Head to the rolling hills of Andalusia for a wonderful stay in Ronda, Spain, a charming white-washed town with spectacular landscapes. Discover the best things to do in Ronda that will make your day trip or long weekend break unforgettable!
Ronda is a fascinating town and the most well-known “Pueblo Blanco” in Andalusia, a must-see for those visiting the area. It’s one of the oldest towns in Spain and undoubtedly has one of the best settings around, perched on the edge of a gorge, surrounded by beautiful countryside, olive groves, whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets and courtyards – if you only choose one white-washed town, make it this one, it really is epic!
Here’s what to see and do in Ronda!
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN RONDA
Ronda is one of the most beautiful Pueblos Blancos in Southern Spain, Andalusia and has grown in popularity amongst tourists – and who could blame them, but it still remains as charming as ever with a small town feel. In either direction you’ll find countryside, more white washed villages and absolutely no high rises, branded hotels or chain restaurants in sight!
Ronda is an easy day trip from Seville or Malaga, but if you want to stay for a couple of days, there’s plenty for you to discover and gorgeous places to stay. Whether your looking for a relaxed authentic Spanish City Break or a day tour from Seville, here are some of the best things to do in Ronda including my favourite hidden gems!
WALK DOWN TO THE EL TAJO GORGE
Admiring the El Tajo Gorge with the most magical row of white washed houses teetering on the edge is the number one thing to do in Ronda – and probably the most obvious! This tripple arched bridge is the famous landmark of Ronda which separates the old Moorish town from the new with some jaw dropping views over the countryside!
One of the cool ways to see it is from below, you will soon get a sense of the scale! To walk down, start at the gorgeous Plaza de Maria Auxiliadora square and follow the signposted trail that runs from the viewpoint opposite El Campillo restaurant (also a nice spot for a drink). This leads to the Guadalevin River banks and waterfall, it’s unpaved and fairly rocky, but 100% worth the effort – and there’s no crowds!
ADMIRE THE VIEW FROM BALCON DEL CONO
Do you have a head for heights? Then the panoramic views from Balcon del Cono might just be for you! Wander over to Alameda del Tajo gardens and the cliff edge, here you will find a row of trees and viewpoints jutting out over the gorge. Look out for the iron balcony that literally hangs over the cliff, with a 120 metre drop – that’s Balcon del Cono! It’s a very popular place to be at sunset, so get there early to reserve your photo spot!
VISIT SPAIN’S OLDEST BULLRING
Ronda’s bullring is one of the oldest in Spain, dating back to 1779, which is now a museum and well worth visiting. You can walk around the grounds, they are super impressive as is this whole area, it really looks like a film backdrop! Personally I didn’t visit inside this one as I’d already had a tour around Seville’s bullring, however, I did go to the Hotel Catalonia’s rooftop bar and terrace, which looks directly over the arena (see the below pic!) and mountains beyond, it is absolutely amazing, especially paired with a cocktail!
WANDER THE OLD TOWN
The prettiest part of Ronda’s old town lies to the south of the three bridges and has many criss-crossed cobbled paths to explore. You will find cute cafes, sections of the old city wall, churches and lots of white walls with photogenic shutters!
Ronda is beautiful in the day and at night it becomes even more charming and atmospheric! You will see a whole other side, where the streets are lit with lamps, tables spill out on to pavements and a captivating Spanish guitarist will spring out of the shadows to bring the whole scene together, this transition was my favourite part!
STOP FOR A DRINK AT HOTEL CATALONIA
There are some terraces with a view that are worthy of a special mention and the bar at Hotel Catalonia is one of them! Before I arrived in Ronda I had researched where to drink and eat and spotted this new boutique hotel (and bar) with unexpected, but awesome views over the other side of Ronda – facing the bullring.
Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint, the view is a stunner! The Hotel Catalonia is quite modern in compared to other restaurants and hotels nearby, it even has a roof top infinity pool, but if you’re not staying it’s still lovely to visit for a cocktail or two – where you will find many other non-guests congregating at the golden hour!
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN RONDA
In this region Iberica ham with fresh tomato is on every menu and the food is very traditional – bar a few experimental tapas places and you will not have to get up early for breakfast! Meal times are typically 10am-2pm then after the siesta 7pm -10pm, think slow and you will be fine!
Here are some of my favourite spots with rolling hill and pretty square views!
EL CAMPILLO: One of the loveliest lunch/breakfast spots with a large terrace, flowers and a balcony view of the countryside. At some point in the day there will be live acoustic music.
