Epic Day Trip From Seville To Ronda With White Villages

Looking for a refreshing change of scenery? A day trip from Seville to Ronda is your perfect getaway.

Ronda is known for its cliffside location and the stunning Puente Nuevo, an impressive bridge spanning a canyon in between the town.

I personally took a guided tour to Ronda and I was blown away by Ronda’s dramatic cliffside setting.

In this guide, you’ll find all you need to know, from different transport options to must-see spots in Ronda.

How to get from Seville to Ronda

Seville to Ronda by car

Renting a car for a day is a great option if you want to see some of the countryside as well. When you have your own car you can stop whenever and for however long you want.

By car, it takes just under 2 hours to go from Seville to Ronda without any stops.

I don’t know why, but I don’t really like renting cars that much, especially when I’m travelling on my own. So, I opted for a guided tour.

Seville to Ronda by tour

The most convenient option to see Ronda from Seville on a day trip is by taking a guided tour. That way you don’t have to drive yourself, you don’t have to worry about the bus schedule and you get to see some stops on the way.

I took a guided tour from Seville to Ronda in a big coach. And to tell you the truth, the big coach kind of sucked. You always have to wait around for everyone and on our stops along the way it always looked crowded.

So, while a coach tour is still a convenient option if you travel on your own, I’d recommend checking out a private tour instead if possible. That way you don’t have to wait for anyone else and the picturesque white villages are still peaceful when you arrive.

🤩 Check Prices and Availability of a Private Tour!

Seville to Ronda by bus

A bus from Seville to Ronda is the cheapest option for a day trip, a return ticket costs about €30, and the bus journey takes between 2 and 3 hours.

There are two buses in the morning going from Seville to Ronda and only one bus from Ronda to Seville in the evening. So, make sure you don’t miss your bus otherwise you’ll be stuck.

Overall, taking the bus is the best option if you only want to see Ronda and you’re not interested in stops along the way.

Seville to Ronda by train

There’s no direct Seville to Ronda train. You can get to Ronda from Seville with a combination of buses and trains but this journey would take you between 4 and 8 hours one way.

So, as nice as train rides usually are, taking direct trains is just not possible for a Seville to Ronda day trip.

Why I did a tour from Seville to Ronda

I love stops on the way to a day trip so I can see more of the area. And besides renting a car, taking a tour is the only possible way to do that on a day trip from Seville to Ronda.

A day tour to Ronda from Seville is usually combined with a visit to the so-called Pueblos Blancos, or white villages, in the Andalusian mountains, places that are almost inaccessible by public transportation.

You can stroll through picturesque small villages and take in the beautiful surroundings. So, peaceful and idyllic. Well… it’s peaceful and idyllic if you take a private tour, not so much when you take a coach tour.

Even though a coach tour is an affordable and convenient way to get to Ronda with some stops on the way, the peaceful atmosphere gets lost when 40 or more people rush out of the bus and around the village at the same time.

That’s why I would recommend doing a private tour. A private tour to Ronda and the white villages can be a great conclusion to an epic Seville itinerary.

Stops along the way to Ronda

Olive oil factory

The first stop of most tours from Seville to Ronda is a small olive oil factory. There you can learn the secrets of olive oil production and have a small tasting of extra virgin olive oil.

You can also buy some local olive oil and olive oil products at the olive oil factory as a souvenir for your home.

The olive oil factory is located in the middle of the countryside, next to a small lake. So, besides seeing a traditional olive mill, you can also enjoy the view of the stunning scenery.

Zahara de la Sierra

Zahara de la Sierra is a picturesque village known for its whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, and a castle that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. A true gem on any itinerary of Southern Spain.

If you’re driving to Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra makes for an excellent pit stop to stretch your legs and snap some Insta-worthy pics. It’s a great way to combine two amazing Seville day trips into one.

Strolling through the narrow streets was such a contrast to the busy streets of Seville and the touristy streets of Ronda. In Zahara de la Sierra I got a glimpse of a traditional Andalusian village.

There are a few attractions in Zahara de la Sierra, like the Zahara de la Sierra Castle or the Church of Santa María de la Mesa. But to be honest, the best thing you can do is just walk around and take in the atmosphere of the village.

🤩 I love this private tour since the village won’t be flooded with people once you arrive!

Grazalema

Grazalema is another white village in Southern Spain, it’s also the gateway to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, known for its scenic landscapes and limestone caves.

I visited in early October, so I could watch the village in decoration for the Blood and Love in the Sierra festival. A festival, during which the village is transformed back in time to the 19th century. The whole village comes together when the life of the bandit “El Tempranillo” gets reenacted.

🤩 I love this tour for the included tour guide in the Pueblos Blancos!

Best things to do in Ronda

The best way to experience Ronda is to stroll through its narrow streets and admire the cliffside location of the town.

Here’s a list of the best things to do in Ronda in one day:

1. Marvel at Puente Nuevo

The highlight of any Ronda itinerary has to be the Puente Nuevo, or the “New Bridge,” despite its construction dating back to the 18th century.

