As part of our Spain/Portugal trip next Fall, as part of the Andalucia segment we were planning on two nights in Grenada, four nights in Sevilla, and a day trip from Sevilla to Codoba. Then I saw that a train connection can be made from Córdoba to Ronda in just under 2 hours. Given that our schedule is somewhat tight, is a side trip to Ronda worth it as a day trip or should we stay overnight? Can one night be sufficient, then with a trip back to Córdoba and then on to Sevilla? Or, would we be better off adding one to two nights in Córdoba instead and visit Ronda someday on a future trip? Thanks!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7893 posts
Aside from the frequently mentioned fact that Ronda is quieter and more "local" after the tour busses leave for the evening, it really is a nice place. I can't say if it's nicer than Cordoba. I would guess there is much more to "do" in Cordoba. You have to consider the distances to the train stations and costs. (We had a car when we stayed three nights in Ronda, but that included driving daytrips, which you won't be doing.) We had an expensive room at the Parador de Ronda, with a killer view.
I personally think that 4 days in Seville without a car could be dropped to 3. I am NOT saying you need a car, only that you probably won't be going to Carmona and Italica, or Jerez. Seville is a lovely city and you should not skimp on your visit there.
You didn't ask about Madrid, but you need plenty of time there. We had no car in Madrid, so we actually made good use of the commercial bus excursions disdained by some travelers. They got us to a lot of places (3 or 4 on some days) with no navigation or parking delays, and the office was close to the Hotel Preciados. The only mistake we made was accepting the perfectly good, fairly-priced, optional lunch. We would have had more "free time" if we had settled for cold sandwiches while walking around somewhere lovely.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
The problem is that trains are not that frequent to and from Ronda.
Posted by
OP
Oceanside, CA, USA
30 posts
Thanks for the feedback, it may be a stretch this trip, maybe we will add a night or two to Córdoba instead!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
This would work, but with an early start.
Granada (2) >> Ronda (1) >> Cordoba (1) >> Sevilla (2)
Day 1 - TRN13062
Dep 06:45 GRANADA (Spain)
Arr 09:17 RONDA (Spain)
Day 2 - ALT 9367
Dep 10:09 RONDA (Spain)
Arr 12:01 CORDOBA-CENTRAL (Spain)
Day 3 - Cordoba to Sevilla (frequent trains)
Day 4 - Sevilla sights
Posted by
Seattle area
10 posts
We just got back from Spain. We spent two nights in Ronda. The big groups do clear out after around six or seven, but you can get away from them if you wander away from the New Bridge area, but you wouldn't have much time to wander on a day trip. We took the bus there from Seville and a train on to Granada. Check into the bus since train schedule is very limited. We skipped Cordoba, had planned on a day trip from Seville but toured around Seville instead. The bus to Italica was fine, had to wait for the return bus but it did show up. A lot of the statues and mosaics from Italica are at the Archeology museum in Seville in the Santa Luisa park. Free to EU, 1.50 for non EU. Get tickets in advance for Alcazar in Seville.
Posted by
Chicago
8560 posts
We spent two nights; I would not do it as a day trip. We took the bus from Seville and then a train on to Granada.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/ronda-the-most-romantic-town-in-spain/
We also didn't see a lot of tourists when we were there in May. It is a lovely town and you do want to have time to explore the gorge and the old town; having at least one night would be good. We stayed in a hotel with a little balcony in our room hanging out over the gorge which was nice as the weather was spotty.
Posted by
Detroit, MI - US
67 posts
My husband and I were just in Spain this last April and we LOVED Ronda and HATED Cordoba. I would recommend a night in both. You can wander down into the mines in Ronda, the views are INCREDIBLE and it was friendly.
We rented a car in Sevilla and drove to Ronda - it was quite an adventure; the roads are mountainous and beautiful, but the other drivers are aggressive.
Cordoba was, in our opinion, overpriced and one-note. The gypsies were very aggressive, the food was adequate but expensive, hotels expensive compared to other places. We stayed two nights and regretted it.
Posted by
Pico Rivera, CA
594 posts
Two nights in Granada doesn't seem like a whole lot. I spent about 2.5 days there and still didn't quite see everything. I stayed about 3.5 days in Sevilla and used one day to rent a car and drive to Ronda. We stopped in one of the hillside towns on the way (I forgot the name off the top of my head). We spent several hours in Ronda and were able to get the gist of it, but we obviously would have loved more time there. Not sure why the previous commentator spoke so negatively about Cordoba. I only had one full day there and could have used more. The Mesquita is not to be missed. We also took a tour of the patios. I felt food was good and inexpensive here. Sevilla has a lot to see as well. If you don't rent a car, I'd say skip Ronda.