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Ronda

  • Ronda, Andalusia, Spain

Last updated: 12 March, 2024

Once impregnable Ronda is the only city in the wildly beautiful Serrania de Ronda between Malaga and Seville, and makes for a fine day trip.

Teetering on sheer cliffs, Ronda’s extraordinary Puente Nuevo straddles the 150m deep Tajo gorge, linking the old Moorish town to the new. The views alone make it Andalusia’s third most visited city, but there is much more, including the Palacio de Mondragon Museum and gardens, the city walls and gates.

Ronda is also a gateway to a series of so-called White Villages (Pueblos Blancos) – 20 hill towns in the Sierra de Grazalema named after their glowing white-washed walls, immersed in lovely landscapes. There are several circular White Village routes out of Ronda, or en route to Cadiz or Jerez de la Frontera. Ideal for leisurely touring by car or bike.

Recommendations

5

La Casa de Jamon

  • Ronda, Andalusia, Spain

Inside a delicatessen in Ronda

Experience

This Ronda deli is filled with hanging Iberian hams, but also has a wide array of the other delicacies to taste or take home for your favourite foodie. Its café/bar is a great spot for breakfast.

Good for age: 18+

  • Andalusia, Spain

White buildings and a castle upon a green hill

Bucket List Experience

The White Villages

Just outside of the beautiful town of Ronda, in the gorgeous Andalusian countryside of the Sierra de Grazalema region, you’ll find a series of so-called White Villages (Pueblos Blancos) scattered across the landscape, sprawling over and down large hills.

These 20 hill towns are named after their glowing, universally white walls. The buildings are all white-washed with slaked lime – known locally as ‘cal‘ – that bleaches in the sun to a sparkling white, a practice introduced by the Arabic-speaking Moors. Not only does the white colour keep homes cool during the searing Andalusian summers, but it came to symbolise hygiene. When a series of epidemics from plague to cholera and yellow fever swept through the region between the 16th and 19th centuries, houses were painted with cal in the wake of infection. (It may have actually helped: studies have shown that slaked lime does kill bacteria that cause cholera).

Each village possesses its own unique character, but they share a timeless allure characterised by narrow cobblestone streets, flower-filled balconies, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. It’s Andalusia’s rich and enchanting cultural heritage at its idyllic best.

Good for age: 18+

Aguas de Ronda

  • Ronda, Andalusia, Spain

An indoor stone swimming pool

Experience

Relax in this charming spa, built amid the 700-year old ruins of Ronda’s Arab baths, with its five pools in various temperatures, sauna, infrared room and ice fountain; massages are available as well.

Adult price: £19

Good for age: 13+

Casa del Rey Moro

  • Ronda, Andalusia, Spain

View of the Casa from across a valley showing it built into the cliff wall

Experience

An 18th-century mansion where can visit the half-French, half-Moorish garden and the extraordinary ‘water mine’ that supplied Ronda, 231 steps below the gardens to the Tajo river.

Adult price: £6

Good for age: 18+

Mondragon Palace

  • Ronda, Andalusiia, Spain

Exterior facade of the Mondragon Palace on a sunny day

Experience

Ronda’s town museum is housed in the 14th-century royal palace of Moorish king Abomelic I, with its gardens, Moorish courtyards and views out over the Sierra de Grazalema. Exhibits cover the town’s history, and the nearby Pileta Cave.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 18+

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The nearest international airports are Malaga and Seville. From there, you can take a direct bus or train to Ronda, with journey times ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Alternatively, if you’re already in Spain, you can take a train or bus from various cities like Madrid, Granada, or Cordoba.

Getting around Ronda is relatively easy as it’s a compact city. Most of the major attractions, including the famous Puente Nuevo bridge, are within walking distance. You can explore the historic centre on foot, strolling through its narrow streets and discovering hidden gems.

If you prefer a faster mode of transportation, taxis are readily available. Additionally, there’s a local bus service that connects different parts of the city. Renting a car can be convenient if you plan to explore the surrounding countryside or visit nearby towns and villages.

When to do it

Ronda is beautiful year-round, but maybe less so in July and August when it can be very hot and crowded. Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit for clement weather.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Seville

(mandatory, please READ DEPARTURE & RETURN SECTION to choose your pick up.) Take the day to discover the famous “White Villages” of Andalusia. These stunning white washed towns will amaze you with there uniformity and cliffside construction. These ancient dwellings have survived war and power changes.Their existence today is a true miracle and telling about the advanced construction practices of the ancient Moorish settlers. Leave the logistics up to us, and enjoy the day touring these UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the village of Ronda, one of the most famed “White Villages” it will leave you in awe. This village is situated on a plateau that will allow you to enjoy expansive views of the valleys below and marvel in the cliff sides. Ronda is separated in two parts by a 120 meter chasm. This has been crossed by a 18th century stone bridge that will surely make you feel like your in a wonderland.

Price €79

Min age 0

Rating 4.53 / 5 [1620 ratings]

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  • Seville

Discover the 'White Villages' of Andalusia, visiting Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema and Ronda. Join this Private Guided Day Tour from Seville where you will enjoy these beautiful towns and stunning landscapes around one of the greatest natural parks in southern Spain. Remember that you can customize the tour depending on your preferences by adding and removing white villages or attractions. Setenil de las Bodegas, Acinipo, Pileta´s Cave, Olvera or visiting a local winery are some examples that you could add to your itinerary.

Price €527

Min age 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [165 ratings]

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  • Seville

Enjoy the authentic and renowned tour of the White Villages, our tour endorsed by the excellent reviews of our expert guides Alexis, Ana or Enrique allow us to offer a unique and different day tour. We will enjoy the beauty of Zahara de la Sierra, the impressive orography of Setenil de las Bodegas and the carteristic and majestic city of Ronda. We will finish enjoying the local bakery of the village of Olvera. All this in a semi private tour (maximun 6 peoples) without hurry, enjoying the beauty and the landscapes that we will visit. Obliged to take photo camera or smartphone !!! Being a private tour, we are flexible for the villages that you wish to visit, you only have to indicate it in the reservation or comment on the same day of the tour to our mate. We are flexible (within a logic on logistics). For groups of 8 or more, the tour is done by MINIBUS

Price €298

Min age 8

Rating 4.91 / 5 [135 ratings]

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  • Malaga

You will visit with your private guide the oldest building in Spain as you navigate the winding streets. With a rich history spanning centuries you will feel the very essence of the city as you breath in the scents and hear the sounds of this ancient hold. Dating as far back as the Roman empire this land has seen many rulers, religions and its own fair share of drama. As you cross the stunning Puente Nuevo bridge you will travel between the Moorish and Modern parts of the city. Among the many treasures you can see are the Arab Baths, Church of the Holy Spirit, Church of Santa Maria la Mayor and the must see The Jardines de Cuenca (Cuenca Gardens). Built on the ledges of the Tajo you are gifted with spectacular views of the countryside. With one final landmark to see, the bullring is one of the finest in all of Spain. With its own unique story to be told and amazing architecture it can take your breath away and you can feel the drama of this cultural spectacle.

Price €357

Min age 10

Rating 4.93 / 5 [83 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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