Dorothean sister and then a Carmelite in Coimbra, where she died on 13 February 2005. She was declared Venerable on 22 June 2023 and is buried beside Jacinta.
Saint Stephen of HungaryThe first king of Hungary, to whom the chapel at the end of the Via Sacra is dedicated by the Hungarian Catholics who built it.
Saint Elizabeth of PortugalThe queen who is buried at the Monastery of Saint Clare-a-Nova in Coimbra, a stop for pilgrims who visit Coimbra for Lúcia's Carmel.
Beyond the churches
Views, walks and the town between the churches.
The free films in the North Colonnade
The Sanctuary runs a film room under the North Colonnade with 55 seats, free, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on Sundays and holidays. Films include "Apparition" (90 minutes, in seven languages) and "Fátima, Experience of Faith" (40 minutes, twelve languages). Book through the Information Post (postoinfo@fatima.pt). We checked the Sanctuary's page on 31 October 2026.
Itineraries
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Collections
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5 sitesThe Sanctuary of FátimaThe chapel, two basilicas and museums around the Cova da Iria
5 sitesWhere the Shepherd Children of Fátima LivedTheir houses, the well and the baptismal font in the old village
5 sitesMarian Shrines of Spain and PortugalFátima, the Pilar, Montserrat, Guadalupe and Atocha, each with its own beginning
Featured Events
Good to know
The Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions and the candle procession in the Prayer Area are at 21:30 every night. The Sanctuary has held them daily all year since February 2025, summer and winter, weather permitting. We checked the Sanctuary's timetable at fatima.pt on 31 October 2026.
Article · 6 minThe Daily Program at Fátima: Rosary, Masses and the Candle ProcessionReadFrom May to October the 12th and 13th are anniversary pilgrimages: on the 12th a 21:30 Rosary and candle procession, and on the 13th the international Rosary at 9:00 and the Mass at 10:00 with the farewell procession. From November to April the 13th has a Rosary at 10:00 and Mass at 11:00 in the Trinity basilica. The town is full, so book rooms early.
Article · 7 minThe 12th and 13th at FátimaReadThese are the biggest pilgrimages, with hundreds of thousands of people on 12 to 13 May. In 2027, 12 May is a Wednesday and 13 May a Thursday, and 12 October a Tuesday and 13 October a Wednesday. The night of the 12th to the 13th has adoration, a Way of the Cross and a Marian celebration, and the Mass is at 10:00 on the 13th.
Article · 6 minThe May and October Pilgrimages at FátimaReadBy direct coach from Lisbon, which FlixBus lists at a shortest trip of 1 hour 20 minutes over 119 km (checked 31 October 2026); the railway station called Fátima is 23 to 27 kilometers away, so the coach is simpler. Lisbon's own guide has the coach details and day-trip plans.
Article · 5 minGetting to Fátima from Lisbon, Porto and the AirportsReadTwo nights make a good first pilgrimage: one evening with the procession, a full day for the children's places, and a second evening. One night is the minimum if you can, and a day trip from Lisbon works if you confirm the last coach back before planning to stay for the 21:30 procession.
Article · 6 minHow Many Days in FátimaReadOn foot or by taxi. Aljustrel is about two kilometers south of the Sanctuary, and the Via Sacra starts at the south roundabout about 1.4 kilometers away. The Aljustrel houses close for lunch around 12:45 to 14:00, so go in the morning from 9:00 or after 14:30.
Article · 6 minAljustrel, Valinhos and the Loca do CabeçoReadIn the Chapels of Reconciliation on the lower floor of the Trinity basilica, every day from 7:30 to 19:30, with a lunch closure from 13:00 to 14:00 on weekdays. The Sanctuary publishes no language rota, so look for the language signs rather than count on English at a set hour.
Article · 6 minMass and Confession in English at FátimaReadThe Sanctuary's own houses, the Casa de Retiros de Nossa Senhora das Dores and Nossa Senhora do Carmo, take individual pilgrims and are booked at booking.fatima.pt. Religious communities run other guesthouses near the Sanctuary. Walking pilgrims have a separate reception.
