Ronda (Spain) is a city located in the southern part of the country in the province of Malaga. This locality covers an area of 385 km2, and its population does not exceed 34 thousand inhabitants. The city is located inland. The nearest coastal point, San Pedro Alcantara, is 50 km away. And 63 km south-east of Ronda is the famous resort of Marbella. The journey from Malaga to the town takes at least 1.5-2 hours (a distance of 104 km).
The first mentions of the city of Arunda date back to the 6th century BC and are directly related to the Celtic tribes. Throughout its centuries-long history, Ronda has been ruled by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. However, in the 15th century, the rulers of Castile managed to conquer the city from the Arabs, marking the beginning of its modern development.
Today, the city of Ronda is considered one of the most picturesque sites in Andalusia, thanks to its unique geographical location. It is situated on a rocky plateau, more than 700 meters above sea level. The city is deeply cut into the rock by the El Tajo gorge, and its base is surrounded by emerald valleys that stretch for hundreds of meters. Ronda, perched above the abyss, is also recognized as one of the largest white cities in the region due to its architecture.
Undoubtedly, such a unique object could not help but attract the attention of a sophisticated traveler. By the end of the 20th century, Ronda had managed to become a real tourist center, and visitors discovered many fascinating attractions on its territory, which we will discuss in more detail later.
Ronda attractions
It is always interesting to visit tourist cities that are not stingy with their attractions. In this regard, Ronda can be a real discovery for those who enjoy diverse excursions. Curious about the attractions that Ronda in Spain has to offer?
The New Bridge (Puente Nuevo) and the El Tajo Gorge
Almost every photo of the city of Ronda features its main attraction, the New Bridge, which spans the El Tajo gorge. Although the Puente Nuevo is the youngest of the three bridges in the city, it has earned the title of Ronda’s hallmark. Built in the late 18th century, the bridge is a stone structure with three arches. It measures 66 meters in length and 98 meters in height. Today, the bridge connects the Old Town and the new Ronda. It is noteworthy that the new bridge was built on the site of an old one, which did not last even 5 years and collapsed into the bottom of the gorge, taking at least fifty lives with it. Also interesting is the fact that inside Puente Nuevo there is a small room that used to serve as a prison for local bandits.
Of course, the bridge itself is an architectural marvel, but its appeal would be greatly diminished if it weren’t for the breathtaking views offered by the El Tajo Gorge. This massive rock formation, with depths reaching up to 120 meters in certain areas, divides the Spanish city of Ronda into two distinct sections. The bottom of the canyon is adorned by the Guadalevin River. Tourists who have visited the area recommend taking a walk down the gorge to witness the stunning scenery from below.
- You can visit the attraction at any time for free.
- Address: Calle Armiñán, s/n, 29400 Ronda, Spain.
Old Town
The city of Ronda, which hovers over a precipice, is particularly interesting for its old quarter, a labyrinth of winding streets, alleys, and dead-ends that can lead a lost traveler to a breathtaking cliffside view. The old town occupies a small area, where only a portion of the local population resides, but it is always filled with tourists. As you walk through the streets of Ronda’s old town, you will encounter white houses with tiled roofs, temples, and monuments, as well as the ancient fortress known as the Muslim Gate.
One of the main attractions of the neighborhood is its local history museum, which is located just behind the famous bridge. Additionally, many tourists enjoy visiting the local restaurants during their walks through the Old Town, as most of them offer beautiful views of the El Tajo gorge. The area is also home to several souvenir shops, where travelers have reported that the prices are quite reasonable.
Bullring (Plaza de Toros de Ronda)
The city of Ronda in Spain is also famous for its love of national traditions, particularly bullfighting. It is home to one of the country’s most famous bullfighting arenas, Plaza de Toros de Ronda, which has been visited by several notable figures, including the American writer Ernest Hemingway (whose bas-relief can be found in the adjacent park). The bullfighting arena was built in 1785 and covers an area of 66 square meters, with two floors of arcades that can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators.
Although Plaza de Toros is a small arena, it is highly prestigious and revered by bullfighting enthusiasts in Spain. If you are not ready to attend a bullfight itself but would like to learn about this controversial show from the inside, Plaza de Toros in Ronda provides an opportunity for you. For an additional fee, tourists can explore the history of bullfighting, walk around the arena, sit in the spectator seats, and witness the preparation of bulls for the show and the training of horses. The Plaza de Toros de Ronda also houses a miniature museum and two exhibitions that showcase matador costumes and posters from different times.
- Opening hours: from January to February and from November to December, from 10:00 to 18:00; in March and October, from 10:00 to 19:00; from April to September, from 10:00 to 20:00.
- Admission fee: 8 €, audio guide: 1.5 €.
- Address: Calle Virgen de la Paz, 15, 29400 Ronda, Spain.
Animal Farm (Reservatauro Ronda)
Another attraction in Ronda is the Reservatauro Park, which is located 5 km from the city. Reservatauro is a breeding farm that specializes in the breeding of fighting bulls and purebred Andalusian horses. The farm was founded by the bullfighter Rafael Tejado. Recently, the farm was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Visitors to the park can not only observe the animals grazing in the meadows, but also witness their training sessions.
- Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00. However, the official website of the farm strongly recommends booking your visits in advance.
- Address: Ctra. A-367 Ronda-Campillos Km 34, 29400 Ronda, Spain
- The cost of admission. The organizers offer three types of excursions:
“A walk with bulls and horses.” Duration: 70 minutes, adult price: 28€, child price: 12€.
The Five Senses tour takes visitors to the bullfighting arena, where they can taste local wines and tapas. The tour lasts 2 hours and costs 40€ for adults and 20€ for children.
