Private Historic Walking Tour in Ronda

Set off at Almocabar gate, one of the main entries to the impressive walled city of Ronda during Moorish times (Muslim rule). In the 13th century, it was through this gate that the Catholic Monarch entered Ronda during their triumphal march after the reconquest of the city. Almocabar gate, one of the most outstanding remains of the defensive fortress walls, is well preserved. You can walk along the walls and enjoy views of the San Francisco area from the viewpoints of the two towers.

Next, you will walk by the Church of Saint Mary the Elder. The church was built on the remains of a 13-century mosque which was itself constructed on top of a Visigothic church built on top of a Roman altar. Thanks to its rich history as a legacy from different civilizations, this monumental construction bears characteristics of various architectural styles: Renaissance, Gothic, Moorish, and Roman.

As we move on, you will stop by Arab Baths of Ronda, one of Ronda’s most important tourist attractions. It is the best conserved of its kind in Spain and a hidden treasure that used to have a sophisticated water system using a traditional Moorish waterwheel. Its interior echoes Arabic ideas of cosmology with the star-shaped skylights and air vents in the vaulted ceilings. During Islamic domination, the baths were used for a cleansing and purifying ritual before people went to mosques.

The next destination is Old Bridge, the second oldest of the three bridges spanning El Tajo Gorge, carved into the mountains by the Guadalevín River and declared a Natural Monument of Andalucía in April 2019. This peculiar natural feature bisects Ronda into two parts: the Old City (La Ciudad) and Little Market (El Mercadillo). This pedestrian bridge used to be the only connection between them. From up there, you can watch the Guadalevin River below and its spectacular surroundings.

Leaving Old Bridge, you will go by New Bridge designed by the famous architect José Martin de Aldehuela. The iconic monument, completed in 1793 after 34 years of construction, is the newest, largest, and highest of the three bridges, located at the very top of the canyon, directly linking the two sections of the city. During the civil war, the chamber above the central arch of the bridge occasionally served as a jail, then a local bar before becoming an exhibition room. This impressive piece of engineering offers a perfect viewpoint for birdwatching and The Cuenca gardens, facing the bridge.

Visit another monumental construction designed in the same architecture as the New Bridge, Bullring of Ronda. This unique historical and artistic heritage opened in 1785. It can hold up to 5,000 spectators and boasts the largest bullring arena in Spain. What’s more, it is the home of the Rondeño style of bullfighting in which bullfighters hold the now-iconic red cape while facing the bull on foot. Outside the arena are statues of Antonio Ordonez, another significant figure of Ronda, and life-size fighting bulls to illustrate how difficult and dangerous it is to keep alive in the encounter with an enormous, aggressive, half-a-ton creature.

Finish your tour at Carrera Espinel Shopping Street, a shopping thoroughfare stretching approximately 1 kilometer through the town. It is not only the central hub for retail therapy if you are in the mood for shopping but also a historic and cultural legacy with layers of interesting legends around the homely name Calle La Bola. There is a lot to explore in the charming streets lined with an array of shops and boutiques!