Ronda tourist information
When a poet of the stature of Rainer Maria Rilke, with such a precise command of words, defined Ronda as the “dreamed-of city”, he had his reasons. Surely, after visiting it the traveller will confirm the poet’s judgment, and agree even more the farther he gets from Ronda and remembers it as a dream instead of a place that he has actually touched.
A visitor on his first trip to this city will approach it with mental postcard images of a few of its monuments, its scenery or some of the many characteristic secluded corners that it has to offer, but none of this will serve as a reference or even be easily recognisable because the reality that he will find is very different. Ronda belongs to that select group of towns that can only be compared to themselves, with no possibility of imitation or resemblance to others. This is something that the traveller can prove to himself the moment he enters the historic quarter and sees the dazzling landscape and architecture appear before him, impregnated with history and legend that blur the line between reality and fantasy but that resoundingly affirms the unique character of Ronda.
The town is located on a plateau some 750 metres above sea level and seems to be divided into two areas by the famous Tajo de Ronda (Ronda Cliff), a gorge 100 metres deep and about 500 metres long with the River Guadalevín running along its floor. The western part of this plateau forms an area of cliffs similar to the one that forms the Tajo itself. Beginning here, an extensive rural landscape opens up that stretches to the mountains that make up the highlands that give the region its name.
The paintings in the La Pileta cave in Benaoján bear witness that the environs of Ronda were inhabited at least since the Paleolithic Period, and remains found in some excavations in the city of Ronda show that there were human settlements in the Neolithic Period. It was the historian Pliny, however, who placed Ronda within the time frame of history when in his writings he refers to the La Arunda of the sixth century B. C. that was inhabited by Bastulo Celts, while identifying the Iberians as being the founders of nearby Acinipo.
The Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans were later to successively establish themselves, for varying periods, in this area. The Romans named it Laurus and erected the Castillo del Laurel (Laurel Castle, no longer in existence), from which they kept watch over the warlike Celtiberian tribes. Acinipo rather than Ronda was more important in that era, however, as is shown by the fact that it came to mint its own coins.
After the disintegration of the Roman Empire Ronda and Acinipo witnessed the Germanic invasions, and the latter city was even occupied by the Byzantines, who permanently abandoned it in the seventh century when the Visigoths entered Ronda. The city began to acquire a certain political and economic importance with the arrival of the Arabs, who would rename it Izna Rand Onda.
In the late ninth and early tenth centuries, the entire Highlands and especially its capital intensely experienced the insurgency directed from Bobastro (Ardales) by Omar Ben Hafsun against the Caliphate of Córdoba. Later, around the first half of the eleventh century after the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba, the Berbers made Ronda a Taifas Kingdom, under which the city would experience great urban growth.
The city lost its independence in 1066 when it came under the Kingdom of Seville. Beginning with that date and for almost 400 years Ronda would be dominated by different North African tribes and finally by the Nazarites of Granada. In such a long history, Ronda would know periods of growth and prosperity, stagnation and even regression. Christian troops entered the city in 1485.
Peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians did not last very long. The Moorish rebellion broke out and was particularly violent in the Highlands until the expulsion of all Muslims in 1609. As was the case with any town in Málaga, an era of decadence befell Ronda that would last until approximately the eighteenth century, when the city extended into the Mercadillo neighbourhood with construction of the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) and the famous Plaza de Toros (Bullring).
French troops under the direct command of Joseph Bonaparte entered Ronda in 1810, an act that set off an unusual guerrilla movement throughout the Highlands. This movement remained alive even after the Napoleonic army abandoned the city in 1812 although it derived from bandit gangs, the most famous of all those in Spain in the nineteenth century and which have given rise to so many legends and stories.
With the opening of the railroad in 1891 and the construction of several roads, Ronda entered the twentieth century with a remarkable level of socio-economic development. In 1918 this town was selected for the Andalusian Congress at the urging of Blas Infante of Málaga, who is considered the father of the “Patria Andaluza” (Andalusian fatherland movement).
