Getting Around Ronda: A Practical Transport Guide

Ronda is small enough to explore on foot, but the gorge divides the town in two. Here's how to navigate the old town, reach the viewpoints, and explore the white villages beyond.

The short answer: Ronda is wonderfully walkable. The historic centre, Puente Nuevo, bullring, and main attractions are all within easy reach on foot. For the white villages and day trips to Seville or Malaga, you'll need a car, bus, or train.

Ronda's dramatic setting on the edge of El Tajo gorge means the town is naturally compact. The new town (El Mercadillo) and old town (La Ciudad) are connected by the famous Puente Nuevo, and both areas are small enough to explore in a day of walking.

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The Quick Summary

Getting Around Ronda

Walking covers the entire town centre and main sights
The Puente Nuevo connects the old and new towns
Buses connect Ronda to Malaga, Seville, and the coast
Trains run to Malaga, Algeciras, and beyond
A rental car is essential for the white villages

Walking: The Best Way to See Ronda

Ronda is made for walking. The town is small, the streets are atmospheric, and most of what you want to see is concentrated around the gorge and the two historic centres on either side.

What you need to know:

The town centre is compact, about 20-25 minutes from end to end
Streets in La Ciudad (old town) are narrow and sometimes steep
The Puente Nuevo crossing takes just a few minutes
Most attractions are clustered near the gorge
Wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestones and hills

Local tip

The best walking route in Ronda starts at the Plaza de Toros, crosses the Puente Nuevo into La Ciudad, explores the Moorish quarter, then loops back via the Alameda del Tajo gardens for sunset views over the gorge.

Walking Distances

From	To	Time	Notes
Plaza de Toros	Puente Nuevo	5 min	Flat, pedestrianised
Puente Nuevo	Arab Baths	10 min	Downhill into old town
Puente Nuevo	Alameda del Tajo	5 min	Flat, via gardens
Bus station	Puente Nuevo	15 min	Slightly uphill
Train station	Puente Nuevo	20 min	Uphill walk

The Two Towns

Ronda is essentially two towns connected by a bridge:

El Mercadillo (new town): Where the bus station, main square, shops, and many hotels are located. "New" is relative, as most buildings are 18th century or later
La Ciudad (old town): The Moorish quarter across the gorge, with narrow streets, the Arab Baths, and historic mansions

The Puente Nuevo bridge connects them. The walk across takes a few minutes, with dramatic views down into the gorge.

Tip:

Don't just walk across the bridge. Find the viewpoints below it for the classic photos of the Puente Nuevo spanning the gorge. The path down from Plaza Maria Auxiliadora offers the best angles.

The Gorge Viewpoints

Several paths and viewpoints offer different perspectives of El Tajo:

Mirador de Ronda: Views from the new town side, near the Parador
Jardines de Cuenca: Terraced gardens with gorge views
Camino de los Molinos: Path down into the gorge itself
Plaza Maria Auxiliadora: Starting point for the classic bridge photos

Warning:

The paths into the gorge are steep and can be slippery. Wear proper shoes, not sandals, and take your time on the descents.

Buses in Ronda

Ronda's bus station is centrally located, about 15 minutes' walk from the Puente Nuevo. Buses connect the town to major cities and the coast.

Key Bus Routes

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency	Approx. Cost
Malaga	1.5-2 hours	Several daily	€12-15
Seville	2-2.5 hours	Several daily	€15-18
Marbella	1-1.5 hours	Several daily	€8-10
Cadiz	2.5 hours	Several daily	€15-18
Jerez	1.5-2 hours	Several daily	€10-12
Arcos de la Frontera	1-1.5 hours	Limited service	€8-10

Practical information:

The bus station is on Avenida Martinez Astein
Buy tickets at the station or online in advance
Major operators include ALSA and Comes
Service is reduced on Sundays and holidays
No direct buses to most white villages (you'll need a car)

Local tip

For day trips to Seville or Malaga, check the train as well as the bus. The train is often more comfortable and the scenery spectacular, especially on the Ronda-Malaga route through the mountains.

Trains from Ronda

Ronda's train station is about 20 minutes' walk from the centre, downhill on the way out and uphill on the return. The station itself is charming, and the routes are some of the most scenic in Spain.

Train Connections

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency	Notes
Malaga	2 hours	2-3 daily	Spectacular mountain scenery
Algeciras	1.5 hours	Several daily	For Gibraltar or Morocco ferries
Granada	2.5-3 hours	Via Antequera	Change required
Cordoba	2-2.5 hours	Via Antequera	Change required
Seville	3-4 hours	Limited	Bus often faster

What you need to know:

The station is at the bottom of the town, a 20-minute walk uphill to the centre
Taxis wait at the station, or you can take a local bus
The Ronda-Malaga line is one of Spain's most scenic railway journeys
Book in advance on renfe.com for best prices

Tip:

The train from Ronda to Malaga climbs through dramatic gorges and tunnels. Sit on the right side heading to Malaga for the best views. The journey is worth taking for the scenery alone.

Taxis in Ronda

Taxis are available in Ronda and useful for reaching the train station, airport transfers, or if you're tired of walking uphill.

Where to find taxis:

Taxi rank in Plaza del Socorro (main square)
Near the bus station
At the train station
Call Radio Taxi Ronda

Typical fares:

From	To	Approximate Cost
Town centre	Train station	€6-8
Town centre	Bus station	€5-7
Ronda	Setenil de las Bodegas	€25-30
Ronda	Malaga Airport	€90-120
Ronda	Gibraltar Airport	€80-100

What you need to know:

Fares are metered
No Uber or Cabify in Ronda
Book ahead for airport transfers
Taxis can be arranged for day trips to white villages, though renting a car is usually better value

Warning:

Taxis for airport transfers should be booked in advance, especially for early morning or late evening. Ask your hotel to arrange one, or book directly with a taxi company.

