Portugal · CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE
Fátima Catholic pilgrimage guide
An invitation to prayer and peace.
WHY PILGRIMS COME HERE
Fátima draws pilgrims to the Chapel of the Apparitions and the message of prayer, conversion, and peace. The six apparitions ran from May 13 to October 13, 1917. The sanctuary's broad spaces welcome large gatherings, while the nearby village of Aljustrel helps place the story of the shepherd children in its everyday setting.
Key facts
- Apparitions: May 13 to October 13, 1917, on the 13th of each month (August's at Valinhos on the 19th).
- Major anniversary pilgrimages: May 12–13 and October 12–13, with the candlelight procession on the night of the 12th and Mass on the 13th; crowds reach several hundred thousand. Smaller 12th–13th observances occur monthly from May to October.
- Francisco and Jacinta Marto were canonized on May 13, 2017; Lúcia dos Santos died on February 13, 2005, and was declared Venerable in 2022. All three are buried in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
- The Chapel of the Apparitions (Capelinha), built in 1919, stands on the site of the holm oak; the Rosary is prayed there daily in several languages.
- The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, consecrated in October 2007, seats about 8,600 and is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world.
- Aljustrel is about 2 km from the sanctuary. Lisbon is about 130 km south (about 1.5 hours by road or express bus from Sete Rios); Porto is about 200 km (2 hours). Nearest major airport: Lisbon.
WHY PILGRIMS COME HERE
Pilgrim information: Mass, confession, hours and dates
Times are local and published by the sanctuary; verified October 4, 2026. Schedules change for feasts and seasons — confirm before you go.
Sanctuary of Fátima – Chapel of the Apparitions
| Detail | Published information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rosary (daily) | 10:00, 16:00, 18:30 and 21:30 in the Chapel of the Apparitions (day schedule for October 2026); the 21:30 Rosary is followed by the candle procession in the Prayer Area. | Source |
| Rosary mysteries by weekday | The 18:30 Rosary is broadcast live. Mysteries: Sunday and Wednesday Glorious; Monday and Saturday Joyful; Tuesday and Friday Sorrowful; Thursday Luminous. | Source |
| Candlelight procession | 21:30: Rosary in the Chapel of the Apparitions followed by the candle procession in the Prayer Area (as shown on the October 2026 day schedule; check the live schedule for your date). | Source |
| Masses in the Chapel of the Apparitions | Day schedule for 4 and 7 October 2026: 07:00 Mass in Polish; 16:30 Mass in Portuguese; 19:15 Mass in Spanish. | Source |
| Hour of Reparation | 14:00 Hour of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Chapel of the Apparitions (October 2026 day schedule). | Source |
| Eucharistic procession | 17:30 Eucharistic Procession in the Prayer Area (October 2026 day schedule). | Source |
| English-language Mass | Not published online for the dates checked (languages listed: Portuguese, Polish, Spanish; the 11:00 Prayer Area Mass carries no language label). Check the sanctuary's Mass schedule for your date. | Source |
Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima
| Detail | Published information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mass times | Day schedule for 4 and 7 October 2026: 07:30 and 18:30, Mass in Portuguese. The sanctuary publishes a rolling day-by-day schedule rather than a fixed seasonal table. | Source |
Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity
| Detail | Published information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mass times | Day schedule for 4 and 7 October 2026: 09:00, 12:30 and 15:00, Mass in Portuguese. | Source |
| Daily 11:00 Mass | Mass is celebrated every day at 11:00 for the Holy Father; on the day schedule it is listed in the Prayer Area (open-air altar). On the 13th of each month a 15:00 Mass is offered for benefactors. | Source |
| Confession (Chapels of Reconciliation) | Celebrated daily in the Chapels of Reconciliation, lower floor of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. Hours and languages are not published on the static page; check the live schedule (category "Reconciliation"). | Source |
| Eucharistic adoration | Individual adoration available permanently in the Chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament; Thursdays 18:30 Mass followed by communal adoration; Fridays 17:30 communal adoration. May–October the chapel closes 21:30 on the 12th to 07:00 on the 13th. | Source |
| First Saturdays programme | Every first Saturday, all year: 11:00 Mass (Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity); 14:00 Hour of Reparation in the Chapel of the Apparitions with 15 minutes of company to Our Lady; 15:00 meditation and adoration. | Source |
Sanctuary of Fátima – practical
| Detail | Published information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | No single figure is published; the daily schedule runs from the 07:00 Masses to the 21:30 Rosary and procession. Check the sanctuary schedule or call +351 249 539 600. | Source |
| Group pilgrimages / booking | Groups register in writing with the Pilgrims Service (SEPE): sepe@fatima.pt, +351 249 539 608. Private celebrations are limited during the International Anniversary Pilgrimages (12–13 May and October). | Source |
| Entry | No ticketing is mentioned anywhere on the official site. Pilgrims are asked to respect silence and cleanliness in the prayer areas and to keep to scheduled times. | Source |
| First aid / wheelchairs | The First Aid Unit lends wheelchairs free. May–Oct: weekdays 09:30–12:30 and 14:00–17:30; Sat 09:30–12:30, 14:00–20:00, 21:00–23:00; Sun 09:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:30. Nov–Apr: daily 09:30–12:30 and 14:00–17:30. | Source |
| Aljustrel / Valinhos hours | Not published online (the pages describe Valinhos, Loca do Cabeço and the Well of Arneiro without hours). Check the sanctuary's Places of the Apparitions page or call +351 249 539 600. | Source |
| Pilgrim's Itinerary 2025–2027 | Downloadable itineraries for the Sanctuary and for Valinhos and Aljustrel are published in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish and German. | Source |
Key dates
| Date | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| May 12–13 | International Anniversary Pilgrimage, first of the season; private celebrations are limited and the Blessed Sacrament chapel closes at 21:30 on the 12th for the night vigil. | Source |
| 12th–13th of each month, May–October | International Anniversary Pilgrimages: night vigil in the Chapel of the Apparitions beginning with the Rosary; the Blessed Sacrament chapel is closed 21:30 on the 12th to 07:00 on the 13th. | Source |
| October 12, 2026 | Anniversary Pilgrimage: 21:30 international Rosary in the Chapel of the Apparitions, followed by the candlelight procession and celebration at the altar of the Prayer Area. | Source |
| October 13, 2026 | Anniversary Pilgrimage and the Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of Fátima. Detailed times for 13 October are not published on the event page. | Source |
| First Saturday of each month | First Saturdays programme: 11:00 Mass, 14:00 Hour of Reparation, 15:00 meditation and adoration. | Source |
Sacred places to discover
Chapel of the Apparitions
The focal point of prayer at the Cova da Iria, built in 1919 on the spot of the holm oak.
Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary
The basilica holding the tombs of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto and of Venerable Lúcia dos Santos.
Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity
The modern worship space of 2007, seating about 8,600.
Aljustrel and Valinhos
The children's homes about 2 km away, with Valinhos, the Loca do Cabeço, and the Hungarian Stations of the Cross on the walk between.
Make the journey your own
- Pray the Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions
- Walk or ride the 2 km to the shepherds' village
- Leave an evening open for the candlelight procession
When to go
The May 12–13 and October 12–13 anniversary observances are significant and busy, with several hundred thousand pilgrims. Monthly 12th–13th observances from May to October are smaller. Choose dates outside the 12th and 13th if space and a gentle pace matter more; the evening candlelight procession runs nightly in the main season.
Walking & practical expectations
The sanctuary includes large paved spaces that can be hot in summer and exposed in rain. Aljustrel and the Stations route add about 2 km each way beyond the main complex, on a path that can be walked or served by transport.
Suggested pacing is planning guidance. Specific access, liturgies, and services require confirmation.
Planning this pilgrimage
Planning overview
Fátima offers a clear center of gravity: prayer at the Chapel of the Apparitions, worship in the sanctuary, and the story of the shepherd children, who reported six apparitions from May 13 to October 13, 1917. A thoughtful visit connects these without rushing through the large spaces between them.
Understand the sanctuary
The Chapel of the Apparitions (built in 1919 on the site of the holm oak), the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary (where Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto and Venerable Lúcia dos Santos are buried), and the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity (consecrated in October 2007, about 8,600 seats) are distinct places across a wide esplanade. The Rosary is prayed at the Capelinha daily in several languages, and the candlelight procession takes place nightly in the main season. Get oriented before a major gathering so you know where you are meeting and how to return to the hotel.
Visit the wider setting
Aljustrel, where the children lived, is about 2 km from the sanctuary; Valinhos (site of the August 19 apparition), the Loca do Cabeço (the angel apparitions), and the Hungarian Stations of the Cross lie on the walk between them. Decide whether the route will be walked or served by transport. The trip should explain the significance of each place instead of assuming every visitor knows the story already.
Choose dates deliberately
The anniversary pilgrimages of May 12–13 and October 12–13 draw several hundred thousand people, with the candlelight procession on the night of the 12th and Mass on the 13th; smaller 12th–13th observances take place monthly from May to October. Quieter dates suit someone who values easier movement and time for personal prayer. Fátima is about 130 km north of Lisbon (about 1.5 hours by road or express bus from Sete Rios) and 200 km from Porto. Check the actual program and your accommodation's location before choosing between those experiences.
Can I pray the Rosary at Fátima outside a group?
Yes. Personal prayer is central to shrine pilgrimage, and you do not need a tour group to pray the Rosary. The sanctuary is open daily and the Chapel of the Apparitions is accessible for private prayer throughout the day. Follow local directions and avoid disturbing public liturgies or other pilgrims.
If you want to join a scheduled communal Rosary, it is prayed at the Chapel of the Apparitions daily in several languages, and in the main season the evening Rosary leads into the candlelight procession. Check the sanctuary’s current program for times and languages. Private prayer and a scheduled service are different options.
Traveling with your priest? Find his pilgrimage.
Official sources cover institutional information. Suggested pacing and itinerary choices are planning guidance. Check current arrangements for your travel dates.
A ROUTE TO IMAGINE
Journey through Fátima.
Sample itineraries. Confirmed departures and prices have not been announced.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Your questions, answered.
What happens on a pilgrimage to Fátima?
FátimaHow many days should I spend in Fátima?
FátimaWhen is the best time to visit Fátima?
FátimaCan I go to Fátima as a day trip from Lisbon?
FátimaHow do I get from Fátima to Lourdes?
FátimaHow do I get from Lisbon to Fátima by bus or train?
FátimaIs the Sanctuary of Fátima wheelchair accessible?
FátimaCan I attend Mass in English at Fátima?
FátimaWhat are the Mass times at the Sanctuary of Fátima?
FátimaIs Fátima worth visiting, and should I do a day trip or stay overnight?
FátimaFátima pilgrimage dates 2026 and 2027: the 13th of the month, May and October, and the candlelight procession
FátimaThe story of Fátima: 1917, the six apparitions, and the Miracle of the Sun
FátimaHow do I get to Fátima from Porto, and can I do Lisbon, Fátima, and Porto in one trip?
FátimaFátima confession times, Sanctuary hours, and dress code
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