What better way to explore the rich cultural and religious history of Portugal than going on a full day trip to the beautiful towns of Fàtima, Nazaré, Batalha and Obidos. And that’s what we did on our visit to Portugal last winter.
If you are visiting Lisbon, then this day trip is a must-visit in your itinerary. I suggest that you go on a small group tour for a more personalized experience. This whole day trip will take almost 9-10 hours. I know it’s too long, but trust me, it’s totally worth it.
The trip starts from central Portuguese town of Fàtima, that is home to the Sanctuary of Fàtima, a Catholic pilgrimage site. This rural village became an important pilgrimage site when three shepherd children reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917. This sanctuary dedicated to Virgin Mary attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. After visiting the sanctuary we were taken to a showroom to buy souvenirs.
Our next stop was Batalha, a small town amidst the hills of the Leiria area. The town itself is a small place and not much to rave about. But it became a place of importance upon building of the most impressive monastery-Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Batalha Monastery was built in 14th century to celebrate the Portuguese victory over the Castillians. Built in the Gothic style, it is a stunning piece of work.
Nazaré is the most popular fishing town in Portugal. This pretty seaside resort town has beautiful unspoilt beach. Nazaré is a most sought-after summer retreat for the Portuguese. We had lunch in one of the local restaurants in Nazaré. It is famous for it’s variety of restaurants and cafes. The town offered us an interesting insight into local life. After a photo stop at the Nazaré Cliffs, we continued our journey through the scenic villages and the cliff-lined coast.
Medieval town of Obidos was our final stop after that we headed back to Lisbon. Obidos was the best part of our trip. It is one of the most picturesque places that I’ve ever visited.
Obidos is a beautiful and historic walled town, this small town is filled with cobbled streets and traditional houses. The entire town is encircled by the solid city walls. We visited many wine shops and also sampled the Ginja liqueur(A must-try, if you are visiting Portugal). It was fun, exploring the medieval fortress, narrow streets and colorful houses.
From Obidos we headed back to Lisbon.Thus ended our wonderful day trip.
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