Ronda is a beautiful town in Andalucía, set in a dramatic location above a steep-sided gorge. It’s the perfect destination for a day trip with a fascinating mix of historical sights in a beautiful Spanish town.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Jump to Comments
Straddling both sides of a 120-metre-deep gorge, Ronda has a historical and cultural background in a fairytale setting.
It was claimed by Julius Caesar, conquered by Berbers, became an independent kingdom, and later succumbed to the Christian conquerors.
In the 18th century, Ronda underwent urban development with the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) connecting the new and old parts of the city.
This all makes Ronda a fascinating and beautiful place to visit. Mark and I have been several times, mostly recently on this Andalucía itinerary.
This article covers exactly how to spend a day in Ronda with an easy-to-follow circular walking route that takes in the best attractions.
To help you plan your trip, we also cover how to get there, the best tours from Málaga and Seville, hotel recommendations, and tips for visiting.
HOW TO GET TO RONDA?
GUIDED TOURS
Ronda is a popular day trip from Seville and Málaga. As a result, there are plenty of organised tours, many of which include additional stops at other white villages in Andalucía along the way.
Private tour from Málaga (Viator): This well-rated private tour includes hotel or port pick-up in Málaga, transport in a private vehicle, a guided tour of Ronda, and most admission tickets. It is an excellent option for groups.
From Málaga (GetYourGuide): This tour includes an optional guided tour of Ronda and a visit to Setenil de las Bodegas.
From Seville (Viator) – This tour includes stops at Zahara de la Sierra, Setenil de las Bodegas and Ronda. Pick-up can be arranged from several locations in Seville.
From Seville (GetYourGuide) – This tour includes pick-up from 3 different locations in Seville with stops at Zahara de la Sierra, Molino, Grazalema and Ronda.
BY CAR
The roads in this part of Spain are very good, so it’s easy to drive to Ronda. Its central location, roughly halfway between Málaga and Seville, makes it an easy stop between the two.
Here are the driving times from the main centres, with our other guides linked in case you would like to read those as well.
- From Marbella: 1-hour 10-minute drive.
- From Málaga: 1-hour 20-minute drive.
- From Seville: 1-hour 50-minute drive.
- From Granada: 2-hour, 10-minute drive.
PARKING IN RONDA
Parking is relatively easy in Ronda, with several paid car parks close to the town centre. Compared to many other places in Spain, parking has never been a problem for us in Ronda.
You also don’t need to drive on small, old town roads to reach any of the main parking lots in Ronda. We have marked the most convenient parking spots on the map below.
RONDA BY TRAIN
Services run from several cities in Andalucía to Ronda. However, they all require a change at Antequera Santa Ana, and most journey times would make it difficult to see everything in Ronda on a day trip.
Therefore, we would only recommend getting the train if you are coming from Córdoba or Málaga – anywhere else, you might need to stay the night to see everything.
Here are the approximate journey times to Ronda:
- Córdoba to Ronda – around 2.5 hours, some services are just under 1 hour.
- Málaga to Ronda – around 2 hours, 10 minutes.
- Seville to Ronda – around 3 hours, 20 minutes.
- Granada to Ronda – typically 3-4 hours.
We recommend using Omio to book train tickets in Spain, especially if you are from the US. US Readers have reported issues with other providers accepting international credit cards.
MRS HENDERSON’S RAILWAY // The train from Algeciras to Ronda, called Mrs Henderson’s Railway, passes through some of the area’s most beautiful scenery via 16 tunnels and 20 bridges. Tiny stations have the original fringed wooden canopies and antique clocks. It’s a historic way to get to Ronda. Book at Omio.
BY BUS (FROM MÀLAGA)
Although the journey time is longer than driving, a day trip from Málaga to Ronda by public bus is possible.
The trip takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, and regular departures are made from the centrally located bus station, Estación de Autobuses.
Check prices and timetables with Omio.
ABOUT OUR ITINERARY
We have put this itinerary together as a circular walking route that gathers the town’s top sights into one easy, self-guided plan.
The route includes all the main attractions in Ronda, such as Puente Nuevo, the historic bullring, and Casa del Rey Moro, but it also passes local tapas bars and a few hidden gems.
The morning focuses on the new town and gorge views, while the afternoon takes you through the old town, finishing with the spectacular gorge walk.
