We saw the subject towns either as side trips from San Sebastián or as stops between San Sebastián and Seville. Following are some of our favorite pictures from these towns.

Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum has put Bilbao on the map. In addition, like every other Spanish city we have seen, it has an old town with crooked narrow streets, churches, and plazas.

Puppy. The popular sculpture of living plants in front of the Guggenheim.

The Guggenheim Museum. We loved it. Others hate it.

Pamplona
Known for the annual Running of the Bulls. They were erecting barriers and sprucing up the city to prepare for the event when we were there.

City Hall. The bulls run through the square in front of this building.

The City Walls

The Statue of Saint Fermin. The runners pray three times to this statue located near the start of the run.

Toledo
Toledo was perhaps our favorite side trip. It is located on top of a hill in the bend of a river. Much of its walls are intact. You could spend a lot of time exploring the narrow streets of the old town.

The City Walls and Roman Bridge

The Old Town

Cathedral Interior

Cathedral Tower

Madrid
Madrid was Susan’s least favorite stop. It is a big city and we spent all our time in the old town section. The highlights were the Prada museum and the Royal Palace. We actually liked the interior of the Royal Palace better than Versailles because it was far less crowded.

The Royal Palace

Light Post at Royal Palace

Cathedral de la Almudena opposite the Royal Palace. Completed in 1993.

Buskers used clever devices concealed in their clothing to allow them to maintain impossible positions for long times.

Puerta del Sol. The heart of Madrid and Spain

Plaza Mayor. Circa 1600

Neptune Fountain

Granada
The must see sight in a Granada is the Alhambra Palace. It is considered Spain’s best example of Islamic architecture. It fell into disrepair and was brought back to the attention of the world by Washington Irving. It has been refurbished and is now one of Spain’s major tourist attractions.

Granada Cathedral

Isabel and Columbus Statue

Palace of Charles V in Alhambra

Nasrid Palace

Alhambra Gardens

View of Alhambra from nearly the same spot at dusk, night, and daylight.