Fátima and Coimbra Day Trip from Porto
Travel to famous Marian apparition sites and medieval university courtyards with an expert guide
Fátima’s story began in quiet pastures and now draws pilgrims from across the world. On this guided day trip from Porto, follow that history from the shepherd children’s homes to the Sanctuary of Fátima. Take time to reflect, walk the pilgrimage grounds, and pause for lunch nearby.Then head to Coimbra. Learn about Portugal’s academic legacy through the historic center and stop by the Pátio das Escolas, the courtyard of the University of Coimbra, one of Europe's oldest universities.
What You Get With This Tour
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Gather at sacred Portuguese sites
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Round-trip minibus transport
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Fátima Sanctuary visit
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Shepherd children’s homes entry
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Coimbra guided walking tour
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Pátio das Escolas visit
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Guide tips
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Lunch
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Hotel pick-up and drop-off
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Coimbra monument entry
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at Calcada de Vandoma
Meet your guide on Calcada de Vandoma, right beside the 12th-century Porto Cathedral. Board an air-conditioned minibus and travel south into the scenic countryside toward Portugal's spiritual heartland. -
2
Visit the shepherd children's homes
Arrive in Aljustrel, a small village tied to the 1917 Marian apparitions, where three shepherd children reported that the Virgin Mary would appear to them once a month with messages about the end of World War I. Despite skepticism, tens of thousands of people flooded the fields by October 1917, and thousands witnessed what believers call the "Miracle of the Sun" (a strange phenomenon where the sun appeared to spin and change color). The event turned this village into a massive global pilgrimage. -
3
Explore the Sanctuary of Fatima
Continue to the Sanctuary of Fatima, one of Catholicism's core pilgrimage destinations. See the vast central plaza, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the open-air Chapel of the Apparitions. -
4
Take time for devotion in Fatima
Enjoy unstructured time across the massive pilgrimage grounds to reflect, pray, or light a candle. Use this free time to purchase lunch at a traditional Portuguese cafe nearby at your own expense. -
5
Walk through historic Coimbra
Next, travel north to Coimbra, Portugal's medieval capital built along the Mondego River and home to one of the oldest operating universities in the world. Follow your guide along steep cobblestone lanes past historic stone facades, medieval arches, and traditional student lodgings. -
6
See the Patio das Escolas
Enter the grand Patio das Escolas, the central courtyard of the University of Coimbra founded in 1290. At this University students still wear wear traditional “Harry-Potter-like" black cloaks. Learn how this UNESCO World Heritage site shaped European scholarship and royal history across centuries. -
7
Your tour finishes at Rua de Alexandre Herculano
Finally, board the minibus for the return drive to Porto, ending at Rua de Alexandre Herculano near Praca da Batalha. Return perfectly situated to enjoy dinner or explore central Porto at night.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible due to walking through historic streets, pilgrimage sites, and uneven areas in Fátima and Coimbra. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about your mobility
Please Note: The transit on your tour may include other groups from other similar tours
Children: Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult
Lunch: Lunch is not included, but you’ll have time to eat during the day at your own expense
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can depart on time
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Round-trip transport from Porto in an air-conditioned minibus
Free time at the Sanctuary of Fátima
Entrance to the homes of the Shepherd Children: Francisco, Jacinta, and Lúcia
Guided walking tour of Coimbra’s historic center
Visit to the Pátio das Escolas
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Comfortable clothes
Water bottle
Government-issued ID
Money for lunch
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this tour is family friendly. Children are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult and should be comfortable with a full-day trip that includes walking in Fátima and Coimbra.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible due to walking through historic streets, pilgrimage sites, and uneven areas in Fátima and Coimbra. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about your mobility.
How long is the drive?
The drive from Porto to Fátima takes about 2 hours, followed by about 45 minutes from Fátima to Coimbra. The return drive from Coimbra to Porto takes about 75 minutes, depending on traffic.
Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included. You’ll have time during the day to purchase food at your own expense.
What is included in Coimbra?
This tour includes a guided walking tour of Coimbra’s historic center and the Pátio das Escolas. Entry to the Coimbra Library, university buildings, or cathedral is not included.
Is hotel pick-up included in this tour?
No, hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included. Please meet your guide at the designated meeting point on Calçada de Vandoma.
