Ronda Favorites

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Favorite thing: Festival, Culture and History, is what the plaque dedicating the bullring and the stature of elToro standing outside.....this is a life size and very acurate statue of a irate bull, would not want to be the one to face him with only a fancy cape in my hands.
The second photo shows the Ronda city symbol, emblazoned on the city hall.
The last photo shows one of the most common decoration types in Spain, the use of the ceramic tile, here showing the layout of the entire town of Ronda.

Favorite thing: For the most part, the Spanish wines we tried on our visit were excellent. We often went with the restaurant's recommendations, since we were unfamiliar with many of the wines. Just a small number of Spanish wines are widely sold in the US, so that makes it difficult to know much about the Spanish wines. Most of the wines available in Spain are not found in the US. This Liabalis produced by Castillo de Maetierra, a fruity white, was excellent, and I doubt I will find it in the US, so it was a real treat.

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Favorite thing: The immense Tajo Gorge runs through Ronda. No matter where you are on the bluffs, you'll have a gorgeous view. The town is on top of the bluff. Hiking trails wind through the gorge. In the valley below are miles of olive groves and vineyards.

Favorite thing: Just opposite the Cafe de Ronda is this ceramic mural giving a good overview of the town t help ypu get your bearings. Failing that opposite the Bull ring is a tourist office that can provide you with town maps and the most important sights to see.

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Favorite thing: With all this sightseeing you'll be glad to know there are plenty of places to eat and drink - esp by the bridge (most touristic and expensive)with views of the gorge - wonderful to sit and rest those aching feet whilst still enjoying the views. We also enjoyed breakfast at Cafe de Ronda (just past the new bridge and before the old town on the main street) which seemed very popular and not as expensive.

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Favorite thing: Around the area of the old bridge and the church of Padre Jesus are several lovely example os typical gardens of Rona. Being springtime they were ablaze with colour and a delight to see - its quite OK to go in and have a look, you are often invited to by the friendly locals who are proud of their blossoms.

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Favorite thing: As we meandered across the old bridge the Church of Padre Jesus can be seen. This was a lively place on the Sunday we visited as first communions were taking place and it was like a party atmosphere with all the families out celebrating. Very close to the church is located the famous Fuente de los Ocho Caños (Eight Spouts Fountain). -see last pic.

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Favorite thing: Ronda is one of Andalusia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. It stands on a towering plateau in the mountains of Malaga Province, and is famous through Spain for the plunging river gorge, known as "El Tajo", which divides the medieval town from the 18th century parts of the town and spanned by the "Puente Nuevo" or New Bridge which formerly housed a prison. Incidentally the new bridge is from the 18th century so not that new now! The town itself has 3 main areas - the Barrio de San Francisco (reached first when driving from the coast) new Ronda (mercadillo, ‘little market’) and the old Moorish citadel, La Ciudad (best to visit here first)

Fondest memory: Its definitely a place not to be missed. I imagined it more touristic and easy to see in a day - but I was so wrong and someday we will be back here and to explore more of the surrounding countryside with its white villages.

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Favorite thing: Modern (largely built 18th century) Ronda is the quarter to the North of the gorge, called El Mercadillo, with the Plaza de España, the site of Ronda's recently built Parador, a spectacular walkway along the river gorge with superb views of the countryside below. This walkway leads to Ronda's lovely "Mirador", with colourful flower beds and a railing to lean against and gaze into the distant mountains - be warned it hangs over the cliff with a 300 ft drop. This mirador (= viewpoint) is immediately beyond the car park beside the bullring. These walkways or Passeos are named after two famous visitors: The Paseo Orson Welles runs behind the former market (now a modern Parador hotel, although the original town clock over Plaza de España still works) and leads from the bullring to the Puente Nuevo. The Paseo Ernest Hemingway heads behind the bullring towards the Alameda itself, and both have incomparable views of the mountains north and west of Ronda.

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Favorite thing: The Muralles , the extensive walls of Ronda, were built by the Moorish rulers in the 13th century. It originally enveloped the entire town, must have been very secure. Today, with the outer walls fallen (especially to the south, near the Arab baths), only two paths, two gates and one bridge offer routes out of the fortress city. The most impressive section, the westerly puerta del Almocábar, was only reconstructed in its original form in the late 20th century. Parts of the wall are still being rebuilt in the 21st century. We made an interesting detour from the part near the Arab bath around into the main town again. With the spring flowers it was a very pleasant walk and gave good views of the countryside and views back over Ronda's new town.