The Black Key Journal

Portugal, Privately

Routes, timing and insider knowledge from the road — everything we have learned driving and guiding guests across Portugal.

Fátima Pilgrimage Dates 2027
Events · Fátima

Fátima Pilgrimage Dates 2027: Every 12–13 May to October Pilgrimage

All Fátima pilgrimage dates for 2027: 12–13 May (110th anniversary) to 12–13 October, the daily candlelight procession at 21:30 and how to get there from Lisbon.

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Nazaré Big Wave Season
Events · Nazaré

Nazaré Big Wave Challenge 2026–2027: Dates, Best Time and Where to Watch

When to see the giant waves of Nazaré in the 2026–2027 season, how the big wave competition works, and a private day trip from Lisbon.

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NOV2026
Events · Golegã, Ribatejo

Golegã Horse Fair 2026 (6–15 November): Programme and Day Trip from Lisbon

The Feira Nacional do Cavalo in Golegã runs 6–15 November 2026. What it is, when to go, and a private day tour from Lisbon via Almourol Castle.

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MotoGP Grand Prix of Portugal
Events · Portimão, Algarve

MotoGP Portugal 2026: 20–22 November at Portimão, How to Get There

MotoGP returns to Portimão on 20–22 November 2026. How to travel from Lisbon to the Algarve for race weekend with a one-way private tour and stops.

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NOV2026
Events · Óbidos

Óbidos Vila Natal 2026: Dates, Tickets and a Christmas Day Trip from Lisbon

Óbidos Vila Natal, the Christmas village inside the medieval walls of Óbidos: when it usually runs, what to expect and a private day trip from Lisbon.

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Christmas and New Year in Lisbon
Events · Lisbon

Christmas and New Year in Lisbon 2026: Lights, Markets and Fireworks

Christmas and New Year's Eve in Lisbon 2026: when the lights go on, where the markets are, the fireworks at Praça do Comércio and how to plan the days with a private driver.

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FEB2027
Events · Torres Vedras

Torres Vedras Carnival 2027 (5–9 February): Parades and Day Trip

Torres Vedras Carnival 2027, around 5–9 February: what makes it unique, the main parades, and a private day trip from Lisbon with Óbidos or Ericeira.

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MAR2027
Events · Óbidos

Óbidos Chocolate Festival 2027: Dates, Tickets and Day Trip from Lisbon

The International Chocolate Festival of Óbidos usually runs from late March to early April. What to expect and a private day trip from Lisbon.

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MAY2027
Events · Coimbra

Queima das Fitas 2027 in Coimbra: Dates, Serenata and a Day Trip from Lisbon

Queima das Fitas, the student festival of Coimbra, takes place in May. The midnight serenade, the parade, 2027 dates and how to visit from Lisbon.

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Fátima Pilgrimage, 110th Anniversary
Events · Fátima

Fátima 12–13 May 2027: 110th Anniversary Pilgrimage Programme

The Fátima pilgrimage of 12–13 May 2027 marks 110 years since the first apparition. Programme, crowds and how to get there from Lisbon.

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Santo António Festival, Lisbon
Events · Lisbon

Santo António 2027 in Lisbon: 12 June, the Marchas and Best Arraiais

The night of 12 June 2027 is Lisbon's biggest festival: the Marchas Populares and the arraiais of Alfama. What to expect and how to plan a private evening.

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Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix
Events · Portimão, Algarve

F1 Portugal 2027: 18–20 June at Portimão, Race Date and How to Get There

Formula 1 returns to Portimão on 18–20 June 2027. How to travel from Lisbon to the Algarve for the Portuguese Grand Prix with a one-way private tour.

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São João Festival, Porto
Events · Porto

São João 2027 in Porto: 23 June, Fireworks and Getting There from Lisbon

São João, the night of 23–24 June 2027, is Porto's biggest festival. What to expect and how to travel from Lisbon with a one-way private tour and stops.

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JUN2027
Events · Évora, Alentejo

Feira de São João Évora 2027: Dates, Programme and Day Trip from Lisbon

The São João Fair in Évora runs from 23 June into early July. What it is, 2027 dates, and a private day trip from Lisbon with Évora and an Alentejo wine estate.

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JUL2027
Events · Tomar

Festa dos Tabuleiros 2027 in Tomar: Dates, Cortejo and Day Trip from Lisbon

The Festa dos Tabuleiros returns to Tomar in July 2027, a festival held only every four years. What it is and a private day trip from Lisbon.

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JUL2027
Events · Óbidos

Óbidos Medieval Market 2027: Dates, Tickets and Day Trip from Lisbon

The Mercado Medieval de Óbidos fills the walled town with knights, taverns and shows every July. 2027 dates, what to expect and a private day trip from Lisbon.

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JUL2027
Events · Santa Maria da Feira

Viagem Medieval 2027 in Santa Maria da Feira: Dates and How to Get There

The Viagem Medieval in Santa Maria da Feira is the largest medieval event in Portugal, every summer. 2027 dates, tickets and how to get there from Lisbon.

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AUG2027
Events · Silves, Algarve

Silves Medieval Fair 2027: Dates, Programme and How to Get There

The Medieval Fair of Silves takes over the old Moorish capital of the Algarve every August. What to expect and how to get there from Lisbon.

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AUG2027
Events · Alentejo

Alentejo Wine Harvest 2027: When It Is and a Wine Day Trip from Lisbon

The grape harvest in the Alentejo runs from late August to early October. When to go, what to expect at the estates and a private wine day trip from Lisbon.

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Private Transport from Lisbon to Fátima
Fátima · Service

Private Transport from Lisbon to Fátima

Sedans, Mercedes vans and minibuses from your Lisbon hotel to the Sanctuary, with flexible waiting time and an optional certified guide.

