Located in the Andalucía region of Spain, Ronda is one of the most ancient cities in Spain. It is surrounded by highlands which gives Ronda Spain such a magic ambience! In fact, we advise you to do at least one of the trips on the way or when leaving Ronda during the day because of the views… oh, the views to the mountains and all the landscape are simply outstanding and spectacular!
Ronda has as its symbol the magnificent “Puente Nuevo” over the River Guadalevín. The bridge, 98 meters high (but the gorge can go down to 120 meters deep!), unifies the ancient, traditional, intimate, full of monuments and testimonies from the past, part of the city with the most modern side. Those testimonies from the past go far back to the Romans, the Moorish and many other folks that passed by.
As well, considered the cradle of modern bullfighting, it was a place loved by Hemingway and Orson Welles and even further back a preferred spot for the romantic travellers (young upper-class people and artists from the industrialization times looking for authenticity and untouched nature).
Puente Nuevo (New bridge)
This bridge is a magnificent view! As you are at the top of the bridge or looking at it from a distance, you just feel like you are at a movie’s scenery. The canyons on both sides, the green on top of the rock, the birds that use the abyss tube for their acrobatics, … All of this is such a vision and a fantastic experience! Almost indescribable! The best is just to let your senses go, and enjoy all that the trip can give you. Engrave those sensations in your memory from a wonderful time!
Moreover, the bridge is a magnificent work of architecture and from its grandiosity, we can understand that its construction was not easy at all. The bridge was officially inaugurated in 1793 and has been also used as an aqueduct to overcome the water scarcity in one of the sides of the city.
And, if you decide to enter the bridge on a very windy day, as we did, remember that the access to the down part of the bridge can be denied but you will still be charged a full ticket.
Wonderful viewpoints to the bridge – Ronda Spain
Don Bosco’s house – Ronda Spain
This house keeps all its authenticity in decoration and furniture from the times of the construction in 1850 and the garden of the house gives you a fantastic view over the “Puente Nuevo” and of the landscape surrounding Ronda.
Bridge viewpoint surrounded by almond trees blossoming – Ronda Spain
To reach this point you follow a path from “Plaza María Auxiliadora”.
In addition, be aware of the conditions of the path and mind yourself. This path is surrounded by almond trees blossoming (on its season) and fennel which makes it a magical aromatic walk with fantastic views, not only to the bridge.
Cuenca Gardens – Ronda Spain
What to say… the views to the gorge and the Puente Nuevo from this terraced land are just magnificent and almost unbelievable. The photos we took speak by themselves.
Puente Árabe (Moorish bridge) and Puente Viejo (old bridge) – Ronda Spain
The Arabe bridge, from Moorish times, had to be reconstructed several times due to the oscillation of the river channel. As a matter of fact, you can see, these days, the river also made some damage on the margins.
On the other hand, the old bridge (“Puente Viejo”) is from the XVII century. From here you also have wonderful views of the gorge and to the “Puente Nuevo”. To reach these bridges, you can walk by the old wall of Ronda while looking at the green fields surrounding the city on your way to the Muslim baths.
Baños Árabes (Moorish baths)
The Moorish baths are really an impressive structure. The building was adapted from former Roman ruins. Differently from the Romans, that used immersion baths, the Arab baths would be mainly steam baths.
Three of the main rooms are in good preservation state. One of the most impressive rooms is the mild baths, where there are shape cuts in the ceiling for the entrance of sunlight. In specific times of the day, it creates quite an ambience!
The baths were an important part of the religious ritual and also an important part of social life. Men and women would use it in different shifts.
Additional notes
Our visit was short so we decided to focus on the city spirit and landscape. If you are going for a longer visit check this page for more suggestions and links.
Additionally, for someone that has been living in Extremadura region, we considered Ronda Spain quite more expensive, probably because Andalucía is much more touristic – we were constantly bumping into big excursions and even for winter, the streets were pretty crowded. So if you want to visit the main monuments and have a tight budget do some research before travelling for better options. Some entries are more expensive than others.
