Sure, you could do a day trip from Málaga to see the New Bridge, but why not stay a night at a hotel in Ronda instead?
The Puente Nuevo, the famous bridge in Ronda, and the El Tajo gorge it stretches above are the main attractions driving day trips to this split Spanish city. But what these day trippers don’t know is that the spas, vineyards, and museums of Ronda deserve more than a passing snapshot.
Spend a night at a hotel in Ronda, Spain, and take advantage of the wellness spas, Michelin-approved restaurants, and finish off with a quiet twilight stroll through the medieval center that quick-trip tourists often miss.
Image Credit: Getty Images, David Soanes Photography. Image Location: Ronda, Spain
Where to stay in Ronda, Spain
Ronda is a city divided by the El Tajo gorge, separating the old Moorish city from the new (if you consider 15th-century “new”) city. If you’ve seen the photos, then you know it’s gorgeous and you’ll want to base yourself as close to the famous Ronda bridge as possible. Or see a different side of Ronda: sleep on the outskirts of the new city where hiking trails and miradors offer other stunning views with fewer tourists.
The best hotels in Ronda Spain
Hoteles en Ronda? Sí, we’ve got them. Here are the hotels in Ronda you should check out for quick stays, endless wine, and amazing views of the Puente Nuevo bridge.
Hotel Montelirio
Best for: Treating yourself near the Tajo Gorge
The Puente Nuevo may be less than a football field away from Hotel Montelirio, but the gorge is right outside of your suite’s window. Spoil yourself with 12th-century furniture, amazing views, and a Michelin-approved restaurant right in the Old City.
Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria Wellness & Spa
Best for: Spa stays
Bummed that the Arab Baths are just an archeological site and not a working medieval bath house? Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria shares your strife. They’ll wash those feelings away in their wellness spa, complete with a Scottish shower, dry sauna, hydromassage jacuzzi, cold bucket shower, and sunny terrace with jaw-dropping views.
Hotel Don Miguel
Best for: Getting that perfect Puente Nuevo shot
Puente Nuevo waves to you every morning from the window, balcony, or terrace of your double room at Hotel Don Miguel. It’s a retreat for your feet, but not a sacrifice for your stomach: have the hotel’s restaurant send up their special oxtail dish to keep every bit of your body satiated.
Image Credit: Getty Images, David Soanes Photography. Image Location: Ronda, Spain
Hotel Catalonia Ronda
Best for: Splashing under the sky
Hotels in Ronda don’t get much cooler than Hotel Catalonia. Peek out of your junior suite window and get a full view of one of Spain’s oldest bullfighting arenas. Take a swim in the rooftop pool and get that golden Catalan tan in the solarium. For those who prefer a discreet dip, one junior suite has a private pool that pairs well with room service and in-room massages.
Hotel Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel
Best for: Boutique bliss
Neighboring Casa del Gigante, Hotel Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel is one of the best hotels in Ronda to call home if you want that lovely balance between laid-back and luxury. Snuggle up with your beau wherever you choose: in the mosaic-tiled bubble bath in the Presidential Suite, at a tiny table in the wine cellar that doubles as an intimate cinema, or around the corner at the romantic Mirador de los Viajeros Románticos.
Hotel Bodega del Juncal
Best for: Spanish wine lovers
Just outside of city limits yet only a few minutes from Ronda’s heart, Hotel Bodega del Juncal has its own vineyard, gardens, restaurant, and swimming pool. Pool-view rooms and fully furnished apartments let you live the Málaga lifestyle without being bothered by the busyness of the bridge crowds.
Hotel Andalucia
Best for: A quick, cheap visit
Hotel Andalucia gets it: you want to see as much of Ronda as possible without wasting a second or a cent. This budget-friendly hotel has a small bar and cafe, free luggage storage, and simple, straightforward rooms. Since it’s right beside the train station, you can head off to see the Puente Nuevo, have some wine, then book a train back to Málaga Maria Zambrano train station in no time.
Getting to Ronda—and really anywhere in Spain—is easy by train. Download the Trainline app and plot a sunny getaway to Ronda, Málaga, and Cadiz.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, James O'Neil. Image Location: Ronda, Spain