The Carmelite Way takes you through the rural heart of Portugal on an 8-day, 7-night journey from Coimbra to Fátima.
Along the way, you will walk more than 100 km through traditional villages, olive groves, vineyards and landscapes shaped by Roman heritage, passing through places such as Condeixa-a-Nova, Rabaçal, Ansião and Ourém.
Discover the historic university city of Coimbra, the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, traditional villages and local delicacies such as Rabaçal cheese and Ourém wines, before reaching the Sanctuary of Fátima, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage destinations.
Enjoy this self-guided experience with bed and breakfast accommodation, two dinners at a family home, luggage transfers, GPS tracks, a pilgrim passport and assistance throughout your journey.
This Carmelite-inspired route is ideal for those looking to explore authentic Portugal at a relaxed pace, combining walking, cultural heritage and moments of reflection.
Are you ready to discover it?
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Welcome to Coimbra, the City of Knowledge. This historic and vibrant city is home to one of the oldest universities in the world and boasts a lively cultural scene, shaped by its large student population.
Discover architectural treasures such as the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the Joanina Library and the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where the first two kings of Portugal are buried.
Welcome briefing with the guide to go over the route.
Accommodation in Coimbra.
Distance: 17 km
Elevation gain: 303 m
Breakfast included.
The first stage begins in Coimbra, following a Carmelite-inspired route designed as an invitation to reflect and connect with nature. Along the way, you will pass through Antanhol and Cernache.
The day ends in Condeixa-a-Nova, a town known for its manor houses, 17th-century-inspired ceramics and local cuisine, featuring dishes such as roast lamb and the traditional sweet escarpiada.
Accommodation in Condeixa-a-Nova.
Distance: 14 km
Elevation gain: 203 m
Breakfast included.
During this stage, you will leave the urban surroundings behind and discover rural Portugal. You will explore the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, the legend of Zambujal and the surroundings of Rabaçal, famous for its traditional cheese, vineyards, ancient olive trees and Germanelo Hill, crowned by an old fortress.
The day ends in Rabaçal. After the walk, you will be transferred by car to Condeixa-a-Nova.
Accommodation in Condeixa-a-Nova.
Distance: 23 km
Elevation gain: 315 m
Breakfast and dinner at a family home included.
In the morning, you will be transferred by car from Condeixa-a-Nova to Rabaçal. The stage crosses the agricultural plains of Santiago da Guarda, dotted with historic villages such as Granja, home to the Chapel of Our Lady of Orada, the oldest Christian building in the area.
The day ends in Ansião, where you can see the Cal Bridge, associated with a legend about Queen Saint Isabel.
Accommodation in the Ansião area.
Distance: 18 km
Elevation gain: 245 m
Breakfast and dinner at a family home included.
Before leaving Ansião, it is worth trying the pine nut pastries and lesmas, traditional biscuits made with cinnamon and olive oil.
The day ends in Bofinho. After the walk, you will be transferred by car to the Ansião area.
Accommodation in the Ansião area.
Distance: 17 km
Elevation gain: 355 m
Breakfast included.
In the morning, you will be transferred by car from Ansião to Rio de Couros. Today, you will walk through a landscape of limestone fields, olive groves, chickpea crops and old watermills, following the historic vineyards of Ourém, inherited from the Cistercian monks.
The day ends in Ourém, a medieval town where you can visit the Gothic fountain and the collegiate church, as well as sample medieval wine and the traditional ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur).
Accommodation in Ourém.
Distance: 18 km
Elevation gain: 356 m
Breakfast included.
The final stage of the route follows magnificent trails between Ourém and Fátima.
The day ends in Fátima, a world-famous pilgrimage destination, home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Chapel of the Apparitions, all associated with the Miracle of the Sun in 1917.
Accommodation in Fátima.
Breakfast included.
End of services. If required, you can request a private transfer from Fátima to Lisbon or Porto (optional service, available on request)
This is a moderate-difficulty hiking route, with daily stages ranging from 14 to 23 km and elevation gains between 203 and 356 m. The main physical challenge comes from the daily distances, particularly the longest stage, as well as some uphill sections along rural roads, through farmland and along trails surrounded by olive groves. A moderate level of fitness and some experience walking for several hours a day are therefore recommended.
The Carmelite Way offers the chance to discover one of the most authentic routes in central Portugal. Along the way, you will encounter traditional villages, olive groves and vineyards, traces of Roman heritage, and places of great historical and spiritual significance, before reaching the Sanctuary of Fátima.
