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Ronda is one of the oldest towns in Spain and perhaps also one of the most beautiful. This small town sits in the Malaga province of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. Although it may be small, it is absolutely worth adding to your Andalusia itinerary! Despite an increase in tourism in recent years, it has still retained much of its charm and character. With historic buildings, incredible natural landscapes and beautiful rolling countryside.
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What is Ronda best known for?
Ronda is best known for the deep gorge that cuts through the town. The gorge drops an incredible 120m down to the Guadalevin River which meanders calmly through the canyon. Joining the new side of Ronda with the historic old city and straddling the mighty canyon, is the impressive Puente Nuevo (New bridge). This impressive bridge has now become famous in its own right, serving as an iconic landmark for the historic town.
Ronda also has some great examples of Moorish architecture. Whilst Ronda might not be as quaint as some of the other pretty Spanish white-washed villages, it definitely makes up for it with its dramatic Roman bridge, castle, and ancient city walls.
Is two days in Ronda enough time?
In short, yes! Many tourists will visit Ronda on a day trip from Malaga, Marbella or one of the smaller towns along the Costa del Sol. If you are short on time, then a day trip to Ronda can be ideal. As the town is small, you will be able to fit in several hours exploring the town and seeing the famous Puente Nuevo. However, to really experience more of this beautiful town, then I would really recommend spending two days in Ronda.
How to get to Ronda?
Malaga to Ronda:
The best way to travel from Malaga to Ronda is by car. The journey takes just 1.5 hours and by hiring your own rental car, you have the maximum flexibility over how much time you spend in the town and exploring the surrounding countryside.
If you are visiting Spain on budget, then the bus from Malaga to Ronda is a great option. Tickets can cost as little as €10 each way, although the journey can take around 2 hours.
Another great way to visit Ronda from Malaga is to join an organised tour, which takes the stress of planning away. Meaning you can relax and enjoy the day!
Marbella to Ronda:
The journey by car from Marbella to Ronda takes just over 1 hour, making it the quickest option.
However, from Marbella, there is a great local bus option – perfect for those travelling on a budget, or if you don’t want to rent your own car. The bus from Marbella to Ronda is operated by Avanza and you can buy tickets online or on the bus. One way tickets cost as little as €8!
Accommodation in Ronda
Like any popular visitor town in Spain, there are many different accommodation options to suit all budgets. From high end boutique hotels, tucked away in the old city to budget hostels and cute little air bnb apartments.
Ronda is a great place to explore on foot, and the centre of town is quite small, so nothing is too far away from the sights, restaurants and shops.
Amazing things to do in Ronda in two days
This two-day Ronda itinerary covers the best things to see and do in Ronda, which you could comfortably do in 2 days. Of course if you are only visiitng Ronda for the day, simply pick and choose the options that appeal most to you!
Day 1
See the famous Puente Nuevo
The iconic Puente Nuevo is the most recognisable sight in Ronda, so it’s only right to start your first day in Ronda here. The impressive 18th century bridge spans the deep gorge and the Guadalevin River, joining the new side of Ronda with the historic old city.
To really appreciate the scale of the bridge, the best place to view the bridge and to get the best photos is from the valley below. There are a couple of options to choose from:
The Arabic Arch viewpoint is one of the best places to view the Puente Nuevo bridge. However you will need sturdy shoes to hike down to the viewpoint. The path down to the Arabic Arch is accessed from the Plaza de María Auxiliadora. Tip: the Arabic Arch is the second viewpoint on this path. Most people stop at the first viewpoint, therefore, if you continue further down to Arabic Arch, there are usually fewer people there.
Another great place to view the Puente Nuevo is at Mirador La Hoya Del Tajo carro. A lookout point which sits at the bottom of the valley below. To get to this viewpoint, simply follow the short path down from the Plaza de Maria Auxiliadora until you reach the bottom. Alternatively, you can drive here and there is a small parking lot at the bottom. However, be warned that the path is extremely narrow and winding. It is only really suitable for small cars and confident drivers!
If you don’t fancy walking down to either of those viewpoints, then you can also get great views from above at either Mirador de Aldehuela or Mirador De Cuenca
Puente Viejo
Slightly over shadowed by Puente Neuvo, this small stone bridge looks very humble in comparison! However this charming 16th century pedestrian bridge offers great views across the countryside surrounding Ronda, as well as towards Puente Nuevo.
Arco de Felipe V
As you walk down the path towards Puente Viejo from the old city, you will walk through the Arco de Felipe V gate. This historic gate makes up part of the old city walls and was named after the king of Spain Philip V (1683 – 1746).
Walk the Murrallas de Ronda (city walls)
The different sections of Ronda’s old city walls are called the Murallas de Levante, Carmen and Cijara. You can walk sections of these old city walls, taking in the spectacular views. Start from the Arco de Felipe V and follow the city walls towards the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo. When you reach the end, make sure to check out the Puerta de Almocábar. This 13th century stone gate was one of the main gates leading into the old city.
Enjoy lunch in Ronda’s old city
After a morning of walking and exploring the historic landmarks of Ronda, enjoy a relaxed lunch in Ronda’s old city. There are many small tavernas and local restaurants to choose from. The busier restaurants are the one closer to the Puente Nuevo (as you might expect). If you want a quieter experience, head further into the town and down the smaller streets. The square around the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor is particularly pretty with several restaurants surrounding the square, all with outdoor seating.
