The Perfect Seville to Ronda day trip (Local Tips Included)
If you’re wondering how to take a Seville to Ronda day trip, this guide tells you exactly how to do it.
Ronda is a beautiful inland whitewashed town in the province of Malaga, where I am from. It’s rich in history, archaeology and culture.
Having visited Ronda several times, I can assure you it’s worth a visit, even for a day. Every time I visit it, I feel like I could have spent more time there. Its beautiful old town has so much to see, from historic mansions and museums to gardens and breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the mountains.
Whether you want to know how to get from Seville to Ronda or what to do and eat there, I’ve included everything you need to know to have a great day out in this charming whitewashed town.
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How to get from Seville to Ronda
Take the bus from Seville to Ronda
Is it possible to travel from Seville to Ronda by coach? Yes, it is. The buses depart from Estación de Sevilla – Prado de San Sebastian, located near the famous Plaza de España.
You can take the AVANZA bus (Avanza L-525) towards Torremolinos as it stops in Ronda.
The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, excluding the time it takes to reach the bus station in Seville, and the bus leaves you at the Ronda bus station.
AVANZA buses feature comfortable seats, air conditioning, and USB plugs for charging your phone. I’ve travelled on AVANZA buses several times, and the trips have always been smooth.
Take the train from Seville to Ronda
Getting from Seville to Ronda by train would be my last option because there isn’t a direct train, and it takes longer than any other mode of transportation.
However, if you aren’t a fan of buses or guided tours, you might want to consider the train.
The train departs from Santa Justa Train Station, passes through Cordoba, and arrives at Santa Ana in Antequera. Once in Antequera, you must take the Algeciras train, which leaves you at Ronda Train Station.
The total train journey is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, but some trains take a little longer.
Taking the train in Spain is comfortable, especially on the most modern trains (Iryo). You have plenty of legroom, space for your bags and plugs, and you can even pay extra for a meal.
Drive to Ronda from Seville
Do you need a rental car in Seville? I’d say no. Seville is walkable, and traffic can be chaotic at times and finding a parking space isn’t always easy. I’ve never felt like I needed a car to move around Seville.
However, if you plan to take a Seville to Ronda day trip or visit other places like Malaga and Gibraltar, you might want to rent a car for that day.
Not only will you get to places quicker, but you will also have the freedom to stop along the way and discover hidden gems, stay longer at a destination, and more.
The car journey from Seville to Ronda is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. The road is in good condition and is easy to drive on; however, the road near Ronda is a bit more windy.
Are you wondering about parking in Ronda? Finding a parking spot in the town centre, especially a free one, isn’t always easy. Therefore, you’ll probably need to pay a couple of euros to use a private one. Check out Plaza del Socorro car park, which is in a perfect location and isn’t too expensive.
Take a guided tour from Seville
Another option to visit Ronda from Seville is to take a guided tour.
The advantages include having a local guide who can tell you about the history of places, not having to worry about transport logistics, and sometimes getting to see more than one place.
This highly rated excursion is a good option if you want to visit Ronda and other beautiful white villages, such as Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema, two hidden gems in Andalucia.
The downside of this tour is that you won’t get as much time as you might want to explore Ronda.
📌 Check out availability and prices for this Ronda and Pueblos Blancos full-day trip with good reviews.
Things to do in Ronda on a day trip from Seville
1. Take photos of Puente Nuevo (and Puente Viejo)
Puente Nuevo, aka “Ronda’s New Bridge”, is the most emblematic attraction in the city. It’s the first thing everyone associates Ronda with. You’ve probably seen it on social media or in a travel documentary.
It’s unsurprising that it’s so famous; Puente Nuevo was once one of the tallest bridges in the world, and its architecture is worth admiring.
This famous bridge took considerable time to build, and its construction ended in disaster. The bridge’s primary purpose was to connect the new town with the old town, and that remains its goal.
