10 Reasons You Simply Must Visit Ronda: Spain’s Most Gorge-ous City

This fall I spent almost a month exploring some of the most popular cities in the south of Spain-Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada, Málaga, Gibraltar-and let me tell you I completely fell in love with Andalucía. After visiting all of these famous cities, you can imagine my surprise when one of my favorite parts of the whole trip ended up being a last-minute addition to my itinerary, the town of Ronda.

To put things in perspective, Ronda has a population size of just over 30,000 people…many of those other cities I visited have over 300,000!

Despite Ronda’s smaller population, the charming city certainly left a big impression on me, and I’d highly recommend stopping by for a day or two if you happen to find yourself wandering around the south of Spain.

Discover why I fell in love with Ronda, and see the 10 reasons why you must visit this Andalusian gem!

1.  You can surround yourself with the stunning Sierra de las Nieves

Ronda is a mountaintop city located in the beautiful Sierra de las Nieves mountain range. As someone who grew up in the flattest part of the United States, I am always amazed by mountains, and the ones that surround Ronda are simply majestic.

2. Ronda is literally gorge-ous

While the city certainly is beautiful, Ronda is quite literally gorge-ous. By gorgeous, I mean that the city is actually situated on 2 sides of an enormous 100+ gorge formed by the Guadalevín river. I was truly amazed by the sight of the historic white buildings perched on the edge of the steep cliffs that give the city so much character. The location is so surreal it honestly looks like it came straight out of Game of Thrones.

3. You’ll have more than enough viewpoints to enjoy

What would a beautiful landscape be without an incredible viewpoint from which to see it? Fortunately for visitors to Ronda, gorgeous viewpoints abound. Whether you are taking in the view of the gorge itself, straddling the gorge on the Puente Nuevo bridge, enjoying a glass of wine in a scenic restaurant, or catching sunset from the Mirador de Aldehuela, you won’t be disappointed by the panoramas offered by any of these locations.

4. The city is steeped in history

Ronda dates back to Roman times, and is one of the oldest towns in Spain. The city later fell under Visigoth, and eventually Arab rule. Today, it is still possible to see the city’s historic Arab baths and old city walls. While many of the city’s lovely white buildings date to the 15th century, the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge and bull ring were constructed in the 18th century. Walking around the city is truly a fascinating lesson in history and architecture, and the evolution of a city.

5. And beloved by famous authors

Ernest Hemingway once said,

“Ronda is the place where to go, if you are planning to travel to Spain for a honeymoon or for being with a girlfriend. The whole city and its surroundings are a romantic set. … Nice promenades, good wine, excellent food, nothing to do…”

I don’t know about you, but if Ernest Hemingway endorses a place, I’m going to listen.

6. There are gorgeous gardens

If you’ve spent a little too much time exploring cities, you’ll love the way that Ronda incorporates nature into its infrastructure. The Jardines de Cuenca are terraced alongside the gorge and offer excellent views down to the river below and the mountains beyond.

7. You can explore Ronda by foot

As much as I love exploring big cities, sometimes it is nice to just see a city on foot. I didn’t need a car, bus, or train during the entire visit, and it was a welcome change of pace.  That being said, if you have more time I’d highly recommend renting a car to visit some relatively nearby cave paintings, vineyards, or nearby towns.

8. You can eat, drink, and be merry

One of my favorite things about Spain is the amazing food there, and Ronda was no exception. One of my favorite meals was overlooking the gorge while sipping a glass of wine and watching the sunset. It was the perfect end to a great day!

9. The entire town is charming

Quaint streets, historic buildings, quaint gift shops, peaceful piazzas, and churches abound in this city, and the effect is simply unforgettable. you don’t need a jam-packed itinerary to enjoy what Ronda has to offer-you just need a willingness to explore!

10. You’ll feel at home, relaxed, and have an unforgettable visit

One of my favorite things about Ronda was that, while there are incredible things to see and explore, you won’t feel stressed or worried while trying to soak in the city. The relaxed vibe will leave you feeling both at home and refreshed. If you are looking for a break from touristing, in a gorgeous setting, while still having the option to explore, then be sure to include a visit to Ronda on your itinerary or bucket list! Whether you are solo traveling, on a romantic giveaway, or heading out with the girls, you are sure to fall in love with Ronda!

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Is Ronda on your bucket list yet, or have you already been? Let me know in the comments-I’d love to hear from you!

Check out all of my Spain posts here, or try one of these popular posts:

• 3 Perfect Days in Barcelona: The Ultimate Itinerary
• Everything You Need To Know About Visiting The Alhambra
• 15 Things You Absolutely Must Do In Seville, Spain

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