There are three routes to Ronda from the Costa del Sol. One leaves the city of Málaga by the A-357 highway in the direction of Campillos. About six kilometres past Ardales, turn onto the A-367, which passes through Cuevas del Becerro and leads straight to Ronda.
Another route leaves from San Pedro de Alcántara. The A-376 turns off the AP-7 motorway or the coastal highway N-340 and can be followed to Ronda without any changes. This is the route that is most used by people coming from the Western Costa del Sol. It is a very well-maintained road, but not without curves, and offers splendid scenery.
Finally, at Manilva you can also get off the AP-7 (N-340) onto the A-377 and go to Gaucín. There take the A-369, which connects with the A-376 just three kilometres short of Ronda
Ronda Monuments
City Hall
Next to the church, within the Duquesa De Parcent Square, the elegant building housing the City Hall is encountered, which was used as an Army Garrison during the 18th century.
W
Mondragón Palace
This aristocratic building is the best example of the civil architecture in the city. It was erected in the year 1491, and its layout is centered around three courtyards: the first one of renaissance style; the second one falls is of a Late Gothic Style and the third one shows a marked Moslem influence. The gardens are accessed through a Moorish arch, of Andalucian style.
Precisely here the abovementioned Catholic Kings dwelled when the city was conquered and also during the first rebellion of the Moslem converts. At present it harbours the Museum of Ronda and its mountain range.
The Cleft Boulevard
This Avenue dates from the XIX century and provides excellent views to the scenary of the valley, which shelters the city. From here we can head for the Vantage Point in the Blas Infante Avenue which is also an excellent place to view the landscape of Ronda.
House of San Juan Bosco
This small palace of Modernist style was built by the Granadinos Family at the beginning of this century, who later donated it to the Congregation of Salesian Monks.Inside, the courtyard is decorated with motifs belonging to the Nazari dynasty and it also houses a fine collection of pottery from the region.
Hanging from the summit of the Cleft, we may find a pleasant garden presided by a fountain decorated with glazed tiles.
New Bridge
It is the symbol of the City of Ronda and one of its two main districts. After a first attempt to build a bridge spanning over the deepest waters of the River Guadalevín, in the XVI Century, a second one was built by José Martín de Aldehuela. It comprises three main bodies in the shape of a huge wedge. In the upper section a chamber may be seen which was formerly used as a prison.
Next to it, one finds the former City Hall which has been turned into a luxurious state owned hotel.
San Sebastian Minaret
This is the only Moorish minaret remains in Ronda after it was recaptured from muslin rule. It is the remains of a former Muslim Mosque located in the Moorish quarter which was subsequently transformed into a Church dedicated to Saint Sebastian.
It dates from the XIV century and its later modifications are of Moorish influence. This middle section of the structure is of face brick decorated with small windows crowned by Moorish arches ; the lower section is of masonry and the upper one, which may be traced to the time to the Christian Rule, is surmounted by four small roofs.
Arch of King Philip V
Built in 1742, during the reign of this monarch. The arch comprises two rows of masonry and a trapezoid upper section, crowned by a pinnacled plinth, decorated with the crest of arms belonging to the Borbón Royal Family and the conch of the Anjou dynasty. The facing stone attached to the arch is known as the Moorish throne.
The house of the Giant
This is a house resembling a palace built at the end of the XII century, and so called due to the stone relief carved in one of its corners. Its Moorish origin can be traced to its elaborate plasterwork with intricate and calligraphic designs.
The abode of the Moorish King
This palace was raised at the end of the XVIII century. Its beautiful gardens abounding with fountains and waterways date from 1923. Inside one may find the Miria Stairway, a Moorish construction of the XVI century, with 365 steps carved into the rock and which lead to the bottom of the Cleft. The Miria was a structure witch supplied water to the city.
