To Do in Fátima
While the religious site is really the only main attraction in Fátima, it is huge and can easily keep you busy for the day. The various buildings are anchored by a square that is twice the size of St. Peter's Square in Rome. The busiest days of each month are the 13th but planning ahead is critical on May 13th and October 13th of each year as they are the dates commemorating the apparition anniversary. 2017 marks the centennial celebration of the Virgin Mary appearing to three shepherd children. The Pope himself will be in Fátima to mark the occasion making it even more attractive to Catholic pilgrims in the coming year.
The primary building at the shrine is the Basilica of Our
Lady of Fátima, a stunning Neoclassical church begun on May 13,
1928. The Chapel of Apparitions is an open air chapel that is built
on the site of the appearances. If you can't make it in person, you
can virtually visit via the high resolution webcam! There is a
Berlin Wall monument with an actual portion of the Berlin Wall,
various versions of the Stations of the Cross, and numerous statues
and paths connecting this enormous development.