Although the main reason for going to Pamplona is for the Running of the Bulls, there are many other places of interest in the area. Here are just a few.

   The sea and the Nervion Ria (estuary) have always been of importance to Bilbao and the reason for a lot of the city's development and changes. Once, Bilbao was just a small village with a small port. Things changed in 1315, when King Alfonso XI had the route of Santiago redirected, so that Bilbao would be part of that route.

In the middle of the 19th century the city began to change. Industry, mainly the forging of iron into steel, began to transform the city into a busy metropolis. However, despite everything, Bilbao has always had an appeal, it's Mueums, Theater and good food. Now thanks to the Guggenheim Museum , designed by Frank O. Gehry, and classified as one of the most fantastic pieces of avant-garde architecture of the 20th century and other projects Bilbao has gone from an industrial town to a place where one goes to visit.

The Bilbainos love to get together and indulge in typical dishes of the area, such as squid, sea break, hake, cod al pil-pil, porrusalda (a delicious leek soup) and cheese from Idiazabal. All this washed down with cider or Pacharan, a red after dinner liqueur.

District 1, called Deusto. Cross either the recently-built Puente (bridge) de Euskalduna or the older Puente de Deusto. Walk along the Ribera (bank) de Deusto to get a glimpse of how one part of the estuary flows through city life. While here, a must-see is the Universidad de Deusto. Established in the 19th century and run by Jesuits. The neighborhood has a rather student-like feeling and is filled with bars, cafés, restaurants, etc. If you've been out partying all evening, this is a great place to pass the very last hours of the night.

District 2, called Uribarri. Take a stroll in Campo Volantín or get a closer peek at the Ayuntamiento de Bilbao (City Hall). From here we can take the Funicular de Artxanda to the top of Archanda Hill, from where we can enjoy the fantastic views and the fresh air, or have a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants.

District 4, Begoña, where we find the Basílica de Begoña, the Amatxo" (mother) of Bilbao . Walk to the church along the Calzadas de Mallona, which begins in the Casco Viejo, or take the elevator or metro.

District 5, the Casco Viejo. This active neighborhood is great for eating or drinking in one of the many establishments, listening to the street musicians, and shopping. But before visiting the Casco Viejo (old part) there's a few other things you should see, like the Edificio de la Bolsa (stock exchange). Or the Sociedad Bilbaína, one of the old-established and most elegant cultural and recreational societies in Spain . Or try your luck at the Casino Nervión. Or for more culture, cross the Puente del Arenal to visit the Teatro Arriaga and the San Nicolás de Bari church. Once there we make our way to Siete Calles by way of the Ribera, taking in the Puente de La Merced on the way to the Iglesia de San Antón with a detour to the Mercado de la Ribera (market) and take in the amazing selection of vegetables, fish and meat!). Finally we've arrived at the center of the Casco Viejo, to see the Cathedral de Santiago.

District 6. Beginning at the monument on the Plaza del Sagrado Corazón, stroll down the Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro, this avenue is lined with houses with charming façades specially the Edificio Sota and Edificio de la Diputación. A stroll down the Gran Vía will take you to the Parque de Doña Casilda Iturrizar with its Museo de Bellas Artes ( Museum of Fine Arts ) de Bilbao. Halfway down the Gran Vía we come to the quaint Plaza Moyúa, on which are located the Palacio del Gobierno Civil and the Hotel Carlton. At the far end of the Gran Vía we come to the Plaza Circular with a monument in honor of the founder of the town. Other places worth checking out in this area are the Palacio de Justicia, the Church of San Vicente Mártir , the Plaza de Albia and the Mercado del Ensanche. As well, we're not far from two streets that are very popular for bar hopping, Ledesma and Licenciado Poza. The area around Mazarredo is another very popular area at night, as are the pubs found in the Urquijo galerías. Also is the Plaza de Toros de Vista Alegre and its bullfighting museum, the Museo Taurino. There's a lot of other places to visit in this district, such as the

District 7, called Rekalde, is reached by crossing the highway to Larrasquitu. This is a popular excursion for people wanting to tackle the Pagasarri hill. At the top there is a little refuge from where one gets some splendid views of the south side of the "botxo" (the pit).

