What To Do In Ronda, Spain: A One Day Itinerary
Ronda is a Spanish city full of surprises. This city sits atop a deep gorge, nestled among the mountains in the province of Malaga. Possibly the best thing about this town is that it’s so unassuming, you’ll feel like you discovered a hidden gem all on your own.
You won’t regret taking a day trip to visit the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), but like any city with a growing tourist population, there are a few dealbreakers you should know to avoid. During our single day in Ronda, we made the mistakes, so you don’t have to.
Where (NOT) to Eat
With its proximity to the gorgeous Puente Nuevo, we really should have known better. But hungry as we were, we settled for Don Miguel, breaking our own rule about eating too close to tourist attractions.
Think of this restaurant as the good-looking guy who lacks personality. The gorgeous view of the bridge comes at the expense of quality seafood. I personally couldn’t stomach the prawns or the octopus, and the vegan fare of chickpeas and spinach was a tough bite to swallow. Paying for bread was the final low blow delivered on the bill that cemented this place as a dealbreaker.
We all have different tastes, but we hope you’ll have more willpower than us to avoid this tourist trap.
The Ronda bull fighting ring - View from the Restaurante Panoramico
Getting There
We recommend driving into the city, paying a daily parking fee, and walking across the Puente Nuevo bridge into Ronda’s old town. This is where you should eat before hiking down the gorge to see the views you came for.
Trip Tips
- All roads leading to Ronda are narrow and winding, but it’s a beautiful drive. Drive carefully!
- Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.
- If you want to avoid the tourism season plan your visit between Sept-April.
Eye-Catching Spots
- Hotel Catalonia Ronda
- Restaurante Panoramico (rooftop bar inside the hotel listed above)
- Tabanco Los Arcos Restaurant
- Albaraca Restaurant
The Hike
Cross the bridge and take the first right onto Calle Tenorio. Find a quaint restaurant that suits you along this peaceful street. After about five minutes you’ll come upon a restaurant labeled El Campillo, and that’s where you take a right and head down the path, beginning your hike. (If you use Google Maps, just route yourself to Plaza Maria Auxiliadora and that will do the trick).
- Recommendation: Tabanco Los Arcos and Albaraca Restaurant both looked authentic and inviting enough. You’ll encounter both on your way to the hike’s starting point, and each offers a great view of the bridge.
Simply continue downward for the best views of the bridge looking up. We suggest finding a less crowded spot along the path to snap your photographs, rather than following the crowd. The gorge is beautiful from every angle, with the sounds of the rushing waterfall filling your ears as you go.
Views from the bottom of the hike
Take our advice…
Avoid flying your drone through the bridge’s archway if you have one. We lost it on the other side and had to go digging for it near the waterfall. Miraculously, it was recovered, but not fully intact.
Plan to spend at least two hours exploring this area on your hike, and then venture back up and into Ronda’s new town. Have dinner or drinks at Restaurante Panoramico, where you’ll get panoramic views of the mountains and Ronda’s bullring, The Plaza de Toros.
- Recommendation: Restaurante Panoramico is housed in the 4 star Hotel Catalonia Ronda, which we suggest if you’ll be staying overnight. It boasts a rooftop pool that also overlooks the mountains and the bullring. Parador de Ronda is the hotel situated next to Puente Nuevo, with the best views, if you just can’t get enough of the gorge (we don’t blame you).
If you’re visiting for the day, stop by Alameda del Tajo on your way out to catch the golden glow of the sunset over the mountains. This is a small park with great viewpoints at the end of its walkway.
Parting Words
That’s it for this Ronda itinerary! We promise one day is all it takes to develop some strong feelings for this eye-catching andalusian town.
