How to Get from Ronda to Granada

The distance between Ronda and Granada in Spain's Andalusia region is 111 miles (179 km). The easiest and fastest way to make the trip is with a rental car or private transfer, which takes about 2 hours. If you're interested in creating a road trip out of your route, there are some interesting stopping points along the way, including hiking options and cultural cities.

Another way to make the trip is by train, which takes roughly 3 hours and requires one transfer. To get the most out of your time in Andalusia, consider this 10-day itinerary focusing on history, culture, and beaches.

By Rental Car or Private Transfer

Duration: 2 hours (standard highway route), 4 hours (recommended road trip route)

The drive between Ronda and Granada usually takes 2 hours, but there are plenty of optional stopping points along the way. We suggest one of two routes, both visiting the beautiful town of Antequera. What differentiates the two routes is the option to enjoy a hike. You don't have to add a hike, but if you'd like to, you can stop at either the incredible rock formations near Antequera or the infamous Caminito del Rey hiking trail.

First, you have your choice of two different hiking spots:

El Torcal National Park

The rocks and dolmens of El Torcal and Antequera are part of the area's World Heritage Site, filled with picturesque karst formations. The area dates back to the Jurassic Era, initially thanks to tectonic movements. But since then, for over 200 million years, accumulated and compacted sediment has continued to shape this unique landscape. The hiking trails are relatively easy, but keep in mind that they stretch across rocky, uneven, and sometimes slippery terrain. You can choose from three options (green, yellow, and orange trails), all starting from the park's expansive visitor center.

Caminito del Rey

For a much more challenging adventure, opt for the Caminito del Rey trek, which follows a canyon along the Guadalhorce River, with parts of the trail more than 2,000 feet (700 m) high. The course runs one way from north to south, top to bottom, following mountain paths and suspended walkways, often taking about three to four hours to complete. It's definitely not for those scared of heights, but the views are worth the effort if you can handle the steep cliffs. 

Antequera is the final stopping point to consider, regardless of which route you choose. 

Antequera

This Spanish-baroque city is often called the true "heart of Andalusia" because it's in the center of the area's major regions: Málaga, Granada, Seville, and Córdoba. You can visit numerous churches, plus two bronze age burial grounds and what's known as "Lover's Rock," a hill resembling a person's profile and the center of local myths.

For an itinerary including this unique road trip, check out this 7-day self-drive in Andalusia. 

By Train

Duration: 3 hours

Renfe provides the fastest train, taking about 3 hours with a 1-hour transfer in Antequera Santa Ana (not in Antequera's city center). This route tends to run twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You can buy tickets online up to three months in advance. Other routes take much longer (about five or more hours) and/or require more than one stop.