Ronda

Ronda ✅ Spectacular mountain road with lots of twists and turns. El Tajo gorge, a stunning Old Town, archaeological treasures, read more details here

Ronda is less than an hour’s drive from Marbella on a spectacular mountain road with lots of twists and turns. The road is winding and not recommended for nervous drivers! You can take a private tour that includes transport, or you can even take a bus from Marbella bus station so you don’t have to worry about driving and you can enjoy a few glasses of the famous local wine. There’s plenty to see and do in Ronda, including visiting the impressive bridge over the El Tajo Gorge, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings, a stunning old town, archaeological treasures and a road wines. Here are our highlights.

Insider Tip – If you decide to take the public bus, be sure to book your return ticket when you arrive, as the buses are very busy with day-trippers in the summer.

Marvel at the Puerto nuevo brigde

The most famous site in Ronda is the extraordinary bridge which stretches across the El Tajo Gorge. Plunging 120 feet into the gorge, this is a major feat of engineering and a proper Kodak moment! There are lots of restaurants taking advantage of the views by clinging to the side of the canyon. We’d recommending heading to one of them for a drink or a snack, they offer an unbeatable angle on the bridge for photos and you can drink in the views while resting your feet. The scale of it all makes you feel pretty small!

Take in the views

Ronda is set in beautiful countryside and there are spectacular viewpoints dotted around the bridge to enjoy the breath-taking views. There’s also a lovely park called the Alameda del Tajo where you can take a stroll and enjoy vista after vista which will make you reach for your camera!

Learn about bullfighting

Ronda is considered the birthplace of modern bullfighting and has a spectacular bullring and an interesting museum, which gives you an insight into this Andalusian sport. Whilst bullfighting is a polarising subject, there’s no doubt that these bullrings are stunning and it is plays an important role in the Spanish culture. A visit to the bullring when there’s no fight is an interesting way to find out more about it and make your own mind up.

Visit the Old Town

You should take some time to explore the beautiful Old Town, with its winding streets and white washed houses. Don’t miss the Alminar de San Sebastián, a 12th century minaret which is a reminder of the town’s Moorish past. There are many beautiful churches built on the remains of mosques from Moorish times, the most beautiful of which is Iglesia de Santa María La Mayor. There are also beautiful buildings, parks and squares all over this picturesque town, so take some time to just wander and soak up the views and atmosphere.

Insider’s Tip – There’s a lot of walking required to see all that Ronda has to offer, so wear comfortable shoes and a hat to protect you from the sun and don’t forget the water!

Take a trip back in time

History buffs will find a lot to interest them in Ronda. The Arabic Walls and city gates give you a very strong impression of Ronda’s past and the Old Town has many corners and streets which have hardly changed for hundreds of years. If you love the architecture of the Moorish period, don’t miss the 13th Century Arab Baths in the old Arab quarter of the city, which are the best preserved in Spain.

History lovers with their own transport should put two important historical sites on their itinerary as part of a day trip to Ronda. Head 20 kilometres northwest of Ronda to visit the extraordinary ruins of Acinipo, an ancient city which once had 5,000 residents. You can visit the well-preserved remains of the theatre and see the banks of seating, stage and backdrop. You can also see the Roman baths, so this is a real walk into history. To the south of Ronda you will find the Cueva de la Pileta, a stunning set of caves with wonderful Palaeolithic paintings and carvings made 20,000 years ago. They are amazing!

Discover another day trips in Marbella and near

Caminito del rey

Gibraltar

Málaga

Tarifa

Nerja

Granada

Mijas

Luna Pesca