Welcome to the charming town of Ronda! Prepare to be transported by this city and its iconic Puente Nuevo, spanning a deep natural canyon. You’ll be spoilt for choice, from strolling along the narrow streets of the ancient medina, to discovering its flamboyant past through its historic sites and amazing museums, or simply admiring the breathtaking sc enery it overlooks.
In this article, you’ll discover a list of 10 must-see things to do in Ronda, illustrated by numerous photos. We’ve added some useful tips and bonus activities!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
1. Marvel at the Pont Neuf in Ronda
Why visit?
The Puente Nuevo, or New Bridge, has become the emblem of the town of Ronda. Built in the 18th century, this majestic bridge of several arches spans the spectacular Tajo canyon, linking the medieval medina to the more modern part of Ronda. If there’s one thing you need to see in the city, it’s this!
Practical advice
- Access: 24/7
- Length of visit: 10min or more, depending on the state of fascination in which you are shown.
- Difficulties: none on the bridge, but a few steps down to the bridge interpretation center (no PRM access).
- Prices: free if you just go over the bridge, or €2 if you decide to go into the center.
- Parking: Plaza Del Socorro parking lot is a 5-minute walk away
- Eating out: numerous restaurants on both sides of the bridge
- Fancy a visit to Ronda and its bridge? See prices and availability
2. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old medina
Why visit?
Beautifully preserved, the old medina (walled city) district is called La Ciudad , and its peaceful atmosphere captivates us. A legacy of Moorish domination (18th – 15th centuries), the medina was built to protect the territories of Al-Andalus, Ronda being particularly strategic due to its position on a rocky plateau that facilitated defense. We were charmed by the scenery of ancient fountains, hidden patios, whitewashed houses and lively little cafés in the maze of alleyways.
Practical advice
- Access: 24/7
- Tour duration: 45min to 1h30 depending on your pace
- Difficulties: Several streets are steep and others rocky, so we recommend you bring good shoes!
- Parking: Avoid coming to the old town by car, as the alleyways are narrow and parking lots can be overcrowded. The Ronda parking lot is a 7-minute walk away.
- Catering: Restaurants, bars and cafés nearby. Find our selection here.
Note that most of them close at nightfall. Prefer El Mercadillo, the city’s most modern and lively district, with its stores and restaurants. - Tempted by a private walking tour of the center? See prices and availability.
WHERE TO STAY IN Ronda
Option 1: In the historic or modern city center
We recommend exploring the attractions on foot:
- Hotel Casa Palacio Villa Zambra – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Palacio de Hemingway – See prices, photos and availability
Option 2: In the surrounding countryside
If you prefer nature and peace and quiet, we recommend it:
- Hotel Cortijo La Organic – See photos and availability.
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Ronda
3. Visit the old thermal baths
Why visit?
Don’t forget to visit the Arab baths! Dating from the 13th century, they are among the best preserved in Spain, with their vaulted rooms, intimate alcoves and brick columns. Body cleansing at the baths was a prerequisite for entry into the adjacent mosque, and we particularly enjoyed the video on how the baths worked in the past. See more photos in our dedicated article (coming soon).
Practical advice
- Access: 25min walk from Plaza de Toros (downhill)
- Tour duration: 45min
- Difficulties: some stairs
- Price: €4.50 (see website for updates here)
- Opening hours: Open from 10am to 6pm (only until 3pm on Saturday and Sunday).
- Parking: on-site parking with limited spaces
- Catering: nothing on site, we advise you to bring something to drink, and as the site is quite out of the way, you’ll have to return to the town center to eat.
4. Discover the Plaza de Toros and its bullring
Why visit?
While in Ronda, you can’t miss the imposing Plaza de los Toros and its impressive Monumento al Toro. Behind them lie the majestic bullring built in 1785, one of the most beautiful in Spain, and perhaps also the largest with its 66m diameter. To visit the bullring and its 136 Tuscan columns, you’ll need to pay the entry fee for the Museo Taurino. We chose to visit it first because it allows access to the bullring. But also to better understand the place of the culture of bullfighting, that ancestral tradition of Spain consisting of a fight between a man, called a torero or toreador, and a bull. However, we do not subscribe to this practice.
Practical advice
- Access: 3min from Plaza de la Merced (new town)
- Length of visit: 30min to 1h30 depending on your interest in the museum
- Challenges: PRM access, stairs to bleachers
- Admission: €9 for adults
- Opening hours : Open at least from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (see website here)
- Parking: La Merced parking lot 7 minutes’ walk away
- Catering: Read our dedicated article.
