Discover Ronda: Tips for Visiting the White Village and the Famous Puente Nuevo August 21, 2024 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Andalusia, Food, Holiday, Restaurants, Reviews, Ronda, Spain, Vacation

What to See and Do in Ronda

Ronda, renowned for its iconic Puente Nuevo bridge, has much more to offer beyond this stunning landmark. Nestled in the heart of Andalusia, this charming mountain town is one of Spain’s picturesque “white villages.” With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant local culture, Ronda is a destination that captivates visitors.

Whether you’re exploring ancient Moorish sites, savoring local delicacies, or simply soaking in the serene beauty of the surrounding mountains, Ronda promises an unforgettable experience. Dive into our top recommendations to make the most of your visit to this enchanting Spanish gem!

We highly recommend staying in Ronda for at least one night, preferably more. Below, you will also find our recommendation for a lovely hotel in the city – which is also the most photographed hotel in Spain!

A Day Trip to Ronda

If you are only in Ronda for one day, it’s good to know what you can manage to see. Many people visit Ronda for the beautiful bridge, Puente Nuevo. However, the bridge can be seen quickly if you don’t visit the museum.

There are many other exciting attractions in the city, especially those left behind by the Moors from their golden age here. From the new bridge, you can walk east to the lower bridges, passing by the Moorish water mine at Casa del Rey Moro and the Arab baths.

For a great photo of Puente Nuevo, find the small path that goes down from Plaza de María Auxiliadora to the viewpoint.

Ronda with Strollers and for Those with Limited Mobility

Ronda is a mountain town with all that entails – steep climbs and slippery steps. If strollers or legs are not up for major mountain adventures, there are still plenty of attractions to enjoy. La Ciudad, the old town south of the bridge, is charming with its winding streets and numerous small cafes.

The most beautiful view is from the Alameda del Tajo park, just north of Puente Nuevo. At the eastern end of the park is the bullring Plaza de Toros with the famous statue of Ernest Hemingway outside. You can read more about Attractions in Ronda by clicking the link.

Hiking Trails in Ronda

From the many miradors, or viewpoints, there are also breathtaking views of the valley and surrounding mountains. But why just look? Around Ronda, there are countless hiking trails for both seasoned hikers and beginners like us. From here, it’s easy to get around and see Ronda from all angles. We’ve written about our hiking adventures here: Hiking in Ronda: Discover Stunning Trails and Scenic Views.

Great Restaurants in Ronda

Ronda is just a small mountain town, but despite its size, it is used to hosting many tourists. This means there is a relatively large selection of places to eat. Most tourists, however, never venture beyond Calle Nuevo, where the popular restaurant street lures with pizza, nuggets, and sushi.

There are many really good restaurants in Ronda where you can sample the traditional mountain cuisine. We have written a bit about this here: Best Restaurants in Ronda – A Culinary Guide

How to Get to Ronda

The easiest way to get to Ronda is to fly into Malaga Airport. From Malaga, it’s a 90-minute drive. You can also choose to fly into Sevilla, which is a two-hour drive to Ronda.

If, like us, you prefer to avoid renting a car, it’s actually quite easy to travel from both Malaga and Sevilla to Ronda by public transport. Buses run directly from the bus stations in both cities to Ronda. The bus runs three times a day between Sevilla and Ronda and even more frequently from Malaga to Ronda.

You can find more information on Omio and Rome2Rio. On both sites, you can search for buses and trains across Europe – and often buy your ticket for the trip at the same time.

More Tips for Your Holiday in Ronda

Find a Good Hotel in Ronda

Where should you stay when in Ronda? At the lovely Parador de Ronda hotel – right by the gorge and Puente Nuevo, of course! But there are other options as well, though it’s a grand experience to draw the curtains and gaze out at the sunrise over the mountain peaks. Or how about swimming in the hotel’s pool, with a view of the gorge?

From the outside, the hotel, which by the way is the city’s former town hall, looks like a classic Spanish holiday hotel, but inside everything is new and beautiful. We stayed in a room with a view directly of Puente Nuevo. We expected a lot of noise from the bridge, but when the last bus with day-trippers leaves, the only sound is the evening birdsong over the city’s rooftops.

Breakfast deserves its own story. There’s no automatic coffee machine in the large breakfast buffet here. Instead, you get really good, strong coffee, served at your table in the most beautiful silver pot. Meanwhile, you can tell the waiter whether you prefer your eggs fried or scrambled – and he’ll bring them to you, freshly made!

Read more about the hotel here: Parador de Ronda