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Fátima Pilgrimage 12–13 October 2026: What to Know Before You Go
Fátima · Pilgrimage · October 2026

Fátima Pilgrimage 12–13 October 2026: What to Know Before You Go

Attending the Fátima pilgrimage on 12–13 October 2026? Programme, crowds, the new Pilgrim Certificate and how to get there from Lisbon.

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Lisbon to Fátima: Bus, Train, Car or Private Driver Compared
Fátima · Getting There

Lisbon to Fátima: Bus, Train, Car or Private Driver Compared

How to get from Lisbon to Fátima: times, prices, pros and cons of bus, train, car and private driver, plus tips for pilgrimage days.

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The Fátima Candlelight Procession: A Guide for First-Time Pilgrims
Fátima · Pilgrimage

The Fátima Candlelight Procession: A Guide for First-Time Pilgrims

What to expect at the Fátima candlelight procession: when it happens, where to stand, what to bring, and how to get back to Lisbon afterwards.

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Organising a Group or Parish Pilgrimage to Fátima: Transport Guide
Fátima · Groups & Parishes

Organising a Group or Parish Pilgrimage to Fátima: Transport Guide

Planning a parish or group pilgrimage to Fátima from Lisbon? Vehicle sizes, airport pick-ups, guides, timing and a group leader's checklist.

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Visiting Fátima with Elderly Relatives or Reduced Mobility
Fátima · Accessibility

Visiting Fátima with Elderly Relatives or Reduced Mobility

Visiting Fátima with older relatives or a wheelchair user: distances, rest spots, best times and door-to-door transport from Lisbon.

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Walking to Fátima from Lisbon: The Caminho do Tejo in Five Stages
Fátima · Walking Pilgrimage

Walking to Fátima from Lisbon: The Caminho do Tejo in Five Stages

Walking from Lisbon to Fátima on the Caminho do Tejo: about 140–147 km in five stages, waymarking, packing list and getting back.

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Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos in One Day from Lisbon
Fátima · Itinerary

Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos in One Day from Lisbon

A one-day route from Lisbon: the Sanctuary of Fátima, Batalha Monastery, Nazaré's clifftop viewpoint and walled Óbidos, with timings.

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Fátima's New Official Pilgrim Certificate: What We Know So Far
Fátima · News

Fátima's New Official Pilgrim Certificate: What We Know So Far

Fátima's official Pilgrim Certificate is presented on 12 October 2026. What it is, what we know about the criteria, and how to prepare.

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Sintra with a Private Driver: A Day Without the Crowds
Sintra

Sintra with a Private Driver: A Day Without the Crowds

The route, timing and tips for seeing Pena Palace, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca and Cascais in one relaxed day.

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One Perfect Day in Lisbon: A Private Full-Day Tour
Lisbon

One Perfect Day in Lisbon: A Private Full-Day Tour

How to see Belém, Baixa, Chiado and Alfama in a single day with a private driver — route, timing and tips for first-time visitors.

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Belém in Half a Day: Monuments, History and Pastéis
Belém

Belém in Half a Day: Monuments, History and Pastéis

A private half-day guide to Belém: Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries and the original pastéis de Belém — with timing tips.

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Lisbon from the River: Old Town and a Private Sailboat
Lisbon · Tagus River

Lisbon from the River: Old Town and a Private Sailboat

Combine Alfama and Baixa with a private sailboat ride on the Tagus. What you see from the water, the best time to sail, and how to plan the day.

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Cascais and Guincho: Lisbon's Royal Coast in Half a Day
Cascais

Cascais and Guincho: Lisbon's Royal Coast in Half a Day

A private half-day trip from Lisbon to Cascais, Boca do Inferno and Guincho Beach along the Atlantic coast — what to see, when to go and tips.

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Lisbon to Porto by Private Car: Turn the Journey into a Tour
One-Way Tours

Lisbon to Porto by Private Car: Turn the Journey into a Tour

Travelling from Lisbon to Porto? A one-way private tour with stops in Coimbra, Batalha, Nazaré, Peniche or Aveiro turns a journey into the best day of your trip.

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Lisbon to the Algarve: A Scenic Private Tour
One-Way Tours

Lisbon to the Algarve: A Scenic Private Tour

Heading south from Lisbon to the Algarve? Make the journey part of your holiday with stops in Arrábida, the Costa Vicentina, Évora or Alentejo wine country.

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Nazaré and Peniche: A Day Trip to Portugal's Wild Atlantic Coast
Coast

Nazaré and Peniche: A Day Trip to Portugal's Wild Atlantic Coast

A private day trip from Lisbon to Nazaré's giant-wave cliffs, the fortress town of Peniche and Baleal. When to see the big waves and how to plan the day.

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Évora and the Alentejo: A Day Trip Through Portugal's Golden Plains
Alentejo

Évora and the Alentejo: A Day Trip Through Portugal's Golden Plains

A private day trip from Lisbon to Évora's Roman temple, cathedral and Chapel of Bones, with Monsaraz or an Alentejo wine tasting. Route, timing and tips.

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Arrábida: Turquoise Coves and Mountain Views Near Lisbon
Arrábida

Arrábida: Turquoise Coves and Mountain Views Near Lisbon

A private half-day trip from Lisbon to the Arrábida Natural Park: clifftop roads, turquoise beaches and the village of Azeitão — plus an optional tile workshop.

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Fátima from Lisbon: A Private Spiritual Journey
Fátima

Fátima from Lisbon: A Private Spiritual Journey

A private half-day trip from Lisbon to the Sanctuary of Fátima and the Chapel of the Apparitions, with the village of Aljustrel. History, timing and practical tips.

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