Life in Portugal isn’t always picture perfect, but it does have a way of making you smile without even noticing. Since moving to Portugal, I’ve learned to notice the little things: the scent of the morning, the rhythm of the waves, the sound of tiny local cafés.

Here are 10 of my favorite simple pleasures that make daily life in Portugal extra special:

1. The scent of Portugal
If I had to pick just one favorite thing about life in Portugal, this would be it. The scent in the morning (a wild, herby mix of esteva, pine and eucalyptus) hits me the moment I step outside. The drier it gets, the stronger it becomes. Or after a fresh rain shower… pure bliss.
Funny thing: I used to hate fog back home (hello car fumes and blocked sinuses). But here, that fog smells like salty ocean air mixed with herbs…I get high on that scent! I walk around smiling like a fool 🙂

2. Driving on the small backroads
One thing I love about daily life in rural Portugal is the driving. Yes, really! The winding roads, open views, barely any traffic… and the occasional goat or cow crossing. Sure, the roads aren’t always in the best shape, but I actually love that. It makes everything feel more raw, real, and untamed.

3. The sound of the ocean
Some nights, especially when the sea gets wild, we can hear the waves crashing from our bed. It’s such a powerful, humbling sound that reminds me just how magical nature is. I’ll never get tired of this.

4. That first espresso of the day
There’s nothing like starting the day at a local tasca with a tiny €0.70 espresso. The sound of all these little cups, the smell of strong coffee, the rhythm of the Portuguese language while locals have their first medronho of the day… I just love it! It’s a ritual I never knew I needed.

☕ Tip for newcomers: Planning on trying one of these little coffee bars? Don’t forget to bring cash and coins!

5. That first and last swim of the day
The ocean can be wild and I still struggle sometimes with the overwhelming power of the waves. But boy, how good does it feel once you’re in?! Salty (damaged 😅) hair, clear mind, happy heart. Nothing beats that sense of freedom after a cold (naked 😊) splash in the Atlantic.

6. The market smells
Fresh fish, juicy peaches, herbs, real tomatoes… the scent of local markets is something I wish I could bottle. Walking through the stalls is a weekly ritual I really look forward to. And of course, you can hang a little longer to enjoy another abatanado (Portuguese americano).

7. The local wildlife soundtrack
Living in Portugal means you’re never far from nature. You hear the bells from cows and goats grazing nearby, little lambs bleating, owls hooting at night, crickets doing their summer thing; plus a bunch of other animals I haven’t figured out yet. It’s like a never-ending nature playlist, always alive.

8. Sunsets, every single time
I just can’t get enough. Not even a little. Watching the sun rise from my bed and set in my own backyard is something I never really experienced when living in Belgium, and now it’s one of the things I love most.
Every time again it makes me pause. It softens whatever I needed to forget or let go of. And when the light finally disappears, I’m reminded once more: I’ve just witnessed something that is simply perfect.

9. When the wind stops, silence begins
Since I’m not living in a city but off-grid in rural Portugal, the wind decides what I hear each day. On days when the wind decides to take a break, everything falls into the deepest, most peaceful silence.
It’s the kind of peace I’ve only felt before in the mountains or in some remote, untouched place. A silence that isn’t creepy, but beautifully soothing. The kind that makes the world softer again.

10. Feeling at home in a place that’s still new
Even though I don’t understand everything yet (language-wise or culture-wise), I’ve never felt more myself than I do here. Living in Portugal has helped me bloom in ways I didn’t expect. And in all those tiny joys, I keep rediscovering why I chose to be here in the first place.💜

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Want more glimpses of life in Portugal?
I often share little everyday stories, slow moments, and snapshots of Portuguese life on Instagram. Come say hi, I’d love to connect with you there!

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