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Built on a rocky plateau, Ronda is not only perfectly situated for visiting the region’s treasures, but also boasts an exceptional Hispano-Moorish heritage. You’ll have the choice of strolling through its ancient medina, admiring its many belvederes or discovering its astonishing churches and museums.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is Ronda worth a visit?
Yes, of course! The breathtaking town of Ronda is the pearl of Andalucia’s white villages! Perched on steep cliffs, it’s worth the detour for its breathtaking panoramas, its rich architectural heritage of Moorish buildings and churches, not forgetting of course its astonishing museums and its atmosphere of a bygone era.
So don’t wait to add Ronda to your Andalucia travel itinerary! Especially as the town lies at the crossroads of many points of interest in the province of Malaga. White villages, Sierra de las Nieves or mysterious caves, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
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
Reason 1: Puente Nuevo and the Tajo Gorge
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.
Reason 2: The peaceful atmosphere of the old medina
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Ronda’s ancient medina (walled city). 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. Admirably preserved, the medina district is called “La Ciudad”, while on the other side of the chasm lies “El Mercadillo”, the liveliest part of town with stores and restaurants.
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.
Reason 3: Spectacular panoramas
Ronda’s greatest asset is undoubtedly its majestic cliffs, which make it an open-air museum.
Our favourite activity during our stay? Exploring the city from every angle.
You’ll also find a number of lookout points:
- 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.
Once you’ve explored the different panoramas (above, below and 360°c over the surrounding countryside) you can continue your discovery of Andalucia’s nature, as the area around La Ronda abounds in outdoor activities such as horse riding, climbing and canyoning. Find ideas for walks here or here.
Reason 4: Arab-Andalusian heritage
The Muslim occupation of Ronda from the 8th to the 15th century left a fascinating architectural legacy. Highlights include the Porte de Almocabar, a former cemetery enclosure, and the Minaret de San Sebastían, the only vestige of the 14th-century Nasrid mosque.
And 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. Finally, for a quiet visit, we recommend the Casa del Gigante, a kind of miniature palace that perfectly illustrates Nasrid architecture.
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Reason 5: Plaza de los Toros and its bullring
While in Ronda, you can’t miss the imposing Plaza de los Toros and its impressive Monumento al Toro. Behind this square lie the imposing 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 bullfighting museum. We chose to visit it to better understand the importance of the culture of bullfighting, Spain’s ancestral tradition of combat between a man, called a torero, and a bull.
Reason 6: 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 mix of styles, and theChurch of Nuestra Señora del Socorro, which will catch your eye with its elegant facade and yellow ochre towers.
In addition to its religious heritage, the town is also home to palaces such as the Palacio de Mondragón with its sublime Mudejar patio, and the 18th-century Palacio de Salvatierra, which is not open to the public but whose magnificent portal can be viewed from the outside.
Finally, relic enthusiasts can take a trip to the Acinipo Ruins.
We loved this off-the-beaten-track tour of a Roman theater (1st century BC), set against a backdrop of countryside as far as the eye can see!
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Reason 7: Amazing museums
You’ll be surprised 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 the Palacio de Mondragón – home to magnificent gardens and a collection on the city’s archaeological past – and the Casa del Rey Moro and its famous water mines.
Those who prefer richly decorated interiors can take a tour of the Museo Don Bosco, while painting buffs can check out the collections at the Museo Joaquín Peinado.
Finally, for a more offbeat visit, opt for the Museo del Vino and its tasting tour or the Museo Lara, which offers a journey through time with its collection of 2,000 objects, its torture chamber or its reconstructed Andalucia tavern.
Reason 8: Anchored in the heart of Serrania de 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. From the hilltop town, you can explore the picturesque white villages that radiate out from it, like Setenil de las Bodegas (20min away), which we loved!
Want to discover the vineyards of Ronda? Book a gourmet tour of Ronda.
The town 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!
Some disadvantages of a trip to Ronda
The tourist influx
Tourism in Ronda is brisk all year round, especially as visits are often made in the form of group excursions from other major cities in Andalucia.
There’s also a peak in the first week of September during the Pedro Romero féria.
While prices remain reasonable, we recommend that you book your accommodation and restaurants in advance. We prefer the booking platform because it offers a wide choice of accommodations and the calendars are updated in real time.
The city can be visited in a day, but if you stay longer, you can enjoy the charm of the city without the tourists.
The weather
Summers in Ronda can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C. This can make outdoor visits uncomfortable. Spring is the ideal time to visit, but it’s also the most touristic. Alternatively, you can plan your trip for winter, when temperatures remain mild.
Foot traffic
Be prepared to walk a little to enjoy the town of Ronda! Many streets are steep and others rocky, so we advise you to bring good shoes. All the more so as the best viewpoints over the chasm have to be earned and require a short climb.
Note also that traffic can be heavy from 10am onwards, due to the large number of day-trippers. Prefer walks in the early morning or at the end of the day, to take advantage of the calm and beautiful light.
Parking
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. Parking Martinez Astein, Parking El Castillo or the station parking lot (Parking Renfe) are some of the best options.
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.
- 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 out the schedule and 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
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Andalusia
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- Where to stay in Andalucia
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- Itineraries: 3 days – 4 or 5 days – 1 week – 10 days – 2 weeks (coming soon)