There are many different viewpoints from which to take photos of Puente Nuevo, Mirador Puente Nuevo de Ronda (my favourite, located at the bottom of the gorge), Mirador de Aldehuela, and Mirador de Cuenca.
From the latter, you can also see Puente Viejo (Ronda’s old bridge), which is significantly smaller than the new one.
2. Visit Palacio de Mondragon
Palacio de Mondragón is an unmissable place to see in Ronda, and one of my favourite museums in the city. Not only will you explore a palace, but you will also visit the Archaeological Museum of Ronda.
The palace was built in the 14th century, and it’s believed to have been the residence of Ferdinand I and Isabella II after they conquered Ronda in 1485.
Wander around the palace to contemplate the beautiful Moorish architecture present in the arches and walls. Then step into the garden with various plant species and take in the views of the surrounding mountains.
Last but not least, if you love seeing archaeology, don’t forget the museum. It has items dating back to the Stone Age and the Roman period.
3. Walk on Paseo de los Ingleses
Paseo de los Ingleses is a lovely walk in Ronda. “The English Walk” commemorates the British engineers who built the railway from Algeciras to Ronda.
It’s a wheelchair-accessible pathway that everyone can use, where you can take in beautiful mountain and river views.
4. See Ronda’s bullring
The bullring is one of the main attractions in Ronda. Of course, it isn’t for everyone, including myself, but if you’re curious about the origin and history of bullfighting, it’s a place to add to your Ronda itinerary.
If you don’t want to pay to enter the bullring but want to see what it’s like, you can head to Hotel Catalonia Ronda. The hotel has a rooftop bar and restaurant offering the best views of Ronda’s bullring. I’ve also spent a night in this hotel and loved my stay.
I also recommend walking on Paseo de Blas Infante next to the bullring. There’s a lovely garden and viewpoint with beautiful mountain views.
5. Discover Casa Museo Don Bosco
Casa Museo Don Bosco is a hidden gem in Ronda. This beautiful mansion with a garden overlooking El Tajo is worth visiting.
If you visit the museum without a guide, it won’t take you long to explore it, but you’ll be amazed by the details inside the house and the views from the garden.
Don Bosco House is a historical building that showcases the local heritage. Pay attention to the beautifully crafted furniture, the ceramic tiles in the courtyard, and the paintings.
Although I found the interior impressive, the outdoor area was my favourite. As you step out of the house, you’ll find stairs that lead you to a viewpoint with a fountain in the middle and benches on the sides.
You get stunning views of Ronda’s New Bridge.
6. Have tapas at El Lechuguita
Ronda is home to many amazing restaurants and tapas bars. If you’re in the town centre, you’ll find them everywhere, and choosing one can be a bit difficult.
Before I went to Ronda, I asked my uncle for food recommendations, as he has friends there. One of the places his friends mentioned was El Lechuguita, located in the heart of Ronda.
On my last day trip to Ronda, I decided to give it a go. It’s a traditional small bar, nothing fancy, but very authentic. It’s what Spanish bars used to be!
It’s popular but also small, so don’t be surprised if there are people waiting to get in. I had to wait about 5 minutes. Once you’re in, they’ll give you a small piece of paper to tick off the tapas you want.
I love how affordable the tapas are (most of them are under 2 euros) and the atmosphere too.
Other places for a bite to eat are Los Caracoles and Camelot. Both are traditional bars offering traditional tapas too.
7. Go to Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor
Santa Maria la Mayor is Ronda’s main and most beautiful church. It’s in Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, where you’ll also find the town hall.
What makes it unique is the combination of architectural styles (Gothic and Renaissance). Interestingly, the church was built where an old Mosque used to be.
Despite looking beautiful from the outside, you must check out the inside, which is filled with impressive chandeliers, Moorish arched doors and religious figures.
During your visit, you can also access the balconies and rooftop with incredible views of Ronda.
8. Check out Baños Árabes
Ronda Arab Baths is another emblematic building that dates back to the Moorish period in Spain. They aren’t just another Arab Baths because they are recognised as one of the best preserved in the country.
