Is Ronda Worth Visiting on a Day Trip from Seville? Our Real Experience

When we planned our trip to Andalusia, with Seville as our base, we really wanted to see Ronda. But with only seven days and a six-year-old child, fitting it in wasn’t exactly easy.

Sorting out transportation, planning the route, and paying for another night of accommodation didn’t sound great.

So we looked into options and found an organized one-day tour from Seville to Ronda. Decision made. And honestly, we don’t regret it for a second.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the tour we took, what we loved, what we didn’t, and why this day trip ended up being totally worth it.

Guided Tour From Seville To Ronda

Our guided tour from Seville to Ronda started at 8 am from a meeting point in the city and lasted around 10 hours, returning to the same spot at the end of the day.

The first stop was Setenil de las Bodegas, a small town known for its white houses built directly into the rock. Walking under the rock formations gives you the feeling of being inside a cave. It took about 2.5 hours by bus to get there.

A row of white buildings sits directly under a huge rock overhang in Setenil de las Bodegas, creating a shaded walkway lined with cafés and small shops. People stroll and sit at outdoor tables beneath the low rock ceiling. The scene shows how the town is built right into the cliffside.

We had around 70 minutes to look around and take some photos, which was perfectly enough for such a small town. There were also a few cafés and restaurants if you wanted a drink or a quick bite.

From Setenil, it was only about a 20-minute bus ride to Ronda.

When booking the tour, you could choose between a 1.5-hour guided walk in Ronda followed by free time, or spending the full four hours exploring on your own. We chose the second option.

➡️Here is the exact tour we took

What to see in Ronda in one day

Once you arrive in Ronda, it’s good to have a plan because four hours go by very fast. Our daughter was hungry as soon as we got there, so we started with lunch and then began exploring.

Walking through the town, we reached Plaza de Espana, a small square that’s a natural starting point, as it leads you straight to Ronda’s main attraction, the Puente Nuevo Bridge.

A woman leans on the stone railing at the top of Puente Nuevo in Ronda, looking out over the deep gorge below. Behind her, crowds line the bridge and white buildings sit along the cliff edge. The view shows the dramatic drop and how the town sits right above the canyon.

The Puente Nuevo Bridge is a stone bridge that connects the new town with the old town. It was built between 1759 and 1793 and stands almost 100 meters above the deep El Tajo gorge.

The bridge is impressive from every angle, and there are several viewpoints where you can enjoy the best views, including spots along the edge of the old town, the viewing platforms near the bridge, and paths that lead down toward the gorge for the perfect photo.

Standing there and looking at the drop below really shows how dramatic Ronda’s landscape is. What many people don’t know is that the first attempt to build the bridge failed, and sadly, some people died.

View from Puente Nuevo Bridge in Ronda showing the deep gorge with trees, Puente Viejo bridge below, white buildings on the cliff edge, and rolling hills with mountains in the distance.

We started at the top of the bridge and followed the path on the left side down, where we got a stunning view of the landscape before reaching another bridge, Puente Viejo.

From here, you can see the gorge in all its beauty. It’s amazing to see the gorge and the houses sitting right on the edge, with the Puente Nuevo rising above everything.

As we continued lower, we passed by the Arab Baths, though we didn’t go inside, and eventually reached the smaller Puente Arabe.

The walk back up was a bit tiring. We didn’t explore deeper into the old town, but we crossed to the right side of the bridge to get more beautiful photos.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to walk down on this side of the bridge to see the waterfalls, which was a bit disappointing.

Family of three posing in front of a bull statue with flowers in front of a white bullring in Ronda, Spain

On our way back to the bus, we stopped at Plaza de Toros, home to one of the oldest and most famous bullrings in Spain. We took a few photos outside, but didn’t have enough time to go in.

Pros of the guided tour

Hassle-free: No need to worry about driving, parking, or planning the route.
Affordable: Considering transportation and time saved, it’s a cost-effective option.
Relaxing: You can sit back on the bus and enjoy the views.
Time-saving: You get to see Ronda and Setenil in one day without extra planning.
Good for families: Easy option if you’re traveling with kids.

Cons of the guided tour

Limited time: Four hours in Ronda isn’t a lot, so you can’t see everything in depth.
A bit rushed: You may feel pressured to see the main sights quickly.
Less flexibility: You follow a fixed schedule and can’t linger at spots you love.

Other ways to get to Ronda

Besides taking an organized tour, you can reach Ronda from Seville or other nearby cities like Cordoba, Malaga, and Granada.

By car: This is the most flexible and often the fastest option. You can plan your own schedule, stop along the way, and explore in your own time. Parking in the city center can be tricky, so it’s best to park just outside. From Seville, the drive takes a maximum of 2 hours.
By bus: The bus is the cheapest option and the second fastest. It’s straightforward, though you’ll need to check the schedules in advance.
By train: Traveling by train is easy from Cordoba. From Seville, Malaga, or Granada, it requires taking two trains, which makes the journey long and means you’d need to stay overnight.

Where to eat in Ronda

Ronda has plenty of restaurants in both the new and old towns. Whether you want Spanish tapas, Italian pizza, or something more international, you’ll find plenty of options.

Pizza with anchovies, black olives, cheese, and tomato sauce at DaVinci restaurant in Ronda, Spain.

Keep in mind that the closer you get to the Puente Nuevo Bridge, the higher the prices tend to be. We chose DaVinci, an Italian pizzeria, because it offered a gluten-free menu. The pizza was delicious, and the prices were reasonable.

Where to stay in Ronda

If you’re not taking a one-day tour and prefer to stay overnight, here are some great options for different budgets:

➡️$$$ Catalonia Ronda – A luxury hotel in the city centre, right next to the bullring. It has an outdoor pool and beautiful mountain views.
➡️$$ Apartamentos Rondacentro – Comfortable apartments near Plaza de España, just a 2-minute walk from the Puente Nuevo Bridge.
➡️$ Hotel Ronda Moments – A more affordable option located a 17-minute drive from the Puente Nuevo Bridge. It’s ideal if you’re staying in Ronda for a few days and visiting in warmer months, thanks to its outdoor pool and lovely landscape views.

Final Verdict: Is The One-Day Tour From Seville To Ronda Worth It?

Yes, the one-day tour from Seville to Ronda is absolutely worth it. Even though we wished for a little more time, we still highly recommend taking this tour.

View of the deep gorge in Ronda, Spain with steep cliffs, white buildings on top, and part of Puente Nuevo Bridge visible on the right side.

It’s hassle-free, relaxing, and affordable, and you get to see the main landmarks like the Puente Nuevo Bridge and the El Tajo gorge. You also save time on planning and transportation, which you can use to enjoy more of Seville or other cities.

Moreover, the tour includes a visit to Setenil de las Bodegas, a place you wouldn’t normally reach by public transport, which is a great bonus.

However, if you have extra time and a bigger budget, staying one or two nights in Ronda is definitely worth it. The town is beautiful and deserves more time if you can spare it.

You may also like:

– 7 Day Andalusia Itinerary Without a Car – Spain Travel Guide
– 15 Best Things to Do in Seville That Are Worth Your Time
– The Ultimate 2-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary: Top Places To See And Things To Do