Ronda is a winter getaway made for romantics. This ancient Spanish city sprawls on both sides of a deep gorge, its streets leading to parks, then to railings, and then to a steep cliff.
As Independent writes, buses with tourists arrive in the city every day so they can photograph the gorge and take a stroll. "Walking hand in hand with a loved one is the best way to see the city at golden hour, enjoying the breeze as you cross the Puente Nuevo in La Ciudad, the old Moorish town," wrote the publication's travel reviewer Simon Calder.
He noted that the Puente Nuevo bridges can impress even seasoned travelers. Their massive structure, integrated into the El Tajo canyon about 600 years ago, is simply irresistible.
Where to Eat
In the new town of Ronda, El Mercadillo, most locals live and work, and therefore all the best bars and cafes are located here. In general, the further you are from the bridge, the better the food and drinks. Near the train station, there are establishments like Bodega las Rejas, Bodega los Caracoles, and Taberna Gastronómica Los Pilares, where dishes range from traditional to modern cuisine.
Seafood is found everywhere in Ronda, especially shrimp. There are also beans and chickpeas in fragrant broths, snails cooked with garlic or chorizo, and potato-egg tortillas deserve special attention.
If you are looking for something special, the wine bar Entre Vinos is perfect for a date, while the Michelin-starred bar Bardal offers wonderful Andalusian cuisine. In the old town, the open terrace of the Albacara restaurant is actually a balcony with breathtaking views of the river. Book a table and time your dinner to coincide with sunset. "This will be an incredible place to open a bottle of champagne or propose," wrote the reviewer.
El Mercadillo also has fantastic restaurants and wine bars.
Cycling in Ronda
Besides all this, Ronda has several great cycling routes that will take you around the area below. The city has several bike and e-bike rental points, each with friendly staff ready to share their favorite routes with you.
During a bike ride, you can visit a vineyard or take a trip to the picturesque mountain town of Setenil de las Bodegas with its cave houses built right into the rocks.
Strolling through the streets of Ronda is also a wonderful pastime. In the old town, descend into the El Tajo gorge and find the Moorish baths beneath the city.
This is a lovely walk that is best done in the cooler parts of the day. Climb back up and treat yourself to a couple of icy mugs of beer at a bar in the courtyard while watching people to the sounds of a street musician's Spanish guitar. Soon it will be time to head to the statue of Orson Welles in Paseo de Blas Infante park and admire the view of the valley once again.
Austrian poet Rilke said, "I searched everywhere for the city of my dreams and finally found it in Ronda."
