I will be based in Malaga and am wondering if I can drive to Ronda and Gibraltar for a day trip. Any thoughts on this? I have on friend who thinks Ronda is AWESOME.
Thanks - Randy
Posted by
Chicago
8054 posts
Ronda is awesome. We spent two nights there a couple of years ago
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/ronda-the-most-romantic-town-in-spain/
Posted by
TN, USA
2114 posts
Randy,
Yes, Ronda is absolutely beautiful (especially the vistas from the overlook).
The border crossing at Gibraltar can have HUGE delays, depending on the day you go and the time of the day. You can actually park in Spain and walk across, which is easier when the lines are long. But, finding parking can be challenging, too.
We used South Ole Spain Tours and arranged a driver, which made it super easy for us. The same company also offers small group tours, so perhaps you could join one of those for an easier experience (vs. finding parking or taking your vehicle across the border in Gibraltar). Check South Ole Spain Tours out on Trip Advisor. Emily, their owner, is actually an American who now lives in Spain. Her follow-up and attention to detail is excellent.
My husband wanted to visit Gibraltar, and I was so-so on it. I was actually rather impressed and enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Emily had arranged a wonderful guide to take us around (general overview of Gibraltar, cable car to the Top of the Rock, the Apes Den, the point, and the Siege Tunnels (which my husband loved, and I found interesting, too). If you talk with Emily, see if she can arrange the exact same guide for you (and likely she can arrange the guide whether you take a day trip with her or just meet the guide there on your own).
The way it worked for us, our driver (who took us from Granada to Ronda, then on to Gibraltar connected us with the guide for Gibraltar, then went to park the car and wait for us. After about three hours in Gibraltar, we headed to our overnight in the Old Town section of Marbella, where we said goodbye to our wonderful driver for the day.
And, do plan a trip to Granada, if you haven't already. Allow plenty of time for The Alhambra and the Generalife Garden, as well as seeing the sights of the town itself.
Marbella is also fascinating.....you will see huge yachts and the such along the golden mile, but we stayed in the lovely Old Town section, which was delightful (and more like a village).
Hopefully you are traveling once the weather cools a bit, too. We went in March and it was perfect.
Enjoy.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7357 posts
We were in Ronda 12 whole years ago, and the views from the bridge that connects the 2 parts, as well as from the Parador in town, are spectacular. We were based in a place on the coast, west of Malaga, and it made for a long day. If you're driving, I'm not sure that you want to try to fit in both Ronda and Gibraltar and make it back to Malaga in a single day. If you drive to Ronda, park as soon as possible and explore on foot, as driving the hilly, narrow streets was not the highlight of our visit! :-)
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
It's F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S !! Even if just for a few hours - a worthy diversion.
Posted by
FL USA
1527 posts
Ronda is well worth investing as a single destination trip. The bullring is a wonderful visit stepping vack into time of the origins of the sport. traversing down into the gorge is a step back into many wras of culture and civilizations (pre roman, roman, islam and christian). Highly advise spending the night.
I have always been meh on gibraltar so ..."..
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32206 posts
randy,
Your friend is correct. Ronda is a beautiful, unique and historic location and absolutely worth a visit. I'd suggest at least two nights, and perhaps longer if you have the time.
Posted by
18 posts
We went there on a day trip last year and wished we had spent the night. So beautiful!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
We chose Ronda for our trip and were glad we did. It has a few more site options that the average white town.
Posted by
1 posts
Yes! Went to Ronda 10 years ago with our children as a day trip out of Malaga. It was extremely memorable and absolutely beautiful. Don't miss the bullring/bull fighting museum, it was fascinating!
Posted by
69 posts
Try to overnight in Ronda. You get to see the village in the evening and the morning without the daytrippers and tour buses. Hotel Ronda is a wonderful location for the sites in old town. If you drive up from Marabella there is a stretch of road where you can see the Rock of Gilbraltar. Ronda is worth a night, at least.