Travel guide
Ronda, Spain: day trip from the Costa del Sol, Puente Nuevo and where to stay
Ronda sits on a cliff in the mountains above the Costa del Sol, split in two by a gorge almost a hundred metres deep. It is the most popular day trip from the coast, but it deserves an overnight stay. Here is what to see, and where to stay.
In short
If you are staying the night in Ronda, our pick is the Parador de Ronda. It occupies the old town hall right next to the Puente Nuevo bridge, and guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.0. Ronda is around an hour and a half by car from Málaga and Marbella, and the town is at its quietest in the evening, once the coach tours have gone home.
Our first choice: See rooms at Parador de Ronda
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You stand in the middle of the Puente Nuevo and look down. Beneath you the rock wall drops straight to the Guadalevín river, and birds circle far below in the gorge. On one side lies the Moorish old town, on the other the newer town with its squares and cafés. The bridge took around forty years to build and was finished at the end of the 18th century.
Things to do in Ronda
The bridge over the gorge
The Puente Nuevo spans the El Tajo gorge, almost a hundred metres above the river.
Puente Nuevo
The bridge over the El Tajo gorge is what everyone comes to see. Walk across it, look down from the viewpoints on both sides, then take the path down into the valley. From below you see how tall the bridge really is.
Streets along the cliff
The streets of Ronda run right along the edge of the cliff.
The old town, La Ciudad
South of the bridge is the old Moorish town, with narrow streets and old palaces. Here you find the Arab baths, the Baños Árabes, among the best preserved in Spain. At the Casa del Rey Moro a stairway cut into the rock leads all the way down to the river.
The bullring and the rooftops
The bullring and the white rooftops of Ronda from above.
The bullring
Ronda's Plaza de Toros is one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, built in the 18th century. You can walk into the ring and visit the museum even when there is no event on.
The clifftop viewpoints
Along the edge of the newer town runs a promenade with views over the valley and the mountains. Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles were among those who fell for Ronda, and the clifftop path is named after Hemingway.
Wine tasting in the Serranía de Ronda
Vineyards dot the mountains around Ronda, and several welcome visitors. A tasting is a good way to end the day if you are not driving.
Where to stay in Ronda
A pool facing the old town
From the pool at the Parador you look across to the white houses of the old town.
Parador de Ronda
The Parador occupies the old town hall on the edge of the gorge, right by the Puente Nuevo. It has a seasonal pool and its own restaurant, and from many rooms you look straight out over the valley. A good choice if you want to stay in the middle of Ronda's most famous view.
Book your stay: See rooms at Parador de Ronda
A pool above the bullring
The rooftop pool at Catalonia Ronda looks straight down on the bullring.
Catalonia Ronda
Catalonia Ronda is five minutes' walk from the bridge, with a rooftop terrace and pool looking straight down on the bullring. It also has a spa and an indoor pool, and guests rate it 9.8. Ideal if you want a modern hotel with views over the town.
Book your stay: See rooms at Catalonia Ronda
Sunset over the mountains
Sunset over the infinity pool at Reina Victoria.
Catalonia Reina Victoria
Reina Victoria sits on the edge of the cliff, with a garden and an infinity pool facing the mountains. The poet Rainer Maria Rilke stayed here, and the hotel has a spa with hydrotherapy. Guests rate it 9.4, and the bridge is about ten minutes' walk away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Catalonia Reina Victoria
The palace courtyard
The courtyard of Palacio San Gabriel in the old town.
Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel
Palacio San Gabriel is an old palace in the old town, with a courtyard and rooms full of history. The Puente Nuevo is about ten minutes' walk away, and guests rate the hotel 9.4. A good choice for couples who want to stay in the old town and enjoy its quiet evenings.
Book your stay: See rooms at Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel
A terrace over the gorge
The terrace at Montelirio hangs over the gorge.
Hotel Montelirio
Montelirio sits on the edge of the gorge close to the Puente Nuevo, with a terrace and outdoor pool above the valley. Its restaurant, La Albacara, serves Mediterranean food, and guests rate the hotel 9.2. Choose it for dinner with a view straight down into the gorge.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Montelirio
Before you go
Drive or take the bus. Buses run from both Málaga and Marbella, and with a car you can stop in the white villages on the way.
Come early or stay the night. In the middle of the day the bridge is crowded with day trippers. Mornings and evenings are quieter.
Wear good shoes. The paths down into the gorge are steep and rocky.
Ronda: frequently asked questions
How far is Ronda from the Costa del Sol?
The drive from the coast takes around an hour and a half on winding mountain roads. There are also buses.
Is Ronda worth a day trip?
Yes. Ronda is the most popular day trip from the Costa del Sol, and you can see the essentials in a day. To enjoy the town without the crowds, stay the night.
What is Ronda famous for?
The Puente Nuevo, the bridge over the El Tajo gorge, is the town's landmark. Ronda is also known for its bullring, one of the oldest in Spain, and its Moorish old town.
Where should I stay in Ronda?
Stay by the Puente Nuevo for the views, at the Parador de Ronda or Hotel Montelirio. For calm and history, Palacio San Gabriel in the old town is a good choice.
When is the best time to visit Ronda?
Spring and autumn are best, with pleasant temperatures for walking. Summer middays are hot, and winter can be cold because the town sits high up.