Portugal Travels Part 2 - Fatima...Batalha...Nazare...Obidos...

The Sacred North & Seaside Wonders

The next morning, Lisbon awoke under a soft autumn sun. There was a crispness in the air — the kind that hints at the coming holidays — and the city’s gentle bustle felt wrapped in a festive glow. With hearts full and spirits light, we left the capital for a day trip that would carry us through Portugal’s spiritual heartlands and its dramatic Atlantic coast.

Fátima — A Sacred Stillness

Our first stop was Fátima, one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Even for those outside the faith, the moment you step into the vast esplanade, a deep hush envelope you. There is something profoundly grounding here.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary stood serene under a pale sky, its white façade almost glowing. We listened quietly as our guide recounted the story of the three shepherd children and the apparitions of 1917 — a tale that still draws millions each year.

Walking through Fátima, we felt an unexpected peace, as though time had momentarily slowed to allow reflection.

Batalha Monastery — A Gothic Masterpiece

From sacred silence, we moved to architectural grandeur.

The Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rises like a stone crown set against the countryside. Built to commemorate Portugal’s victory in the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota, it is a tribute to resilience and national pride.

Inside, soaring pillars stretched toward the heavens, and stained-glass windows filtered the light into soft, jewel-toned hues.

The intricate stonework — lace carved from limestone — seemed almost impossible, as though crafted by hands with infinite patience.

Walking through the cloisters, we were struck by the quiet beauty of the unfinished chapels, open to the sky. There, history felt raw and tangible, the wind whispering through arches that never reached completion.

Nazaré — Where the Ocean Roars

The first local legend we heard was about the beautiful small chapel of Ermida da Memória, built by Dom Fuas Roupinho, who when chasing a deer and faced death was saved by Virgin Mary.

The second one is about the “Seven Skirts” the fisherwomen wore in Nazare. These are multi layered skirts which will keep them warm when waiting for their fishermen husbands to come back from the ocean. It is more a cultural feature, and we found some women wearing those skirts where the tourists throng.

Our journey then carried us westward, where the land meets the Atlantic in dramatic fashion.

Nazaré is a seaside town famous for its giant winter waves, some of the highest ever surfed. Even from the cliffs, we could sense the raw power of the ocean — a thunderous rhythm that seemed to shake the very air.

 

But beyond the thrill of the waves, Nazaré has a gentler side: narrow streets lined with whitewashed homes, fishing nets drying in the sun, and the salty scent of the sea lingering everywhere.

Standing by the lookout point, the vast horizon unfolded before us — endless blue meeting endless blue — and we felt wonderfully small in the best possible way.

4. Óbidos — A Storybook Village Preparing for Christmas       

 Our final stop felt like stepping into a fairy tale.

Perched on a hill and wrapped in medieval walls, Óbidos greeted us with cobbled lanes, blooming bougainvillea, and white houses trimmed with yellow and blue. But what made it even more magical was the festive transformation underway — the entire village preparing for Christmas.

Shops were hanging twinkling lights. Doorways were decorated with wreaths.

And the castle courtyard was being readied for its annual Christmas market.

There was a sense of joyful anticipation everywhere, like a village getting dressed for a grand celebration.

From the ramparts, the view was unforgettable: rolling hills, vineyards, distant farmhouses, and cliffs catching the afternoon light. Portugal’s countryside seemed to glow.

A Vegetarian Welcome Everywhere

One thing that truly touched us throughout the day — and indeed across Portugal — was how warmly restaurants accommodated our vegetarian needs. Even in small towns, chefs took extra effort to prepare fresh, flavorful meals for us. It felt like the hospitality from the heart, a sweetness that lingers long after the trip ends.

                                                      PEACE ON EARTH

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