What to do in Ronda our complete guide

Andalusia is clearly one of our most beautiful trips in Europe. And Ronda is definitely a must-see.

Perched on an immense rocky plateau, literally cut in two by a vertiginous gorge, Ronda looks like something out of a movie set.

When you ask yourself what to do in Ronda, the Puente Nuevo, the town’s landmark, comes to mind. But there’s much more to Ronda than its bridge. In this article, we take you on a tour of the most beautiful viewpoints and must-see places to discover Ronda in a different way.

What to do in Ronda: our must-sees

The city is divided into two main areas:

• El Mercadillo, the latest
• La Ciudad, the ancient Moorish city

Between the two, theEl Tajo gorge cuts through the landscape, giving Ronda its unmistakable character.

Puente Nuevo, the ultimate symbol of Ronda

It’s impossible to visit Ronda without passing by the Puente Nuevo. Built in the XVIIIᵉ century, this monumental bridge links the two parts of the city over 90 meters above the void.

💪 Courage to those prone to vertigo (like Matthieu), but the scenery is clearly worth it.

It’s like watching an open-air movie set.

Our advice: survey the bridge several times a day:

• In the morning for the soft light
• In the late afternoon, as the stone turns ochre
• In the evening, when the lighting gives the bridge a special atmosphere.

The old town of Ronda (La Ciudad)

On the other side of the Puente Nuevo, you enter the old town of Ronda, the oldest and most authentic part.

The cobbled streets form a veritable labyrinth, punctuated byarches, ancient doorways and discreet squares.

👉 We advise you to get lost in the narrow streets. Here are the main points of interest in the old town:

• Plaza María Auxiliadora: a peaceful square steeped in history, with a mirador offering breathtaking views of the valley and the bridge. The church we see today was built on a former mosque, a symbol of Ronda’s multicultural past.

• The Mondragón Palace is one of the most interesting monuments to visit. Formerly a Moorish palace and later the residence of the Catholic Monarchs, it now houses a museum that traces the history of the city and region. (approx. €12 full price)

• The Arab baths: located below the old town, even though they are in ruins, they are among the best preserved in Andalusia. We loved the star-pierced ceiling, which lets the light in and gives the place its charm. A short video (approx. 10 minutes) gives a better understanding of the site and how the baths functioned in those days (approx. €4.5 full price).

Descend into the El Tajo gorge: see Ronda from below

❤️ To really grasp Ronda’s immoderation, we recommend you go down into its gorge.

The Tajo de Ronda trail (free)

We recommend you take the free Tajo de Ronda trail, which starts at the plaza de Maria Auxiliadora (in old Ronda, dot on our map). The route is about 3 km long, alternating a long descent with a steep ascent over cobblestones, so it’s best to bring good shoes and water, and go early in the morning or late in the day in summer to avoid getting too hot.

This trail allows :

• to walk down the gorge
• admire Puente Nuevo from below
• access to viewpoints with incredible, rarely-visited views: the Hoya del Tajo viewpoint (accessible by car) and the Arco del Cristo viewpoint.

❤️ This is our favorite activity in Ronda!

The Desfiladero del Tajo footbridge (fee payable)

The newly-built Desfiladero del Tajo footbridge takes you along the gorge on footbridges carved into the rock, a mini Caminito del Rey (full price €5 + helmet loan).

For the moment, the trail has not yet been completely finalized. The route is fairly short, just 200 meters, and the views offered can also be admired free of charge from other parts of Ronda.

The Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest in Spain

Ronda is considered the cradle of modern bullfighting. Its Plaza de Toros, built in 1785, is one of the oldest in Spain. Even if you’re not a bullfighting fan, a visit here will give you a better understanding of the town’s history and its cultural importance.

