Ronda was stop eight of our Andalusian adventure (previous stops were Malaga, Granada, Ubeda, Seville, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cádiz). You can find my trip reports for each of our stops by searching this forum or clicking on my username.
Ronda is one of the jewels of Andalusia. Perched dramatically atop a plateau, this picturesque town is divided by the breathtaking El Tajo gorge.
We arrived in Ronda by bus from Cádiz, a scenic journey that took 2 hours as we wound our way from town to town and finally to the estacion de autobuses in Ronda. We paid €25.00 per person (including Omio's booking fee of €3.80).
Ronda's compact size makes it an ideal town to explore on foot. Wandering through its narrow, cobbled streets, we were constantly amazed by the blend of historical landmarks and vibrant local culture.
The town's most famous sight, the Puente Nuevo, offers spectacular views of the El Tajo gorge and the surrounding landscape. I just love that the Puente Nuevo (“New” Bridge) is over 200 years old, this alone, talks to the different scale of time you need to adopt in this beautiful region.
Like much of Andalusia, Ronda's history is a rich and sumptuous tapestry woven from its Moorish, Roman, and Christian past. We spent two days in Ronda, which felt just about right.
Having seen most of this stunning and interesting town, we don’t feel the compulsion to rush back anytime soon and spend more time.
In the sections below, I have only listed places personally visited.
STAYING (prices are from February 2024)
Parador de Ronda (Pl. España)
The Paradores of Spain are a network of state-run hotels. These properties typically consist of restored castles, monasteries, convents, fortresses, manor houses, and palaces, as well as some exceptional modern properties. This was our first stay in of one these properties.
The Parador de Ronda was established in 1994 (it was previously the town hall) and has the prime location in Ronda, perched on the edge of the El Tajo gorge looking over the Puente Nuevo.
During our stay, the terrace was closed, which was a huge shame as it would be the loveliest of places to have lunch, dinner, or a drink.
Our room was very comfortable with views over the gardens and beyond to the beautiful olive tree covered countryside.
Overall, the Parador was very comfortable and welcoming, I couldn't help but feel, however, that the furnishings and décor gave this stunning building more the feel and ambience of an executive training center than a luxury hotel.
We paid €125.00 per night for our room.
Highly Recommended.