Driving and Parking

A car is the best way to explore the Serrania de Ronda and the famous white villages that surround the town. For staying in Ronda itself, you don't need one.

Driving around Ronda:

The old town has restricted access; park on the outskirts
The roads to the white villages are winding but well-maintained
The A-397 to Malaga is one of Spain's most scenic mountain roads
Petrol stations are scarce in the mountains, so fill up in town

Parking in Ronda

Type	Location	Cost
Underground car park	Plaza del Socorro area	€10-15/day
Street parking (blue zone)	Around the new town	€0.50-1/hour
Free parking	Outskirts, near train station	Free
Hotel parking	Varies	Often €10-20/night

Tip:

If you're staying in the old town (La Ciudad), check with your hotel about parking before driving in. Many hotels have arrangements with nearby car parks, or can advise on the best options.

Renting a Car

Car rental is limited in Ronda itself. Most visitors pick up a car at Malaga or Gibraltar airport.

Tips for renting:

Book in advance, especially for summer and holidays
A small car is easier on the narrow mountain roads
The drive from Malaga Airport is about 1.5 hours
Consider renting just for day trips rather than the whole stay

Local tip

If you only need a car for a day or two to explore the white villages, consider renting in Malaga and driving to Ronda, exploring the villages, then returning to Malaga. You don't need a car in Ronda itself.

Getting to Ronda

From Malaga Airport

Malaga Airport is about 100km from Ronda, roughly 1.5 hours' drive through the mountains.

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
Rental car	1.5 hours	Varies	A-397 is scenic but winding
Bus	2.5-3 hours	€15-20	Via Malaga bus station
Private transfer	1.5 hours	€90-130	Pre-booked, door to door
Train	2.5-3 hours	€15-20	Via Malaga Maria Zambrano

Local tip

The drive from Malaga to Ronda via the A-397 is spectacular, dropping into gorges and climbing mountain passes. Allow extra time to stop at the viewpoints and enjoy the journey.

From Gibraltar Airport

Gibraltar is closer to Ronda than Malaga, about 1-1.5 hours' drive.

Car: About 80km via the A-405 and A-369
Private transfer: €80-100
Public transport: Limited; requires changes

From Seville

Bus: 2-2.5 hours, several daily
Train: 3-4 hours (bus is usually better)
Car: About 130km, 1.5-2 hours via the A-374

Day Trips from Ronda

Ronda is perfectly positioned for exploring the white villages (pueblos blancos) that scatter across the surrounding mountains.

Easy day trips (car required):

Setenil de las Bodegas: 20 minutes (cave houses)
Zahara de la Sierra: 40 minutes (reservoir and castle)
Grazalema: 35 minutes (Spain's wettest village)
Olvera: 35 minutes (dramatic silhouette)
Acinipo Roman ruins: 25 minutes (free entry)

By bus or train:

Malaga: 1.5-2 hours
Seville: 2-2.5 hours (bus faster than train)
Jerez: 1.5-2 hours

Warning:

Public transport to the white villages is extremely limited. Some have one or two buses per day, others have none. Rent a car to explore them properly.

The White Village Circuit

A popular driving route from Ronda:

Setenil de las Bodegas (20 min): Cave houses under rock overhangs
Olvera (25 min from Setenil): Castle and church silhouette
Zahara de la Sierra (30 min from Olvera): Postcard-perfect reservoir views
Grazalema (25 min from Zahara): Mountain village, excellent lunch stop
Return to Ronda via Puerto de las Palomas (35 min)

This loop takes a full day with stops and covers some of Andalusia's finest villages.

Accessibility

Ronda's terrain presents challenges for visitors with mobility issues:

The old town (La Ciudad) has steep, narrow, cobbled streets
The gorge viewpoints often require steps or uneven paths
The new town is flatter and more accessible
The Puente Nuevo itself is flat and accessible
Taxis are the best option for those with mobility concerns

Warning:

If you have difficulty with steps or uneven surfaces, focus on the new town and the views from the Puente Nuevo itself. The paths down into the gorge are steep and can be slippery.

Practical Tips

Before You Arrive

Book airport transfers in advance if not renting a car
Download offline maps for the mountain roads
Consider a rental car just for white village day trips
Bring comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets
Check train times for the scenic Ronda-Malaga route

Best Times to Walk

Morning (before 11am): Cooler, softer light for photos
Midday (11am-5pm in summer): Very hot, siesta time
Evening (after 6pm): Golden light on the bridge, town comes alive
Night: Atmospheric, the bridge is illuminated

Money and Transport

Buses accept cash (have coins ready)
Taxis take cash; some accept cards
ATMs available in the main square area
Blue zone parking machines take coins and cards

Plan Your Ronda Trip:

The Bottom Line

Ronda is one of those rare destinations where you don't need transport within the town.

Everything is walkable, the distances are short, and the pleasure is in the wandering. Comfortable shoes and a willingness to tackle a few hills are all you need.

For the white villages that make this region famous, a rental car is essential. Public transport barely reaches them, and the driving itself is part of the experience, with winding mountain roads, dramatic viewpoints, and villages that appear around every corner.

The best approach: walk everything in Ronda itself, take the train to Malaga for the spectacular mountain scenery, and rent a car for a day or two to explore Setenil, Zahara, Grazalema, and the other white villages that make the Serrania de Ronda one of Andalusia's most rewarding regions.