Great Pilgrimages of Europe 2024


Join us on our Great Pilgrimages of Europe, visiting the most holy sites and historic places of devotion across Europe, from the Marian sanctuaries of Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje to the classic pilgrimage sites of Rome and Santiago; and the Divine Mercy devotion shrines in Poland and Lithuania.

The Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages experienced travel team has designed a detailed programme of religious ceremonies and guided visits for our Great Pilgrimages of Europe escorted tours, departing regularly and combining different shrines and destinations.

Led by a spiritual leader, each tour and pilgrimage programme has been designed by our experienced team and includes a detailed schedule of religious ceremonies and visits.

With hand picked hotels, luxury air-conditioned coach transport and the assistance of a pilgrimage coordinator, our Great Pilgrimages of Europe escorted tours are the perfect travel experience for those looking to explore the spirituality and history of the most sacred shrines of Europe and the rich heritage of the continent’s most beautiful cities.

Our Great Pilgrimages of Europe tours will bring you to some of the most sacred sites and spectacular cathedrals in Europe, all places of worship as well as fascinating history.

We have fantastic tours combining different shrines and destinations, including Lourdes and Garabandal in France, Fatima in Portugal; Burgos, Avila, Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela in Spain; San Giovanni Rotondo and Rome in Italy; and Medjugorje in Bosnia.

Avila wall pilgrimage to Spain Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages facts about Lourdes things to see sanctuary Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages Hill of Crosses Lithuania Divine Mercy pilgrimage Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages Rocamadour France pilgrimage Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages Port Biarritz France pilgrimage and coast Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages travel Pilgrims at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Camino de Santiago Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages travel

Tours & Departures


GREAT PILGRIMAGES OF EUROPE TOURS


Our Great Pilgrimages of Europe travel packages generally include:

  • Direct return flights from Ireland and the UK
  • Support from our local guides and representatives
  • Private transport in luxury coach
  • Hand picked hotel accommodation throughout the trip
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • Lunch also included in Lourdes and Fatima
  • Detailed schedule of visits, guided tours and sightseeing
  • Detailed programme of religious ceremonies and special masses

See all our departures below and contact our travel experts for advice or assistance booking your place.

THINGS TO DO: SACRED SHRINES OF EUROPE


FRANCE

LOURDES

Located at the foot of the Pyrenees, Lourdes is the world’s most famous Marian Shrine. Visit the basilicas, grotto and baths; learning about the life and work of Saint Bernadette.

NEVERS

The Chapel of Saint Gildard in Nevers is the resting place of Saint Bernadette, who in order to fulfill her religious life joined the Sisters of Charity in 1866.

ROCAMADOUR

The monastic city in Rocamadour, perched on a clifftop over the river Alzou, has been a pilgrimage destination since 1166 when the body of St Amadour was discovered.

LISIEUX

In Normandy, we visit the places where Sainte Thérèse of Lisieux lived and worked, including Les Buissonnetts and the Carmel Chapel as well as the basilica with her name.

PARIS

A city of extraordinary beauty, art and culture. Notre Dame Cathedral is an absolute must-visit for pilgrims as well as its iconic monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe.

SPAIN

AVILA

‘The City of Stones and Saints’ is a UNESCO site since 1985 and has one of the highest numbers of Romanesque and Gothic churches in Spain. The beautiful old town in Avila is wrapped by an impressive medieval wall.

TOLEDO

Known as the ‘City of Three Cultures’, Toledo has a rich cultural heritage and fascinating history where Christians, Muslims and Jewish people lived together in harmony.

SALAMANCA

A stunning UNESCO city, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, stunning architecture in the Plaza Mayor and two magnificent cathedrals.

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

The city of Saint James is home to an iconic cathedral and stunning medieval old town, and destination for thousands of Camino pilgrims.

ALBA DE TORMES

A small town near Salamanca once the seat of the Dukes of Alba in the 15th century and the resting place of Saint Teresa of Avila.

ITALY

ROME

The Eternal City is a magnificent open air museum rich in history, art and religious tradition. Rome is home to the Vatican City and St Peter’s Square, residence of the Pope and cradle of Catholic faith. A must-visit for pilgrims.

SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

San Giovanni in Puglia is the place where Saint Padre Pio spent most of his life and where pilgrims can visit the most important shrines and sites related to his life and work, as well as the Saint’s tomb.

ASSISI

A place of magnificent art and history, Assisi is the homeplace of Saint Francis. The main sights of this wonderful medieval city include UNESCO-listed Basilica of Saint Francis, the Basilica of Saint Clare and the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels where pilgrims can visit the Porziuncola, the small chapel where Saint Francis lived and where he founded the Franciscan Order.

PADUA

Padua is one of the prettiest cities in Italy and the resting place of Franciscan monk Saint Anthony. The Basilica of Saint Anthony, built in 1232 in honour of Saint Anthony, has been an important pilgrimage destination for many centuries with pilgrims writing and placing prayers and petitions on the Saint’s tomb.

POLAND

KRAKOW

Karol Wojtyla lived in this stunning historic city for four decades before becoming Pope John Paul II in 1978.

LAGIEWNIKI

The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow is the resting place of Saint Faustina.

WADOWICE

The hometown of Pope John Paul II, where pilgrims can visit his childhood home which is now a museum and the church where he was baptised.

CZĘSTOCHOWA

This 15th century Chapel of the Blessed Virgin is home to the ‘Black Madonna’, believed to have been painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist.

LITHUANIA

VILNIUS

Lithuania’s stunning UNESCO capital is known as the Baroque Beauty of the Baltics, Jerusalem of the North or City of Mercy. The historic old town is home to hundreds of shrines of various faiths.

HILL OF CROSSES

A symbol of the country’s devotion and identity, the hill has 200,000 crosses of all shapes and sizes which have been placed by locals since 1831, challenging opposition by authorities particularly during the Soviet period.

ŠILUVA

A must-visit on a pilgrimage to Lithuania. This is the oldest Marian apparition site in Europe has celebrated the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for 500 years.

Contact Us


Where would you like to go a pilgrimage?
Fill in this form and we will send you travel suggestions
*By subscribing you are granting Joe Walsh Tours permission to send you email newsletters featuring news, special offers and other company related updates. Newsletters are serviced by Mailchimp. You can unsubscribe at any time. You can read our privacy policy here.

    historic pilgrimages Catedral de Santiago de Compostela cathedral Camino de Santiago Galicia Spain Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages travel

    Wonderful things to see in Padua

    Home to the world’s first botanical gardens, a centre of learning as well as destination for devout pilgrims for centuries and a medieval city-state, the art city of Padua is

    3 Easy Camino guided tours

    If you always wanted to experience the Camino pilgrimage but felt the long walking days were somewhat daunting for you, at Joe Walsh Tours we have 3 easy Camino guided

    Easter Pilgrimage 2024

    Easter or Holy Week is the most sacred time of the year and also a very special time for pilgrimage. At Joe Walsh Tours we have a selection of wonderful

    Special Places: Santiago de Compostela Cathedral


    As Camino pilgrims reach Monte do Gozo, the Mount of Joy, they can catch a first glimpse of their destination: the magnificent Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. This place marks the