My husband and I will be in Portugal this month. We haven't been to Coimbra and Fatima and would like to do a Day trip from Porto, where we're staying for a week.
Could anyone recommend a good tour company in Porto ?
Any tips on both Coimbra and Fatima sightseeing, welcome !
Thanks
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
472 posts
I visited Fatima in September 2015 (my third time) and there was lots of scaffolding, not sure if renovations are done yet. All the entrances to the large, white older church where the children are buried were blocked EXCEPT the one to the right, rear of the church. Definitely get into the church one way or another or ask someone! Unfortunately, the tourist trade is just unreal in Fatima, just try to block all that out. The candle area where you make a donation and choose your candles usually has a long line, but goes quickly. If you can be there at night for the candle lit procession...WOW, just WOW to be a part of it!!! 5 minutes away from the sanctuary is the "Grutas da Moeda"...underground caves. I highly recommend visiting the grutas, a site definitely out of the ordinary that takes about an hour and not too costly. I believe it closes at 7pm with the last entry an hour before closing.
In Coimbra (3 years ago) we followed the self walk in Rick's book. At the time the elevator outside of the market was broken. so we had to walk up the LONG, STEEP, ROCKY roads. And the time of day we were there, the market was closed as well. The library and tour of the buildings at the university is quite impressive and are must sees!
Whenever I am in Portugal I drive, so I do not have any tour company recommendations...sorry.
You will really enjoy these two towns!
Posted by
Naples, FL
7 posts
I took the UNESCO world heritage tour with GO! Walks Portugal in Coimbra. Contact Sara - she was (is?) a student at the University and was a wonderful tour guide! I wish I would have had time to take her gastronomic tour also but was only in Coimbra for 1 day.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Toronto, Canada
415 posts
I have not used this company yet, but will be in June . So far they have been very helpful and responsive but I can't personally recommend them until we've tried them!