Private day tour of Fatima and Coimbra from Lisbon

The famous Marian Sanctuary of Fatima is without a doubt one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the world. Millions of people come here annually to pay homage to the three shepherd children who witnessed the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the fields of “Cova da Iria”. Free time to attend Mass (optional), visit the Chapel of the Apparitions where you can see the image of the Virgin Mary. We will also visit the Basilica where we can find the tombs of Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco (the last two were canonized by Pope Francis on May 2017, thus becoming the youngest saints of the Catholic Church). As we continue, we will visit the modern church of the Blessed Trinity of Fatima, seating 8,633 people and with an area of 40,000 square meters. The church was designed and projected by the Greek architect, Alexandros Tombazis. Time to shop for religious items (optional).

The village where the three shepherd children, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco, were born and lived. Visit their family’s limestone houses. It use to be an isolated and poor area in the interior of Portugal but nonetheless very beautiful.

The city of Coimbra recognized internationally for its prominent university (one of the oldest in Europe), was the capital of Portugal until 1255. The city of Knowledge, as it is known, breathes culture everywhere, from the banks of the Mondego River to the hills where the university is located. Here we can visit the Johannine Library, considered by the British newspaper “The Telegraph”, the most amazing library in the world. Its construction was ordered by King Joao V. This baroque-style library of indescribable beauty and wealth, was the result of the cultural vision of the richest monarch in Europe at that time. His royal safes were overflowing with gold from “Minas Gerais” in Portugal’s colony of Brazil. Free time to walk around the center of town and visit the Santa Cruz Church where we can find the tombs of the first king of Portugal, King Afonso I and of his son King Sancho I. (entrance fees apply)