The adjoining museum traces the history of bullfighting and the Romero family, inseparable from Ronda. (approx. €9 full price)

Ronda’s most beautiful viewpoints

Ronda is packed with sights, but some really stand out:

• Mirador de Ronda, with its small round kiosk (carousel) in the center of the town: breathtaking view of the valley and Andalusian mountains
• Mirador de Aldehuela, near the Puente Nuevo, with views of the Puente Nuevo and Cuenca gardens
• Mirador de la Hoya del Tajo: view of the bridge from the gorge (access on foot from Old Ronda or by car)
• Plaza María Auxiliadora (old Ronda): breathtaking views over the valley

What to do in Ronda in 1 or 2 days

We recommend a day and a half in Ronda:

• 1 day in Ronda: Puente Nuevo + Mirador de Aldehuela, old town + Arab baths, mirador de Ronda sunsets
• 2 days in Ronda: El Tajo gorge + Mirador de la Hoya del Tajo, Plaza de Toros, new town

What to do around Ronda: the best excursions

Ronda is an excellent starting point for exploring Andalusia, and here are a few ideas:

• Setenil de las Bodegas impresses with its houses built under the rock.
• Júzcar, the blue village of the Smurfs, stands in stark contrast to traditional white villages.
• La Cueva del Gato for nature lovers, with its turquoise (but cool) waters.
• Acinipo boasts some remarkable Roman ruins, including an ancient theater overlooking the countryside. Although not quite worthy of the ruins at Pompeii or Herculaneum near Naples, they are well worth a visit.

Ronda is also within easy reach of Málaga, Seville and Granada, making it an ideal base for an Andalusian road trip.

Practical information for visiting Ronda

How to get to Ronda,

Ronda is located in the heart of Andalusia and is fairly easy to get to, even if the roads are sometimes winding.

• By car
  This is the most practical way to visit Ronda and the surrounding area.
  • from Málaga: about 1h30 to 2h
  • from Seville: approx. 2 hours
  • from Granada: approx. 2h30
    
• By train
  Ronda is connected to Málaga, Seville and Antequera. The train station is just a few minutes’ walk from the center, operated by Renfe.
  
• Excursion: from Málaga or Seville, a day trip to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas is a great option if you don’t have a car. Transport is included, and you enjoy free time in Ronda and Setenil, without worrying about the road or parking.

👉 F rom Malaga

👉 F rom Seville

Where to park in Ronda?

The historic center is largely pedestrianized, so it’s best to plan ahead for parking.

• convenient public parking lots :
  • Parking Plaza del Socorro
  • Parking Martínez Astein
  • Parking Plaza de España
• free parking available a little further from the center, on the El Mercadillo side, with a few minutes’ walk afterwards

Where to sleep in Ronda

Sleeping in Ronda can clearly be part of the experience, especially with a view of the El Tajo gorge.

• Parador de Ronda: with swimming pool, located right next to the Puente Nuevo, this is one of the city’s most emblematic hotels. Some rooms offer direct views of the gorge, and the location is ideal for visiting Ronda on foot. Information and booking for the Hotel Parador de Ronda from 160€ / night
  
• Hotel Polo: for a more reasonable budget, this is a very good option. Located on the El Mercadillo side, just a few minutes’ walk from Puente Nuevo, it offers simple, comfortable rooms at more affordable rates, while remaining very well placed for visiting Ronda on foot. Hotel info and booking Hotel Polo from €85 / night

👉 Our tip: even for just one night, choosing a hotel with a view lets you experience Ronda differently, right from the moment you wake up.

Where to eat and drink in Ronda

• For a drink with a view
  The Terraza at the Palacio del Rey Moro is an excellent option for enjoying the El Tajo gorge in a quiet setting at the end of the day.
• For eating
  • Restaurante Pedro Romero
    A well-known traditional address in Ronda, ideal for discovering Andalusian cuisine and emblematic dishes such as rabo de toro, in an authentic setting.

👉 Generally speaking, we prefer restaurants in back alleys or slightly set back from the most touristy spots for a more local experience.

Our map of Ronda

Find all the above locations on our interactive map.

Video

We recommend you watch this short video before your visit to Ronda.

If you’d like to visit other parts of Spain, we recommend Valencia, which we visited during our tour of southern Europe.

Feel free to leave us a note below to let us know if you are planning this trip, ask any questions or share on social networks(our Instagram) we will answer you with great pleasure!