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The Sanctuary of Fátima with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary above the esplanade

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Christian · Fátima (Ourém), Portugal

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima visiting guide, cost & rules

Fátima is where, in 1917, three shepherd children of Aljustrel, Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, said Our Lady appeared to them six times in the Cova da Iria.

Photo: Terry Kearney from liverpool, merseyside · CC0 · source

Duration1 day
Starts fromLisbon
Cost from₹1,900 each
Stops4
Best timeThe great pilgrimages are on 12-13 May (first apparition) and 12-13 October (last apparition, the 'miracle of the sun'), with a candlelight procession on the night of the 12th and the international Mass on the 13th; the 13th of each month from May to October is also a pilgrimage day
Good forSolo, Couples, Families, Groups

Fátima is where, in 1917, three shepherd children of Aljustrel, Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, said Our Lady appeared to them six times in the Cova da Iria. The Catholic Church recognised the apparitions, and Francisco and Jacinta were canonised in 2017. The Sanctuary is now one of the world's largest Marian shrines, with the small Chapel of the Apparitions (Capelinha) at its heart, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary where the three seers are buried, and the modern Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. It received nearly 6.5 million pilgrims in 2025; many walk from Lisbon or approach the Chapel on their knees as a vow.

Step 2 of 8Next: Visiting rules

Visiting rules

Opening hoursSanctuary grounds open all day; celebrations follow the summer timetable from Easter to 31 Oct 2026: Mass 11:00 (Holy Trinity Basilica Mon-Sat, Prayer Esplanade Sun), 12:30 (Capelinha Mon-Sat, Basilica Sun); Masses in the Capelinha in Italian 8:00 daily, English 15:30 Mon-Fri, Spanish 19:15 daily; Rosary 14:00 daily (also 16:00 Sat-Sun) and 18:30; candle procession 21:30 daily except Thursday. Winter timetable from 1 Nov. Source: fatima.pt summer timetable notice, 9 Apr 2026.
Entry feeFree
What to wearNo official dress code published. Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered, hats off in churches) is the common guidance.
PhotographyNo general photography ban found. The Sanctuary's rules ask that flash and lights never disturb celebrations; drones are not allowed. Respect pilgrims' privacy, especially those praying or walking on their knees.

Visiting with respect

  • Keep silence around the Capelinha; the Sanctuary describes silence and contemplation as essential.
  • Do not cross or photograph closely the pilgrims moving on their knees along the marked path towards the Capelinha; they are keeping a promise (promessa).
  • Light candles only at the candle stands, and follow the stewards' directions during processions.

Official website ↗

Hours and rules can change for festivals and services. Check the official site on the day.

Step 3 of 8Next: Getting there

The route, stop by stop

The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.

Route

Stops

Chapel of the Apparitions (Capelinha) and the candle procession → Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary → Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity → Aljustrel and Valinhos · Directions in Google Maps ↗

  1. 1
    Rede Expressos bus from Lisbon Sete Rios to Fátima, about 1 h 30 min, roughly €5-15 one way depending on how early you book; the bus station is a short walk from the Sanctuary. Free entry Map ↗
  2. 2
    At the head of the Prayer Esplanade (Recinto de Oração), a few minutes' walk from the Capelinha; tombs of Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta Map ↗
  3. 3
    Opposite end of the esplanade from the Rosary Basilica Map ↗
  4. 4
    Walk about 2 km along the pilgrim path (30-40 min) to the seers' houses in Aljustrel, then continue to Valinhos and the Loca do Anjo, where the 4th apparition and the angel's apparitions are marked. Houses reported free to enter Map ↗

Travel legs add up to about ₹930 per person.

Step 4 of 8Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.

Your group₹3,800
Couple · from Lisbon
Per person₹1,900

A do-it-yourself budget for the visit: local transport and any entry fee. Donations and guided tours are extra.

Step 5 of 8Next: What to book

What to book ahead

Step 6 of 8Next: Stay & food

Where to stay and eat

Stay

Fátima is full of pilgrim hotels and church guesthouses close to the Sanctuary. Budget hotels list from about €33-45 a night (about ₹3,100-4,200) for a double, mid-range from about €54-73 (₹5,000-6,800); prices climb sharply around 13 May and 13 October.