Article · 5 minWhere to Stay in FátimaReadThe Bishop of Leiria approved the 1917 apparitions as worthy of belief in 1930. Private revelations, even approved ones, are not an article of faith, so a Catholic is free to pray at Fátima without being bound to believe them.
Article · 7 minHas the Church Approved Fátima?ReadWear covered shoulders and knees in the chapels and basilicas, comfortable walking shoes for the stony paths to Aljustrel and the Via Sacra, and a jacket in winter, when nights on the plateau are cold.
Article · 5 minWhat to Wear and How to Behave at FátimaReadYes. A walking pilgrim's certificate, Via Pacis, was launched on 13 October 2026 and certificates are issued from 29 November. The Sanctuary's credential costs 2 euros, and the minimum walk is 13 kilometers. Walkers have a reception house at the Casa Dores.
Article · 8 minWalking to Fátima: The Routes and the CertificateReadNot announced. The Bishop of Leiria-Fátima invited Pope Leo XIV for 13 May 2027, but neither the Holy See nor the Sanctuary has announced a visit or a date.
Article · 5 minPopes at Fátima and a Possible Visit in 2027ReadCatholic stays
The Sanctuary itself takes individual pilgrims in two houses beside the Prayer Area: the Casa de Retiros de Nossa Senhora das Dores on the north side by the Chapel of the Apparitions, and the Casa de Retiros de Nossa Senhora do Carmo on the south side by the museum, with the Pastoral Center of Paul VI to the west. Rooms are booked at booking.fatima.pt or hospedagem@fatima.pt, reception is open around the clock, and rooms include breakfast. Prices appear only in the booking engine. Religious communities near the Sanctuary run other guesthouses, described in the article.
Article · The full guide to every stay · 5 min readWhere to Stay in FátimaThe Sanctuary's own retreat houses, religious-run hotels, which area to choose, and lodging for walkersRead the guideArticles
See all- Aljustrel, Valinhos and the Loca do Cabeço6 min read
Visiting sitesCandles, Wax Offerings and Blessed Objects at Fátima5 min read
PlanningCombining Fátima with Lourdes and Santiago6 min read
Day Trips From Fátima: Batalha, Alcobaça, Nazaré, Tomar and Ourém7 min read
Visiting sitesFátima Museums and the Film Room5 min read
PracticalFátima With Children or Limited Mobility5 min read
Getting aroundGetting Around Fátima: Parking, Taxis and the Town5 min read- Getting aroundGetting to Fátima from Lisbon, Porto and the Airports5 min read
- Has the Church Approved Fátima?7 min read
Feasts and seasonsHoly Week, Easter and Christmas at Fátima6 min read- PlanningHow Many Days in Fátima6 min read
PlanningIs Fátima Worth Visiting or Too Commercial?4 min read- Mass and sacramentsMass and Confession in English at Fátima6 min read
PlanningOrganizing a Group Pilgrimage to Fátima6 min read- Feasts and seasonsPopes at Fátima and a Possible Visit in 20275 min read
Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto5 min read
Sister Lúcia and the Carmel of Coimbra6 min read- Feasts and seasonsThe 12th and 13th at Fátima7 min read
PlanningThe Best Time to Visit Fátima and the Weather5 min read- Mass and sacramentsThe Daily Program at Fátima: Rosary, Masses and the Candle Procession6 min read
- Feasts and seasonsThe May and October Pilgrimages at Fátima6 min read
The Miracle of the Sun on 13 October 19176 min read
The Statue of Our Lady of Fátima and the Bullet Crown5 min read
The Three Parts of the Secret of Fátima and the Consecration of Russia8 min read
The Via Sacra and the Path on the Knees at Fátima5 min read
PlanningVisiting the Sanctuary of Fátima for the First Time7 min read- Walking to Fátima: The Routes and the Certificate8 min read
What Happened at Fátima in 1916 and 19178 min read- Visiting sitesWhat to Wear and How to Behave at Fátima5 min read
PracticalWhere to Eat in Fátima3 min read- StayingWhere to Stay in Fátima5 min read
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