- Would you like a guided tour of Ronda with entry to the bullring? See prices and availability.
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
5. Admire the views of the Tajo from above and below
Why visit?
For us, Ronda’s greatest asset is undoubtedly its majestic cliffs, which make it an open-air museum. You’ll find plenty of viewpoints to enjoy it from every angle:
- The Mirador de Aldehuela, right next to the Puente Nuevo, where you can admire the white houses perched on the rocks and the Guadalevín river.
- The Mirador from the Paseo de Los Ingleses with its small kiosk.
- The Mirador del Viento for a low-angle view of the bridge. This magnificent view is worth the short walk! Not to be confused with the Mirador del Puento Nuevo, for which a fee is charged.
- The Jardin de la Cuenca offers a beautiful cliffside walk and perfect views of the city. Photographers, don’t forget your cameras!
Practical advice
- Access: 24/7 – scattered throughout the city.
- Visit duration: between 30min and 1h depending on the tour you choose!
- Difficulties: bring good shoes, as the best viewpoints have to be earned, and access is steep, sometimes slippery, and there are no facilities for people with reduced mobility.
- Prices: The viewpoints are free except for the one in the Casa del Rey Moro, which costs €10.
- Opening hours: open 24/24 except for Casa del Rey Moro (10-21:30) and Jardins de Cuenca (8am-10pm).
- Parking: no parking close to the various lookouts. We recommend you leave your car at the station parking lot and explore the town on foot.
- Catering: Bring water, a snack and sun protection.
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6. Surveying Setenil de las Bodegas
Why visit?
Just 30 minutes from Ronda, the village of Setenil de las Bodegas is an architectural marvel. What makes it so special? Houses carved out of the rock, beneath immense rock overhangs that give the impression of being transported to a parallel world. Despite the mystery that envelops it, we loved the peaceful atmosphere of the village, its white facades contrasting with the rock, its flower-filled alleyways and lively cafés.
See more photos in our dedicated article coming soon.
Practical advice
- Access: 24/7
- Length of visit: 1h to 3h, depending on your energy to climb the various village steps and your desire to stroll.
- Difficulties: several steep streets, so avoid high heels!
- Parking: Several parking lots are available, but we recommend Parking Los Caños, which is not free but has the advantage of being covered.
- Eating out: A wide range of restaurants and cafés awaits you in the village!
- Fancy a combined visit to Ronda and the village? See prices and availability here.
7. Visit the Palacio de Mondragon
Why visit?
For lovers of architecture and beautiful views, don’t miss the Palacio de Mondragón! We were seduced by the old palace combining Moorish and Renaissance architectural elements. And let’s not forget the charm of the Andalusian garden and its breathtaking view of the picturesque surroundings of Ronda!
You can also visit the Municipal Museum, with its rich collection of archaeological artefacts, recounting the history of Andalucia from prehistoric times to the modern era. Find out more in our dedicated article.
Practical advice
- Access: Plaza de Mondragón, Ciudad district
- Length of visit: between 30min and 1h, depending on your interest in the municipal museum’s archaeological collections.
- Difficulties: a few steps, but site accessible to PRMs
- Prices: €4 (adult)/free (under 14)
- Opening hours : Monday and Saturday, 10am to 2pm and 3pm to 6pm; Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 7pm (see latest info on the official website here).
- Parking: Choose the Ronda parking lot, a 3-minute walk away
- Catering: We recommend Confiteria El Tajo, a 3-minute walk away, for a sweet break!
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8. Explore the collections of other museums
Why visit?
You’ll be amazed by the diversity of museums in Ronda, which is home to no fewer than 10 museums, each offering a different angle on the region’s history and culture.
As lovers of history and beautiful gardens, we chose the following Casa Don Bosco with its richly decorated interiors and Casa del Rey Moro and its famous water mines. Painting buffs will love the collections at the Museo Joaquín Peinado.
Finally, for a more offbeat visit, head to the Museo Lara, which offers a journey through time with its collection of 2,000 objects, its torture chamber and its reconstructed Andalucia tavern.
Practical advice
- Access: All the museums are located in the city center, so you can explore them all in the same day, on foot, as you wish.
- Length of visit: Between 30min and 1h per museum, depending on your interest in the collections presented.