Albacara Ramparts
It dates from Moslem times. The remains of two gateways to the city may still be seen. The Gateway of the Wind and the Gateway of the Christ, formerly known as the Windmills Gateway. There are some extraordinary views to the New Bridge.
Almocabar and Carlos V gateways
The Almocábar Gateway is the most important one within the Moorish ramparts. It dates from the XIII century and was reconditioned during the time of Carlos V. It is flanked by two semicircular masonry towers. Two external arches of Moresque influence may be seen as well as an intermediate pointed arch.
The Carlos V Gateway is next to the other one and was erected during the XVI century in the Renaissance style.
Souls Inn
The façade was built in 1500. It is said that Cervantes was lodged here during his stay in Ronda. 
This gateway of Moorish origin led to the former Moorish and Jewish quarter
Ronda Accomodation
H**** Parador de Ronda
Plaza de España, s/n.
Tel: 952 877 500.
H**** Reina Victoria
Jerez, 25.
Tel: 952 871 240.
H**** Maestranza
Virgen de la Paz, 24.
Tel: 952 190 170.
H**** Ciudad de Ronda
Marqués de Salvatierra, 5.
Tel: 952 872 734.
H*** San Gabriel
José M. Holgado, 19.
Tel: 952 190 392.
H*** Don Miguel
Villanueva, 8.
Tel: 952 877 722.
H*** Polo
Mariano Soubirón, 8.
Tel: 952 872 447.
H** Royal
Virgen de la Paz, 42.
Tel: 952 871 141.
H** Alavera
San Miguel, s/n.
Tel: 952 879 143.
H** Molino de Santo.
Benaoján - Bda de la Estación.
Tel: 952 167 151.
H* Berlanga
Genal, 16.
Tel: 952 870 337.
H* Morales
Sevilla, 51.
Tel: 952 871 538.
Casas de Montejaque
Montejaque - Manuel Ortega, 16.
Tel: 952 168 120.
Casitas de la Sierra.
Montejaque - Estrecha, 3.
Tel:952 150 288.
Camping El Sur.
Ctra. De Algeciras, km. 1,5.
Tel: 952 875 939.
WHERE TO EAT IN RONDA 
Mesón Carmen la de Ronda
Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, 29400, Ronda
952 878 735
Mesón Rondeño
Plaza de la Merced, 4, 29400, Ronda
952 879 750
Restaurante Alavera
Calle San Miguel, s/n, 29400, Ronda
952 879 143
Restaurante Albacara
Calle Tenorio, 8, 29400, Ronda
952 161 184
Restaurante Alhambra
Calle Pedro Romero, 9, 29400, Ronda
952 876 934
Restaurante Berlanga
Calle Genal, 16, 29400, Ronda
952 875 626
Restaurante Brillante
Calle Sevilla, 29, 29400, Ronda
952 871 031
Restaurante Cafetería Casino
Calle Plaza del Socorro, 12, 29400, Ronda
952 879 332
Restaurante Cafetería Cristina
Calle Pasaje Correos, s/n, 29400, Ronda
952 876 438
Restaurante Casa Curro
Calle Infante, 65, 29400, Ronda
952 876 890
Restaurante Casa Santa Pola
Calle Santo Domingo, 29400, Ronda
952 879 208
Restaurante Cervecería Camelot
Calle Sevilla, 45, 29400, Ronda
952 879 312
Restaurante Chino Hola
Calle Infantes, 6, 29400, Ronda
952 872 259
Restaurante Chino Peking
Calle Los Remedios, 14, 29400, Ronda
952 876 537
Restaurante Don Javier
Calle Virgen de la Paz, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 872 020