Guernica

      Guernica , a small town in the Basque region of Spain . In April of 1937, the German Air Force, bombed this defenseless town to the ground. The world was outraged but little more would have been known today, if not for the painter Pablo Picasso (born in Malaga-Spain). He painted the famous Guernica depicting the horrors of war, which now hangs in the Queen Sofia Museum in Madrid . La Casa de Juntas, a small neo-classical building used as a kind of assembly hall, is the most interesting building in the town, which had to be rebuilt after the Spanish Civil War.

San Sebastian

    San Sebastián is a small but beautiful city, facing the sea and surrounded by mountains. Divided by the river it has three beautiful beaches, the most known is La Concha Beach , so named for it's shell shape, which skirts a bay. In the past Kings and other dignitaries came to spend their vacations here. Places of interest are the Alderdi Eder Gardens , the Boulevard, where the old city of San Sebastian starts, the Museum of San Telmo and the Plaza de la Constitucion.

There are many restaurants, bars etc, where one can enjoy a chiquito (small glass of wine) or zurito (small glass of beer) with some wonderful tapas. There are many tapas like anchovies with crab, or Russian salad with tuna,

La Rioja

Although Logroño has grown over the last number of years, it has managed to preserve a small, beautiful old area looking out over the Ebro river. It was founded in the times in which Santiago attracted crowds of pilgrims and developed as a commercial as well as a religious center, still visible in Portales Street and its surroundings. The Churches of Santiago and Santa Maria are, together with the Cathedral, the most valuable parts of its interesting sites, to which Espartero Palace belongs, which is a museum today. The traveler will get to know the traditional atmosphere in the wine bars of the old area, where it is obligatory for him to pay homage to the wine of La Rioja. The food is worth a mention too. Try the Tudela Stew, brown beans, mixed fresh veggies, asparagus, stuffed peppers, roast baby goat and the delicious Soto marzipan.

The Navarro King, Sancho VI The Wise, founded New Vitoria high above the hill of Gasteiz around 1181. In 1200 it became part of the Kingdom of Castille and was conquered by Alffonso VIII and began to expand on the west side of the city. In 1256, Alfonso X extended the city with new streets and the city was an important Jewish Aljama before their expulsion ordered by the Catholic Kings. With King Juan II, Vitoria obtained the title of City in 1431.

In the mid 19th century, Vitoria expanded towards the south. This is now the city center and main shopping area. There are many walking streets and squares with many Basque sculptures, making the city center an interesting place, almost like walking through an art gallery. It is here you can admire the stately mansion and Cathedral. The Calle Paz ( Paz street ) is where all the main shops are and marks the eastern boundary of the city center.

Places of interest within the city center:

Plaza de la Virgen Blanca , 17th century. The Old Square , where in the middle one can see the Monument to the Battle of Vitoria.

Church of San Antonio , 17th century. Lovely church with interesting Baroque doorway and interesting sculptures.

New Cathedral, 1907- 1973, in Neo-Gothic style

Plaza de España, 1971. Square with main Town Hall

Palacio de la Provincia , 1833. Home of the Provincial Council of Alava.

Parque de la Florida , 1920. Situated behind the Parliament Building , it is perhaps the most beautiful place in the city. The whole park is full of wonderful flowers, streams etc. and every Sunday during spring and summer, one can listen to the local bands from the bandstand, built in 1890. From the park is a tree-lined boulevard that goes to the Basilica de Armentia.

More Places of interest.

Casa del Cordon, (house of Cordon) from the 9th century with a medieval tower and Gothic hall.

Casa Armera de los Gobeo, from the 16th century, is the Archaeological Museum .

Palacio de Bendana, home of the Fournier playing card museum and one of the most impressive collections in the world today.

Cathedral de Santa Maria , from the 14th century magnificent example with triple Gothic portico.

Torre de los Anda, from the 9th century, a fortified house with tower.