Visiting these baths is an unmissable experience in Ronda. You can view different types of baths and learn about their historical use by reading the panels in Spanish or English and watching the displayed video, which I found very interesting.
It’s a small site, but it’s a fantastic place to appreciate the architecture and take photos.
9. Visit La Casa del Rey Moro
La Casa del Rey Moro is another place you want to add to your Ronda itinerary.
Despite its name, this house was never built by the Moors during their invasion of Andalusia. Instead, a French architect, Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, built this historic house.
The building has three different areas: a Neomudejar house, a beautiful garden overlooking Ronda bridges and a water mine with over 231 stairs.
Although taking the stairs is really a workout, it’s definitely worth it (see the views above)!
10. Enjoy a glass of wine at Restaurante Don Miguel
After a full day of sightseeing, you need to unwind, and one of the best places to do so is Hotel Don Miguel, one of the most well-known hotels in Ronda because of its spectacular location, right next to Puente Nuevo.
Whether you plan to stay there or not, it’s worth visiting its restaurant, which offers amazing views of Ronda’s bridge.
I haven’t eaten there, so I can’t give you my opinion about the food, but I had a glass of the local wine and loved the views.
It tends to get busy, but I totally recommend it.
Local Tip
If you plan to spend more than a day in Ronda and love wine, it’s a great place for wine-tasting. There are many fantastic vineyards in Ronda and the surrounding towns.
Map of things to do in Ronda
Click on the map below to open it in Google Maps. You can access directions to the best places to visit in Ronda.
Frequently asked questions about the Seville to Ronda day trip
Can you do a day trip from Seville to Ronda?
You can take a day trip from Seville to Ronda by bus, train, or car, or opt for a guided tour.
What is the best way to get to Ronda?
The best way to go to Ronda is by car. It’s quick and gives you the freedom to explore beyond the main attractions.
Is the train or the bus better?
Taking a bus to Ronda for a day trip is better than taking the train, since there aren’t direct trains to Ronda.
Is a day trip to Ronda worth it?
Yes, Ronda is an excellent day trip from Malaga or Seville. It has a combination of cultural and food activities worth doing.
What are the top day trips from Seville?
Some of the best day trips from Seville are Ronda, Granada (and Alhambra Palace), Antequera, Carmona, Jerez de la Frontera and Gibraltar.
Conclusion on a day trip to Ronda from Seville
Is the town of Ronda worth visiting? My answer is yes, it’s worth the trip. Ronda is a beautiful white town with many attractions to see in a day, and it should be part of any Southern Spain trip.
Personally, I would recommend driving from Seville to Ronda to make the most of your day, as it’s quicker and you have more freedom.
You might also want to stop in Setenil de las Bodegas, a beautiful white-painted village in the province of Cadiz. It’s only 30 minutes from Ronda.
Although you can visit most of Ronda’s attractions in a day, I would even consider staying a night. If you’re looking for good hotels, check out Hotel Catalonia Ronda and Parador de Ronda.
Enjoy your visit to Ronda!
Cristina xx
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Top things to check before visiting Seville
- Check cheap flights to Seville Airport with Skyscanner.
- Discover all the amazing activities you can do in Seville with Get Your Guide.
- Enjoy a free walking tour in Seville with Guruwalk.
- Have a look at this Andalusian food guide to indulge yourself in eating the best typical food in the area.
- Are you looking for the best accommodation in Seville? Book your accommodation with Booking.com
- Book travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!
Read more about Andalucia
- Top Things to Do in Ronda in a Day
- Is Seville Worth Visiting?
- The Perfect 2 Days in Seville Itinerary
- Best Cafes in Seville You Must Visit
- Granada or Seville: Which City Is Best To Visit?
- The Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in Southern Spain
- A Guide to the White Villages of Andalucia
- Incredible Reasons To Visit Andalucia