Restaurante Don Miguel
Calle Plaza de España, 5, 29400, Ronda
952 871 090
Restaurante Doña Pepa
Calle Plaza del Socorro, 10, 29400, Ronda
952 874 777
Restaurante Duquesa de Parcent
Calle Tenorio, 12, 29400, Ronda
952 871 965
Restaurante El Escudero
Calle Paseo Blas Infante, s/n, 29400, Ronda
952 871 367
Restaurante El Patio
Calle Espinel, 100, 29400, Ronda
952 871 015
Restaurante El Pinsapo
Calle San Pedro, Km. 1,4 Apdo. Correos 201, 29400, Ronda
952 874 199
Restaurante El Recreo
Calle Campillos, Km. 3,3, 29400, Ronda
952 873 760
Restaurante El Sur
Ctra Ronda-Algeciras, Km. 1,5, 29400, Ronda
952 875 939
Restaurante El Tajo
Calle Cruz Verde, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 874 040
Restaurante Flores
Calle Virgen de la Paz, 9, 29400, Ronda
952 871 040
Restaurante Granada
Calle Nueva, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 874 120
Restaurante Husa Reina Victoria
Calle Jérez, 25, 29400, Ronda
952 871 240
Restaurante Jérez
Paseo Blas Infante, 2, 29400, Ronda
952 872 098
Restaurante Kaktus
Calle Plaza de los Descalzos, 16, 29400, Ronda
690 274 357
Restaurante La Española
Calle José Aparicio, 5, 29400, Ronda
952 871 051
Restaurante La Merced
Calle El Niño, 4, 29400, Ronda
952 870 080
Restaurante Los Capea
Calle Virgen de la Paz, s/n, 29400, Ronda
952 190 646
Restaurante Los Cántaros
Calle Sevilla, 66, 29452, Ronda
952 876 323
Restaurante Parador Nacional
Calle Plaza de España, s/n, 29400, Ronda
952 877 500
Restaurante Pedro Romero
Calle Virgen de la Paz, 18, 29400, Ronda
952 871 110
Restaurante Polo
Calle Mariano Soubirón, 8, 29400, Ronda
952 872 447
Restaurante Rincón de Antonio
Calle Málaga, 22, 29400, Ronda
952 870 458
Restaurante Royal
Calle Virgen de la Paz, 42, 29400, Ronda
952 874 643
Restaurante Sol y Sombra
Calle Virgen de la Paz, 26, 29400, Ronda
952 187 176
Restaurante Taperia La Leyenda
Calle Los Remedios, 7, 29400, Ronda
615 352 448
Restaurante Tragabuches
Calle José Aparicio, 1, 29400, Ronda
952 190 291
Restaurante Venta El Abogao
Calle Campillos, 5, 29400, Ronda
952 875 844
Restaurante Venta El Puente
Calle Nueva Benaoján, Km. 5, 29400, Ronda
952 875 300
Restaurante Venta La Cañada
Calle Partido Santa María, 25, 29400, Ronda
952 876 939
Restaurante Venta La Codorniz
Calle Ronda-El Burgo, Km. 1, 29400, Ronda
952 871 443
Restaurante Venta La Parrilla
Calle Ctra. San Pedro, Km. 2, 29400, Ronda
952 872 575
Restaurante Venta La Polvorilla
Calle Llano de la Cruz, 64, 29400, Ronda
952 165 049
Restaurante Virgen del Rocío
Calle Nueva, 18, 29400, Ronda
952 877 425
Taberna de Santo Domingo
Calle Santo Domingo, 2 B, 29400, Ronda
952 871 129
Bar Restaurante Casa Luciano
Calle Armiñán. 42, 29400, Ronda
952 870 428
Bar Restaurante El Mirador
Ctra Circunvalación, Km.1, 29400, Ronda
952 870 243
Bar Restaurante El Patio
Calle Espinel, 100, 29400, Ronda
952 871 015
