Costa del Sol/Ronda

The town of Ronda is situated on a towering plateau in the mountains thirty miles (48km) inland from Marbella.

It is well known as one of the loveliest and most historic towns in the region and for this reason is a popular day-trip for holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol wanting to escape the beach and soak up some culture in one of the many cafés and restaurants.

Ronda is famous for the plunging river gorge that divides the medieval from the 18th-century parts of the town.

Known as El Tajo, the gorge is spanned by a stone bridge, Puente Nuevo, which once housed a prison and now acts as a dramatic viewpoint for visitors.

There is a spectacular walkway, El Parador, along the river gorge, which offers superb views of the surrounding countryside. Ronda is also well known for its bullring - the oldest and largest in Spain. When there are no fights, the bullring is open to visitors, and has a fascinating museum.

Also worth a visit is Ronda's lovely "Mirador", with colourful flower beds and a railing for sightseers to lean against as they gaze into the distance. You can walk from the Plaza de España and the bullring up the Calle Nueva, Ronda's pedestrian shopping district, where many of the shops still retain their traditional appearance and style.

There are many little cafés and restaurants in Ronda enabling visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery. Some of the narrow side streets afford the opportunity to take photos looking back up at the bridge and capture the staggering gorge and the bridge. The 13th Century Baños Arabes (Moorish baths) are worth a visit, lying close to the river they are fairly well preserved, including a large vaulted roof.

Today Ronda is still very much a traditional Spanish town. While there are some foreign residents, most settle nearer the coast and simply enjoy spending time in Ronda where the views are amongst the best in Spain.

 Fancy buying a bar in Ronda? Take a look at our selection of bars, businesses and homes for sale on the Costa del Sol....