In the rhythm of fado and the ocean

The homeland of great seafarers and world football stars, Portugal may at first seem like a country with a rapid pace of life – but behind the bright facades of houses and lively parties, an attentive traveler will notice something more. The waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the unhurried speech of the locals, and the philosophy of savoring life make Portugal the perfect place for those who want to exhale and remember what it feels like to simply be. Here, over your morning coffee, you can watch the sunlight gently fall on Lisbon’s tiled rooftops, and in the evening, listen to fado – music of longing and hope, born in the labyrinths of old streets.

The ELLE Oʻzbekiston editorial team shares how a trip to Portugal can help you slow down and allow yourself to live in the here and now. 

Saudade as a way of life
In Portugal, there is a unique philosophy that teaches people to enjoy every moment and appreciate the value of life. The Portuguese know how to infuse special meaning into everyday actions: morning coffee at a favorite pastelaria, a stroll along the waterfront, or simply sitting in silence with a loved one to the sound of the surf. Their rhythm of life is imbued with saudade – a Portuguese word with no direct translation, used to describe a feeling of delicate melancholy for a fleeting moment that is dear to the heart. In saudade, there is no race for achievements, but there is respect for peace, pauses, and inner balance. The Portuguese often mention saudade in a variety of contexts: for example, when speaking of a loved one who is no longer near, they might say, “you are in my saudade” – meaning, in a moment of life that has slipped away but remains infinitely precious. Immersing yourself in this philosophy makes Portugal a place where you not only want to rest, but also reflect on your values and priorities.

photo: Marcelo Verfe, pexels

The ocean and the sun 

The nature of Portugal seems to invite travelers to stop and see the world differently – no rush, only majestic cliffs descending into the transparent blue of the Atlantic, endless beaches of soft golden sand, and olive groves scattered across the hills. The air is filled with the scent of laurel and rosemary, and Portugal enjoys around three hundred warm, sunny days a year. Here, nature breathes in a measured way, and it feels as if even time flows more slowly, giving you the chance to experience the pure joy of silence, solitude, and natural beauty.

photo: Marcelo Verfe, pexels

How to learn to live here and now 

We have prepared a selection of five places in Portugal that will help you slow down and embrace the local philosophy of life – unhurried, deeply emotional, and contemplative.

1. Lisbon, Alfama district
An old Lisbon neighborhood with narrow streets and brightly painted, almost fairy-tale houses. In the evenings, small restaurants here fill with the sounds of fado – music that reflects the gentle melancholy of saudade. Listening to fado performed live in Alfama is an almost meditative experience: in the darkness, with a glass of wine, the city breathes in the rhythms of another era.

2. Cabo da Roca

The westernmost point of continental Europe, Cabo da Roca, offers the feeling of standing at the edge of the world, gazing out at the endless horizon of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the perfect place to exhale, feel the vastness of the world – and your place in it. 

photo: Regimantas Danys, pexels

3. The beaches of Alentejo
Unlike the crowded resorts of the Algarve, the beaches of the Alentejo region are quiet and almost untouched. Vast stretches of sand, sky-piercing cliffs, and bright sunlight – here, you’ll want to walk barefoot along the shore, without checking your phone or thinking about time. This is Portugal in its raw, natural state.

4. Sintra and its palaces
Mysterious Sintra is a city of forests, hills, and historic estates, where every path seems to lead into an enchanted fairytale. The Quinta da Regaleira estate and the Pena Palace are wrapped in mystical mists and the scent of grand eucalyptus trees. A walk through these places takes you far from the rush of everyday life, making you feel like a character in a romantic poem.

5. The Azores

For a complete reset, you should head to the Azores. Thermal springs, green volcanoes, lakes in craters, and rural life – here, it feels as though time disappears, leaving only nature, the warmth of the earth, and life itself.