Ronda is a wonderful and ancient city, a must visit, perched on the El Tajo gorge, about 100 meters deep, in the province of Malaga north of Marbella. In the past, even several famous people, such as Hemingway and Dumas, were fascinated by the evocative views and the exciting popular traditions of this Arab city, the capital of a small independent state until the Christian Reconquista of 1485.
Founded in the XNUMXth century BC, today Ronda is an artistically and culturally city very lively, which is detached from the mass tourism of the Costa del Sol despite its proximity.
In addition to admiring the gorge with its three bridges, visit the original Arab village, called The city, clearly separated from the new modern city, where the station, hotels and restaurants are located. Very beautiful are the water garden of the Palacio Mondragón, the tree-lined Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, which boasts a convent, two churches, the minaret converted into a bell tower, the Ayuntamiento and the XNUMXth century door to the Almocabar. Another Muslim heritage is the Arab baths, dating back to the thirteenth century but well preserved, on the banks of the river.
Also famous as the homeland of modern bullfighting, Ronda has a beautiful neoclassical arena inaugurated in 1785 with tiers distributed over two levels that can accommodate 6 spectators. Under the steps is the Ronda Bullfighting Museum, made up of several rooms, among which are those dedicated to the great dynasties of Ronda bullfighters: the Romero and the Ordóñez.
- important appointments of Ronda are the Feast of Pedro Romero, with the Corridas Goyasca, the Flamenco Festival, the Semana Santa and the celebrations for the commemoration of the Reconquest and the Pilgrimage of Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza.
Ronda is just 45 minutes' drive from the Costa del Sol and daily trains leave from the train station to Algeciras, Granada, Malaga and Seville. Bus connections are also good.
Where sleeping in Ronda
Characteristic hotels will welcome you during your stay in Ronda, the oldest city in Spain not far from Seville and Cadiz, loved by personalities such as Hemingway, Orson Wells, Alexandre Dumas and Rainer Maria Rilke.
Stay in one of the many hotel in Ronda which are located on the edge of the rocky wall of the deep gorge overlooked by the ancient part of the city and from which to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Decide whether to stay in one of the beautiful historic residences of the city or among the olive trees that surround Ronda, or small B & Bs where the service will amaze you with their friendliness, family-run hotels housed in 1700s renovated structures maintaining the classic Spanish style, or even farmhouses. Choose the hotel that's right for you and enjoy your vacation in this wonderful town!
Around Ronda
On the green hills of the Serrania de Ronda there are ancient rural houses that have been renovated and transformed into tourist accommodation, ideal for those who love hiking or for a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist Costa del Sol.
About 20 kilometers south of Ronda is the Grotto of the Pool where there are some paintings dating back to 25 thousand years ago depicting horses, goats and other animals. A guide will lead you to the discovery of these rock paintings dating back to the Paleolithic but discovered only at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Southeast of Ronda lies the large Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. From the Los Quejigales Recreative Area, hiking begins: it takes five hours of walking to reach Torrecilla, the highest mountain in Andalusia.