- Difficulty: no particular difficulty except for Casa del Rey Moro
- Times and prices: Times vary according to location and prices range from €2.50 to €10, depending on the discounted rate.
- More information on the various museums on the Ronda tourist office website here
9. Get the best view of Ronda at Mirador La Hoya del Tajo
Why visit?
Just 10 minutes from the town center, this belvedere is one of the best vantage points from which to admire Ronda from afar and observe the Puente Nuevo, an architectural masterpiece, from every angle. You can either drive down to the viewpoint (without the waterfall) and back up the path, or choose to walk down from the town center, at Puerta de Los Molinos. We recommend early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and highlights the ochre colors of the cliffs.
Practical advice
- Access: 24/7, 10min drive from city center
- Duration of visit: 1h30 round trip on foot
- Difficulties: Lots of stairs, slopes and slippery ground in places. Bring comfortable shoes!
- Price: Free
- Opening hours: 24/24
- Parking: on site
- Catering: No. Make sure you bring water and a hat for your climb!
10. Taste the Andalusian art of living
Why visit?
Ronda is the perfect city for epicureans! As in the rest of Andalucia, gastronomy celebrates local produce with a variety of tapas to be enjoyed in traditional tapas bars. The town is proud of its reputation as a winegrower. In addition to the varied choice of nectars on the restaurant menu, you’ll find numerous tastings in the surrounding vineyards. The Museo del Vino de Ronda (Ronda Wine Museum ) also offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of wine through its twelve themed rooms. The best part of the visit is undoubtedly the tasting of a few glasses of local wine (more info here).
Practical advice
For good addresses, read our dedicated article very soon, and in the meantime, check out our list of epicurean recommendations:
- For an exhilarating guided tour: see prices and availability.
- For gourmet tours departing from Malaga: see prices and availability
- For an instructive tour of fascinating olive oil production on an eco-responsible farm: see prices and availability.
Things to do in Ronda: other ideas
Explore the rest of the Old Town
The Muslim occupation of Ronda from the 8th to the 15th century left a fascinating architectural legacy. The Porte de Almocabar, at the very southern end of the medina, is a must-see. A former cemetery enclosure on the outskirts of the city, it was the main entrance to the city’s upper quarter. You can also see the Minaret de San Sebastían, the only remnant of the 14th-century Nasrid mosque.
Discover our religious and architectural heritage
The diversity of buildings and architectural styles over the centuries makes Ronda an interesting destination for history buffs. We visited such remarkable churches as theChurch of Santa María la Mayor , with its blend of styles, and theChurch of Nuestra Señora del Socorro, which caught our eye with its elegant facade.
In addition to its religious heritage, the city is home to palaces such as the Palacio de Mondragón and its sublime Mudejar patio, or the 18th-century Palacio de Salvatierra, which is not open to the public but whose magnificent portal can be viewed from the outside. Finally, for a quiet visit, we recommend the Casa del Gigante, a kind of miniature palace that perfectly illustrates Nasrid architecture.
Discover outdoor activities
Once you’ve explored all the secrets of the town of Ronda, you can continue your discovery with a trip to the Andalusian countryside, where you’ll find a wealth of outdoor activities:
- Horse riding: discover a horse reserve. Info and availability
- Climbing: climb the via ferrata along the Ronda chasm. Info and availability
- Canyoning: discover the Tajo de Ronda in a whole new way! Info and availability
Things to do in Ronda with children
All the sites in Ronda can be visited with your children. They’ll love the breathtaking view from the Ronda Bridge! Museums include the Palacio de Mondragon with its prehistoric reconstructions, and the Museo Lara for older children, where the witchcraft room should give them a good scare (info here).
Otherwise, we recommend a trip outside Ronda:
- To visit Jùzcar, an entirely blue village 30 minutes from Ronda, click here.
- For thrills: discover the Caminito del Rey, 1 hour from Ronda (+ 8 years)
Things to do in Ronda when it rains
If the weather is bad, don’t panic, Ronda’s museums will keep you busy. We recommend the Joaquin Peinado Museum and its beautiful paintings. You can also visit one of the town’s 4 churches.
Otherwise, there’s nothing like being pampered when it rains! You can visit Ronda’s hammam and book a massage (more info here).
Alternatively, you can opt for sheltered cultural activities such as a flamenco show (more info here).
Or let yourself be tempted by a guitar concert: see info and availability.
