History, Tapas & Art Walk, Ronda

Get to know the more authentic side of Ronda with a private experience focusing on the city's history, gastronomy, and culture. You'll enjoy a guided walk with a passionate local, visiting iconic sites like Puente Nuevo and the historic neighborhood of Barrio San Francisco. Take a break with a few drinks and tapas, then learn about the city's artisan culture with a leather-making workshop.

Join a local guide on a leisurely walk through Ronda's historic streets, stopping to taste tapas and attending an artisan workshop. Ronda is one of the most popular Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) of Andalusia, set atop a long cliffside 383 feet (120 m) high, where the Río Guadalevín snakes its way through El Tajo de Ronda (Ronda Gorge), cutting the town into two parts. The city also has an exciting history with Roman, Berber, and Catholic influences. However, Ronda was initially a refuge for Muslims fleeing the more significant towns after the Spanish Inquisition in 1492.

Start by strolling by places like Plaza de España while enjoying details about the town's history. During the 19th century, the city became known for its bandits, prompting artists like Washington Irving and Richard Ford to create to reflect the region's fascinating landscape with its risky travel. This appealed to Romantics, and the rest is history, as Ronda became a place of allure despite its danger. Soon women were making the journey with the help of guards, plus famous creatives like Orson Welles and Hemingway, who declared Ronda a dream city.

Next, cross the city's most famous bridge, Puente Nuevo. After enjoying the views from the top, you'll be in Barrio San Francisco, one of the city's oldest and most traditional neighborhoods. Here, you'll pass through narrow, winding streets connecting traditional monuments and interesting points. For example, learn about the history of the Arabic medina and visit the famously well-preserved Baños Árabes (Arab Baths), built in the 13th and 14th centuries next to the Río Guadalevín. Continue your walk by strolling along the gorge, passing sites like La Casa del Rey Moro, Palacio de Salvatierra, and the historic walls. Before crossing Puente Viejo, walk down the steps to admire the city's oldest bridge, Puente Romano. 

From here, you'll explore El Mercadillo (New Town), which grew significantly after the construction of Puente Nuevo in the 18th century. Enjoy walking along the scenic cliffside pathway to enjoy truly incredible views at the iconic Mirador de Ronda and Alameda del Tajo park, home to a local cat colony and a sculpture of Ernest Hemingway. You'll also pass the Plaza de Toros and visit sites like Plaza de la Merced and Plaza del Socorro with their respective churches.

Within this city-wide guided walk of Ronda, you'll make several stops to experience the area's gastronomy and local culture. Get to know shopkeepers and local businesses, learn about significant regional products like jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham) and artisan cheeses, and try a few bites and sips of these delicacies, including sherry. You'll also meet with Franciscan monks and taste some of their homemade sweets.

To end the experience, you'll partake in an artisanal leather workshop, learning about local craftspeople and why leather is such a significant product in Andalusia. Discover the cutting, burnishing, stitching, and engraving techniques, then try your hand at these new-found skills. You'll take home your handcrafted item as a fun reminder of your slow travel experience in Ronda.