Overview
An eight day, self-guided walking holiday following the Carmelite Route, a Portuguese pilgrimage trail that connects the historically academic city of Coimbra with the sacred town of Fátima. This trail also takes you through Roman history, with some ruins, bridges and pathways along the way, all just part of this ancient and awesome journey. Whether you follow it for contemplation or inspiration, you won’t be short of fine libations, as you also get to walk through the very old wine-making region of Ourém. Important places of worship along the way include the Santa Cruz monastery in Coimbra, Nossa Senhora da Orada Chapel in Granja and, of course, the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima. Accommodation is in a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses, with luggage transfers.
- Castro do Zambujal
- Conímbriga ruins
- Germanelo Castle
- Gramatinha and Ariques Ecological Park
- Fátima
- Sicó-Alvaiázere massifs
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Coimbra
If you arrive in good time, this is a brilliant city to explore. Once Portugal’s medieval capital, Coimbra is home to one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious universities, as well as numerous churches such as Igreja de Santa Cruz, home to the tombs of the first two kings of Portugal.
- Accommodation: Vila Galé Coimbra or similar in Coimbra
Day 2: Coimbra – Condeixa-a-Nova | 17km
Start the day by crossing Rio Mondego, to head out of Coimbra. Take the opportunity to visit several small villages along the way, before crossing the parishes of Antanhol and Cernache. End the day in Condeixa-a-Nova. We recommend taking the time to sample some of the local foodie favourites, such as roasted lamb cabrito, or the sweet pastry escarpiada.
- Accommodation: Conímbriga Hotel do Paço or similar in Condeixa-a-Nova
- Walking for the day: 17km, ↑303m, ↓254m
Day 3: Condeixa-a-Nova – Rabaçal | 14km
Following historical roman pathways, head to the heart of the Conímbriga ruins. Continue on through Rio de Mouros to the site of Castro do Zambujal, a settlement with remains from 3,000BC. End the day in Rabaçal and visit Germanelo Hill, home to a fortress built by the first king of Portugal. A transfer at the end of the day takes you back to the accommodation in Condeixa-a-Nova.
- Accommodation: Conímbriga Hotel do Paço or similar in Condeixa-a-Nova
- Walking for the day: 14km, ↑203m, ↓111m
Day 4: Rabaçal – Ansião | 23km
This morning, a transfer takes you to the starting point of the walk in Rabaçal. Today’s journey leads you across the rural plains of Santiago da Guarda. Along the way, stop off at Granja to visit Nossa Senhora da Orada chapel. The walk ends in Ansião, home to Ponte da Cal bridge, where Saint Queen Elizabeth of Portugal once stopped to quench her thirst and bathe her feet, considered a blessing of the River Nabão.
- Accommodation: Solar da Rainha or similar in Ansião
- Walking for the day: 23km, ↑315m, ↓264m
Day 5: Ansião – Bonfinho | 18km
Start the day by taking the time to try some local specialties, such as pine nut pastries, and lesmas – traditional cinnamon and olive oil biscuits. Begin the walk and head for Gramatinha and Ariques Ecological Park, which has the largest population of Portuguese oak, and is home to over 800 species. Along the way, try not to miss the olho do tordo (eyes of the thrush), which are springs of water that are a geological phenomenon due to the region’s rich limestone landscape. A transfer at the end of the walk takes you back to the accommodation in Ansião.
- Accommodation: Solar da Rainha or similar in Ansião
- Walking for the day: 18km, ↑245m, ↓414m
Day 6: Rio de Couros – Ourém | 17km
This morning, a transfer takes you from Ansião to Rio de Couros. The hike today is dominated by olive groves, chícharo crops and old water mills. On the way to Ourém, you walk past vineyards that date back to the rule of the first king of Portugal, and where 900 year old cultivation techniques are still in use today. Continue on to the village of Ourém, stopping to to visit its Gothic fountain before tasting the local wine or traditional liqueur Ginjinha.
- Accommodation: Quinta da Alcaidaria Mor or similar in Ourém
- Walking for the day: 17km, ↑355m, ↓358m
Day 7: Ourém – Fátima | 18km
Embarking on the last leg of the trip, follow trails to Fátima. Famous worldwide as a Catholic pilgrimage site, pilgrims may want to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, a place of peaceful worship and faith. We also recommend visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima and the Chapel of Apparitions.
- Accommodation: Hotel Serra d’Aire or similar in Fátima
- Walking for the day: 18km, ↑356m, ↓149m
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Vila Galé Coimbra (Coimbra)
- Conímbriga Hotel do Paço (Condeixa-a-Nova)
- Albergue o Bonito (Rabaçal)
- Solar da Rainha (Ansião)
- Quinta da Alcaidaria Mor (Ourém)
- Hotel Serra d’Aire (Fátima)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included (usually buffet breakfast/coffee and toast/bread/croissant). When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is rated moderate with daily distances ranging from 13-23km, routes are on generally flat terrain with some occasional moderate uphill/downhill sections (read more about difficulty grades). We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from January to July and September to December. This trip departs every day throughout the week, from Monday – Friday. There will be an additional supplement for weekend departures.
There is a higher chance for rain in the spring and autumn months, but the temperatures are cooler (nicer for walking). For more information, see our blog post, Best time to go to Portugal.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Our recommended airportsfor this tour are Porto Airport (OPO) or Lisbon Airport (LIS)
Arrival into Coimbra:
- If you are able to travel to Portugal without flying, Coimbra is reachable by rail, with a train station in the centre. For more details, see the national rail provider CP or use the Omio planner above
- Fransisco Sá Carneiro/Porto Airport: Coimbra is easily accessed from Porto Airport (2h) with a change in Campanhã
- Hymberto Delgado/Lisbon Airport: Coimbra is easily accessed from Lisbon Airport (2h) with a change in Lisbon onto the main railway
Departure from Fátima:
- Fátima does not have a rail station, departures must be arranged by bus or private transfer. For more details, see the national bus supplier Rede Expressos or alternatively use the Omio planner above
- Departing from Porto Airport: take the bus to Campanhã (2h), then the metro to the airport (30mins)
- Departing from Lisbon Airport: take the bus to Lisboa Oriente (1h 30mins), then the metro to the airport (6mins)
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Briefing with our local representative
- Two dinners on days four and five in Ansião (drinks not included)
- Transfers as listed in the itinerary on days three, four, five and six
- Luggage transfers (one bag per person, up to 20kg)
- Digital navigation app with maps, GPS tracks, and route notes
- Maps and documentation on the Carmelita route
- Personal accident insurance
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office / representative
Excluded
- Flights to and from Portugal
- Airport transfers
- Dinners and lunches
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal equipment
- Local tourist taxes
- Other personal expenses
- Any other items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. A supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra night in Coimbra
- Guided visit of Coimbra UNESCO site
- Airport transfers