This architectural masterpiece spans the El Tajo Gorge, connecting the old and new parts of the town. It’s the main bridge in Ronda for both pedestrians and for cars.

I was completely amazed at how a canyon runs through the town. Both sides of town are built right against a steep cliffside, and the way the New Bridge connects the two parts is just unreal.

Try to get a good look at Puente Nuevo from each angle. Usually, you can also walk to the bottom of the bridge to get a different perspective. Unfortunately, the path down was closed when I visited.

🤩 I love this tour for the included tour guide in Ronda!

2. Walk the city walls

The ancient city walls of Ronda, locally known as Murallas de Ronda, are a testament to the town’s rich history. In some parts, the city walls are still well preserved.

I climbed the steps to the city walls at a section called Murallas Del Carmen. The city wall there is easily accessible but there are no railings whatsoever, so be very careful when walking around.

The city walls are a great place to get a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

I recommend not just walking on top of the city walls but also next to the city walls on the outside. You can walk outside of the old town to the Arab baths, a remnant of prehistoric times, and then head up to the Puente Viejo.

3. Visit the Puente Viejo

If Puente Nuevo is the star attraction in Ronda, then Puente Viejo, or the “Old Bridge,” is its underrated sibling that deserves a moment in the spotlight.

Built in the 17th century, this bridge may not have the dramatic flair of its younger counterpart, but it holds its own with a unique blend of history and rustic charm.

I didn’t even know about the old bridge before visiting Ronda, and I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon it. In any other city, this historic bridge would be one of the main attractions but in Ronda, it’s almost forgotten next to the new bridge.

Interesting fact: The “Old Bridge” is not the oldest bridge in Ronda. The oldest bridge is the “Roman Bridge”, sometimes also called “Arab Bridge”.

🤩 A big group tour is an affordable and convenient way to see Ronda and the white villages!

4. Walk next to the canyon

There’s a pathway with different viewing platforms between the old and the new bridge. You can walk next to the canyon, which splits the town in two and enjoy the views.

At the bottom of the canyon is the Guadalevín river, but when I visited it was almost completely dried up.

Even without the river, this short path makes for some very impressive views. I’ve never been to a town before which is separated in two by a canyon.

5. Go to the the city gate, Puerta de Almocábar

Puerta de Almocábar is the best-preserved city gate in Ronda. The gate is framed by two robust towers, giving it a fortress-like appearance. It’s a bit off the beaten path, making it a peaceful spot to take in some history without the crowds.

You can even walk up to the top of the gate, but to be honest, the view from the top isn’t that great.

6. Find the best viewpoint

Because of the high location of Ronda, it offers many viewpoints of the surrounding countryside and the canyon running through the town.

If you follow the small path just off Plaza de España, you get to walk from one viewpoint to the next. So, stroll along the path and find the perfect view.

🤩 I love this tour for the included tour guide in Ronda!

7. Relax on a bench in the park

There are a few small parks in Ronda, which are great for taking a break. One of the most beautiful parks is Alameda del Tajo.

Alameda del Tajo is full of benches in the shades of plants. There are a few stalls selling souvenirs and when you cross the park you get to the Mirador de Ronda.

In the park, you can also find a statue dedicated to Ernest Hemingway, since the author spent multiple summers in Ronda and he loved the town.

FAQ about Seville day trip to Ronda

Final thoughts: Day trip to Ronda from Seville

From the jaw-dropping Puente Nuevo to the tranquil Puente Viejo, and from the ancient city walls to the serene Puerta de Almocábar, Ronda offers a blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty that’s hard to beat.

If you’re like me and love to explore beyond the main attractions, consider adding stops in beautiful villages, like Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema, to your itinerary.

While public transport and big coach tours are options, nothing beats the flexibility and personal touch of a private tour. You’ll get to explore at your own pace, avoid the crowds, and truly immerse yourself in the Andalusian charm that Ronda and its surrounding villages have to offer.

🤩 I love this private tour for its customasibility!

Read more about Andalusia:

• Epic Southern Spain Itinerary: 10 Days in Andalusia
• 9 Best Cities in Southern Spain to Visit
• Is Granada Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why It Is
• 10 Visiting Alhambra Tips
• Guide to Vegan Granada
• Visiting Arab Baths In Granada
• Sacromonte Cave Houses in Granada: All You Need to Know
• Best Tours from Seville to Granada
• Epic Day Trip From Seville To Ronda With White Villages
• Ultimate Day Trip From Seville To Córdoba
• Amazing 3 Days in Seville Itinerary: What to See & Do
• How Many Days in Seville Is Enough?
• 7 Absolute Best Day Trips from Seville, Spain
• Granada vs Malaga: Why I Prefer Granada Over Málaga
• Ultimate Guide to Málaga Old Town (with Map)
• Is Malaga Worth Visiting?
• Destinations in Spain

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