While Spain remains a popular holiday destination among Brits, it can often be crowded in well-known spots. However, one traveller claims to have found a 'hidden gem' that offers gorgeous views without the masses.
Ronda: A Breathtaking Mountaintop City
Located in the Málaga province of Andalusia in southern Spain, Ronda is a historic city perched atop the deep El Tajo gorge. This dramatic setting separates the 15th-century new town from the old town, which dates back to Moorish rule. The Puente Nuevo, a stone bridge spanning the gorge, provides a lookout with stunning views. Another landmark is the Plaza de Toros, an 18th-century bullring considered one of the city's most recognisable symbols.
Ronda is often called the birthplace of modern on-foot bullfighting, with its bullring dating to 1784. While the ring is open for visits, actual bullfights are rare, with only one symbolic event per year during the Corrida Goyesca, part of the Feria de Pedro Romero in late August.
Romantic Allure and Spectacular Setting
Beyond its history, Ronda boasts a romantic allure that has drawn poets and literary giants for centuries. Its dramatic mountaintop location is regarded as one of the most spectacular in Spain. TikTok user Andrew McDonnell, who has over 12,100 followers, shared snippets of his visit, captioning the post: 'One of Spain’s hidden gems left me truly speechless.'
McDonnell said: 'Ronda is one of those places that simply doesn’t need any words to be described, because being there and seeing it for yourself is enough. The content really doesn’t do this place any justice for how spectacular it is.'
Weather and Accessibility
As a small town, everything in Ronda is within walking distance. Despite being one of Andalusia's most famous 'pueblos blancos' (white villages), it has avoided the mass tourism that affects coastal areas like Málaga. The city enjoys classic Mediterranean weather with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Due to its high altitude (about 739 metres), temperatures can be more extreme than nearby coastal resorts, with colder winters and sometimes hotter summers.
Ronda is located just 100 kilometres from Málaga, about a 1.5-hour drive, making it an ideal day trip or a calm base for a holiday in Spain.
