Ronda is a historic town which draws visitors to its stunning gorge, beautiful buildings and famous bullring. Many of its hotels are located on the cliff edge, with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. Within easy reach of the coast, Ronda is also not far from Seville and Cadiz. Enjoy a stopover in Ronda, or nearby, at one of these characterful hotels.
No one can come to the hilltop town of Ronda, Andalucia's most-visited pueblo blanco, without being aware of its significance in the bullfighting world. From Pedro Romero, who revolutionised bullfighting in the 18th century by doing it on foot (as opposed to horseback) here, to corrida fans Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway (See FACT II), who both loved the town and visited frequently, to famed matador Antonio Ordoez, whose finca is nearby (his old friend Hemingway's ashes were scattered there). Ordoez started the Feria Goyesca, a colourful tableau of Goya-period costumes (the painter often portrayed bullfighters), based on his paintings. The spectacular pageant celebrates the painter (Goya), the bullfighter (Romero) and the art (bullfighting).
Ronda is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. There is plenty to see beyond the view from the bridge over the plunging gorge which divides the town. Below are the main attractions and things to see in Ronda, and when is best to see them.
The Paseo Hemingway leads on to Rondas great green lung. More info >
Despite being a growing town, Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below, before taking in the views from the Alameda out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains.
Pueblos Blancos Music Festival held first edition in 2016, returned to Ronda and the Serrania on last weekend in July 2022 after an absence in 2020 and 2021. It is held over four days in four different Serrania villages. Ronda, Montejaque, Grazalema, Villaluenga del Rosario
Each procession has a short name and an official long ecclesiastical name representing a part of the Easter story. the processions are organised by the brotherhood associations. The processions usually consists of two pasos (thrones), two brass bands, members of the brotherhood; young and old and by invitation members of the local town council, police and other civic officials.
Pueblos Blancos Music Festival held first edition in 2016, returned to Ronda and the Serrania on last weekend in July 2023. It is held over four days in four different Serrania villages. Ronda, Montejaque, Grazalema, Villaluenga del Rosario
The hermitage is located in the Plaza de la Oscuridad, in the rear courtyard of a house owned for years by the Ponce de León family. Thanks to a scheme by the City Council, and with the collaboration of its current owner, Fernando Ponce de León, the hermitage has opening times for public access. This was permitted after Mr Ponce de León restored the building with the help of some architects.
This ninth-century cave hermitage, carved into the rock face, has remained hidden from visitors until recently. Today, it is still used for religious purposes by the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Cabeza. The town of Ronda continues to celebrate a pilgrimage on behalf of the Virgen de la Cabeza that incorporates a visit to the site.
Information about the cinemas in Ronda
See below a selection of excellent tours in and around Ronda town, perfect opportunities to see some of the interesting monuments and things to see in Ronda without the hassle of having to organise them yourself. These half day tours all depart from a central point in Ronda town. For day trip excursions into the countryside and surrounding villages view our Ronda excursions page.
The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m altitude in the Serrania de Ronda produce young red wines from Romé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo. Their white wine varieties include Chardonnay, Macabeo, Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc.
Ronda is home to some of the most beautiful villas in Andalucia. Usually located in the scenic countryside surrounding the town, villas in Ronda offer spectacular views and often come with private swimming pools and on-site parking.
Ronda is an ancient mountain town of scenic vistas, omantic plazas, and historic treasures. Once a year, Ronda also sees a return to tradition with its annual Feria Goyesca. A fairly recent festival, at least in Andalucian terms, it has become an event that has captured the imagination of Spain with its traditional dress, important bullfights and its ageless glamour.
The Ronda Parador is an interesting mix of old and new architecture, with views of the busy and picturesque Plaza de España on one side, and the breathtaking gorge on the other, as well as the 18th century Puente Nuevo bridge that is adjacent to the building. This is an excellent, convenient base for exploring Ronda.
The ruins of this 32 hectare city are located at 1.000m above sea level. This is an urban are that thrived in the first century AD when it had a population of 5.000. It was mentioned in Plini and, inscriptions to Geninn Oppidi, to the god Marse and to Victoria Augusta have been found. The city even minted its own money, which features bunches of grapes.
Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malaga province due to its dramatic setting and historic and cultural heritage, it is no surprise that Ronda has an abundance of self-catering accommodation both in the town itself and just outside in the surrounding countryside.
There are two Altira express return trains a day to Madrid Atocha stopping at Antequera Santa Ana, Cordoba Central, Puertollano, Cuidad Real and two in the other direction to San Roque and Algeciras. There are also three return medium-distance stopping trains a day for stations to Algeciras in one direction, and Bobadilla to Granada in the other.
Ronda bus station is located in the new part of the town, only four blocks along the Avenida de Andalucia from the train station and about 5 minutes' walk from the historic town centre. It is located at Plaza Concepción García Redondo.
Inaugurated in 1785, Ronda's Plaza de Toros is one of the oldest in Spain, younger and smaller than that at Sevilla, but home to one of Spain's most famous 'schools' of bullfighting, on foot rather than on horseback as at Jerez and Sevilla.
