Lisbon now organises half-marathons twice a year, in March and September, at opposite ends of the city. The March race starts in Almada on the south side of the 25 de Abril bridge. The route follows the river Tagus River and ends in Belém at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - the beautiful cathedral built by King Manuel I in the 16th century. See September heading for further details.

Easter Sunday is celebrated with great fervour in São Bras de Alportel with the exuberant Easter Festival. The men of this inland town carry decorated torches while running through the streets shouting Hallelujah. When they reach the parish Church, the flowers are carefully laid out on the floor so the priest may walk over them.

Fátima is Roman Catholic Portugal's most powerful symbol of religious devotion. On 13 May 1917 the Virgin Mary reportedly made her first visit to three shepherd children in the fields near to near to the town. Today more than four million people make the pilgrimage here. A candlelight procession takes place through the town to the Sanctuary on 12 May, culminating in the Adeus ("farewell") procession the following day. As the Virgin Mary is carried from the high altar to the Chapel of the Apparitions, the crowd becomes emotional, waving farewell with white handkerchiefs. It is an extraordinary sight.