This steep and spectacular gorge is the most famous sight in Ronda as it acts as a natural border between the old and new parts of Ronda. Birds fly off the towering cliffs to feed in the Guadalévin river some 130m below the Puente Nuevo bridge. Best of all it costs nothing to admire the views which stretch right through the gorge.

El Tajo is clearly signposted from both the bus and train stations

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This church acts as the Cathedral of Ronda. It was originally an Arab mosque, but apart from the belfry which stands on top of the old minaret, most of the mosque's foundations have been covered over with a graceful combination of Gothic and Renaissance building styles. The views from the top of the belfry are amazing.

Plaza Duquesa de Parcent in the centre of Ronda's La Ciudad district.
Entry fee is 2 euros.
Open daily from 10am-7pm (Oct-March closes at 6pm)

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The Puente Viejo of 1616 is slightly less admirable than the Puente Nuevo but the views of El Tajo gorge and La Ciudad are still good and it gives a chance to get your bearings as you enter or leave La Ciudad. The single span Puente San Miguel is not on such an epic scale as the Puente Nuevo or the Puente Viejo but it is a much more peaceful spot (apart from when coaches full of day trippers stop there to drop them off).

Puente Viejo is at the end of C/Marqués Parada not far from La Casa del Rey Moro and the Puente de San Miguel lies below the Puente Viejo over the tricking Guadalévin river.

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The Casa del Rey Moro is a spectacular 18th century mansion which is built on Moorish foundations. Unfortunately, only the gardens and not the house itself are open to the public. But the garden hides a treasure of it's own - an underground stairway down to the balcony which looks over the Guadalévin river (take care after it's been raining as they are slippery). The view takes in the Puente Nuevo and the whitewash houses which lean precariously on the opposite bank of El Tajo gorge. If you want to avoid paying the ridiculous 4 euros entry fee and queuing for a vantage point on the small balcony then stick to the Puente Nuevo from where you can get the same view for free! I recommend that you go in the late afternoon to avoid the throngs of day-trippers crowding the balcony and stairs.

17 C/Marqués de Parada
Entry fee is 4 euros
Opening hours: daily 10am-8pm

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The arched Puente Nuevo is the very symbol of Ronda. It was built in the 18th century to connect the Moorish side of the town to the modern quarter known as 'Mercadillo' (where the bus and train stations are situated). The views of the El Tajo gorge and of the hills are breathtaking. There is an information centre just underneath the bridge which has an informative exhibition about the construction and history of the bridge. The Puente Nuevo also has a rather macabre link with Ernest Hemingway as it was once the site of a prison, and the inmates there were massacred on a huge scale as they were thrown to their deaths into the 130m El Tajo gorge below. This act provided the inspiration for Ernest Hemingways's famous poem 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'.

The Puente Nuevo is clearly signposted from the bus and train stations and is the main entry point into La Ciudad.

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La Ciudad is the most attractive part of Ronda on the right bank of El Tajo gorge. It is where the Moorish past of Ronda comes to life with it's Renaissance mansions and palaces. The best way to see the delights of La Ciudad is to wander aimlessly through the narrow streets which offer enticing views of the Serranía de Ronda.

La Ciudad is a 20 min walk from Ronda's train station. Just follow the brown tourist signs for Puente Nuevo and El Tajo.

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