This order also helps you catch the best light for photography.
We have included plenty of café breaks and viewpoint stops, so it should be manageable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
To see everything, we suggest starting around 9 am.
MAP: RONDA DAY TRIP
To help you navigate our itinerary, download our map to your phone, which includes the walking route and all the major stops.
USING OUR MAPS. Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
RONDA DAY TRIP ITINERARY (WALKING)
MORNING
START WITH CHURROS
It’s almost essential to start your day trip to Ronda with churros at Churrería Alba.
They serve traditional Spanish breakfast with some of the best churros in town. The bustling local atmosphere, with tables out on the busy street, makes it a great introduction to local life in Ronda.
PLAZA DEL SOCORRO
After breakfast, walk past Plaza del Socorro. This is the heart of the new town, with bars and restaurants centred around the square, which is central to the region’s history.
In 1918, Blas Infante, the father of Andalusian Nationalism, unveiled the flag of Andalucía from the balcony of the main building in the square.
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Socorro, the church in the square, is a colourful landmark with a white-and-yellow façade. It’s a great focal point, but there’s probably no need to go inside.
Don’t miss the giant statue of Hercules.
ALAMEDA DEL TAJO & MIRADOR
Next, follow the walking route on our map above to one of Ronda’s highlights: Alameda del Tajo and its spectacular mirador.
This beautiful park features a selection of trees arranged in stately avenues, a style typical of Málaga province. It’s a lovely spot to stroll through, and you’ll often find local families hanging out under the trees, escaping the day’s heat.
The highlight is the Mirador, Ronda’s most impressive viewpoint. Standing 300 metres above the valley floor, the along the cliff walls, the old town, and the Andalusian landscape are stunning.
MIRADOR DE RONDA (LA SEVILLANA)
Staying within the park, follow the cliff to the Mirada de Ronda. There is an excellent view of the old town and the El Tajo Gorge from here. You’ll often find locals relaxing in the bandstand.
RONDA BULLRING (PLAZA DE TOROS DE RONDA)
Next, head back toward the bullring (Plaza de Toros), one of the most popular attractions in Ronda. Built in the 18th century, it is Spain’s largest (by diameter).
It’s a spectacular building with neoclassical columns and two levels of terraced seating overlooking the large, sandy bullring.
If you want to visit the building, the self-guided tour with an audio guide takes about one hour. We recommend the audio guide because it provides interesting information about the building’s history, and the tour would be pointless without it.
You can also visit the Bullfighting Museum inside at no extra cost. We didn’t find it particularly exciting, but we only did a speedy walkthrough.
Tickets are €9 or €11 with an audio guide.
PUENTE NUEVO
Leaving the bullring, head over to Puente Nuevo, the spectacular bridge spanning the El Tajo Gorge and Guadalevín River.
The “New Bridge” is the largest of three that span the gorge in Ronda. It’s the grandest and the one you’ve most likely seen in photos.
The view from the top is great, but it’s better seen from other parts of the city, where you can appreciate the scale of the construction. We’ll get to those later in this walking route.
JARDINES DE CUENCA
After taking in the view of Puente Nuevo, head back the way you came, then turn right on Calle Rosario (see our map above). Turn right again to pass through a gap in the buildings and reach the Jardines de Cuenca.
This interesting garden consists of a series of platforms joined by steps. From 23 rose-filled terraces, it offers excellent views over the gorge.
As you follow the gardens along the top of the gorge, you are treated to beautiful views of Ronda, perched on either side of the canyon.
Use our map to make a quick detour to Fuente de los Ocho Caños (The Fountain of 8 Sprouts). This public drinking fountain has been in continual use since it was built in the 18th century.
PUENTE VIEJO
After the fountain, retrace your steps and head to Puente Viejo (the Old Bridge). This is the second-oldest and second-lowest of the 3 bridges in Ronda.
It was initially built in the 16th century to connect the old Islamic medina with the new town following the Christian conquest. The structure you see today was built in the 17th century after the original one was washed away in a flood.
The views from the Old Bridge up to the New Bridge are stunning.
ARAB BATHS (OPTIONAL)
At this point, you can make an optional detour down to the Arab Baths, which is what we did last time we were in Ronda. To get there, take the stairs from the Roman Bridge, crossing the Puente Árabe. Use our map above to get there.
