Best Things to Do in Ronda: 5-Hour Travel Guide

Perched high in Andalucía’s Serranía de Ronda mountains, Ronda is a city that captures the imagination like few others in Spain. Split in two by the spectacular El Tajo gorge, this ancient settlement offers visitors an unforgettable blend of natural drama, architectural magnificence and rich cultural heritage that makes compiling a list of things to do in Ronda an exercise in wonderful abundance.

The city’s most iconic feature is the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), an architectural marvel connecting the old Moorish quarter with the newer El Mercadillo district across the breathtaking chasm. The historic Parador hotel, standing sentinel at the gorge’s edge, offers one of Spain’s most dramatic hotel locations.

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While day-trippers from the Costa del Sol frequently visit Ronda along the winding mountain road, the city reveals its true charm to those who linger longer. Evening brings the traditional Spanish paseo along the locally beloved “Calle la Bola” (Carrera Espinel), a pedestrianized street where shops, bars and cafés buzz with local life. The whitewashed buildings of the old town gleam under the reliable Andalucían sun, while the Plaza de Toros, birthplace of modern bullfighting under Pedro Romero’s influence, stands as a testament to the city’s significant role in Spanish cultural history.

Getting to Ronda

By Car: The drive to Ronda is an experience in itself, offering spectacular mountain scenery through the Serranía de Ronda. From the Costa del Sol, take the A-397 from San Pedro de Alcántara (near Marbella) – a winding but well-maintained mountain road. Alternative routes include approaching from Seville or Granada via the A-374, or from Málaga via the A-357. All routes offer stunning views, though the mountain roads require careful driving, especially in winter conditions. Multiple public parking options are available in Ronda, including underground facilities near the town centre.

By Bus: ALSA operates regular bus services to Ronda from major Andalucían cities. Direct services run from Málaga (2 hours), Seville (2.5 hours) and several Costa del Sol resorts including Marbella and Torremolinos. The bus station is conveniently located on Avenida de Andalucía, about a 10-minute walk from the historic centre. Buses are modern, air-conditioned and provide a comfortable, economical travel option. Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak tourist season.

By Train: Ronda’s railway station sits on the picturesque Algeciras-Bobadilla line, with connections to major cities through Spain’s national rail network RENFE. Direct services run from Madrid (about 4 hours) and Granada, while connections from Málaga require a change at Bobadilla. The train journey itself is spectacular, especially the section through the Serranía de Ronda mountains. The station is located about 1km from the town centre, with taxis readily available.

Organised Tours: Many tour operators run day trips to Ronda from Costa del Sol resorts, typically departing early morning and returning early evening. These tours usually include guided walks around the main attractions like the Puente Nuevo, Plaza de Toros and the old town. While this option offers convenience and informative commentary, it allows limited time to explore the city in depth. Tours are particularly popular from Málaga, Marbella, Torremolinos and Fuengirola, often combining Ronda with visits to other white villages (pueblos blancos) of the region.

What to Do in Ronda: Top Attractions

Cross the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge)

The Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), Ronda’s most iconic landmark, majestically spans the El Tajo gorge above the Guadelevín river. Construction of this architectural marvel began in 1751 and was completed in 1793. The bridge stands 98 metres above the river below, featuring a central arch 70 meters in height and two supporting arched pedestrian walkways with observation points which offer breathtaking views over the gorge.

Things to do in Ronda

The bridge gained additional historical significance during the Spanish Civil War, when it became the setting for tragic events that would later inspire Ernest Hemingway’s novel ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls.’ In the book, Hemingway describes fascist sympathizers being pushed to their death in the deep gorge, a scene believed to be based on actual events that occurred in Ronda during the conflict. Hemingway himself was a frequent visitor to the town, often photographed there alongside Orson Welles and local bullfighting legend Antonio Ordóñez, whose statue now stands outside Ronda’s ancient bullring.

