Free walking tours in Ronda and what to see

Must-sees

Ronda sits on a plateau split in two by the Tajo, the gorge carved out by the Guadalevín river. The Puente Nuevo joins both sides and is the picture everyone is after. Take the path down to its base to see it from below. The Alameda del Tajo and the Paseo de los Ingleses offer open views over the mountains.

South of the bridge is La Ciudad, the oldest quarter. Here you’ll find the church of Santa María la Mayor, built on the old mosque, the Mondragón Palace and the Casa del Rey Moro, with its staircase cut into the rock down to the river. Further down are the Puente Viejo and the very well preserved Arab baths. In the Mercadillo, the newer part, the Real Maestranza bullring stands out as one of the oldest in Spain.

Free tours and guided visits

Ronda’s free tours usually last about two hours and cover the Puente Nuevo, La Ciudad and the area around the bullring. You tip what you like, and the guide tells the town’s story, from its Andalusí past to the Romantic travellers who made it famous.

Among the paid visits, a guided tour of the bullring and the Arab baths is worth it. From Ronda there are trips through the white villages of the mountains, such as Setenil de las Bodegas or Grazalema, and visits to the Cueva de la Pileta, with prehistoric paintings. There are also tours of local wineries.

How long to spend

A full day lets you see the main sights without rushing. Spend the morning on La Ciudad, the Casa del Rey Moro and the walk down into the gorge, and the afternoon on the bullring, the Alameda and sunset at the viewpoints. With two days you can add a trip to the white villages or the Cueva de la Pileta. The town is at its best in the evening, when the tour groups leave.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is the Mercadillo, near the Plaza de España. From there you cross the Puente Nuevo on foot in a couple of minutes, with restaurants, shops and the bus station close at hand. If you prefer peace and quiet, La Ciudad has houses and small hotels on quiet streets with views over the valley. Either way you can get around on foot and forget about the car.