Bar Restaurante El Torero
Calle Nueva, 8, 29400, Ronda
952 877 169
Bar Restaurante Hermanos Macías
Calle Pedro Romero, 3, 29400, Ronda
952 874 238
Bar Restaurante La Leyenda
Calle Los Remedios, 7, 29400, Ronda
615 352 449
Bar Restaurante La Rondeña
Calle José Aparicio, 3, 29400, Ronda
952 873 488
Bar Restaurante La Venta
Calle Ctra. El Burgo, Km 4, 29400, Ronda
952 877 929
Bar Restaurante Las Castañuelas
Calle Jerez, 3, 29400, Ronda
952 876 178
Bar Restaurante Los Candiles
Calle Plaza del Socorro, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 876 864
Bar Restaurante Los Candiles
Plaza del Socorro, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 876 864
Bar Restaurante Los Cazadores
Calle Rosal, 1, 29400, Ronda
952 190 316
Bar Restaurante Los Cántaros
Calle Sevilla, 66, 29400, Ronda
952 876 323
Bar Restaurante Moreno
Avda Ricardo Navarrete, 4, 29400, Ronda
952 875 888
Bodega La Verdad
Calle Pedro Romero, 5, 29400, Ronda
952 874 238
Casa Romero I
Calle Córdoba, 34, 29400, Ronda
952 872 068
Mesón Casa Eugenio
Calle Sevilla, 5, 29400, Ronda
952 870 186
Pizzería Diego
Calle Virgen del Carmen Local D1, 29400, Ronda
952 879 899
Pizzería Pizzsavoy
Plaza de la Merced, 6, 29400, Ronda
902 150 200
Pizzería Restaurante El Capricho
Calle Plaza del Socorro, 5, 29400, Ronda
952 879 216
Pizzería Restaurante Nonno Pepe
Calle Nueva, 18, 29400, Ronda
952 872 850
Pizzería Restaurante Nonno Pepe II
Calle Los Remedios, 5, 29400, Ronda
646 929 525
Pizzería Restaurante Vesubio
Calle Sevilla, 24, 29400, Ronda
952 190 398
Pizzería Son Arte
Calle Santa Cecilia, 1, 29400, Ronda
952 873 736
Pizzería Telepizza
Calle Jerez, 9, 29400, Ronda
952 871 718
Bar Casa Esmeralda
Calle Lauría, 54, 29400, Ronda
658 960 281
Bar Casa María
Calle Ruedo Alameda, 27, 29400, Ronda
Bar Casa Mateo
Calle Jerez, 6, 29400, Ronda
952 874 642
Bar Casa Quino
Calle Nueva, 11 - 13, 29400, Ronda
952 190 090
Bar Casa Romero
Calle Córdoba, 34, 29400, Ronda
952 872 068
Bar Casi ke no
Calle Molino, 4, 29400, Ronda
Bar Casi Ke sí
Calle Los Remedios, 27, 29400, Ronda
607 387 837
Bar Castaño
Avda Martinez Astein, 1, 29400, Ronda
Bar Cayetano
Calle Espiritu Santo, 43, 29400, Ronda
Bar Clemente
Calle San Miguel, 12, 29400, Ronda
627 762 946
Bar Convento
Calle San Francisco, 140, 29400, Ronda
952 870 228
Bar David
Calle Los Remedios, 39, 29400, Ronda
Bar El Casino
Plaza del Socorro, 12, 29400, Ronda
952 879 332
Bar El Cortijillo
Calle Sevilla, 105, 29400, Ronda
952 190 928
Bar El Encuentro
Calle Espinel, 22, 29400, Ronda
952 187 310
Bar El Lechuguita
Calle Los Remedios, 35, 29400, Ronda
952 878 076
Bar El Paladar
Calle Lorenzo Borrego, 10, 29400, Ronda
606 696 398
Bar El Pino
Calle San Francisco, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 876 899
Bar El Portón
Calle Pedro Romero, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 877 420
Bar Jose Mari
