When we think of Ronda, the first things that come to mind are the spectacular Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) and the famous Tajo gorge. However, Ronda is much more than its streets and makes up an entire region within Málaga. If you are looking for a unique travel experience, pay attention to the places you cannot miss.
Acinipo: Ronda's Roman Origins
Acinipo Theater
Acinipo, also known as "Ronda la Vieja" (Old Ronda), is an archaeological site of Roman origin located 20 km from the city. It sits on a limestone plateau at an altitude of 1,000 meters. The first settlement dates back to the Copper Age (ca. 3000 BC) and was inhabited until approximately the 7th century AD. Although its popular name might lead you to believe this settlement was the previous location of the city of Ronda, this is not the case; in fact, it was precisely the success of modern-day Ronda that caused people to gradually leave this place until it was completely abandoned.
The Revival of Ronda Wine: Wineries with Soul and Altitude
Since Roman times, the Ronda region has been known as a wine-producing area. It had around 500 hectares of vineyards until 1878, the year phylloxera arrived and they ended up disappearing almost entirely. This remained the case until the 1990s (note: changed 21st century to 20th century, as the 90s correspond to the last century), when wineries began to be promoted once again, largely driven by the businessman Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Since then, the cultivated area has once again reached 250 hectares.
White Villages of the Serranía: Art, Chestnut Trees, and Viewpoints
Gaucín, Source: villasfincas.com
Although there are numerous villages in the Serranía de Ronda that are worth visiting, I am going to list the ones that stand out the most:
Genalguacil: This village is located in a spectacular natural environment overlooking the Genal Valley, and Spanish firs can be spotted right from the town center. Furthermore, it is a "museum village" that features numerous sculptures throughout its streets.
Pujerra: Rather than highlighting the village itself, what stands out is its surroundings covered in chestnut trees. If you travel in autumn, it is almost a mandatory stop to enjoy the "copper forest."
Gaucín: Just a stone's throw from Marbella, this village is a white gem set in a privileged natural landscape.
Sierra de las Nieves National Park: The Refuge of the Spanish Fir
Sierra de las Nieves
Although this natural area extends beyond the surroundings of Ronda, this protected space offers a great diversity of landscapes and multiple options for hiking, swimming, and other sports. One of its unique features is the pinsapo, a type of Spanish fir tree that only grows in places with a very specific climate and at altitudes up to 2,000 meters. The Sierra de las Nieves is home to around 70% of the tree population of this species.
Cueva del Gato: A Kilometric Network of Caves
Cueva del Gato, Source: nationalgeographic.com
The Cueva del Gato (Cat's Cave) is located within the Sierra de las Nieves, but it deserves a paragraph of its own. In the Montejaque area, the Gaduares River disappears underground, entering the cave system known as El Hundidero, and flows back out to the surface at Cueva del Gato. In summer, water constantly gushes from the mouth of the cave, making swimming possible. It is worth noting that it is quite cold (reaching a maximum of about 15 °C), making it an ideal refuge on the hottest days of the year. If you are more adventurous, it is also possible to book a caving excursion to venture into the cave system or visit the ghost reservoir of Montejaque.
