One of the most visited coastal locations of Andalusia, Spain, Malaga has captured the attention of fellow tourists for a long time. With a fine collection of stunning beaches, culture, and food, the city has managed to convince travellers to come here every season.
After exploring the magnificent city of Malaga for a while, it is time to move to another magical destination- Ronda. This beautiful Spanish town is full of impressive historical ruins and stunning views. Alongwith this, this city has gained its name as one of the ‘white villages of Andalusia’.
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Things to do in Ronda
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Where to Stay during your Malaga Trip
There is a wide range of accommodations available during your Malaga Trip, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
Puente Nuevo (new bridge)
Called the New Bridge, it was actually started in 1759 and took 34 years to complete. Since 2017, it has amazed visitors and is the newest and largest of three bridges that span the 120-metre-deep. The chasm that carries the Guadalevín River also divides the city.
Puente Nuevo has seen its fair share of history and still plays a stunning part in it. Adding to the gorgeous element of its beauty is the presence of the El Tajo gorge. One of Spain’s most famous hotel chains- Parador hotels, royally sits adjacent to the bridge and is worth a visit.
While you are here you need to be extra careful as the viewpoint is not secured and hundreds of cameras are collected from the bottom of the gorge every year.
Plaza de Toros (Bullring)
One of the significant landmarks in Ronda is probably the Plaza de Toros. This bullring played a crucial role in building the history of this place and that is still evident when visited.
Plaza de Toros was built in 1485 and has been the oldest and most noble order of horsemanship in Spain. Won over by the then-Catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Ronda saw a new light after the elimination of Islamic rule.
As for bullfighting history, it saw many great men do their jobs with perfection. It was the Romero family of Ronda which excited and delivered the best generations of men to this field. Three generations of this magnificent family alongwith the Ordóñez family did wonders. Ordóñez family are considered the second bullfighting dynasty of Ronda. This is visible in their style of fashion as they dress up in costumes reminiscent of the characters in paintings by Spanish romantic painter Francisco Goya.
When you visit the bullring, you would come across the bronze statues of Cayetano Ordóñez and Antonio Ordóñez standing proudly at the gates. As you admire its beauty, you can also head towards the museum which explicitly showcases two centuries of famous bullfighting regalia and important outfits. Alongwith this, the amazing collection includes an extensive amount of weapons used by the Real Maestranza in the Spanish war.
Pro tip: the entry fee for the bullring and Museo Taurino, as per 2022, is EUR 8.00 each. Also, Museo Taurino is open all year except the week of the Feria in September.
El balcón del coño (Coño Balcony)
A balcony that might just scare the bejesus out of you also the very place that attracts millions every year. El balcón del coño or Coño Balcony is considered as one of the most visited locations in Ronda.
One of the main reasons being the view. It literally gives you the best view of the surrounding landscape. As for the location, the balcony is actually out over the cliffside and gives a marvellous, straight-down view of the gorge.
Even though from a distance, it might look scary but on arrival, the balcony is very much sturdy and carefully designed.
La Casa del Rey Moro (Moorish Palace)
One of the key elements in Ronda’s history is the royal La Casa del Rey Moro (Moorish Palace). It is also the major pit stop in your Malaga To Ronda Day Trip wherein you can bask in the rich history of this place.
The Moorish Palace in Ronda has played a pivotal role and proven its existence to date. According to the history folks, this palace dates back to the 14th century and continues into the 20th century.
Moorish Palace is located on a strip on the edge of the cliff and has an interesting architecture. It is segregated into three parts- a water mine from the Muslim period, a neo-Mudejar house and a garden beautiful enough to make you visit here again and again and again. It is gracefully declared that the garden was designed by the French landscape architect Jean Claude Nicolas Forestier and was also declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1943.
Being here would give you royal vibes as well as bring you back to reality. The palace gained its fame by doing good and bad. That can be learnt while you explore the place.
