Splendid Spain: Ronda, the Stunning Clifftop Town

I’ve been to Ronda before on day trips but this time, I really wanted to spend a couple of nights, especially at the Parador and really wander around this cliff side town where a deep gorge called El Tajo separates Ronda’s 15th-century ‘new’ town from its old Moorish town.

The town was first settled by the Celts in the 6th century BC, who gave it its original name of Arunda. Then came the Romans around 200 BC. And, then the Moors conquered Ronda in 713 AD and renamed it Hisn Ar-Rundah, which means “Castle of Rundah” and significantly influenced the town’s architecture and development.

I left Málaga this morning ahead of my cousin Gerri this morning even though I was supposed to have left yesterday but stayed the night so I could welcome her to Spain.

Gerri stayed in Málaga for the night to attend a morning paella cooking class which ended up getting canceled because she was the only one who signed up.

I did a little walking around but it feels even hotter here in Ronda because there are no tall buildings to provide shade. And basically everything is out in the open. There are shaded alleyways that restaurants use as their outdoor dining areas. The cities of Ronda and Málaga couldn’t be more different in their look, geography and feel.

Ronda is considered to be one of Spain’s the oldest towns. Let’s see the gorge and check out the 15th century ‘new’ town area. Tomorrow, Gerri and I will check out the old town area.

At the bus station or Estacion de autobuses de Málaga for my 2-hour bus ride to Ronda. Gerri is spending one more night in Málaga before joining me tomorrow in Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Passing the white-washed town of Ardales on my bus ride from Málaga to Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Passing the white-washed town of Ardales on my bus ride from Málaga to Ronda.
The village, of Arabic origin, lies at the foot of the rock which bears its name and is typically Andalusian, with its narrow streets and white houses. I’ll keep this town in my for my next trip to Spain. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Arriving at Ronda’s bus station from Málaga. It was such a beautiful day and I had packed light so I decided to walk to my hotel, the Parador de Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Walking to my hotel, the Parador de Ronda, I passed the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, a Catholic church in Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Church of Our Lady of Mercy, a Catholic church in Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Walking through Ronda to my hotel, the Parador de Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Passing the Plaza de Toros de Ronda bullring which was completed in 1785 on the west edge of Ronda about two blocks from Puente Nuevo and the El Tajo Canyon and even closer to the Parador de Ronda where I will be staying. The city of Ronda is home to the Real Maestranza de Caballería, the oldest and most noble order of horsemanship in Spain since 1485. In that year, the Catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella won Ronda back from the Moors and ended over seven centuries of Islamic rule. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Plaza de Toros de Ronda bullring. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Parador de Ronda (the entire building to the left) in the Plaza de España in Ronda was once a royal residence, military barracks and prison. The original façade of the Casa Consistorial, with its arcades, cornices and traditional clock are still maintained.
Founded over 85 years ago, Paradores are a network of about 96 state-run hotels in Spain located within restored castles, palaces, mountain lodges, mansions and provincial estates. I’ve stayed in several of the Paradores during my trips to Spain and love them which is exactly why I was looking forward to staying here at the Parador de Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

My incredibly large room at the Parador de Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Also my incredibly large bathroom at the Parador de Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

A view of the iconic Plaza de Toros de Ronda bullring, completed in 1785, from my hotel room at the Parador de Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Views of the stunning El Tajo Gorge from my hotel room at the Parador de Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Views of the Puente Nuevo or New Bridge, completed in 1793, from the exterior side of the Parador de Ronda hotel overlooking the El Tajo Gorge. The New Bridge (to the left) is the newest and largest of three bridges that span the 390 foot or 120-meter deep chasm of the gorge that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the city of Ronda. The bridge began construction in 1759 and took 34 years to build. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Views from the exterior side of the Parador de Ronda hotel of the Camino del Desfiladero walkway of the El Tajo Gorge. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Parador de Ronda as seen from the side of the Puente Nuevo or New Bridge. Paradores are considered luxury hotels in Spain that are managed by the state and are usually located in historic buildings. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Plaza de España in Ronda is at the new town end of the Puente Nuevo. The Parador de Ronda, the former City Hall, is to the left. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Plaza de España in Ronda is at the new town end of the Puente Nuevo. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Walking along an alleyway or restaurant row of Calle Nuevo, right off the Plaza de España in Ronda, through different restaurant outdoor dining areas to find something to eat. (Aug. 18, 2024)

For some reason I just wanted a tuna fish salad and I found exactly what I wanted here at the Pizzeria Nonno Peppe along Calle Nuevo in Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

My delicious tuna salad, called an ensalada mixta, at the Pizzeria Nonno Peppe along Calle Nuevo in Ronda. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Paseo de Ernest Hemingway leads on to the viewing point or balcony of the Mirador de Ronda with amazing views of the mountains. The walkway is named after American writer Ernest Hemingway who developed a lifelong love for Ronda after visiting in 1923. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Paseo de Ernest Hemingway is named after American writer Ernest Hemingway, who developed a lifelong love for Ronda after visiting in 1923 in the elegant public park of the Alameda del Tajo situated on the edge of the city’s famous El Tajo Gorge and the Mirador de Ronda viewing point. (Aug. 18, 2024)

The Mirador de Ronda, by the Alameda del Tajo park at the edge of Ronda’s El Tajo Gorge, is a viewing point with these amazing vistas of the gorge, mountains and the Puente Nuevo that can be. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Views from my hotel room at the Parador de Ronda of an outdoor concert taking place by the Plaza de Toros de Ronda bullring. (Aug. 18, 2024)

Come join take Gerri and me on our venture over to Ronda’s old town.