Visit Ronda’s Bullring (Plaza de Toros)

Ronda is considered the birthplace and spiritual home of modern Spanish-style bullfighting. The first documented bullfight held in the town dates back to 1572, though the roots of these events go back even further. In the 18th century, the distinctive Rondeño style of bullfighting on foot began taking shape, contrasting with the more traditional way of fighting bulls from horseback. Francisco Romero, born in Ronda in 1700, is credited with establishing many of the fundamental passes and techniques still used by matadors today.

Bullfighting in Ronda

Throughout the 1800s, Ronda produced many of the most legendary matadors and bullfighting dynasties in Spain. The likes of Pedro Romero and the Ordóñez family helped pioneer the modern traditions and turn Ronda into the leading School of Tauromachy (Escuela Taurina).

In 1785, the iconic neoclassical Plaza de Toros bullring was constructed in Ronda, becoming one of the earliest purpose-built venues for bullfighting in the country. It remains one of the most prestigious and important rings in Spain. Major bullfighting figures from Ronda in the 20th century included Antonio Ordóñez, who revived interest in the sport in the 1950s-60s. The annual Corrida Goyesca festival, featuring the pageantry of 18th century suits of light, also originated in Ronda.

Even if you don’t attend a bullfight, a visit to the bullring is one of the most popular things to do in Ronda. The arena is an impressive historic monument with an adjoining museum about bullfighting traditions.

Who Was Antonio Ordoñez?

Antonio Ordóñez was a legendary matador from Ronda who became one of the most celebrated and influential bullfighters of the 20th century. Born in 1932, Ordóñez rose to fame in the 1950s and 60s with his artistic, elegant style and mastery of classic bullfighting techniques. He fought in over 1,000 corridas (bullfights) during his 28-year career before retiring in 1973. Ordóñez’s rivalry with fellow matador Luis Miguel Dominguín captivated Spanish audiences and he was credited with helping revive the sport’s popularity in the mid-20th century. There is a statue of Ordóñez on the main street outside the bullring in Ronda which honours his status as a cultural icon from the birthplace of modern Spanish bullfighting.

Visit La Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor

Whilst the general architecture and atmosphere of Ronda announces its Moorish past, it’s the Iglesia de Santa María de la Encarnación la Mayor in Plaza Duquesa de Parcent that bears the clearest testament to that era. As is typical throughout Andalucia, this church was built on the site of a former mosque whilst retaining many characteristics of the original building.

Things to do in Ronda

Visit the Arab Baths (Baños Arabes)

The Baños Arabes (Arab Baths) of Ronda, constructed during the 13th and 14th centuries, stand as Spain’s most remarkably preserved example of Moorish bathing facilities. This historical complex exemplifies the sophisticated engineering and architectural achievements of Al-Andalus, offering modern visitors an exceptionally well-preserved glimpse into medieval Islamic Spain’s bathing culture and social customs.

Arab Baths in Ronda

The baths are organized into distinct functional areas: three main bathing chambers (cold, warm and hot rooms), a reception area and a boiler room. The central chamber is the largest, featuring three separate sections divided by distinctive horseshoe arches. The architectural details throughout are particularly noteworthy, showcasing sophisticated star-patterned brick ceilings and elegant arched doorways that demonstrate the refinement of Moorish design.

Adding to the visitor experience, the site offers an audiovisual presentation that demonstrates how the baths functioned during the Andalucían period, helping modern visitors understand both the technical operation of the facilities and the cultural customs of the era. The exceptional state of preservation of all chambers allows visitors to examine even the smallest architectural and functional details, making these baths an invaluable resource for understanding Spain’s Islamic heritage and the sophisticated bathing culture that was central to daily life in medieval Muslim society.

Visit the Mondragon Palace

The Mondragón Palace, also known as the Palace of the Marquis of Villasierra, is a remarkable architectural blend of Mudéjar and Renaissance styles located in Ronda’s historic old town. While local legend claims it was once home to the kings of the Ronda Taifa kingdom, historical records reveal its origins as an Andalucían palace where the Marinid king Abd al Malik resided in the 14th century. After his death, when Ronda came under the Kingdom of Granada’s control, the palace served as the residence for Nasrid governors, with Hamed el Zegrí being its final Moorish occupant.