The baths, designed in typical Roman fashion, include warm, hot, and cold rooms. Dappled light from the star-shaped skylights makes them very atmospheric.
There are also lovely gardens to stroll around.
If you have the time, the well-preserved baths are a great addition to this Ronda day trip.
Entry costs €4.50, which includes an audio guide and a short introductory video.
CASA DEL REY MORO
Returning to Puente Viejo, walk up the windy road through the Arch of Philip V and stop to admire the façade of the Palacio de Marqués de Salvatierra. You can’t go inside, but it’s worth a quick photo as you pass.
Then, head to Casa del Rey Moro (The House of the Moorish King).
Built in the 18th century, the complex is named after a tile on its façade, depicting a Moorish King.
French landscape architects designed the Moorish-style gardens in 1912. They combine tiled terraces from classical Muslim gardens with the geometric designs of a French garden.
The result is an international landscape imbued with a typical Andalusian feel.
Although the gardens and palace are not from the Moorish period, the Water Mine is a significant remnant of Ronda’s Moorish past.
The mine was built in the 14th century by enslaved Christians as the main water supply for the town.
You can walk down to the base of the mine via a steep staircase that passes through several chambers carved into the rock.
You will emerge at the river at the base of the mine. This is a beautiful, slightly hidden spot in Ronda.
It’s 60 metres down to the bottom of the mine, and the staircase is steep and wet in places, so take care on your way down.
Although it’s a bit of a slog getting down and back up, this was one of our favourite things to do in Ronda.
AFTERNOON
LUNCH
By now, you should be about ready for lunch, and we have two options.
OPTION 1: PUERTA DE ALMOCÁBAR
Puerta de Almocábar is a 12-minute walk from La Casa del Moro. It’s a very local square off the main tourist trail with lots of great (and some very cheap) authentic restaurants. Here are some we liked:
- La Barrafina – This was our favourite restaurant in Ronda. It serves modern fusion tapas and is located just inside the city walls.
- Restaurante Casa María – This old-school Spanish tapa joint spilling onto the square does excellent food at delicious prices.
- Restaurante Almocabar – For something a bit smarter, Restaurante Almocabar does lovely food in an atmospheric taverna.
OPTION 2: PLAZA DUQUESA DE PARCENT
For a more touristy experience, head to Plaza Duquesa de Parcent. Although you won’t find lunch options as local as those at Puerta de Almocábar, the lovely church square is still beautiful. Here are some restaurants we have been to on various visits to Ronda:
- Carmen La De Ronda – With great food, crisp white tablecloths, and a prime square position, Carmen La De Ronda is an excellent choice for lunch.
- Cervecería Café Mondragón – This relaxed beer cafe offers a good selection of bar snacks if you want a beer and something light.
IGLESIA DE SANT MARÍA LA MAYOR
After lunch, head to Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor, a pretty church in Plaza Duquesa. If you had lunch at Puerta de Almocábar, it’s around an 8-minute walk to Plaza Duquesa.
The church has an unusual design with a large bell tower and a two-tiered balcony.
Inside, it’s beautiful and worth a quick look. It was initially built as a mosque and retains an Arabic prayer niche with calligraphy indicating the direction of Mecca.
You can climb to the church’s roof for lovely views over Ronda.
Entry, including the rooftop, is €4.50.
PALACIO DE MONDRAGÓN
Just around the corner from the church, Palacio de Mondragón is the best of the old Spanish houses in Ronda.
It was built in the 14th century and now houses the Municipal Museum of Ronda. The museum covers the city’s history from prehistoric to Moorish times.
It’s all set in a beautiful mansion house with Moorish courtyards, balconies and water features.
The palace is open until 7 PM; however, it closes for siesta between 2 PM and 3 PM. Entry costs €4.
MIRADOR DEL MARÍA AUXILADORA
After the Palacio, walk to Piazza María Auxiladora for another sensational view. From the mirador on the square, you can look out to the Ronda Gorge and the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in the distance.
GORGE WALK
But, for even better views of the gorge, follow the orange route on the map above down to the base of the gorge.
The afternoon is the best time to walk because the sun sets on the western side of Puente Nuevo, which you can see from the base of the gorge.
