Day Trips from Marbella to Ronda

Marbella is ideally positioned on the Costa Del Sol, set on the beach between Malaga and Gibraltar, in a prime location. Because of its great position (and of course our wonderful sunny climate year round), it’s an ideal spot for a day trip throughout Andalusia.

So if you are thinking of visiting Marbella or live here, and want to see more of the surrounding areas, within less than a 2hrs drive, there are many unique places to visit and enjoy.

Some of the places to visit that we will explore in our blogs to follow include: Granada, Sierra Nevada, Málaga, Nerja, Ronda, Sevilla, Cordoba, Cádiz, Gibraltar and not to forget Morocco. This blog will talk about Ronda, its history and places to visit. As Ernest Hemingway said – Ronda is a “Truly romantic set”.

Marbella has great connections by road, with well-kept highways and motorways, making for an easy drive and enjoyable day out. There are trains from Malaga city and Algeciras as well as coach day trips for those who don’t drive or prefer not to. We suggest driving, as you can stop off at some great typical “Ventas” (Spanish inns or taverns) along your route, for local homemade good food and a true Spanish experience.

Ronda is a mountain village in the province of Malaga, located in the Sierra De Las Nieves National Park. Ronda was first settled by the early Celts in the sixth century BC, then named Ronda La Vieja (Old Ronda) by the Phoenicians, to the current Ronda with Roman origins. During the Berber reign it became the capital of a small kingdom, and gained most of its Islamic architectural heritage. The Islamic reign ended in 1485 when it was conquered by the Marquis of Cadiz, where many of the cities older buildings were renewed or adapted to Christian roles.

What to see and where to go:

• The Plaza de Toros de Ronda – Located 2 blocks from the Puente Nuevo and El Tajo canyon. Construction was finished in 1785, desigend by the architect Martin de Aldehuela, and although it’s not the oldest Bullring in Spain, it is one of the first to be entirely constructed from stone (instead of stone and brick). Due to its excellent design all the seating in the ring is covered. A small arena with 5.000 seats but the bullring itself is the largest in Spain. To the entrance of the bullring are renovated gardens which embody the golden era of bullfighting in Spain and stretch to the viewpoint overlooking the valley and national park. The bullring also includes a museum with two centuries of famous regalia and important outfits, as well as an extensive weapons collection from the Spanish war.
• The Puente Nuevo – Rondas bridge. Three bridges span the canyon with the tallest bridge being the Puente Nuevo built in 1793, in the center of the town and one of the most visited places in Ronda. Just next to the famous Parador Hotel with views to the Tajo canyon. The River El Tajo (River Tagus) runs through and can be viewed from balconies on both sides of the bridge.
• The Palacio de Marques de Salvatierra is a small museum of Renaissance art and artefacts, of the 18th century.
• Baños Arabes (Arab baths), to the bottom of the city, at its entrance on the right handside are the Arab Baths. These remains date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. With a museum at the entrance, it’s an interesting place to see and can be reached by car or walking from the town center and surrounded by nature.

Fun facts:

The American writers Ernest Hemingway spent much time in Ronda as well as Orson Welles who spent many summers in Ronda as a part time resident. Both wrote about Rondas beauty and famous bullfighting traditions.

In 1994 the music artist Madonna filmed part of her music video “Take a Bow” in the Plaza de Toros Ronda alongside the Spanish actor and bullfighter Emilio Muñoz. She also filmed inside the Palace of the Marquis de Salvatierra.

In 2009 the Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani designed the bullfighting costume called “Goyesco” for the famous bullfighter Cayetano Rivera Ordóñez who wore it in the Corrida Goyesca that same year. Each September the town is host to Andalucias famous Goyesca Feria, bringing together art, horsemanship and La Corrida with historical costumes, processions and a mountain town one of a kind atmosphere.

Ronda was the chosen place for the setting of the Flower Market in the 20th Century Fox animated movie Ferdinand in 2017. The story of a gentle bull named Ferdinand who refused to participate in the bullfighting and is challenged by the world’s greatest bullfighter.

In the beginning of the 20th century the famous German poet Rainer Maria Rilke spent long periods in Ronda and had a room at the Hotel Reina Victoria. According to the hotel he wrote: “I have sought everywhere the city of my dreams, and I have finally found it in Ronda” and “Nothing is more startling in Spain than this wild and mountainous city.”

If you’re in Marbella or planning to come soon, Ronda should definitely be a place on your list to visit!

Marbella Unique Properties is pleased to offer a selection of properties on the road to Ronda for rent and or for sale so to make the most of your Marbella experience. We look forward to your call.