Following Ronda’s conquest by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485, the palace briefly served as their royal residence before being granted to Captain Melchor de Mondragón, whose coat of arms still adorns the façade and from whom the palace takes its current name. The palace’s architecture features an early 16th-century façade with distinctive square brick towers at its corners and an 18th-century Baroque entrance.

The interior is organized around three unique courtyards: the 18th-century Well Courtyard, the 16th-century Mudéjar Courtyard featuring a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Mudéjar styles and a Late Gothic courtyard. From its Muslim period, only the original layout, foundations and underground passages connecting the garden to the old alcazar remain.

In 1975, the Ronda City Council purchased the palace and converted it into the Municipal Museum of Ronda, making this historical gem accessible to the public while preserving its rich architectural and cultural heritage.

History of the Moors in Ronda

Ronda was settled by the Moors in the early 8th century as part of the Umayyad conquest of Hispania. The city, known then as Izna-Rand-Onda, became a significant city-state (taifa) after the collapse of the Cordoba Caliphate in the early 11th century.

During the 13th century, Ronda first came under the control of the Marinid dynasty of Morocco, specifically when King Abd al Malik (son of the Sultan of Morocco) made the Mondragón Palace his residence. Only after his death did Ronda pass to the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, with the palace becoming home to their governors, the last being Hamet el Zegrí.

The historical record confirms that Ronda fell to the Catholic Monarchs on May 24, 1485, after a relatively brief but intense siege that targeted the city’s water supply. The conquest of Ronda was indeed significant, coming seven years before the fall of Granada, the last Moorish kingdom in Iberia.

The Moorish legacy in Ronda remains evident today through numerous architectural and cultural elements, including:

  • The Arab Baths (13th-14th centuries)
  • The original layout of the Mondragón Palace
  • The Islamic street pattern in the old town (La Ciudad)
  • The Minaret of San Sebastian
  • Former mosques converted to churches
  • The ancient walls and gates (especially the Almocábar Gate)
  • The water mines and steps carved into the gorge

These surviving elements make Ronda one of the best places to see the influence of nearly eight centuries of Islamic rule in Spain.

Go Wine Tasting Near Ronda

The natural region of Ronda offers an ideal microclimatic conditions for high quality wine production. These particular conditions (altitude, stable rainfall, warm days and cool nights) have helped in the establishment of vineyards and wine cellars in the Serrania. The two best known are the wines of Cortijo de las Monjas and the wines of F.Schatz. Certainly these little known wines are well worth considering with your meal, especially the reds.

Ronda Tourist Information: FAQs

When is the Best Time to Visit Ronda?

Whilst Ronda gets more than its fair share of blue sky days all year round be prepared for some very cold days up here in the mountains during the winter months. Spring tends to be mild and dry whilst summer temperatures are usually very pleasant. In terms of events the big celebration of the year is the Feria de Pedro Romero during the first week of September when locals dress in typical 18th century Goyesque costumes.

Can You Recommend Any Places to Stay in Ronda?

Parador of Ronda (Plaza de España s/n): Located in the centre of the city next to the Puente Nuevo, the Parador offers spectacular views of the Tagus, Ronda’s famous 120 metres deep gorge. The hotel has a swimming pool and cheerful bedrooms with beautiful views and comfortable split-level suites with terraces. The restaurant of the Parador is recognised as one of the best in Ronda.

Maestranza Hotel (Virgen de la Paz nº 26): The Maestranza is an elegant hotel located in the historic centre of Ronda opposite the famous bullring and housed in the last residence of Pedro Romero.

Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera (Partido De Los Frontones s/n): If you don’t mind being in the hills a few kilometres outside Ronda (15 minutes drive) and have a fancy for staying in a rural setting then this beautiful two star hotel is the place for you. It’s a great place to relax with stunning scenery all around and a nice pool to take a dip in the hot afternoons.