ARABIC ARCH
You can take the new Desfiladero del Tajo walk (see below); however, we recommend walking further down the gorge to the Arabic Arch, which faces directly onto Puente Nuevo.
A waterfall drops beneath the bridge, offering one of the best, completely free views in Ronda.
It’s a bit of a climb back up, but the view makes it all worth it. The path is straightforward to follow from Piazza María Auxiladora, but you can also follow the yellow line on our map at the top of this article.
DESFILADERO DEL TAJO // This is a new walk on a suspended footpath along the gorge walls to Puente Nuevo. You don’t actually get the best views of the bridge on this walk, so unless you are really interested in the experience and have time, we suggest skipping it. The walk costs €5, and they suggest you book tickets in advance.
CASA MUSEO DE DON BOSCO
Walk back up to the top of the gorge and head to Casa Museo de Don Bosco. This is another stately mansion in Ronda with a completely original early-20th-century interior.
The mansion is interesting enough, but the highlight is the garden, which offers spectacular views of the gorge and the New Bridge.
The terrace is a great place to grab a drink before you leave Ronda.
FINISH
This is the end of our walking route in Ronda. From the Casa Museo de Don Bosco, cross the New Bridge to return to the starting point.
Many bars and restaurants are tucked around the New Bridge, all with excellent views. Although they are all a bit touristy, it might be worth stopping for one final iconic view of Ronda.
TIPS FOR VISITING RONDA
- Ronda is high in the Sierra de Grazalema hills. It is often 5 degrees cooler than Málaga or Seville, so check the temperature before you set off.
- Some museums close for an hour mid-afternoon, and many close early on Sunday, so check the times before picking a day to visit.
- Parking near the town centre can be packed on weekends, so if you drive, try arriving early.
WHERE TO STAY IN RONDA
Ronda is an excellent destination for a day trip in Andalucía, roughly halfway between Seville and Málaga.
But you’ll need to stay over to see all the great things to do in Ronda. It’s also an excellent base for our driving tour of the white villages.
You can use the form below to search for your travel dates, or scroll down for a few recommendations from us.
- Alavera de los Baňos (€€) – This charming hotel just outside the city walls has great views of the city and the medieval town. The rooms have Moorish interiors, and the main sights are a short walk away.
- Hotel Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel (€€) – This 18th-century villa, converted into a boutique hotel, is in Ronda’s most historic district. All the sights are just a few minutes from the front door, and parking is reasonably priced.
- Casa Palacio Villazambra (€€€) – This 4-star hotel offers sweeping views from its perch on the gorge’s edge. Inside, old-style luxury evokes the grand houses of Ronda.
THE BRIDGES OF RONDA
Ronda is famous for its dramatic location on either side of the El Tajo River gorge in Andalucía, Spain. One of the main highlights of visiting is seeing the historic bridges spanning the gorge.
Here is a quick rundown of the Ronda Bridges.
Puente Nuevo – Puente Nuevo, or New Bridge, is the largest and most prominent bridge in Ronda. The first bridge was built here in 1735, but tragically collapsed. The current bridge was completed in 1793. You can walk to the base of the bridge for stunning views, which we covered in the itinerary above.
Puente Viejo – Puente Viejo, or Old Bridge, is the second oldest and second lowest of Ronda’s bridges. It was built in 1616 after the Roman Bridge became unsuitable for carts.
Puente Romano – The Roman Bridge is the oldest bridge in Ronda. It was built by the Moors after 713 AD (not the Romans) and connected the old town with the outer districts.
MORE HELPFUL ANDALUCÍA GUIDES
- Read about our favourite places to visit in Andalucía.
- Relax on the Costa del Sol with our guide to the best beach bars near Marbella.
- Our guide to the best things to do in Granada has the top attractions plus the best tapas.
- The Caminito del Rey hike is one of the most stunning in Spain.
- Discover the best places to visit on the Costa del Sol.
- Get off-the-beaten track on the El Pinsapar Trail in Sierra de Grazalema.
- Soak up the sun at these beautiful beaches near Tarifa.
- Visit el Torreón, the highest peak in Sierra de Grazalema.
- Fancy a strenuous walk? Try the La Concha hike.
- Discover all the best things to do in Seville.
- What to do in Mijas on a day trip.
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