One of the main highlights of this route is its combination of hiking, cultural heritage and rural life. The stages take you through peaceful landscapes and villages that have preserved their traditions, local cuisine and strong cultural identity.
Coimbra
Coimbra, the City of Knowledge, is the starting point of the route. It is home to one of the oldest universities in the world and boasts a vibrant cultural scene, shaped by its student population. Highlights include the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the Joanina Library and the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where the first two kings of Portugal are buried.
Condeixa-a-Nova
Condeixa-a-Nova is a town known for its manor houses, 17th-century-inspired ceramics and local cuisine, including dishes such as roast lamb and the traditional sweet escarpiada. It is also the gateway to the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region.
Rabaçal
Rabaçal is a village famous for its traditional cheese, vineyards and ancient olive trees. Nearby stands Germanelo Hill, crowned by an old fortress, while the legend of Zambujal remains part of the area’s local folklore.
Ansião
Ansião is an ideal place to rest between stages. Its surroundings combine the agricultural plains of Santiago da Guarda with historic villages such as Granja, home to the Chapel of Our Lady of Orada, the oldest Christian building in the area. Ansião is also home to the Cal Bridge, associated with a legend about Queen Saint Isabel.
Ourém
Ourém is a medieval town with quiet streets, a Gothic fountain and a collegiate church. It is surrounded by historic vineyards inherited from the Cistercian monks and is a great place to sample medieval wine and traditional ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur).
Fátima
Fátima marks the end of the route and is a world-famous pilgrimage destination. Its sanctuary includes the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Chapel of the Apparitions, both associated with the Miracle of the Sun in 1917. Reaching this sacred destination on foot gives the entire journey a special sense of purpose.
🌿 Enjoy the Natural Surroundings
The route crosses landscapes of limestone fields, olive groves, cultivated land and old watermills, offering wide-open views across the Portuguese countryside. This is a peaceful, relatively uncrowded area, ideal for walking at a relaxed pace and connecting with rural life.
🍽️ Discover the Local Cuisine
Along the way, you can enjoy traditional products and dishes such as Rabaçal cheese, roast lamb, Ourém wines, pine nut pastries, lesmas (traditional biscuits made with cinnamon and olive oil) and ginjinha. The itinerary also includes two dinners at a family home, offering an authentic taste of local cuisine.
Plane: Lisbon Airport is the best option if you are travelling from the south or from other European cities. From there, you can continue to Coimbra by train, bus or private transfer.
Private transfer: Optional private transfer service from Lisbon Airport to Coimbra, available on request.
Train: This is the most convenient option. Direct Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains run from Lisbon Oriente and Santa Apolónia stations to Coimbra-B, taking approximately 2 hours. The faster Alfa Pendular service takes around 1 hour and 36 minutes. These trains do not stop at Coimbra-A, which is located in the city centre, so you will need to get off at Coimbra-B and take the connecting shuttle train, which runs every 15–20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Metrobus to Praça da República.
Bus: Bus connections between Lisbon and Coimbra are very frequent. FlixBus services depart from Oriente bus station and arrive at Rua do Padrão, near Coimbra-B station.
Car or taxi: Coimbra is connected to Lisbon via the A1, Portugal’s main motorway. The distance is approximately 195 km.
Plane: Porto Airport is the best option if you are travelling from northern Portugal or Galicia.
Private transfer: Optional private transfer service from Porto Airport to Coimbra, available on request.
Train: Alfa Pendular trains depart almost every hour from Campanhã station and take approximately one hour to reach Coimbra-B. Intercidades trains take around 1 hour and 15 minutes. As with services from Lisbon, you will need to get off at Coimbra-B and continue to the city centre by shuttle train, taxi or Metrobus.
Bus: Bus connections between Porto and Coimbra are very regular.
Car or taxi: Coimbra is located approximately 120 km south of Porto, via the A1 motorway.
| DISTANCE: | 112 Km |
|---|---|
| STAGES: | 6 |
| DURATION: | 7 Noches |
| DIFICULTY: | 3/5 |
| STARTI: | Coímbra |
| PRICE: | desde 895€ |
We will design an itinerary tailored to your needs, preferences, and budget, and we will book all services for you. You just enjoy the journey.
Galicia is our home. We have traveled all the routes of the Camino and have direct contact with service providers on the Camino.
We speak several languages, have lived abroad, and have years of experience organizing trips for people from all over the world.
Hundreds of pilgrims repeat the experience of traveling with us year after year. We want you to be one of them. And that's why we will strive to make your trip unique and unforgettable.
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