Food

Restaurants and cafés around the Sanctuary serve simple Portuguese set meals: grilled fish or meat, soup, bread and salad, with bacalhau (salt cod) everywhere. Pastelarias do coffee and pastries for a cheap breakfast. Vegetarian options exist but are limited outside soups and salads, so ask.

Local tip: Stay for the 21:30 Rosary and candle procession at the Capelinha (any night except Thursday): buy a candle from the stands, join the crowd on the esplanade, and the procession is the moment Fátima makes sense.
Step 7 of 8Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How many days do you need for Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima?

1 day, starting from Lisbon (Humberto Delgado airport, LIS; Rede Expressos bus from Sete Rios).

What is the best time for Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima?

The great pilgrimages are on 12-13 May (first apparition) and 12-13 October (last apparition, the 'miracle of the sun'), with a candlelight procession on the night of the 12th and the international Mass on the 13th; the 13th of each month from May to October is also a pilgrimage day. In 2024 the May pilgrimage drew about 450,000 people, so book rooms months ahead and expect road closures. For a quiet visit, come on a weekday outside those dates. The summer timetable runs from Easter to 31 October; a winter timetable applies from 1 November.

How much does Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima cost?

From about ₹1,900 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹930.

What needs to be booked in advance?

No ticket for the Sanctuary: Entry to the Sanctuary, the Capelinha, the basilicas and the processions is free. There is no booking for individuals; groups can register their pilgrimage with the Sanctuary. Rooms for 12-13 May and 12-13 October (must book): Book a room months ahead for the anniversary pilgrimages, or plan a day trip from Lisbon by the early Rede Expressos bus and book the return bus in advance too. Times change on 1 November: Summer timetable (Easter to 31 October): daily candle procession at 21:30 except Thursdays (Eucharistic procession instead); Mass in English at 15:30 Monday-Friday in the Capelinha. Check fatima.pt for the winter timetable that starts on 1 November.

Where do pilgrims stay?

Fátima is full of pilgrim hotels and church guesthouses close to the Sanctuary. Budget hotels list from about €33-45 a night (about ₹3,100-4,200) for a double, mid-range from about €54-73 (₹5,000-6,800); prices climb sharply around 13 May and 13 October.

What about food?

Restaurants and cafés around the Sanctuary serve simple Portuguese set meals: grilled fish or meat, soup, bread and salad, with bacalhau (salt cod) everywhere. Pastelarias do coffee and pastries for a cheap breakfast. Vegetarian options exist but are limited outside soups and salads, so ask.

Step 8 of 8Next: Sources

Sources and last check

Checked 16 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.

  • fatima.pt OfficialSummer timetable from Easter 2026: Mass, foreign-language Mass, Rosary times; candle procession 21:30 daily except Thursday (article dated 9 Apr 2026)
  • fatima.pt OfficialWinter timetable starts 1 November and runs to Easter
  • fatima.pt OfficialSilence and contemplation essential; flash must not disturb celebrations; drones banned; respect pilgrims' privacy
  • fatima.pt OfficialMay 2024 pilgrimage about 450,000 faithful; candle procession 250,000 on 12 May
  • gov.uk OfficialTerrorist attacks cannot be ruled out; wildfire risk April-October; no advise-against
  • infovaticana.com12-13 Oct 2026 international anniversary pilgrimage: Rosary, processions, vigil, international Mass on the 13th; closes the May-October cycle
  • ncregister.comMay 2026 pilgrimage; nearly 6.5 million pilgrims in 2025
  • rome2rio.comRede Expressos Sete Rios-Fátima about 1 h 30 min, hourly; fares about €6-19
  • omio.co.ukRede Expressos Lisbon-Fátima 1 h 30 min-1 h 50 min
  • lorenzigo.comAljustrel about 2 km, 30-40 min walk; three houses free to enter
  • en.wikipedia.orgValinhos site of the 4th apparition and Loca do Anjo
  • expedia.frFátima hotels from about €33-45 budget, €54-73 mid-range

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Terry Kearney from liverpool, merseyside · CC0 · source · Photo: Petr Adam Dohnálek · CC BY-SA 3.0 cz · source · Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source · Photo: Reis Quarteu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Reis Quarteu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

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