Serranía de Ronda

Algatocin © Michelle Chaplow
The village of Algatocín situated in the heart of Serranía de Ronda

Serranía de Ronda

The Serranía de Ronda is studded with charming pueblos blancos (white villages) that can be visited by car in a number of delightful day trips. The dramatically positioned town of Ronda, on the Tajo gorge, has become one of the most popular destinations in Andalucia. It enjoys magnificent views over the untamed mountains of the Serranía de Ronda (Ronda Mountain Range) and the Sierra de las Nieves (Snow Mountain Range) Natural Park.

Moving away from Ronda there are more villages worth visiting. These might not actually be included as Sierranía de Ronda towns as they are on the east and south fringes of the mountain range, and they include such picturesque destinations as Tolox, Guaro and Istán.

There are also two more areas worth visiting further away nearer the coast which are also not strictly part of the Serranía de Ronda but are often included in guide books. South of Gaucín and less inland from Casares and Manilva are two protected areas: the Sierra Crestellina Natural Area, near the village of Casares, and the Reales de la Sierra Bermeja Natural Area. Although little visited, they offer some superb walks through dense woodland.

Villages on the River Genal (Alto Genal) (A-369 - Ronda to Gaucin)

Visiting the white villages of the Genal Valley is one of those experiences that no fan of rural tourism should miss. And it is that this region located a few kilometers from Ronda offers visitors something new to discover at every step. Magnificent landscapes, streets of Arab tradition, colorful patios and charming white houses that characterize all its towns.

Despite being a growing town, Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge… More →

Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village commanding sweeping views to Gibraltar and North Africa. The village is a gateway to the Serranía de Ronda where, depending on the time of year… More →

Alpandeire clings to the steep southern side of the Genal valley, very near the source of the river that names the valley. Many springs below the village feed the Genal, which is one of the most… More →

Benalauría is a small village in the Ronda Mountains (Serranía de Ronda) in the Genal River Valley. The populations hovers around 500 and the natives are known not as “benalaurianos” – as one… More →

Genalguacil is one white Andalucian mountain village that art lovers will not want to miss. Prize-winning contemporary works of art are on permanent public display throughout the village as a… More →

The village is easily approached by road, which skirts lower part of the village. Whenr approaching from Estepona park up by the Morisco looking monument of the Hermitage of the Castanuelo, just… More →

Algatocín is part of the famous Pueblos Blancos, or white villages that run through the Serranía de Ronda (Ronda Mountain Range) and dot the hills through Málaga and Cádiz provinces. This tiny… More →

Though only a small pueblo of less than 220 inhabitants, Parauta’s municipal district of 44 square kilometres stretches from the wooded Alto Genal valley and deep into the rugged limestone Sierra… More →

Atajate is both a municipality and a tiny village in Málaga’s Ronda mountains (Serranía de Ronda). The village itself is part of the White Pueblo Route and is home to under 200 people, known as… More →

This mountain village, on of the most isolated in the region. It lies a long and windy 11km from the A376 San Pedro-Ronda road, beyond the pueblo of Igualeja. With a 4x4 or taking it slowly, a… More →

Benadalid is a village that is working hard to develop its reputation for quality rural tourism. With a perfect location, this has not been difficult as the town is situated in the Genal River… More →

Villages on the Alto Guadiaro

The Guadiaro River is located in southern Andalucia. This river runs through the provinces of Malaga and Cádiz. The source of the river is in Ronda, at the confluence of the Guadalevín and Guadalcobacín rivers, in a place known as La Indiana. Here, we can visit the villages of Jimera de Libar, Montejaque, Cortes de la Frontera and Benaoján, surrounded by limestone landscapes and forests of cork oaks, poplars and gall oaks.

Jimera de Líbar is an excellent destination for anyone wishing to enjoy the wonders of rural tourism in Andalucia. This town is one of the white villages in the Ronda mountains (Serranía de Ronda… More →

As in all the pueblos blancos, Montejaque dates from the time of the Berber settlers, after the Moslem conquest. Located in a semi-hidden bowl hidden by circular rocky outcrops, it overlooks a… More →

Sandwiched between the Alcornocales natural park and Sierra de Grazalema natural park in the far western reaches of Malaga province is the pueblo blanco (white town) of Cortes de la Frontera. It… More →

As the name suggests (the prefix Ben- found across the region derives from the Arabic 'ibn', 'son of'), this is another village of Moorish origins. Located very near to Montejaque, the settlement… More →

Villages of the South East

In the south east of the Serrania de Ronda you can visit the villages of Guaro, Istán, Monda and Tolox. These are typical Andalusian white villages with an excellent gastronomy and beautiful landscapes where you can practice different activities in the nature.

