Driving to Ronda from Seville - Tips

Once outside of Sevilla the roads will be rural and 2-lanes. Traffic should be light. Going through the hilly areas there will be twists and turns. Expect to drive at about 70kph/42mph most of the time. Drive at or below the speed limit since there are plenty of speed cameras, especially when entering or leaving towns.

Going one route you could visit Olvera and Setinil de las Bodegas. Going the other route you’d have some interstate type roads, but would take you longer. You could stop in Arcos de la Frontera and Zahara de la Sierra.

Unfortunately, in February, there are fewer daylight hours (sunset 7pm) so you’d need to keep moving to see everything you want to see to make it back to Sevilla before dark.

Farm fields will be less scenic in winter; We loved the canola flower and sunflowers we saw. We tried to hit some real white hill towns, but they were just too far along tiny (paved) spur roads. So we settled for an hour or two in Arcos. We were headed to Ronda to sleep, not a daytrip from Seville. Rick used to recommend a neolithic cave tour near Ronda, which even 15 years ago booked up solid every day.

While you have the car, I recommend Carmona and Italica, if not the same day as Ronda. We had to use paid underground parking in Seville.

Expect twisting roads in the mountains and impatient locals refusing to obey the speed limits. Try not to be intimidated, whilst there are no speed cameras in the mountain roads that I'm aware of it can be hazardous for those not used to the area to speed because of others. If someone is impatient then stick to your guns, they'll overtake you at some point and the risk will be theirs.

Thanks everyone. One more question: did anyone have a rental and need an IDP?

An IDP is required, but I’ve never been asked to show it. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.