Jardines de Cuenca (Cuenca Gardens)
These hanging gardens of Ronda are the floral beauty enhancer in your Things to do in Ronda. The Cuenca Gardens are also known as Mina Gardens, Jardines de Cuenca, Cuenca Gardens.
These fantastic gardens are located on the ledges of the Tajo. They can also be seen distributed across a series of terraces present there. Since they are located near the New Bridge, they gain enough attention from fellow visitors. They prefer being here as it gives them a different yet tranquil perspective as it helps in avoiding the crowd.
Definitely, a must-visit if you wish to enjoy a tranquil evening or even some walk time.
Duchess of Parcent Square
One of the most beautiful and essential squares in Ronda, Duchess of Parcent Square is a must-visit during your Malaga To Ronda Day Trip. The square can be found surrounded by monumental infrastructures, each that played a crucial role in Ronda’s history. Amongst these marvels are the City Hall as well as the St. Mary Major Church or as the locals call it Church of Santa María la Mayor, which was the original mosque during Muslim domination.
The church is adjacent to the convents of Caridad or Charity and the Claristas or the ‘Poor Clares’. These convents too hold a significant t importance in Ronda’s history. All and more can be learnt when you are Visiting Ronda In One Day.
Food Trail
When in Ronda, do it the Ronda style. People here believe in the notion- Eat, Live, and Socialise. When here all you need to do is get your hands on one of the local dishes and then there is nothing stopping you.
This gastronomic addition to your Malaga To Ronda Day Trip is a beautiful yet delicious addition. As always, there is no better way to learn about a city than its food. There are a lot of restaurants serving here vegan options too.
Taste your way away!
Before You Leave for your Malaga To Ronda Trip
Before you set off on your way, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Southern Spain. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Malaga and Ronda
Traveling to Malaga and Ronda, two picturesque cities in southern Spain, can be done easily and conveniently through various modes of transportation. If you are arriving from afar, flying into Malaga Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is a common choice, with the option of taking a bus or taxi to reach the city center. From Malaga, you can then take a scenic train ride to Ronda, enjoying breathtaking views of the Andalusian countryside along the way. Alternatively, you can also opt for a direct bus journey from Malaga to Ronda, which offers a more budget-friendly and flexible travel option. For those who prefer driving, renting a car in Malaga gives you the freedom to explore both cities at your own pace, taking in the stunning landscapes and cultural attractions at your leisure. Whichever mode of transportation you choose, the journey to Malaga and Ronda promises to be filled with charm, history, and unforgettable experiences.
Where to Stay in Malaga
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Malaga, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Malaga for any budget.
Luxury –Only YOU Hotel Málaga is a luxury hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool and a bar with fantastic views. All rooms are air-conditioned with wifi and a coffee machine.
Book your stay at Only YOU Hotel Málaga here.
Mid-Range – When you visit Malaga, how about staying at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott, a beautiful hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a rooftop pool with views over the port, as well as a gym and free wifi.
Book your stay at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott here.
Budget – We recently stayed at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo! , a beautiful self-catering apartment in the city centre. The apartment is very spacious with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a large balcony, a kitchen and a washing machine. Located a 15-minute walk from the city centre.
Book your stay at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo!here.
What to Pack for Your Southern Spain Trip
What you need to pack for Southern Spain will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and rainy days. During the Summer, you are pretty much guaranteed nice weather with temperatures ranging from 20-35 oC. The hottest months are July and August, so these will be the most popular for a Summer holiday.
During the winter months in Malaga, the rain will become more frequent and the temperatures will drop to between 10-20 oc. If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Malaga is very strong, especially during the summer months. Apply a lot of sun cream regularly to prevent a nasty burn from ruining your trip. We use this specific sunscreen to protect us as it is not as oily and irritating as other sunscreens.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Malaga, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Spain
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your Malaga To Ronda Day Trip Guide. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning a Spain trip soon then check out our other Spanish content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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