Guaro is a modest white village on the edge of the Sierra de las Nieves natural park. Thanks to its elevated position, at over 350 metres above sea level, the village offers privileged views… More →

The village is tucked away beneath the Sierra Blanca at the head of the valley of the Rio Verde. To reach Istan, leave the old N-340 coastal highway onto the A-7176, west of Marbella on the Golden… More →

Tolox lies between the rio de los Caballos and the rio de los Horcajos at the end of a side road hanging like a loose thread from the C-344 Málaga-Ronda highway. When they reach the village the… More →

Villages of the North East

In the North East of La Serranía de Ronda we can visit the towns of Alozaina, El Burgo, Arriate, Casarabonela and Yunquera. These towns are surrounded by fields of olive and almond tres.

Montecorto village as a municipal district was formed as recently as October 2014. It had been part of the municipal district of Ronda. Montecorto has about 600 inhabitants. The origins of… More →

Serrato as a municipal district was formed as recently as December 2014. Until then it was part of the municipal district of Ronda. It has about 470 inhabitants.Its origins of Seratto date back to… More →

Nearly a fifth of Andalucia is protected, the largest proportion of an autonomous region in Spain, reflecting the unspoilt nature of its countryside and the high ecological importance of its… More →

The municipal district of the village of Alozaina, some five kilometres in area, sits between the distinct geographic regions of the Guadalhorce Valley and the Serrania de Ronda. This gives the… More →

This mountainous town on the road between Ronda and Coí­n is dominated by the limestone outcrops of the surrounding mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. The bizarre rock formations of El Torrecilla… More →

Arriate is a jack-in-the-box; a surprise package in a plain wrapper. Enter it from any direction, and it appears to be a sleepy rural village waiting, with no sense of urgency, for its grass to… More →

Casarabonela geographically belongs to the Hoya de Málaga valley and the fertile valley that leads down to the coast, although the upper reaches of the municipal district touch on the mountainous… More →

The village of Cuevas del Becerro, 733 metres above sea level and sitting quietly beside the Ronda to Campillos road like a retired highwayman dreaming of his fiery youth, is living proof that in… More →

Set below the heights of the Serranía de Ronda and the start of the Hoya de Málaga range, this pueblo sits between El Burgo and Alozaina on the Ronda-Málaga road. It is a relatively large village… More →

Hotels in Serrania de Ronda

Book Hotels in Serrania Ronda

Hotel Los Castaños

Located in the middle of a small village, this boutique hotel has lots of character. You can soak up the Spanish sun on the roof terrace and refresh yourself in the paddling pool.

Experience authentic Andalusia in the remote white village of Cartajima. This hotel has stunning views over the mountainous countryside.

Karma La Herriza

Situated in Gaucín, 42 km from La Duquesa Golf, Karma La Herriza features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. Each accommodation at the 4-star hotel has mountain views, and guests can enjoy access to a restaurant and to a bar. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar.

Casa Laibon

Boasting an infinity pool and views of pool, Casa Laibon is a recently renovated bed and breakfast situated in Gaucín, 46 km from Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi. The bed and breakfast has family rooms.

Casa Rural Casa del Tigre

Located in Gaucín, Casa Rural Casa del Tigre offers a patio with mountain and lake views, as well as a year-round outdoor pool, solarium and open-air bath. The property features pool and river views, and is 46 km from La Duquesa Golf. The country house also provides free WiFi, free private parking and facilities for disabled guests.

La Fructuosa

Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, the 150-year-old building was a popular hostel called “La Española”, known locally as la Fonda de la Fructuosa, which was the name of the owner. It was a guesthouse with 4 small bedrooms plus the owner´s own room, a dining room and a small kitchen. In the basement were the stables, a rudimentary lavatory and the winery with all the machinery necessary to produce wines and liquors, a —metre press, a room with 4 large barrels and a distillery.

Benarrabá Hostel

Set in Benarrabá and with Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor reachable within 35 km, Benarrabá Hostel offers concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi and a terrace. Featuring room service, this property also provides guests with a children's playground. Guests can have a drink at the bar.

Casa el Pino

Featuring garden views, Casa el Pino features accommodation with barbecue facilities and a balcony, around 33 km from Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor. This country house has a private pool, a garden and free private parking. Outdoor dining is also possible at the country house.

