What to do in Ronda, the most beautiful town in Southern Spain

Ronda was love at first sight! In this post, I’ll share why this small town in Europe captured our hearts and everything you can do there. I guarantee it will be one of the most memorable stops on your trip through southern Spain.

Perched on the edge of the Guadalevín River canyon, which runs through the town center, Ronda is full of little white houses that seem to balance dangerously on the edges of the cliff and challenge the vertigo of its residents and visitors, and punctuated by churches that mix architectural influences and remind you that the Arab world is right there.

As one of the "white cities" (pueblos blancos) of Andalucía, Ronda was the first stop on our 10 days Andalucia trip, which also included Granada, Córdoba and Seville.

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Map of the southern region of Spain and Portugal, with pin marking where Ronda is, near Malaga and Marbella

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Where Ronda is located and how to get there

Ronda is located in the province of Málaga, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain. It's close to important cities in the region like Seville and Málaga, and also a short distance from Gibraltar.

We included Ronda in our 10-day roadtrip through Andalucia. We rented the car in Seville and went straight from there to Ronda, it's about 130 km, easily covered in 1h45 by car. and easily covered in 180 hour and 2 minutes by car. After that, we drove from Ronda to Granada, which is one-hundred and eighty km away and takes about two hours by car.

There are several parking lots in the town, but remember that due to its historic charm, the streets can be narrow and challenging for parking, especially in the central area. However, you can easily find parking in Ronda within a short walk of the historic center. If you're, like us, on a road trip, look for lodging that offers parking.

The roads in the region are great, mostly dual-carriageway, well-maintained, well-signposted, and toll-free. Drive on the right side of the road (like in all continental Europe). We didn't encounter any issues or problems during our entire trip.

Ronda has a bus station that connects the city to other important cities in Andalucia , such as Seville, Granada and Malaga. The bus company operating in the region is Avanza Grupo, and tickets can be purchased online. I like using the Rome2Rio website to research public transportation routes and identify the names and links of the line operators.

Puente Nueva, in Ronda, Spain, Narrow stone bridge over a deep canyon

two girls, walking in an alley in Rona, Spain, on a hot day.

What to do in Ronda, Spain

First and foremost, I need to tell you that Ronda is a city to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Of course, you can visit it on a day trip or just make a quick stop and continue on to other destinations in the region. However, if you can, reserve at least a full day to enjoy the city. You won't regret it, I'm sure of that. That's what we did: we took one night of our own ten-day roadtrip through Andalucia to spend the night in Ronda.

Ronda's postcard is Puente Nueva ("New Bridge"), , the bridge that crosses the canyon of Guadalevín River canyon, right in the center of the city. It's a beautiful bridge in a jaw-dropping geographical location Despite its name, Ponte Nueva was completed in 1793 and represented an impressive architectural feat at the time.

But the most beautiful views (and photos) of the bridge you will get from a distance , from some of the town's many miradors (or viewpoints).

While in Ronda, make sure to walk around and visit as many viewpoints as you can. It's simple, easy, and free! Start by walking along the streets that follow the edges of the canyon, I guarantee there will be several strategic stops for photos, coffee, and ice cream. This integration between the city and the canyon is something unique, which alone makes the visit to the city worthwhile.

Some of the viewpoints we visited, all easy to reach from the Puente Nueva, include: Mirador de Ronda, Mirador Puente Nuevo, Mirador de Aves, Mirador de los Viajeros Romanticos, Mirador de Maria Auxiliadora, Mirador del Viento, and Mirador La Hoya del Tajo (this last one was the only one we drove to, but you can walk from the center, it's about a 1km walk).

The best viewpoints for photos of the Puente Nuevo Mirador La Hoya del Tajo and the Mirador Puente Nuevo.

In addition to Puente Nueva, there is the Puente Vieja (old bridge), much smaller and less imposing, but no less beautiful. It was completed in 1616 and only allows pedestrians to pass through.

Santa Maria la Mayor Church in Ronda, Spain

As expected, there are several churches in the city, and it is worth visiting at least some of them – even if you are not a devotee, these churches are beautiful and rich in history.

Church of Santa María la Mayorlocated in the heart of Ronda's historic center, it's one of the most important in town. Built on the remains of an old mosque, it combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles in its architecture.

Church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro: situated near Plaza del Socorro, this Baroque church is known for its impressive facade and beautiful interiors. It's worth climbing the bell tower for a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Church of Padre Jesus: this small church, located near the Puente Nueva, is famous for housing the image of Padre Jesús Nazareno, which is venerated during Holy Week in Ronda.

Church of la Merced: built in the sixteenth century, its interior is one of the most beautiful in town.

Church of San Sebastian: one of the oldest churches in Ronda, also from the sisteenth century, located near the Puente Vieja.

It's also worth visiting the Plaza de Toros de Ronda, located in the central region, near the Puente Nueva.

The Mondragón Palace, close to the Church of Santa María la Mayor, is a beautiful historic house with gorgeous gardens that houses the Ronda Municipal Museum. It tells the history of the city and is worth a few minutes of your visit - we had a gorgeous time walking around the garden, escaping from the heat on a hot summer afternoon.

In conclusion, Ronda is a place that invites you to wander for hours through its alleys, enjoying the landscape, whether of the canyon or the valley, the architecture, the numerous churches, and historical buildings. It's a great alternative to escape the crowds of tourists that flock to southern Spain at any time of the year..

child walking near Arco de Felipe V, Ronda, Spain, Pueblos Brancos de Andalucia

Santa Maria la Mayor Church, Ronda, Spain. Stone Church Tower, with a clock

Where to stay in Ronda

Ronda is a small town and one of the hidden gems in Andalucia. I recommend staying in the central area, as it's a pleasant place to explore on foot. You can easily visit all the main attractions, while enjoying the local bars, restaurants, and charming shops. Our car stayed in the garage the entire time, and we only used it when we left town, making a stop at Mirador La Hoya del Tajo on our way to Granada.

We stayed in a very nice Airbnb, in downtown area (unfortunately it is no longer listed for rent), but if you prefer staying in hotels or guesthouses, there's no shortage of options – if I could choose, they would be:

Catalonia Ronda: great location and an unbeatable view from the rooftop pool and bar.
Hotel Ronda Nuevo: well-located in the historic heart of town.
Casa Palacio VillaZambra, in a historic house, right on the edge of the canyon
If you prefer larger, newer hotels with more amenities and a good pool, Catalonia Reina Victoria seems like a great option.

If you don't want to stay overnight (but I strongly advise staying at least one night), you can visit Ronda as a day tour from Seville or from Granada.

Check hotel availability and rates here:

Where to eat in Ronda

Ronda offers a variety of local and Mediterranean cuisine in general. We found the prices reasonable by European standards, a bit lower than what we found in other cities during our trip through Andalucia.

We had lunch at Mesón Carmen de la Ronda, near Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, and sat at tables set up in the square; it was delightful. In the evening, we dined at Michelangelo Pizza, near Plaza del Socorro, one of the best pizzas we had on the trip.

alley with white houses and small balconies with railings, church in the background. Ronda, Spain

Detailed itinerary of our ten day trip to Spain

On this map, you’ll find everything we did during our 10-day trip through Southern Spain. Click on the marked points to see details of each location. You can zoom in, drag the map to navigate, and toggle between different layers, each color-coded for the areas we visited. The blue line marks the route we took by car.

In the top left corner icon, you can access the map menu, with all the layers and legends, and if you want to save to your Google Maps account, just click on the star next to the map's name. To access it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, tap on the menu button, go to "My Places," select "Maps," and you'll find this map listed among your saved maps.

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