MESO EL SACRISTAN: Tucked down a cobbled square with attractive terrace, attentive waiters and delicious food.
TAPAS DE LOCOS: The best place for local tapas with a fusion twist inside a secret little plaza. The location is set apart from the rest of the old town.
DUQUESA DE PARCENT: This is a great venue for a relaxed lunchtime vino over-looking the canyon.
MARUJA LIMON BAR: It may take a few minutes to find this bar as it’s on the fringes of the old town – quite literally! This bar was a surprising find, fully of laid back bohemia fun and quirks, but with epic views! It’s a must see!
WHERE TO STAY IN RONDA
Ronda is a small town and very walkable, having said that it’s better to stay within the old town if you don;t have access to a car as there isn’t much in the way of public transport on the outskirts. If you stay central you’ll benefit from the amazing atmosphere and be able to wander from your accommodation and through the cobbled streets at any time of day!When choosing your accommodation in Ronda a pool is very important! If you’re staying in summer the temperature reaches 40 degrees. Plus as the facilities in the old town close for siesta in the afternoons there’s plenty of time to use it!
BEST ACCOMMODATON IN RONDA
When it comes to accommodation in Ronda, there aren’t as many options as somewhere like Seville. But there are a few beautiful boutique hotels occupying historical buildings and rural hotels, fincas and olive groves – all with countryside views. In the town you can find centrally located apartments and whole town houses, here’s my top picks for where to stay in Ronda!
A charming 11 bedroomed boutique hotel situated in Ronda’s former Jewish quarter in a peaceful spot below the town. It boasts lovely gardens with a terrace, pool, Moorish-style décor and views of the Roman bridge.
Luxury in the heart of Ronda with an amazing roof top infinity pool and bar terrace over looking the Plaza de Toros. The rooms have balconies, are stylishly decorated with all the mod cons.
La Higuera is housed in a renovated olive oil mill with lovely gardens, private pool and a high-end restaurant. It has both modern and traditional features and some of the rooms have huge bath tubs!
Looking for more places to stay in Ronda? Check HERE
HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR
If you’re looking for a historical guided tour and to find where the local hidden gems are, then I recommend a walking tour. Stroll through quaint streets to discover the Plaza de Toros, the Tajo de Ronda, and some hidden gems. In this tour you’ll learn about the diverse heritage and take in dramatic panoramic views along the way!
Book: Ronda Guided Walking Tour
RONDA THE ESSENTIALS
HOW TO GET TO RONDA
Ronda is located in the south of Andalusia Spain, the nearest airports are Malaga (1.5 hours) and Seville (2hours) by car. The roads are windy and the views are very scenic, you’ll want to stop often to take pictures if you are driving!
MALAGA AIRPORT TO RONDA
There are frequent flights to Malaga Airport, which is the main transfer hub of the region and easy to plan your Andalusian route from, especially to Ronda. Here are the options:
PRIVATE TRANSFER SERVICE
Depending on your trip, consider hopping straight into a taxi for the utmost convenience and being transferred directly to your Ronda hotel, contact Solhop Transfers – Malaga private transfer service for details.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
You can take the train or the bus (similar to a coach) to Ronda, both have frequent services. The buses operate from Malaga station and run every 4 hours approximately, see bus operator Damas for schedules and prices. The trains operate from Malaga Maria Zambrano, check the Rail Europe booking website.
HIRE A CAR
If you’re planning on exploring more of the region and the attractive towns near Ronda; Seville or the interesting smaller villages ‘Pueblos Blancos’ hiring a car will be a more convenient and flexible way to do it. Consider using Discover Cars, they provide a comparison of car rental prices from various vendors across Ronda ensuring you find a great rate – it’s an effective way to secure a rental without the hassle!
WHEN TO VISIT RONDA
Ronda is very hot and dry in the summer time from May to September with the peak hottest months being July and August – which is also the most expensive and busiest time. Spring and the shoulder seasons are great times to visit, particularly May to early June – usually hot with long evenings.
In my opinion, May to June are the best months for all the hotspot regions in Andalusia and the coastline. I have enjoyed great weather and fewer crowds, however the afternoons can still be busy with organised day trips to iconic places like Ronda, but walking around doesn’t feel touristy at all and you can always retreat to your pool at this time!
READ MORE ABOUT ANDALUSIA SPAIN
Ronda is a great stop for two or three nights on the Andalusia trail – for the views of the gorge alone! I hope you have been inspired by this guide to one of my favourite areas in Spain! Please leave me a comment below!
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