Casaspa7

Boasting city views, Casaspa7 offers accommodation with barbecue facilities and a patio, around 32 km from Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor. The property has inner courtyard and quiet street views, and is 20 km from Cueva del Gato. The property is non-smoking and is set 32 km from Plaza de Espana.

La Ribera

Boasting mountain views, La Ribera features accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge and a terrace, around 2 km from Cueva del Gato. This country house has a private pool, a garden and free private parking.

Natural Parks, Areas and Monuments

The Sierra de las Nieves National Park is located in the hills behind Marbella and to the east of the Ronda-Marbella road as it winds up the mountain along hairpin bends. The park centres on Mount… More →

Nearly a fifth of Andalucia is protected, the largest proportion of an autonomous region in Spain, reflecting the unspoilt nature of its countryside and the high ecological importance of its… More →

The Cañón de las Buitreras is the strikingly named Gorge of the Vultures, after the colony of griffon vultures that nest in the area. The gorge itself is impressive, with often near-vertical sides… More →

The Spanish fir, pinsapo in Spanish (abies pinsapo), is a rare tree most commonly found in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The pinsapo de las Escaleretas is the oldest pinsapo on record at… More →

The small protected area of the Sierra Crestellina, of 478ha, is a limestone ridge rising to 926m at its highest point. It stretches for 4km north-south, immediately north of the village of… More →

Located in the southwest part of Malaga province, the Sierra Bermeja is a mountain range with an average height of 1,000m (its highest point being 1,450m), covering 1,236ha. It is an area that has… More →

Main sights

Ronda is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. There is plenty to see beyond the view from the bridge over the plunging gorge which divides the town. Below are the main… More →

The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m… More →

Inaugurated in 1785, Ronda's Plaza de Toros is one of the oldest in Spain, younger and smaller than that at Sevilla, but home to one of Spain's most famous 'schools' of bullfighting, on foot… More →

Puente Nuevo, Ronda's 'new bridge' was completed in 1793, after 40 years in construction and after the loss of the lives of 50 builders constructing the span bridging the 98m Tajo gorge. The… More →

Attractions

Outside Nueva Castella village and on the edge of the La almoraima estate is the Hotel Casa Convento La Almoraima. The woods that lead up the the historic hotel are open to the public and a… More →

Nearly a fifth of Andalucia is protected, the largest proportion of an autonomous region in Spain, reflecting the unspoilt nature of its countryside and the high ecological importance of its… More →

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species… More →

"Los Encuentros de Arte del Valle del Genal"is a bi-annual summer art festival which takes place in Genalguacil, near Gaucin in Malaga province. What does the festival consist of? During the… More →

The  La Almoraima estate in Castellar de la Frontera occupies 14.000 hectares and is one of the largest estates in Spain. Agriculture, Forestry, Cork, Hunting, Tourism are main industries in the… More →

Charco Azul is a natural pool and waterfall in the Arroyo del Quejigo which is one of the small stream tributaries to the Rio Genal. It is an isolated location and on most visits you will be… More →

Two kilometres to the north of Algatocin, is the lost settlement of Benamahabu. This deserted medieval village lost its name after the local uprising in 1568 and today the name survives only as a… More →

The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m… More →

Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) in the Moorish hilltown of Gaucin, consists of a series of fortifications built across a rocky ridge above the village. The castle, which is of Roman origin,… More →

Fuenfria is a quiet secluded spot ideal for a picnic, next to a natural spring and set in a clearing surrounded by forest. The spring has been capped and the water is collected and pumped to the… More →

The village of Benoajan is rightly famed for the caves which are well signposted around the area. South of the village of Benoaján heading towards Cortes de la Frontera, a side road leads off on… More →

The entrance of this cave can be seen from the railway as it heads north from Benaoján station two kilometres away. It's called the cave of the cat as its entrance is said to look like a cat's… More →

Inaugurated in 1785, Ronda's Plaza de Toros is one of the oldest in Spain, younger and smaller than that at Sevilla, but home to one of Spain's most famous 'schools' of bullfighting, on foot… More →

Puente Nuevo, Ronda's 'new bridge' was completed in 1793, after 40 years in construction and after the loss of the lives of 50 builders constructing the span bridging the 98m Tajo gorge. The… More →

The Balneario de Fuente Amarga (Bitter Fountain) was established in 1867 and its waters declared for public use in 1871. It is located in the village of Tolox one hours drive inland from Marbella… More →

Activities

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species… More →

The landscapes of rural Andalucía are breathtaking and one of the best ways to appreciate their diversity and beauty is on foot. However it is sometimes hard to determine exactly where a path is… More →

