Passing Through Portugal
Portraits and stories of people I met in this beautiful country
Welcome, If you're reading this, we've probably met somewhere in Portugal.
First of all, thank you.
Thank you for stopping, for trusting a stranger with your time, and for sharing a small part of your story.
This project began with a simple curiosity. As I prepared for my own journey through Portugal, I realized I wasn't only interested in the places I would visit—I was equally fascinated by the people I might meet along the way.
Some came for a holiday.
Some came for work.
Some came for love.
Some came because they needed a fresh start.
Although every story is different, they all begin with the same question:
What are you looking for?
Through portraits and conversations I'm collecting these moments to create a project about people who find themselves away from home, between places, or at the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
My hope is that these stories will remind us that, despite our different backgrounds and destinations, we often search for the same things: belonging, freedom, peace, growth, purpose, connection, or simply the courage to begin again.
If you took part in this project, thank you for becoming part of it. Your openness made this journey richer than I could have imagined.
As the project grows, I'll share updates, portraits, and, eventually, the finished collection here. I hope you'll visit again.
Until then, I wish you safe travels—wherever your journey leads next.
Ildikó Bene
Photographer from Hungary
"I wanted to earn more money and support my family. I also wanted them to be proud of me."
"Originally, I came to Portugal from Timor-Leste (East Timor). Since my country was a Portuguese colony and I have a Portuguese passport, it was the obvious place to move to. Now I live in London, but I came here to visit my loved ones."
Angelina - East Timor
Met in LISBON
"I wanted a better life."
"I'm a trained chef, but here in Portugal I prepare wood for barbecues. I have been living here for 5 months."
Laurindo - East Timor
Met in LISBON
"I was supposed to move here with my boyfriend. When that ended, my things were already at the shipping depot, so I decided to do it alone anyway."
Moving countries is certainly not for the faint-hearted, but four years later I’m still here, and I’ll stay as long as the work travels with me and the place still feels like mine.
Celeste - New Zealand
Met in LISBON
"I'm here to visit my godsister."
I returned to London to celebrate the birthdays of my two sisters. It had been eight years since the three of us were together in the same place, a gap that felt far too long.
Since my godsister is currently living in Lisbon, I took the opportunity to visit her after leaving London. It was a chance to explore her new hometown, learn more about her life in Lisbon, and share in some of the experiences that have made the city her new home.
Moira - New Zealand
Met in LISBON
"I wanted to learn more about the Portuguese culture, the way they live and eat."
I am on my first solo travel experience. I was England for a couple of weeks for school, but wanted to continue to explore Europe for my vacation. I wanted to learn more about the Portuguese culture, the way they live and eat. I’m glad I could meet Ildi in this beautiful hostel in Ericeira, where you usually are guided by your heart and body to know what to do each day. I loved this way of living!
Elodie - Canada
Met in ERICEIRA
"I came to Portugal on a pre-army trip..."
... to clear my mind, enjoy the freedom, and recharge before this new chapter of my life. Surfing here has been the perfect way to disconnect, chill , and make unforgettable memories.
Ilay - Israel
Met in ERICEIRA
"Football was what first brought me to Portugal"
"I was born in Brazil, and football was what first brought me to Portugal. Life took me on a long journey before I found my way back. This time, I chose to settle in Ericeira, and I knew almost immediately that this was where I wanted to build my life. Today, I'm running a hostel here, teaching people surfingand and spending my days making people happy. This is a life that feels exactly where I'm meant to be."
Alex - Brazil
Met in ERICEIRA
"... move to Portugal, it was quite an intuitive decision ..."
"3 years ago I did a quick stop over in Ericeira and already loved it, the chill vibes. And when I finally decided to move to Portugal, it was quite an intuitive decision! But it got my heart from the very first day, now I think what keeps me here is the feeling I’m in a place that has everything I love and keeps me feeling I’m exactly where I need to be 
."
Michi - Chile
Met in ERICEIRA
"For past few months I had this little dream about learning to surf..."
"Thanks to study mobility program and determination I managed to get an internship in Ericeira! This way I got to stay in this charming, chill place, meet absolutly amazing people and fulfil my little dream!😁🏄"
Alicja - Poland
Met in ERICEIRA
"I arrived in Portugal on May 19, 1999, following my sister from Hungary, in the hope of a better life."
“I spent my first years in hospitality, when I learned Portuguese and settled in. For more than twelve years, I have been showing Hungarian tourists the beauties of Porto and Northern Portugal as a tour guide – I love this job with all my heart. Portugal has become my home by now: the Mediterranean lifestyle, the people and the country have become so close to me that I could not imagine my life anywhere else.”
Magdi - Hungary
Met in PORTO
I came to Portugal with my camera, looking for people to photograph.
I ended up finding conversations.
And somewhere along the way, I realised that this was what I had really been looking for.
Me - Hungary
In PORTUGAL