Beyond Marbella · Beyond Marbella
Ronda, the city on the gorge: the back story
The back story
About Ronda, the city on the gorge: the back story
Ronda stands on a rocky plateau in the mountains, cut in two by the deep El Tajo gorge. The Puente Nuevo, completed in 1793, spans it nearly 100 m above the river.
The bridge
The Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) took decades to build and was completed in 1793. It links the old Moorish town, La Ciudad, with the newer Mercadillo quarter across the gorge, nearly 100 m above the Guadalevín river.
The town
Ronda’s Plaza de Toros is one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, and the old town has Moorish baths, palaces and viewpoints over the valley. Footpaths lead down below the bridge for the classic view.
Few views in Spain are as dramatic as the Puente Nuevo from below.
Getting there
The road from San Pedro de Alcántara climbs through the Serranía de Ronda in about an hour; it is winding, so take it slowly. Buses also run from Marbella.
Our advice: leave early to beat the coach tours, walk down the path below the bridge for the view, and stay for lunch in the old town.
Why it's on our list
- El Tajo gorge
- The Puente Nuevo
- The bullring
- The old town
- The mountain road
- When to go
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Ronda, the city on the gorge: the back story before you go.