Porto – The City That Won Me Over from the Very First Step
Esimfly · 1 May 2025
Some cities you feel before you even understand where you are.
Porto is one of them.
I hadn't even stepped off the train and my heart was already beating to a different rhythm – a rhythm of red rooftops, the scent of the sea and sweet pastries, and the gazes of people in no hurry to get anywhere.
Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, is everything that's good about Europe, packed into winding streets on a hillside.
It's colorful, it breathes art, it's deeply rooted – and yet it keeps renewing itself: young, vibrant, alive.
And that's exactly what I was looking for.
Landing in Portugal – A First Connection with Zero Hassle
When I arrived in Portugal, I didn't want to waste time on technicalities.
Everything was ready in advance: my eSIM was installed back home, and the moment I stepped off the plane – I was up and running.
No physical SIM, no hunting for shops or getting stuck without internet – I simply unlocked my phone, connected, and everything just worked.
Thanks to an eSIM for traveling abroad, a virtual SIM for your trip, I ordered a taxi within seconds, messaged my apartment host, and let my friends already waiting in the city know I'd landed.
And that was just the beginning.
Throughout the trip – from navigation and maps to booking restaurants and planning day trips – the eSIM data plan that gave me smooth, uninterrupted access was one of the smartest things I did.
Where to Stay in Porto?
Porto is divided into neighborhoods with completely different personalities.
I chose to spend my first nights in Cedofeita – a creative neighborhood full of artists' studios, quirky cafés and bars serving endless gin and tonics.
From there I moved to the historic heart of the city, near the Sé – the main cathedral, a few minutes' walk from the Douro river.
Those decisions weren't made in advance – just gut feeling backed up by searching live.
An international data plan let me book an apartment in one tap, read reviews, compare prices – all while on the move.
Walking Along the Douro – Where You Truly Start Falling in Love
The Douro cuts through the city and splits it between two worlds: on one side, old Porto, and on the other – Vila Nova de Gaia, with its famous wine cellars.
On my first morning I walked along the river.
The air was fresh, fishermen were folding their nets, and the cafés were already bringing out toasted sandwiches with São Jorge cheese.
I started in Ribeira, a picturesque area of colorful buildings, street musicians and the smell of croissants.
I took a small ferry across to the other side, visited the Sandeman cellars for port wine tastings that left me smiling for at least an hour and a half, and carried on across the historic Dom Luís I bridge – one of the city's icons.
To find an available tour, I booked online – my travel data plan saved me phone calls and disappointments.
Art on Every Corner – Streets That Feel Like a Gallery
Porto is a city of design.
Stunning graffiti walls, modern galleries, buildings covered in blue-and-white azulejo tiles that mesmerize everyone who walks past.
I made my way to Rua Miguel Bombarda, a street full of small galleries and independent artists.
One of them invited me in, we chatted, and I ended the day with a small local print in my hand.
The Serralves Museum is another must – for the art, but just as much for the park that surrounds it.
I checked opening hours, tickets and special events – from my phone, while sipping an espresso.
The connection through my eSIM for Portugal simply worked the whole time, even in the side-street neighborhoods, with no surprises.
Markets, Street Food and Fresh Fish
Mercado do Bolhão, the city's central market, was where I ate the simplest – and most delicious – meal.
A sandwich with smoked ham, goat cheese and bread fresh from the oven – all at a tiny stall run by a vendor who barely spoke English, but definitely knew how to smile.
In Porto you have to try the local specialty, the Francesinha – a giant toasted sandwich layered with sausage, meat, cheese and egg, drowned in a rich sauce that tastes like shakshuka met beer.
I ate it at Café Santiago, one of the city's best-known spots – which I only found thanks to a recommendation I looked up while wandering the street.
Without an eSIM, I probably would never have found the place, or I'd have stood in a long line without knowing there's a second branch with a shorter wait.
That's what it's like when you have an international data plan always with you – you react in real time.
Climbing the Landmarks – Stairs, Viewpoints and Postcards
I visited the Clérigos Tower, one of the city's symbols.
240 steps to the top, a panoramic view over all of Porto – brown rooftops, the open river, and cathedrals that look like scale models.
To time my climb without dozens of tourists, I simply checked the crowds live and booked a slot – again, thanks to my travel eSIM.
Afterwards, I walked down through the alleys to Aliados – a wide avenue full of statues, impressive buildings and cafés with an atmosphere that recalls Paris – just with less pretension and more soul.
A Day on the Promenade, Coffee by the Ocean, Surfers at Sunset
One of the most beautiful days was the one when I hopped on bus 500 and headed toward the ocean.
Foz do Douro – where the Douro river meets the Atlantic – offers a relaxed promenade, restaurants overlooking the waves, and surfers waiting for the big one at the end of the day.
I sat in a small bar on the cliff, sipped a Portuguese whisky, and simply watched.
No plans, no schedule.
But even in those moments – I was connected.
My eSIM for Portugal let me share moments, check the bus times back, and book a table for the evening.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Porto?
- March–May: pleasant spring weather, good prices, fewer tourists
- June–September: warm, lively, perfect for beach trips
- October–November: autumn leaves, romantic atmosphere, still pleasant
- December–February: cold, quiet, magical – for lovers of winter vibes
I traveled in early April – warm sun during the day, a light breeze at night, and everything calm.
Getting Around Porto – Simple, Punctual, Affordable
Metro, trams, funiculars, buses – Frankfurt could envy this efficiency.
Everything is clean, runs like clockwork, and most importantly – easy to figure out.
I bought tickets from my phone, tracked locations in real time, and even got alerts about disruptions – all thanks to an eSIM that works non-stop, with no SIM swapping and no fiddling with your device.
In Conclusion – Porto Is Portugal Done Right
Porto won me over gently, little by little.
It doesn't try hard to impress – but it definitely gets hold of you.
Between a glass of port, a chat with a market vendor, a street pianist, and a bite of a pastel de nata – you realize you've arrived somewhere with a heart.
It's small, but deep.
Ancient, but alive.
And above all – accessible.
Everything is easy, pleasant, safe – especially when you have an eSIM for Portugal keeping you connected without a hitch.
So whether it's your first trip to Portugal or just a second city break – arrive prepared.
Quality international data plans are what make the difference between an "okay" trip and a smooth, comfortable, modern experience.
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