The Sanctuary of Fátima is one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world. In 1917, three shepherd children reported visions of the Virgin Mary here. A large basilica with a tall tower faces a huge open square, with the small Chapel of the Apparitions. Millions of pilgrims visit, especially on 13 May and 13 October.

The Convent of Christ in Tomar was the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal and later the Order of Christ. Its round church, the Charola, built in the 12th century, is richly painted and gilded. A famous Manueline window is carved with ropes, coral and seaweed. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Batalha Monastery was built from 1386 to thank the Virgin Mary for the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota. It is a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic and Manueline architecture. The Founder's Chapel holds the tomb of King João I, and the Unfinished Chapels are open to the sky. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Alcobaça Monastery was founded in 1153 by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, and given to the Cistercian monks. Its church is the largest in Portugal and one of the first Gothic buildings in the country. It holds the carved tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, a famous tragic love story. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.