Private Tour to Fátima, Alcobaça or Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos

Arriving at Fátima, the “Altar of the World”, where Our Lady is said to have appeared to three young shepherds. You shall go across Central Square, visiting the most significant spots (such as the original Chapel of the Apparitions and the main Basilica where we have the tombs of the three young shepherds). Now, you also have a new contemporary church, the Holy Trinity Church, which is considered the 4th biggest Catholic Church in the world. You can also have a look at the old countryside houses where Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta (the three little shepherds of Fátima), were born, in the early 20th century, in the nearby village of Aljustrel.

Óbidos is a beautiful small medieval town, still surrounded by the old city walls. It is famous for its very well preserved atmosphere of a traditional Portuguese town, where the whitewashed houses are very carefully decorated with lovely colored flowerbeds. This village used to be a gift from our kings to their queens across the centuries! Walking in the town center and climbing up to the ramparts you’ll enjoy incredible views. Before leaving don’t forget to try the famous cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup, the Ginjinha!

Nazaré is a truly genuine fishermen’s town, where even nowadays many elderly local women hang around in their traditional costume: the famous skirt of Nazaré and its 6 petticoats. You shall go to Sítio (top of the cliff perching over the beach) and enjoy the most adorable panorama of the town and adjacent coastline. Don’t leave before finding out every detail about the local legend that gives the town its biblical name.

Besides being a World Heritage site since 1983, the Monastery of Batalha overpowers the small town, due to its dimensions and exquisite late Gothic decoration. Built between the 14th and the 16th centuries, its construction was made after a vow from a Portuguese king, John I, to the Virgin Mary before a battle against the Spaniards. The vow was accomplished, with the victory of the Portuguese in the Aljubarrota battle in 1385, and this masterpiece was raised. Inside you will have the opportunity to admire the artistic tombs of some of the most important Portuguese characters at that time, including John I or Prince Henry the Navigator, the “Father of the Portuguese Discoveries”

Alcobaça is famous for its 12th century Monastery which is not only a beautiful early Gothic architectural example, but also accommodates the monuments in honour of King D. Pedro I and D. Inês de Castro (characters of a real romantic Portuguese story from the 14th century, very similar to “Romeo and Juliet”), made in magnificent stone handwork. The monastery is also classified by UNESCO. After visiting the building, you certainly won’t resist strolling across the lovely town center, between two water streams, which a long time ago helped name the area: Alcoa and Baça.