Fatima Shopping Center — Local services in Ourém

While visiting Portugal our travel guide took us all to shop at Centro Comercial Fátima because if we spent a given amount (e.g., 100 Euros) we would receive a tax refund,

My wife and I shopped at Centro Comercial Fátima on 13 July 2024. After paying we completed the paperwork to be reimbursed for the tax. We were told that all we needed to do was simply stop at Global Blue counter at the airport and get our refund; we were falsely told that this would be a simple task. We were lied to.

When we arrived at the airport we were forced to wait two additional hours because Air France does not start check-in until 60 minutes before boarding; unfortunately there are no Global Blue counters available until after you check-in and go through security. As such we arrived at the Global Blue counter with only 30 minutes before boarding. The line was long. The counter was not adequately staffed. A couple ahead of us had about twenty receipts (a large stack of papers) which took a long time to process. While waiting one of the two agents left to take a break leaving only one agent to take care of this very long line of people (this was pathetic). When we finally arrived at the counter we were told that we had to go to another counter to get our paperwork validated (i.e., do additional work and then start all over again). At his time boarding had already commenced so we had to abandon our attempt to be refunded and we had to run to our gate to avoid missing our flight. The whole episode was stressful and demeaning. It was one insulting and...

Terrible experience. All tourist buses stop here, and when asked why we were doing a “technical stop”, five minutes before reaching Fatima , the tour guide admitted they get paid commission. The place is full of souvenirs that are more expensive than in the city near the church. No food or drink. Terrible shopping center, they have a deal with all tour buses to stop there and you waste valuable...

Lisbon (outside of). Impressed with the commercialization of religion. This was the equivalent of a grocery store for religious objects like rosaries, statues, etc. This was part of a day tour where one can buy religious items then have it blessed when we went to Fatima afterwards. Very good selection - simple to ornate, very affordable to...