What You’ll See on a Walking Tour of Ronda
A few years ago John and I spent a week biking in Spain’s Andalucia region. The trip finished in Ronda, a wonderful town, and one of the oldest in Spain, precariously perched in part above a rocky canyon with a depth of 120 m. The town is situated in the Malaga province, just 100 kilometres away from the North Africa coast. On the one free day we had, we enjoyed a self-guided walking tour of Ronda, sticking to the old part of town.
While we did a walking tour of Ronda on our own (and probably missed lots of the sights), if you want to learn a little more or if you want to visit as a day trip from Seville or Malaga, I’d recommend one of the Get Your Guide tours.
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you very much for your support.
Walking tour in Ronda – don’t miss the Nuevo Puente
One of its most famous symbols is the bridge, the Nuevo Puente, built in the 18th century. It is a marvel from any angle.
This is the bridge that Hemingway immortalized in his book For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Here are some of the highlights of our Ronda walking tour.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
According to one account I read, in the last few years firefighters have cleaned up the gorge by removing among other things – 11 mopeds, a washing machine and an old car. It felt very clean down at the bottom when I was there.
Where to stay in Ronda
While there are loads of B&B’s and hotels in Ronda I think this is one place where its worth the splurge.
I’d suggest the Parador de Ronda, located on the edge of the gorge. We stayed here for two nights and reveled in the views.
Further reading on Europe
- Biking Adventures in Transylvania, Romania
- Fun Things to Do in Bellagio, Italy
- How to Spend a Weekend in Tallinn, Estonia
- Mannen Hike in Norway’s Lofoten Islands
- The Best Part of Hiking the GR221 in Mallorca
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
Hi Leigh, we are in love with Andaluzia, but I have just one and half day at Ronda, do you think that is important a tourist guide?
Regards,
Paulo
@Paulo I think you’re asking if you need a guide. No you can explore on your own.
Hello, What a lovely and well written article about my adopted home here in Spain. Well I actually live in Grazalema but I run rondatoday.com which contains a lot of information about the area in English about Ronda and the surrounding areas….. Next time you visit, come to Grazalema 🙂
@Clive I will – too bad it’s so far away for me.
I was there in 2007. Quite wonderful, especially the juxtaposition between old town and new town. I, having spent a number of years in the military, was also really impressed at how clever the defense in depths were and the fact that they could see the “bad guys” coming for days…
@David It’s location is memorable; I certainly wouldn’t want to be a member of any attacking army.
What a location. Excellent photo series, Leigh, and that last shot is spectacular!
@Andrew Thank you so much. Ronda is one of the more beautiful cities I saw in Spain.
@Andrew Add Ronda to your ever expanding wish list.
This looks gorgeous! I am definitely adding this to my list of places to go. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
@Amy You won’t be disappointed but aim for the shoulder season when the city is quieter.
Great article Leigh and all about one of my favourite parts of Spain. Ronda, the Serrania de Ronda and the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park are all a hiker’s and biker’s paradise. We just got back. Next time you are in the area, you should definitely check out this route we did up the Cerro Coros mountain. The views were unbeatable!!
@John I am very sorry that I misse Grazalema National Park. I would go back to that area again just to see the park.
Wow..you don’t hear much about Ronda but what a beauty. That gorge is just gorgeous and interesting what they’ve found. How neat is it to stay on one of those hotels on the gorge. We need to make it to the Andalusia region the next we get to Spain.
@Mary I know some people have complained that the area is very touristy but we were there in early November – still shortsleeves weather but not many people about. I think the nearby countryside is also worth a trip.
WOW. Leigh! Ronda was on my list, but I never made it. Your gorgeous shots make we want to remedy that situation, quickly! Hard to pick a favorite here, but I do love that first shot.
@Nancie Tahnk you. And as one reader says, don’t miss a trip to nearby Grazalema National Park either.
Ronda is a beautiful, scenic, and full of history … definitely a place worth visiting.
@Rachel Ronda is in a beautiful part of Spain and full of history as well.
As I recall I had just discovered your blog about the time you made that trip and Joel and I weren’t far behind you as we explored the same area (although we did it the lazy way – in a rental car) but you’ve captured beautifully my memories of that wonderful town.
@Jackie I wanted to showcase some of y photos I’ve never used before. It does have a delightful perch doesn’t it.
I felt that Ronda was very touristy, but when you went to the outskirts and even outside of the old district it becomes normal, walking around the countryside was quite pleasant.
@Noel I was in Ronda in early November so there was hardly a tourist in sight. Too many people would definitely distract from the experience. I biked the country coming into Ronda – and some of it is truly beautiful.
The country around Ronda (I’ve wanted to go there for a while now) is similar to the country near Moclin (Granada) where we house-sat. Love the tree against the wall – just gorgeous. The gorge drop off is dramatic. I wonder if many people fall into it. Sorry for being morbid. 🙂
@Jan Ronda really does sit in a wonderful, though precarious location. I did read that during the civil war hundreds of people were thrown off the bridge.
Leigh, We have been to Ronda and enjoyed all the things you mention. I loved the Bullfight museum and the gorge is well….gorgeous!
@Corinne I found the Bullfight Museum to be very interesting but I’m not sure I’d actually want to see a bullfight.
Wow. Andalusia has been on our list for awhile, but Ronda wasn’t on my radar at all. How beautiful!
@Cindy Then you must go. I think it is one of the must see towns in Andalusia.
Ronda looks wonderful sitting on the cliff edge. Would love to go there.
@Billie I had heard about the city for years and it did not diappoint – especially as we stayed at a hotel on the edge of the gorge one night.
Each time I see photos of Ronda, I fall in love with its quiet beauty. Its history is quite impressive too. Thanks for the tour, Leigh!
@Marcia My son is the first person who told me about it was on my radar from then on.The gorge area is so spectacular as is the lighting.