The distance from the scenic mountainside town of Ronda to the beachfront Conil de la Frontera is about 108 miles (175 km). The most comfortable way to get from Ronda to Conil de la Frontera is by hiring a private transfer or driving a rental car—a journey of about 2 hours. The route passes by several White Villages, curves around Jerez de la Frontera, and hugs the coast, so there are several excellent stopping points along the way.
If you prefer public transportation, know there aren't many options, as there are no direct routes between Ronda and Conil. The fastest option is relatively slow, taking seven hours with a train to Algeciras, where you'd switch to a bus.
If you're interested in a trip including the Costa de la Luz, this 9-day itinerary takes you from Madrid to Conil de la Frontera and Seville.
By Rental Car or Private Transfer
Duration: 2 hours (standard highway route), 3.5 hours (recommended road trip route)
If you're traveling between Ronda and Conil de la Frontera, the standard highway route takes you through the countryside along roadways A-374/3/2 and A-382 until you reach Jerez de la Frontera, where you'll switch to the A-4/E5 down to the coast. But what makes this journey so memorable are the numerous white villages along the way and some of Andalusia's best coastlines.
If you'd like to turn the drive into a road trip, plan to visit at least a few of the following towns and, if you'd like to stop at the beach, save a little time for the sea views. The total driving time between all the stopping points is about 3.5 hours, so you can plan how many you'd like to see and how long to spend in each, depending on your preference. Even if you spend 30 minutes at each stop, the entire road trip will take just six hours, which is long but a day well spent exploring the region's famed white villages!
Grazalema
The first recommended stretch of the drive takes you through the beautiful Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. After 40 minutes of curving up hills and enjoying the views, you'll reach Grazalema. This is an excellent stop if you'd like to enjoy a short hike, as you can walk up to the Mirador Del Santo viewpoint and visit the ruins of Ermita del Calvario, an 18th-century Calvario hermitage. The trail is uphill, though not long, and only steep in a few spots. Both sites have places to sit and relax or enjoy a snack. If you have enough time, other areas worth visiting in Grazalema include the colorful Iglesia de San José and the town's main square, Plaza de España.
Zahara de la Sierra
Next, drive down through the park toward Zahara de la Sierra, a picturesque white village overlooking the Zahara Reservoir. You can't miss the views from the Castle of Zahara de la Sierra and Torre del Homenaje, which stretch across a valley and lake to the mountains. You can enjoy about six other viewpoints, but we recommend finishing your visit at the Church of Santa María de la Mesa and walking down Calle San Juan, lined with restaurants, cafés, and bars to enjoy a meal or snack.
Arcos de la Frontera
The following white village along your route is Arcos de la Frontera, one of Andalusia's largest and most popular townlets. The drive will take you just about 45 minutes via A-372 and A-373. The town has two main attractions atop cliffside hills: a large medieval Castillo de Arcos de la Frontera and the Iglesia de San Pedro, constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. But the views are just as fascinating, and we recommend passing through the charming Bésame en este Arco to reach the Mirador de Abades, offering a 360-degree panorama.
Jerez de la Frontera
Just 30 minutes more takes you to Jerez de la Frontera, a beautiful city known for its architecture, sherry, and horseriding. The Old Town surrounds an 11th-century Moorish fortress, the Alcázar de Jerez, plus highlights like the Jerez Cathedral and Plaza del Arenal. You'll also find plenty of opportunities to taste sherry and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, a historic riding school with shows, stables, and a museum.
Cala de Roche
When ready, continue toward the coast for about one hour to Cala de Roche. Once you arrive, park your car and walk down to the beach; you'll find a sizeable parking lot near the beach's main entrance, or look for street parking, particularly along Monaco Street. Rocks and a cove protect the waterfront, so it's perfect for swimming and sunbathing. And if you want to walk a bit, you can follow the path at the top of the cliffs that hug the seaside.
Conil de la Frontera
When it's time to continue the drive to Conil de la Frontera, you'll start by hugging the coastline, passing quite a few viewpoints along the way. Mirador Faro de Cabo Roche is probably the most visited and connects to the Roche Trail, a hiking option for those interested. But you can also stop at Cala del Pato or Cala El Enebro, which both have pretty cool rock formations. Or, you can simply drive the quick 15 minutes to Conil de la Frontera and enjoy the views from your car.
By Train/Bus
Duration: 7 hours
Unfortunately, public transportation isn't the best option when traveling between Ronda and Conil de la Frontera. There aren't any direct train or bus routes, and many require overnight stays in Algeciras, Jerez de la Frontera, or Cádiz. If you plan to visit any of those cities, then you could fit this option into your itinerary. But going between the two in one day will take about seven hours with a train to Algeciras, where you'd switch to a bus.
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