Fátima & Coimbra: Full Day Private Tour from Porto

Find out the Faith-based history behind Fátima, one of the main religious cities in the world, you’ll not only visit the beautiful Sanctuary but visiting also the village where the 3 little shepherds were born.  Discover more about Fatima and the faith the moves many pilgrims every year.

Trough the Afternoon visit Coimbra, student city with one of the oldest universities in Europe, explore the narrow city, important references will be given as you walk along the streets from the city centre.

Enjoy an 8 hours tour accompanied by your expert driver/guide on a private basis.

Your expert guide will collect you at your accommodation and will drive you from Porto to the Fátima, on of the most famous and important sites in Portugal due to the events known as the Apparitions of Fátima, that took place there in 1917.

Discover Fátima, a historic settlement that flourished during the Arabian occupation. Legend has it that during the Christian Reconquest, Templar knight Gonçalo Hermingues fell in love with Fátima, a captured Moor who converted to Christianity and took the name Oureana. In the 16th century, Fátima became a parish within the Diocese of Leiria. Its major development occurred after the Apparitions of Fátima in the early 20th century, making it a renowned center for the Cult of the Virgin Mary, recognized globally by the Catholic Church.

One of the largest Marian centers in the world, Fátima is a major pilgrimage site. It commemorates the apparitions of Our Lady to three shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—in 1917, officially recognized in 1930. These events occurred at Cova da Iria, a rural property owned by Lucia’s parents and later donated to the Shrine, where five of the six apparitions took place.

In 1919, locals built the Chapel at the heart of the current Fátima Sanctuary, fulfilling Our Lady’s request during one of her apparitions. The first mass was held there in 1921.

Despite some changes for preservation, the chapel maintains its original simple hermitage-like design. It marks the spot of the holm-oak tree where the apparitions occurred; the tree gradually disappeared as believers took twigs for souvenirs. This sacred site was where the shepherds and other faithful gathered to pray the rosary.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima, designed by Gerardus van Krieken and completed by João Antunes, had its first stone blessed on May 13, 1928, and was dedicated on October 7, 1953. Pope Pius XII granted it the title of Basilica the following year.

Inside, the basilica features 14 lateral altars dedicated to the mysteries of the Rosary. Stained glass windows and paintings by João de Sousa Araújo depict scenes from the life of Our Lady and the Apparitions of Fátima. The main chapel includes artworks by Maumejean and Sons depicting the Evangelists and scenes of pilgrimage.

In the transept, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, who were canonized in 2017 by Pope Francis at the Shrine of Fátima, are buried.

The three shepherd children to whom Our Lady appeared – Lúcia and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta – were born in the small village of Aljustrel, around 2 kms from the sanctuary of Fátima.

The single-storey cottages formerly inhabited by the little shepherds are very similar in terms of architecture and simplicity and are open to the general public. The house inhabited by the brother and sister, Jacinta and Francisco was built in 1888 and is located around 200 m from the house of their cousin, Lúcia, built in 1885. The House-Museum of Aljustrel is located next to the latter, displaying agricultural implements, cooking utensils, clothes and furniture, in order to demonstrate the everyday lives of local mountain dwellers in the early 20th century.

It’s time for lunch! enjoy a complete portuguese lunch with drinks included!

Before returning to Porto, the tour concludes with a visit to Coimbra. Situated along the river Mondego, Coimbra is renowned for its historic University, the oldest in Portugal and among the oldest in Europe, earning it the moniker “the city of students”.

Your guide will offer insights into the city and its landmarks, including the university with its famous courtyard, tower, and library (entrance fees not included). A panoramic tour will showcase other significant points of interest, highlighting Coimbra’s Romanesque architectural treasures.

As the students’ fado song suggests, “Coimbra has more charm in the hour of parting,” but you might discover its allure well before then…

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available if requested before the tour. Inform us before the tour starts.
• Tour services (wine estates, restaurants, etc.) depend on 3rd party availability and may include other groups.
• Discover Porto in a unique way with a Free Walking Tour with Living Tours, available to all customers who book this activity. Our Free Walking Tour is available on a daily basis, in English and Spanish, at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. departing from Living Tours Agency located in Rua Mouzinho da Silveira 352, 4050-418 Porto

• Fátima & Coimbra: Full Day Private Tour from Porto
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  Pickup included

• Porto City Walking Tour (available from the day after your experience)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Professional guide

• Food and drinks, unless specified

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Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Living Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Lisbon.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 72 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.