Excursions around Ronda
Ronda enjoys a privileged location in the province of Malaga, making it an ideal base for exploring the natural and cultural treasures of this region of Andalucia.
Discovering Sevilla
Just 2 hours away by car or bus, we recommend you take the time to visit the bustling city of Sevilla, capital of Andalucia.
Let us guide you through our selection of activities combining heritage, culture and the good life.
Explore the surrounding white villages
Nestled in the mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema and Serranía de Ronda, the pueblos blancos (white villages) offer a wide variety of landscapes, architecture and traditions. While their common feature is the cluster of whitewashed houses, each village has its own unique charm. For our part, we particularly liked Grazalema, with its lush green landscapes, and Zahara de la Sierra, with its fortress overlooking a turquoise reservoir. Numerous excursions combining visits to several villages are organized from towns such as..:
- Malaga: see prices and availability.
- Sevilla: see prices and availability.
- Cadiz: see prices and availability.
Explore the ruins of Acinipio
If you’re a relic-lover, you won’t be disappointed by the remains of Acinipo.
We loved the off-the-beaten-track tour of this imposing Roman theater (1st century BC), whose still-visible tiers plunge us into the atmosphere of the shows and performances of the era. Situated at an altitude of almost 1,000 metres, the archaeological site offers a breathtaking natural setting, with limestone cliffs and lush green valleys as far as the eye can see!
Explore the riches of Serrania de Ronda
Ronda is also close to several nature parks, such as the Sierra de Grazalema Nature Park and the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, for memorable walks. If you prefer to go deeper, you can explore caves such as the Cueva de la Pileta , with its rock paintings, or the Cueva del Gato, home to an emerald lake! Take a look at the Garganta Verde hiking trail, which promises an exceptional change of scenery (more info here).
- Fancy a mountain bike outing in an exceptional setting? See prices and availability.
- Looking for a thrill? Find out more about canyoning in the Sierra de las Nieves – see prices, availability and book now!
Useful tips for visiting Ronda
Where is Ronda?
- In southern Spain
- In the province of Malaga, northwest of Malaga
- Malaga to Ronda: 1h30 drive
- Sevilla to Ronda: 1h45 drive
- Cadiz to Ronda: 1h40 drive
Here’s a map of Ronda’s top attractions:
How to get to Ronda
The nearest airport to Ronda is Malaga (1h30 drive), served by numerous airlines. To get around, you can opt for..:
- By car: even though Ronda is located in the Ronda mountains, the journey is not difficult. You can easily get there by car, which is ideal if you’re planning to visit several white villages.
- Train: 2 hours from Malaga with a connecting train, for example. See the official Renfe website here.
- Bus: a very good bus network links Ronda to the major cities of Andalucia (Sevilla in 2h, Cordoba in 2h or Malaga in 1h45). Check the timetable on the official website here.
You can also opt for organized tours:
- From Sevilla – book a day trip to explore some of the white villages and Ronda – see program and availability
- From Malaga or the Costa del Sol – book a day trip to visit Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas – see program and availability
Parking in Ronda
Note that it’s difficult to park in the city center, so we advise you to park in a commercial parking lot outside the city center. The Martinez Astein parking lot, the El Castillo parking lot or the station parking lot (Parking Renfe) are some of the best options.
Where to eat in Ronda
Read our article on the best places to eat in Ronda.
Fancy a gourmet tour of Ronda? This excursion offers a tour of the city center, followed by a tasting of local products – see info and availability!
Visit Ronda in winter
Winter is an excellent time to enjoy Ronda without the summer crowds.
You’ll be able to enjoy the city’s rich heritage at your leisure, especially as most museums remain open during the low season. However, we recommend that you check their respective websites for any restricted opening times.
With milder temperatures, winter is also ideal for exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside. Numerous footpaths start from the town, including the GR141 leading to the La Hoya del Tajo viewpoint. The Sierra de las Nieves National Park is also the starting point for some superb hiking.
Late autumn is also an excellent time to explore the wine route and make a few stops at colorful vineyards (more info here).
Finally, check out our article on the most beautiful white villages around Ronda, which you’ll appreciate all the more in the peace and quiet!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Andalusia
Inspiration
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- Where to stay in Andalucia
- Best luxury hotels in Andalusia (coming soon)
- Rent a car in Andalucia
- Itineraries: 3 days – 4 or 5 days – 1 week – 10 days – 2 weeks (coming soon)
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