Cycling is a popular sport in Andalucia and it is not uncommon to see groups of cyclists out enjoying a weekend morning together as they tour the countryside. Equally in the last few years the… More →

Andalucía is a region with a surprising number and variety of natural caves. Some of these are well-known and open to the public, such as those situated in Nerja, La Pileta and Ardales, but there… More →

The longish twelfth day of the Coast to Coast footpath leads you on from El Burgo through a wild swathe of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park to the hilltop town of Ronda, the largest… More →

Gastronomy

The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m… More →

The pigs of Andalucia also contribute to the making of sausages, with red chorizo and black morcilla being the best-known. The villages in the vicinity of Ronda and Antequera (Málaga) are renowned… More →

The aroma of delicious sweet roast chestnuts roasting on the streets of Andalucía from late October to December, always brings a warm hearty feeling. There’s something really special about eating… More →

Sports

An Andalusian man without his horse is like a matador without a cape. He feels stripped of an essential part of his identity that has been formed over the centuries. It is part of his life, his… More →

Seville Marathon, the third largest in Spain, with 14,000 runners taking part. It is traditionally held on the third Sunday in February. The Seville Marathon is usually very fast due to the flat… More →

The Andalucia Rally for cars and motorbikes has taken place in May in Andalucia in 2020 and 2021. The Andalucia Rally is the opening event of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country-Rallies.

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species… More →

Canyoning is an increasingly popular outdoor activity, or extreme sport, which involves descending gorges using a combination of walking, climbing, jumping, sliding, abseiling (rappelling), and… More →

Information on the main endurance running and cycling events held each year in Andalucia. Includes the Malaga and Seville Marathons, important triathlons, Iron Man and other established events… More →

The Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines are ideal for fishing and many of the local marinas provide everything required for a day of open sea fishing. A maritime recreational fishing licence (… More →

The landscapes of rural Andalucía are breathtaking and one of the best ways to appreciate their diversity and beauty is on foot. However it is sometimes hard to determine exactly where a path is… More →

Cycling is a popular sport in Andalucia and it is not uncommon to see groups of cyclists out enjoying a weekend morning together as they tour the countryside. Equally in the last few years the… More →

By its very nature, rowing is an inland waterway sport and is immensely popular along the River Guadalquivir, especially in Córdoba and Sevilla, where major international competitions and training… More →

There can be few better ways to appreciate the sheer beauty of the Andalusian countryside than from a hot air balloon. Combine this bird's eye view with the tranquility and peace derived from… More →

One of the latest trends in adventure sports, or more daring or unusual outdoor activities, is wild swimming (bañarse/nadar en plena naturaleza in Spanish). This means swimming in any water,… More →

Those who find hiking not quite exciting enough, may like to try mountaineering, rock climbing or caving, all of which are popular in this part of Spain with a wealth of challenges and some of the… More →

Mountain biking and cycling are viewed as both serious sports and a relaxing pastime in Andalucia. It is not unusual to be overtaken by a group of lycra-clad cyclists tackling the steep mountain… More →

The international circuit at Jerez has on ocasions held the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, at other times is used for testing and practice by the F1 teams. It holds the Spanish Motorbike Grand Prix… More →

If you ever use the main N340 Mediterranean highway on Sundays, you may have noticed the large groups of motorbikers powering past. Andalucia's year-round fine weather makes motorbiking popular at… More →

Indeed, with its excellent all-year-round climate and stunning scenery, it is surely one of the best places to go "microlighting". You can now you take to the skies the whole year round along the… More →

The three main professional cycle races in the Andalucia cycling calendar are the Tour of Spain, known as La Vuelta; the Tour of Andalucia, also known as the Vuelta a Andalucia or Ruta Ciclista… More →

Festivities

The Festivals in Montecorto are Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, Día de Andalucía, Semana Santa, Romería de Montecorto, San Juan, Feria y Fiestas Virgen del Carmen, Feria de Agosto y Mercado Andalusí.

Festivals in Serrato are Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, La Candelaria, Día de Andalucía, Día de Andalucía, Día de la Vieja, Semana Santa, Feria de Octubre and Los Tostones.

"Los Encuentros de Arte del Valle del Genal"is a bi-annual summer art festival which takes place in Genalguacil, near Gaucin in Malaga province. What does the festival consist of? During the… More →

There is no better way to get to know Andalucia than through their many and fascinating traditional festivals. The local fiesta is the moment when every town and village strives to put on a… More →

Property for sale in Serrania de Ronda

Property for sale in Serrania de Ronda