Stress-free travel to Ronda!
So, you have made the fabulous choice and decided to travel to Ronda, Spain, but you aren’t exactly sure how to get here or what to do when you arrive? Don’t worry, we have got your back! In this post, we have given you our best advice on the practical things we believe you should know before your arrival in Ronda, so you can have the most stress-free and relaxing trip.
How to get to Ronda
Malaga Airport is the closest airport to Ronda and there are many options for travelling from there. You can take the Line A bus into the bus station in the centre of Malaga and then take a bus to travel to Ronda from there, there are several buses a day.
We suggest this as the best option, it is definitely the easiest journey! The second-best option for your transfer from Malaga to Ronda is BlaBlaCar, an app in which you lift share with a local taking the same route as you and it can be really cheap. There are trains available too, but they take the longest time and you have to make changes, so we never recommend this as the best option.
It’s also possible to rent a car at the airport and drive yourself here. If you are arriving in Ronda by car, there are plenty of places to park. It is possible to park on the street in various places all around the city for free, and you may find that your apartment will have spaces nearby where you can park. If you aren’t so lucky with street parking, there are several car parks with low rates around the city, (Parking Martínez Astein, Parking Plaza del Socorro) and all of these are well signposted.
We are now ready to travel to Ronda!
Where and what to eat
Ronda is bursting with tapas bars and restaurants that have something for everyone, so you will never go hungry! Ronda, Spain has a good selection of fine dining restaurants if you fancy something more elaborate, and there is even a restaurant that has a Michelin Star here! But if you’re on a budget there are plenty of authentic bars and restaurants serving delicious local dishes at a more affordable price!
You cannot travel to Ronda without trying some of the local delicacies! A must is serranito, a delicious sandwich with slices of Iberian pork, serrano ham and fried green pepper topped with a fried egg, which can be found in almost all of the tapas bars in Ronda. El rabo de toro (oxtail stew) is another dish you must try, and we recommend trying this one at Pedro Romero. The best breakfast in town is at Bar Sánchez, order the muffin with olive oil, it’s delicious! And finally, you have to try yemas del tajo- these are typical sweets of Ronda.
Free things to do during your travel to Ronda
Ronda is surrounded by incredible countryside and stunning views so one of our favourite things to do in Ronda is just take in the views and walk through the countryside. There are many walks in and around Ronda that make for a beautiful and relaxing time! The Puente Nuevo (the new bridge) is one of the hottest spots in town, with breath-taking views of the gorge that splits Ronda in two, and the Paseo del Hemmingway, a balcony that overhangs the gorge, is also free and definitely worth a visit to see the views of the surrounding mountains.
The Plaza de Toro is also the perfect spot for a stunning view of the valley surrounding Ronda, and if you’re feeling flashy, buy a glass of wine and relax here in the sun – this is one of our favourite pastimes! Furthermore, the old town in Ronda is perfectly enchanting and you can lose yourself in the winding streets for hours without spending anything.
On Tuesday afternoons many of the museums in Ronda are free, from roughly around 3pm-5pm, so make the most of this time and pop in to discover the history and culture of the town. Our favourite museum is the Palace of Mondragon where you can learn about the history of the people of Ronda, Spain in a beautiful building that was the home of the Moorish King Abomelic I and when you have finished, head out to the courtyard at the back of the building to relax in the flourishing garden with views of the valley.
Although it’s not actually free, we want to let you know that on Wednesdays there is a discount at the cinema, so you can be cultural and relax at the same time, seeing a film in Spanish.
Where to change your money
If you didn’t change your money before arriving in Ronda, Spain don’t worry, there are of course cash points all over the city, but please note there is often a fee if your home currency isn’t the euro! It is also possible to pay by card, but there is sometimes a minimum spend so we recommend always having some cash on you just in case. If you would prefer to exchange your money at an Exchange Office, there is one here in Ronda, at Calle Nueva 5, you can call them on this number to find out more: +34 951 152 935.
Drinking water
This is often something that tourists are unsure of! In Ronda the water is considered drinkable, but it’s described as ‘hard’ and doesn’t always taste nice. The majority of people, locals and travellers alike, drink bottled water or use a filter jug, we advise you to do the same.
Official documents to travel to Ronda
And finally, we want to remind you that it’s very important to check which travel documents you need to get into Spain. For anyone from a country within the EU, you only need your passport to travel to Ronda. For the majority of countries outside the EU as long as the trip is no longer than 3 months you too will only need your passport, but there are some exceptions to this. Our best advice for you is to check the guidelines for preparing your travel to Ronda, Spain on your government website to ensure you will be able to enter the country before heading on your journey.
Our tips and advice are sure to see you arriving in Ronda, Spain well prepared and with no fuss, so you are ready to enjoy your trip. Our suggestions for where to eat and what to do will help you to make the best of your stay, whilst also supporting Slow Travel and sustainable tourism in Spain.
- Written by @SlowRonda Team