Private car transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Fatima

What makes your four-hour-long trip a truly memorable experience are the places you can visit along the way! Pontevedra can be the first stop on your itinerary. It’s alive both day and night and was formerly Galicia’s capital port city. It is very well known by travelers who are devoted to the Camino de Santiago for the Peregrina Chapel.

Then, there is Porto, where you’ll arrive approximately halfway through the journey—this deserves a longer stop. Its stately bridges connecting the hills over the Douro River and cellars preserving the world-famous Porto wines will leave you head over heels in love with this city.

In 1917, three small shepherd children claimed that they witnessed the Virgin Mary apparition in the middle of the fields where the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima is now located. On October 13, 1917, another remarkable event followed Fatima: the Miracle of the Sun. A crowd of 70,000 people gathered where the miracle of the Virgin happened, just to witness another miracle before their eyes.

According to many eyewitnesses, the sun looked as if it were dancing, its colors kept changing, and it moved towards the earth in a zigzag pattern. The feeling of these wonders lingers around the city. Monuments and statues are dedicated to them, and the sanctuary conveys their significance to its visitors every day.

Learn some basic words and phrases

Spanish and Portuguese are not interchangeable, so knowing basic phrases in both languages can help you interact with locals in a warmer approach. English is widely spoken in most areas, but keep your translation app ready in hand. Having a sense of the local language is always a way to understand the culture through specific expressions and different phrases.

Visit religious sites on the way

The route from Santiago de Compostela to Fatima is one with religious significance, just like each city at both ends. In addition to Porto and Pontevedra, consider stopping at smaller towns known for their monasteries and churches.

Santiago de Compostela to Fatima by private car service

Private car service is the most convenient and direct option apart from driving yourself. Traveling with Daytrip helps you have a clear mind and focus on only the good parts of a journey: sightseeing, chilling in the car, having refreshment stops whenever you’d like, learning tips about Spain and Portugal, and watching the views you’re passing by. All while communicating easily with your English-speaking driver. Daytrip is also the only travel option where you can stop for sightseeing at places like Pontevedra, or the beautifully tiled Church of Valega.

Book your door-to-door trip and leave the rest to us. Your Daytrip journey starts at a price of approximately €481 ($524) for a private sedan. If you’re traveling in a group, a van can be under €100 per person!

Santiago de Compostela to Fatima by rental car

You can rent a car or use your private car to get from Santiago de Compostela to Fatima. You’ll be driving approximately 280 miles (450 km), which will take around six hours. While you’ll have the flexibility to stop whenever you want, choosing this option comes with the car rental contract, driving according to foreign traffic rules, fuel costs, parking, and tolls. It doesn’t make much sense unless you’re going to do some extra exploring outside of Fatima.

Santiago de Compostela to Fatima by plane

This is the worst option since there are no direct flights from Santiago de Compostela to Fatima. In fact, Fatima doesn’t have an airport. You can fly from Santiago de Compostela to Lisbon, but from there, you have to continue by bus. The flight itself lasts only an hour, but in total, it will not be any shorter than traveling by bus. The flight to Lisbon can cost from $114 to $235, and then the bus from Lisbon to Fatima is at least $10.

A holy stop for pilgrims: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima

If you are on a pilgrimage, stopping by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, is simply a must. This large and glimmering white complex hosts millions of pilgrims every year to celebrate Fatima’s spiritual significance. The centerpiece is the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children in 1917.

Modern and sacred: the Basilica of the Holy Trinity

The Basilica of the Holy Trinity has been standing tall as a marvel of contemporary religious architecture since it was opened in 2007. The massive and circular space can hold more than 8,000 believers, who are there to admire its minimalist altar and impressive crucifix. Walking along the collection of religious art is highly recommended for a deeper understanding and fascination.

A divine walk: the Via Sacra

Walking along the Via Sacra will grant you a deeper and more reflective experience of the apparitions. This walk follows the path the shepherd children took, and 14 chapels will greet you on the way, the last one being the Chapel of Calvary. In this chapel, you’ll find a piece of the Berlin Wall, which symbolizes peace.

If you are a traveler who is looking for a more peaceful and calmer experience with fewer crowds, it is better for you to plan your trip from Santiago de Compostela to Fatima to avoid these specific dates and the immediate days surrounding them. You’ll have more space and time for personal reflection and easier access to Fatima’s sacred sites.

In the shoulder seasons (spring and fall), expect temperatures to be mild, at around 60° to 68° Fahrenheit. During summer months, temperatures are in the 70s, while in winter, it gets a bit chilly in the mid-to-low 50s.