Jardines De Cuenca
After lunch, take a steady stroll to the Jardines de Cuenca. On the opposite side of the gorge and the Guadalevin River to the old city, these small, but pretty gardens offer a fantastic viewpoint across to Puente Nuevo. They are also a great place to sit and enjoy the surroundings whilst having a rest.
Arab Baths Archaeological Site
Pay a visit to the Arab Baths. These baths date back to the 13th and 14th century and are one of the best preserved roman baths in Spain. The excavations are very small and you won’t need long here at all, but it is fascinating to see. Entry is €4.50 per person and the number of people allowed at any one time is restricted due to the small size of the complex.
Aguas de Ronda
If you prefer your baths modern and in working condition, then book in for a session at the Aguas de Ronda. This hammam consists of 5 pools of varying temperatures, a Turkish bath, Infrared room, Ice fountain, and relaxation area. There are a selection of packages available to book that offer different treatments and some with lunch, snacks or a glass of fizz. This is the perfect way to relax and treat yourself after spending the day in Ronda!
Day 2
Walk the Senda Ronda Molinos del Tajo
If you enjoy walking, make sure that you don’t miss this walking trail. This is the perfect activity if you have 2 days or more to spend in Ronda. The circular trail is just 6.6km (4.1 miles) and will take approximately 2 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level and number of photo stops you take along the way! The trail starts and finishes at the Plaza del Toros and will lead you through the quiet, rural valley below the town.
I would recommend starting this trail in the morning, especially if you are visiting in the warmer summer months, so that you can finish before it gets too hot.
I absolutely loved this short walk, it was so quiet and the views up to the cliff edge were incredible. You will also get the best views of Puente Nuevo from the valley and from the Mirador La Hoya Del Tajo carro viewpoint.
You can view and download the trail from AllTrails. AllTrails is a free to use walking app, which works all over the world. It’s my go-to walking app as it is so easy to use. The free version needs internet access to track your location, However, if you purchase the Pro version, you can download an offline version of the map, which is perfect for when you don’t have internet. The Pro version is just £32.99 for the whole year and if you use my affiliate link, AllTrails will plant a tree for each of us as a way of saying thanks!
Take in the views at Paseo De Los Ingleses
If walking sounds a little too energetic, or you are not able to walk, head to the Paseo de los Ingleses observation deck instead. Situated in the leafy Alameda del Tajo urban park, next to the Plaza del Toros, this observation deck offers spectacular panoramic views over the rural countryside and valley below.
Go Shopping
If you decided to skip the morning walk, take a leisurely wander around the new side of Ronda and go shopping instead. The pedestrianised street of Carrera Espinal runs the length of the town, from the Plaza del Toros and Alameda del Tajo. You will find a mix of everything here; fashion, clothing, souvenirs and gift shops. There is also plenty of coffee shops, cute tavernas and bars. Make sure that you stop at Churrería Alba for some of the best churros, too!
Enjoy a lunch with a view
After your morning walking or exploring, you will have worked up a bit of an appetite! Head to one of the restaurants close to the cliff edge to enjoy lunch with spectacular views over the valley below. If you’re lucky enough to bag a table on the terrace at Arrabal Restaurante, you will have great views across to Puente Nuevo too.
La Casa del Rey Moro
A visit to the Casa del Rey Moro is one of the best things to do in Ronda, so head here after lunch. Once home to King Moro, it is one of the most important historical landmarks in Ronda. The complex comprises three parts – the mine, garden and house. The water mine dates back to the 14th century and is one of the best preserved in Andalusia. It was originally built to strengthen the defenses of the town.
The beautiful Moro gardens were inspired by a mix of Hispanic and Muslim designs and French landscaping and are wonderful to stroll around.
You can take a tour of the mine and garden, but currently, the house is undergoing reconstruction, so it is unfortunately closed to visitors (summer 2024)
Tickets can be purchased onsite at the box office and are €10 for adults and €3 for children under 12.
Mondragón Palace
Another beautiful landmark to visit in Ronda is Mondragón Palace. This small 14th century home now houses a modest museum, sharing some of the history of Ronda. There are also small landscaped gardens you can wander through, with views out to the valley. You won’t need long here to walk around, but the entry is only €4 for adults.
Go wine tasting
The production of wine in Ronda has significantly increased in recent years, and there are now over 20 vineyards producing red, white and rose wines in the province of Malaga.
There are several wineries around Ronda to choose from, some of the more popular ones include: Milamores Ronda, Bodega Fernández Bolet Ronda and Bodega Gonzalo Beltrán Finca La Nogalera
You can book these directly from the winery, or choose to join a tour group. This is a great option if you want to visit a couple of different wineries and not worry about transport!
If you have 3 days in Ronda…
If you are planning to visit Ronda for 3 days and you enjoy hiking and being outdoors, I would suggest to plan a hike in the Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves.
From Ronda, you can reach the edge of this national park within 15-20 mins by car. There is an array of wildlife, plants, mountains and caves in this national park, with several hiking trails to explore.
As with any hiking trip, make sure that you are adequately prepared. Take plenty of water and snacks as well as sun cream and a hat – even on a cloudy day – as many of the trails can be quite exposed.
I would also recommend downloading an offline version of Google maps and also a copy of the hiking trail you are following. I always use the AllTrails app whenever I hike in the UK and abroad. There is a free version, but I have the Pro version which means that I can download the map to my phone and follow the route using the GPS tracker, even when I don’t have internet.
