Ronda Day Trip from Malaga

Ronda is one of the oldest cities in Spain. Ronda makes a perfect day trip getaway from the hustle and bustle of Malaga, in fact Rondeños have a word that describes their lifestyle, tranquila, very peaceful. It certainly describes Ronda well. Here’s a list of landmarks you can see if you have 3-4 hours to wander around Ronda.

Book a guided private day trip to Ronda from Malaga

The Bullring (Plaza de Toros)

Ronda´s bullring is Spain’s oldest bullring, it’s real significance is it’s beauty as an architectural wonder, and as the bullring where Pedro Romero, the father of modern bullfighting perfected his art.

It was built in 1785 by architect Jose Martin Aldehuela, the same architect who built the Puente Nuevo.

The museum of bullfighting is located under the seating in the rear of the building.

Ronda’s Plaza de Toros is owned by the Real Maestranza de Caballero de Ronda, and is an exceptional building that is open to the public. It contains 136 tuscan columns that hold the stands, and the entire plaza is built from rock quarried locally.

The Puente Nuevo

The Puente Nuevo is one of Spain’s most photographed monuments and stands 400 feet above the tajo gorge. It’s a truly an impressive bridge. Its contruction started in 1751and it was inagurated on 1793, it took 42 years to buildt.

The bridge featured in Ernest Hemingway’s award winning novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, though we’ll leave it to your imagination to decide if his story was true.
Mondragon Palace

The Mondragón Palace is one of Ronda’s most visited buildings, not only because it houses the Municipal Museum, but mostly for it’s Moorish courtyards and gardens that evoke memories of kings and governors who called Ronda home.

It was from here that the Catholic Kings accepted the surrender of the last Muslim governor of Ronda in 1485, but since then the palace has reverted to more peaceful uses, in fact being a popular wedding venue for Rondeños and visitors alike.

Moorish King’s House and Gardens

This building was completed in the 18th century and remodeled by the Duchess of Parcent in 1920. It has gardens designed by the French architect Jean Claude Forestier, who also designed the Maria Luisa Park in Seville. The building has an underground mine, which has steps leading down to the Guadelevin River and was used to fetch and store water. This mine was built by King Abomelik in the 14th century and slaves had to bring the water up in goatskins.

Arab Baths

Back in Moorish times, public baths were a very popular social setting, and also a mandatory stop for visitors to Ronda who were required to cleanse themselves physically and spiritually in the adjacent Mosque before being allowed to enter the city proper.

The Arab Baths in Ronda have undergone extensive renovations in recent times, including restoration of the gardens and making the baths accessible to mobility challenged people.

Where to eat in Ronda

As you would expect, Ronda is  full of tapas bars and restaurants.

When it is sunny (and most of the time it is) tables spill out onto plazas and cobbled streets. The atmosphere is festive and fun.

staurants in Ronda, serving the very best of authentic Andalucian cuisine. Enjoy.

Restaurante Albacara

This restaurant serves fish and meat dishes as well as a good selection of vegetarian options. Be prepared for samples of culinary art, such as Red Prawn Balls with cockle sauce or Duck Foie Gras with quince and red wine reduction.

C/Tenorio 8 | Hotel Montelirio, 29400. Ronda
Tel: +34 952 873 855

Bardal

Bardal is known for its highly artistic, exquisitely presented dishes using a combination of local ingredients and cutting-edge techniques, by chef Benito Gomez. Recently awarded a michelin star.

Calle José Aparicio, 1. Ronda
Tel: +34 951 48 98 28

How to get to Ronda from Malaga

The best way to visit Ronda from Malaga is with a guided tour company like CostaExcursions, we offer private guided tours to Ronda. The duration of this day trip is of approx. 6 hours. It takes an hour and a half to get to Ronda.

What can you expect:

• Pick up from Malaga o Marbella and transfer to Ronda in airconditioned car or mini van
• Small private groups (maximum 7  pax)
• 2 hours walking tour with guide through the Old Town of Ronda – English, German and Spanish spoken
• Visit the Plaza de Toros bullfighting ring and explore its museum. Soak in stunning views of El Tajo gorge and the connecting bridge, Puente Nuevo
• Enjoy free time to explore Ronda at your leisure, you will have time to have lunch in one of the numerous restaurants in Ronda

Book a guided private day trip to Ronda from Malaga