From Lisboa to Fátima
1 pax min.
Which for many Spanish means the Camino de Santiago, means for the Portuguese the Caminho a Fatima, as it represents their main place of pilgrimage.
The story of this sanctuary dates back to 1.917 when three shepherd children (Lucía dos Santos, Jacinta y Francisco Marto) witnessed several times the apparition of the Blessed Virgin in the so-called cave “Cova da Iria”.
The apparition was approved by the Vatican and the Sanctuary of our Lady of Fatima was erected in this place.It’s visited each year by millions of pilgrims who come to the city either by foot or by bus.
In Portugal there are different routes to Fátima, but the best known is the one coming from Lisbon. The first days, this Camino runs along with the Camino de Santiago. If you are interested in walk any other route, please contact Viajes Orbis.
Program
Day 1: Arrival in Lisboa
Transfer to the Hotel in Lisboa Free time to visit the city, most important is the Cathedral of Lisboa, the monastery of Los Jerónimos, the Torre de Belem, the Plaza del Comercio, apart from many museums..
Day 2: From Sacavém to Vila Franca de Xira, 26 km approx.
Transfer to Sacavém to start the walk and leave behind lisboa,which can be a bit tricky and take longer.
The first days we’ll go through very fertile lands as the river Tejo flows near the path. We’ll specially see vineyards and olive groves.
From Sacavém we follow the path to Alpriate. Passing by the villages of Povoa de Santa Iria, Alverca do Ribatejo y Alhandra, we reach the bullring of Vila Franca de Xira. Vila Franca is known by its bullring and horses.
Day 3: From Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja, 19 km approx.
The path is easy walking as the previous day. It also runs through fields and quiet roads. We arrive to Azambuja going through several villages such as Castanheira do Ribatejo and Vila nova de Rainha.
Day 4: From Azambuja to Santarém, 32 km approx.
Again a stage that reminds us the Spanish Meseta because it’s almost all the way plain, but not too dry. It’s an easy stage. Before Santarém there is a small ascent to the city that is located on a hill, which shows that it was a strategic place in wartime.
We reach Santarém going through the villages of Reguengo and Valada. Santarém is always shown as an example of Portuguese Gothic. It’s important to visit the so-called Portas do Sol, remains of a castle on the banks of the river Tejo that today is a park. The Camino de Santiago also passes by this castle. In this city you can visit many churches, the most important are the “Igreja da Piedade” and “Igreja da Senhora da Conceição Nosa”. To visit the old town you can start from the square “Praça Sá da Bandeira”.
Day 5: De Santarém a Alcanena, sobre 35km.
Today we have a fairly long stage but not very hard and very nice. We’ll walk through olive groves, this region is very fertile. We’ll pass through small typical villages of the region.
Day 6: From Alcanena to Fátima, 20 km approx.
This stage is similar to the previous ones and we’ll soon reach Fátima; a place of pilgrimage very important for the Portuguese and one of the most important for Catholics. According to legend, on May 13, 1917 three shepherds had a vision of the Virgin Mary in an open field.
Day 7: Fátima
Free day to visit the Sanctuary of Fatima, attend to a Mass or visit some local attractions including the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta, and the chapel of the Apparitions.
Day 8: Transfer to Pamplona airport or Bilbao. End of the trip
*There is the possibility to extend the stay in Fátima and Lisboa for more nights. When extending your stay, apart from having more time to enjoy the city, we can arrange some excursions. If you are interested in it please don,t hesitate to contact Viajes Orbis
This trip can be combined with the Camino de Santiago Either we can go by walking or we can arrange a transfer to the city of Tomar If you are interested in this alternative, please contact Viajes Orbis.
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