About

Fátima Walking Routes

Religious and cultural routes that offer true spirituality

The Fátima Walking Routes are a network of religious and cultural itineraries that start at various locations and end at the Sanctuary of Fatima, one of the world’s greatest pilgrimage destinations.
Developed or certified by the National Culture Centre (Centro Nacional de Cultura), that owns the project and the brand, in partnership with multiple institutions and in conjunction with the Sanctuary of Fátima.
They offer pilgrims and hikers safe and pleasant conditions, in communion with nature and religious and cultural experiences. An opportunity to enjoy landscapes, colours and flavours, in contact with welcoming people.

Who we are

The National Culture Center (Centro Nacional de Cultura) is a private cultural association of public utility founded in 1945. It promotes historical memory and contemporary creation, strengthens the debate on culture and active citizenship, and its main lines of action are the defense, dissemination and enhancement of cultural heritage.
It develops national and international activities and projects, particularly cultural itineraries.

The following entities are partners of the National Culture Centre in the development of these Paths:

Institutional Partners

Fátima Walking Routes Association (ACF)
ACISO – Trade, Industry and Services Association of Ourém
Via Lusitana Pilgrims Association
Association of Friends of the Portuguese Way of St James
Intermunicipal Community of Médio Tejo
Regional Tourism Authority of the Lisbon Region
Regional Tourism Authority of Alentejo
Regional Tourism Authority of the Centre
Regional Tourism Authority of Porto and Northern Portugal
The Order of Malta
Sanctuary of Fátima
Turismo de Portugal

Municipalities
Local authorities in whose territory the Ways of Fatima are located

Águeda • Albergaria-a-Velha • Alcanena • Alcobaça • Alenquer • Alvaiázere • Anadia • Ansião • Azambuja • Barcelos • Batalha • Cartaxo • Coimbra • Condeixa-a-Nova • Lisboa • Loures • Maia • Matosinhos • Mealhada • Nazaré • Oliveira de Azeméis • Ourém • Paredes de Coura • Penela • Ponte de Lima • Porto • Porto de Mós • Póvoa de Varzim • Rio Maior • Santa Maria da Feira • Santarém • São João da Madeira • Valença • Vila do Conde • Vila Franca de Xira • Vila Nova de Gaia

Cultural Tour Operators
Companies certified by the National Centre of Culture with activities within the scope of the Ways of Fatima

Outmore
Portugal A2Z Walking & Biking
Portugal Green Walks
Upstream Portugal
ViagePortugal

Brand

These pilgrimage itineraries are identified by the Fátima Walking Routes brand, which incorporates symbolic elements: a holm oak, a place of appearance of the virgin to the little shepherds, a characteristic tree of Fatima landscape and a botanical species protected in Portugal (quercus ilex); blue color, symbol of the blue sky and the atmospheric ambience that is experienced directly in the Sanctuary and the surrounding space.
The trademark is owned by the Centro Nacional de Cultura and its use requires authorization.

Pilgrim’s Credentials for the Fátima Walking Routes

Over the centuries, all those who embarked on a pilgrimage to a holy place enjoyed safe conduct to help them through the difficulties of their journey. Nowadays, walkers and pilgrims have access to the Pilgrim’s Credential, which helps them identify themselves and which is also proof of the completion of these cultural and spiritual itineraries.

What is the Credential for?

The credential is like a passport, certifying your passage through the various stages of the Ways of Fatima. It can be stamped at each stop made during the walk, at a host organisation which will use its own stamp for this purpose (tourist office, parish, hotel, hostel, restaurant, or other institution). It thus certifies that the Way of Fatima has taken place.
The only official and valid credential is the one issued by the National Culture Centre.

Where can I get the Credential?

The credential can be picked up at the headquarters of the National Culture Centre (CNC) in Lisbon. It can also be requested from the CNC by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+351 21 346 67 22). It can be sent by post, with the cost of the respective postage being the responsibility of those who request it.
It is also available at some sites of reference officially recognised by the National Culture Centre:
– Camino de Santiago Hostels
– Carmel of St Teresa in Coimbra
– Sacavém Ceramics Museum
– Lisbon Cathedral
– Porto Cathedral
– Tourist Offices

In order to ensure the continued production of Credentials, the National Culture Centre would appreciate a voluntary donation of €2 per credential, which can be transferred to the following NIB/IBAN: PT 50 0033 0000 4523 7586 5850 5. 

Rua António Maria Cardoso 68
1249-101 Lisboa . Portugal
E-mail: [email protected] • Website: cnc.pt