Calle Sevilla, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 190 171
Bar La Barbacoa
Calle Infantes, 42, 29400, Ronda
952 878 125
Bar La Cafetería
Calle Marina, 1, 29400, Ronda
952 872 683
Bar La Cuadra
Calle Pila de Doña Gaspara, 29400, Ronda
952 870 266
Bar La Farola
Plaza Carmen Abela, 10, 29400, Ronda
952 871 547
Bar La Galería
Plaza Carmen Abela, 4, 29400, Ronda
606 664 951
Bar La Giralda
Calle Nueva, 19, 29400, Ronda
646 045 575
La Gota de Vino nº 13
Calle Sevilla, 13, 29400, Ronda
952 875 716
Bar La Lechera
Calle Ricardo Navarrete, 1, 29400, Ronda
952 878 518
Bar La Ponderosa
Plaza Concepción García Redondo, 29400, Ronda
Bar La Quinta
Calle Cruz Verde, 20, 29400, Ronda
952 876 111
Bar La Tertulia
Calle Nueva, 1, 29400, Ronda
952 871 591
Bar La Viña
Calle Lorenzo Borrego, 9, 29400, Ronda
952 877 386
Bar Las Caballerías
Calle Setenil , 3, 29400, Ronda
Bar Lifa
Calle Carrera Espinel, 130, 29400, Ronda
952 877 516
Bar Limbo
Plaza Carmen Abela, 10, 29400, Ronda
952 876 870
Bar Los Capea
Calle Virgen de la Paz, s/n, 29400, Ronda
952 190 646
Bar Los Caracoles
Calle Comandante Salvador Carrasco Local A, 29400, Ronda
952 161 912
Bar Los Caños
Calle Santa Cecilia, 9, 29400, Ronda
952 873 053
Bar Nuevo
Calle Gallarda, 6, 29400, Ronda
952 875 806
Bar Patatín Patatán
Calle Lorenzo Borrego, 7, 29400, Ronda
Bar Platos Rotos
Calle Santa Cecicilia, 3, 29400, Ronda
637 798 242 Bar Restaurante Almocábar
Calle Ruedo Alameda, 5, 29400, Ronda
952 875 977
Bar Restaurante Casa Luciano
Calle Armiñán. 42, 29400, Ronda
952 870 428
Bar Restaurante El Mirador
Ctra Circunvalación, Km.1, 29400, Ronda
952 870 243
Bar Restaurante El Patio
Calle Espinel, 100, 29400, Ronda
952 871 015
Bar Restaurante El Torero
Calle Nueva, 8, 29400, Ronda
952 877 169
Bar Restaurante Hermanos Macías
Calle Pedro Romero, 3, 29400, Ronda
952 874 238
Bar Restaurante La Leyenda
Calle Los Remedios, 7, 29400, Ronda
615 352 449
Bar Restaurante La Rondeña
Calle José Aparicio, 3, 29400, Ronda
952 873 488
Bar Restaurante La Venta
Calle Ctra. El Burgo, Km 4, 29400, Ronda
952 877 929
Bar Restaurante Las Castañuelas
Calle Jerez, 3, 29400, Ronda
952 876 178
Bar Restaurante Los Candiles
Calle Plaza del Socorro, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 876 864
Bar Restaurante Los Candiles
Plaza del Socorro, 7, 29400, Ronda
952 876 864
Bar Restaurante Los Cántaros
Calle Sevilla, 66, 29400, Ronda
952 876 323
Bar Restaurante Moreno
Avda Ricardo Navarrete, 4, 29400, Ronda
952 875 888
Bar Rincón de Pepe
Calle Joaquín Peinado, 6, 29400, Ronda
616 264 466
Bar Rockefeller
Calle Espinel, 6, 29400, Ronda
Bar Royal I Antonio
Calle Virgen de la Paz, 40, 29400, Ronda
952 874 246
Bar Sabor Flamenco
Calle Lauria, 11, 29400, Ronda
610 015 197
Bar Sevilla
Calle Sevilla, 113, 29400, Ronda
Bar Shafar
Calle Ermita, 2, 29400, Ronda
Bar Tragatapas
Calle Nueva, 4, 29400, Ronda
687 635 742