There are not only cities in the United States that are chosen to film movies, since television series such as Curro Jiménez and films such as Ferdinand have also been filmed in Ronda. Visiting Ronda is synonymous with living experiences out of a movie.
Ronda has also been the birthplace of illustrious citizens such as Francisco Giner de Los Ríos, philosopher and pedagogue, and Joaquín Peinado, famous cubist painter.
What to see and what to visit in Ronda?
The city has several places that every tourist or local should include in their tour of the town, such as:
Tajo de Ronda (Mirador de Ronda)
It is located on the Alameda del Tajo. Because the views from there are incredible, it is known as the “balcony of the pussy” or “gasp of the pussy”. The views you see from there make you say: “Damn, how impressive”.
New Bridge
It is one of the iconic places in the city and it surprises when you see it in person, even though it has been seen many times in photographs. Its construction dates back to the 18th century, it took about 40 years to build and it is about 100 metres high.
Ronda Walls
They are located around the Arab baths. There are three segments in the wall: the south, the east or Cijara and the west. In each segment there is a door. The Puerta de Cristo, the Puerta de la Cijara, the Puerta de los Esparteros and the Puerta de Almocábar.
Puente Viejo
It was built in the 16th century to serve as a link between the new quarter and the old Islamic medina. After crossing it, you will find the Cuenca Gardens, where people can appreciate incredible views.
Arab Baths
Apparently, they are one of the best preserved in Europe. They were built between the 13th and 14th centuries. Originally they were Roman baths and then the Muslims reused them.
Where to eat in Ronda?
When hunger strikes, do not hesitate to enter these restaurants to try their delicacies.
Las Maravillas
It is located on Carrera Espinel, number 12. You can taste dishes such as meats, pastas, hamburgers and desserts. They also offer croquettes, risotto, Caesar salad.
La Lechuguita
It is a tapas bar located on Virgen de los Remedios street, number 35. In this place they serve classic and traditional Spanish food such as all kinds of tapas, pinchos and they also offer beer.
Restaurante Almocabar
It is located in the Plaza Ruedo Alameda, number 5. On its menu you will find cheeks, artichokes, coulanti as well as various fish and meat dishes.
Where to stay in Ronda?
Among the accommodation options in Ronda, the following hotels can be considered:
Ronda Hotel Polo
Located on Padre Mariano Soubiron street, number 8. There is very good service, advice and you can park your car.
Hotel Ronda Valley
Located at kilometer 26 of the A-374 highway, it is very pretty, it has recently undergone renovations and has improved considerably. You can feel the tranquility and the kindness of the staff.
Hotel Morales-Hotel Centro
It is located on Calle Sevilla, number 51. Its neatness, good treatment and elegant sobriety are striking. It is very close to Puente Nuevo and the Bullring.
Where to park for free in Ronda?
When you want to leave your car in a safe place without having to pay anything, you can go to one of these places:
Free parking in Ronda
It is on Corregidor Francisco Arias street. There are usually always spaces available.
Martínez Astein Parking
Located on Martínez Astein street, it does not have a number. It has a very good location for doing errands in the center of Ronda.
Parking La Merced
It is on Carlos Cobo Gómez street, number 2. According to users, it is very clean, super comfortable, spectacular service and in a privileged location.
How to get to Ronda from Malaga?
If you go by car, the best way to get to Ronda from Malaga is to take the E-15 that runs along the coast. You go through Fuengirola, Marbella to get to San Pedro de Alcántara. Then take the A-376 and after traveling about 44 kilometers, take the A-369 to finally arrive at Ronda.
The trip takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
If you prefer to go by bus, there are several bus lines that go from Malaga to Ronda every day. The duration is about three hours because it makes stops and costs about $12.
And if you want to go by train, the Spanish train service Renfe offers the public a direct train. The cost is about $16 and the ticket can be purchased up to 15 days in advance.
How to get to Ronda from Nerja:
Bus Nerja Ronda
Buy your bus ticket from Nerja to Malaga and then from Malaga to Ronda at the ticket office or online. Make sure to check the timetables as the frequency of the buses can vary. Generally, there is no direct bus from Nerja to Ronda, so you will have to change trains. The common route is to take a bus from Nerja to Malaga and from there take another bus to Ronda. The first part of the journey (Nerja to Malaga) takes about 1 hour. In Malaga, once you arrive at the bus station, look for the line that goes to Ronda. The Malaga-Ronda journey takes about 2 hours. Once in Ronda, you can explore the city on foot or use local public transport.
By Taxi or Uber from Nerja
You can order a taxi in Nerja. The taxi ride from Nerja to Ronda can take around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic, and the cost is significantly higher than the bus.
Day Tours to Ronda from Nerja
There are day tours that offer excursions to Ronda from Nerja. These tours usually include round-trip transportation, and often include a guided tour of Ronda’s main landmarks, such as the Puente Nuevo, the Plaza de Toros, and the old town.
How to find a tour:
- Search online on local tourism sites or booking platforms. Tours from Nerja
- Make sure to read reviews and compare prices to find the option that best suits your needs.
General Tips:
- Check bus schedules in advance, especially in the off-season or during holidays.
- Bring water and some food if you plan to spend a long time traveling.
- Consider bringing a map or guide to Ronda to make the most of your visit.
What to do in Ronda?
Among the tourist activities that can be carried out in Ronda is visiting the Plaza de Toros. It may not be to everyone’s liking, but it is always good to see them from a structural point of view, without taking into account what is done there. Some people do not share this way of recreation.
You can also go to the Plaza de la Duquesa de Parcent, as it is one of the most beautiful in the place. It is surrounded by several public monuments such as the Town Hall and the Iglesia Mayor de Santa María.
It is possible to visit the Museo del Bandido located on Arminan Street. In this museum there is a variety of anecdotes, documents and anecdotes of the most famous outlaws of the place. They were a kind of Robin Hood because they robbed the wealthiest to help the poorest.
Another unmissable activity is to walk through the Casa del Rey Moro which is on Cuesta de Santo Domingo Street. This house has spectacular gardens designed by a French architect named Jean-Claude Forestier.
Festivals in Ronda
Among the cultural and traditional festivals that are usually celebrated in Ronda, there are:
- The Three Kings Parade in January.
- The Carnival, which is usually in February.
- The Craft Fair which takes place in March.
- The Chestnut Festival. Pujerra which takes place on October 29th.
- The Fairsta del Mosto for November 26th.
- The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.
Free tours and activities
One of the attractions and recommendations is to visit the Plaza de Toros de Ronda. You can book a tour to visit the Ronda Bullring.
There are other activities you can do in Ronda, such as:
Take a tour of Ronda led by a Spanish-speaking guide. Reservations can be made about 15 minutes before departure. Pets are allowed.
It is also possible to take a night walk through Ronda, as it will allow you to discover the magic that this beautiful city holds. You will see the Statue of Hercules, Puente Nuevo, among other nocturnal tourist places of interest.
If you want, you can also take a walk related to the legends and mysteries of Ronda that will include visits to the Tajo de Ronda, its historic center.
For this last walk, you can book up to 30 minutes in advance and you can do a more general or smaller tour. But it will depend on the budget of the people and what objective they want to achieve.
One thing to consider about Ronda is that it is the place where the oldest tree in Malaga is located. It covers a perimeter of 14 meters. It is even said that Fernando the Catholic celebrated a Thanksgiving mass on this site.
Ronda is full of very interesting Catholic and cultural sites, so it will not be difficult to decide to let yourself be carried away by all the charm.