Why Rick Steves Loves Traveling To Lisbon, Portugal
By Mina Elwell
VACATIONS
Portugal's capital, Lisbon, is known for its colorful old buildings, Gothic cathedral, and history, and travel expert Rick Steves says that the city reminds him of San Francisco.
As Steves says, Lisbon and San Francisco are known for fog, trolleys, and a long suspension bridge, and both cities were largely shaped by a devastating earthquake.
One of the most famous symbols of San Francisco is its cable cars, and if you're traveling to Lisbon, you can plan to enjoy a ride on a bright yellow vintage streetcar.
San Francisco is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, and Lisbon has a similar suspension bridge called the 25th of April Bridge. Both were designed by the American Bridge Company.
In addition, Lisbon and San Francisco were both at one time rocked by devastating earthquakes. Lisbon had to be almost entirely rebuilt In 1755 after a magnitude 8.5 earthquake.