“Exclusive tour”, during which a personal guide will tell you about the farm and introduce you to its inhabitants, after which you will go to taste wine and tapas. Duration – 2-3 hours, the cost for an adult is equal to 90€, for children – 30€.
Arab Baths (Baños Arabes)
In the photos of Ronda in Spain, you can often see interesting structures in the Moorish architectural style. These are nothing more than the Arab baths that were built in the city in the 13th and 15th centuries. Today, there are remains of a water tower, three rooms with the baths themselves, and a small garden. Before visiting the site, tourists are shown a five-minute film in English that explains the structure and functioning of the baths, making it much more interesting to explore.
- Opening hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: 3.5 €, free for children under 14.
- Address: Calle Molino de Alarcón, s/n, 29400 Ronda, Spain.
Alameda Del Tajo Viewpoint
Ronda is a real city above the abyss, and you can see this for yourself by visiting the Alameda Del Tajo Park. There are several observation decks in the park, offering stunning views of Ronda’s famous bridge and gorge, as well as its mountains and valleys. After taking in the breathtaking scenery, you can continue exploring the park’s fountains, monuments, and sculptures. If you happen to visit Ronda in the spring, you will definitely see the fruit trees in bloom.
- You can visit the park and observation decks at any time.
- Address: Calle Virgen de la Paz, Ronda, Spain.
The House of the Moorish King (Casa Del Rey Moro)
One of the most visited attractions in Ronda, Andalusia (Spain), is the House of the Moorish King. Interestingly, the building has never been used as a royal residence and is named after the Moorish prince depicted on its facade. Today, the house and its once-luxurious garden are in a state of neglect.
But the modern tourist is drawn here, first of all, because of the mountain mine, which leads down to a depth of 600 meters and reaches the bottom of the gorge. Anyone can go on a journey through the secret passage, but it is worth considering that the descent and the return climb require considerable physical effort.
- Opening hours: from October to April, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; from May to September, 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Admission fee: adult ticket – 7 €, children under 12 years old – 3.5 €.
- Address: Calle Cuesta de Santo Domingo, 9, 29400 Ronda, Spain.
Bodega Garcia Hidalgo Winery
If you are a wine gourmet, then once in Ronda, be sure to visit the local winery Garcia Hidalgo. This is a small family farm with very friendly owners, personally arranging tours in English around their modest possessions. During the visit, you can visit the vineyards, taste exquisite wines and tapas. The winery is spread out in the picturesque hills, and all those who want to spend a little more time on the farm, can stay overnight (from 70 € per night).
It is important to note that the winery does not set standard visiting hours and does not provide exact prices for tours, as they are optional. All information about booking tours and their prices can be obtained directly from the owners by contacting them via email (info@bodegasgarciahidalgo.es) or phone (622879005, English is spoken).
- Address: A-6300, 38, 29400 Ronda, Spain.
Accommodation
Before I tell you in detail how to get from Malaga to Ronda on your own, I would like to highlight the issue of accommodation in the city: its variety and cost. It is nice to note that there are more than 150 accommodation options available on booking services in the city. Most of them are apartments and 3-star hotels.
The most budget-friendly establishments in this segment offer double rooms starting at 24-30€ per night. Apartments in the middle category, equipped with all the necessary furniture and appliances, will cost 50-60€ per night for two people. Rooms in three-star hotels located close to the center of Ronda, which include breakfast in the reservation price, can be easily rented for 70-80€ per night.
How to get there
If you liked the description of the city and its attractions, then you would probably like to know how to get to Ronda in Spain. It is quite easy to do this from anywhere in the country, but most tourists prefer to travel to the city from Malaga. They usually use either a train or a bus to get there. Ronda is located just over 100 km from Malaga, and the journey takes at least an hour and a half by car.
How to get there by train
Train transportation in Spain is provided by the company Renfe. Every day, trains depart from Malaga to Ronda from the Malaga María Zambrano railway station. There are several departures per day. Depending on the departure time you choose, the fare ranges from 15 to 37 €. The travel time varies from 2 to 3 hours. For more accurate and detailed schedules, you can visit the website www.omio.com or the official Renfe website www.renfe.com
How to get there by bus
The bus is a more common mode of transport when traveling from Malaga to Ronda and back. And there are clear reasons for this: bus transportation on a given route is carried out by several firms at once, which provides passengers with a large number of flights. At the same time, the prices for bus travel are significantly lower than by train, and vary within the limits of 11 to 13€. Detailed study of the bus schedule and rates can also be found on the website www.omio.com.
Now you have a good idea of how to get from Malaga to Ronda. All you have to do is choose the most suitable mode of transport for you, find out the exact schedule, and plan your trip.
Useful tips
- If you’re traveling through Spain by car and decide to stop by Ronda from Marbella, it’s best to park your car outside the Old Town beforehand, as you risk wasting time trying to find a parking spot.
- When approaching the New Bridge along Arminan Street, you can see several wine shops. Tourists who have visited the place strongly advise against purchasing wine in such establishments, as there is a high probability of coming across counterfeit.
- The best time to visit Ronda in Spain is in the spring or early summer, when it is not too hot but the parks and gardens are already blooming.
- One day is enough to fully enjoy the beauty of Ronda and see its main attractions.
- Please note that if you plan to visit the Garcia Hidalgo Winery or the Animal Farm, you must contact the owners in advance and book a tour.
These are perhaps the most practical recommendations for visiting the city of Ronda, Spain. Take into account all of the above information and start planning your journey to this amazing town that hovers over the abyss.
