The Bar

Relax and enjoy with our choice of classic cocktails and drinks who are served in our spacious outdoor terrace.

The Infinity pool

What to do in Ronda ?

Surrounded by lush river valleys and sitting astride a deep ravine, Ronda takes your breath away when you see it for the first time. It is one of the most beautiful and visited cities in Spain.

The ‘New Bridge’ (1793) connects the ‘New town’ to the old City on the other side of the 120 m. deep gorge.  From here one can see the older Roman and Arab bridges further down the gorge, and much lower down, and realise how difficult it would have been to pull a cart or a “Señorito’s” carriage up the steep slope to the Cathedral for Mass.   Social history is laid out before us.

In the old town are many museums – Peinado – a friend and contemporary of Picasso and Miro – Wine, Hunting, Bullfighting, Banditos, Inquisition and Torture ( ! ), and the interesting collection in the Mondragon Palace.

White Villages

Tour the famous White Villages, including Juzcar – the one painted blue for the Smurf movie, Setenil with its cave houses and bars, Grazalema, famous for its baby-soft lambswool blankets and scarves, and the Roman settlement at Acinipo. Zahara de las Sierras with its castle set high on the pyramid shaped rock, overlooking the turquoise lake, is just beyond the ridge with the distinctive “Queen Victoria” profile.

In the other direction is the Genal valley, inhabited by the Moors who were displaced in 1472.  The villages reveal their origins   –   Al-pandeire,
Ben-aojan, Al-gatocin, Ben-Arraba.  This valley supports a vast chestnut industry, totally distinct from the olive industry round Ronda.

City trips

Malaga: Beautiful old town, with a market, castle, Roman amphitheatre, and port – 80 min. drive
Sevilla:  Cathedral, Alcazar, – 90 min.
Granada:  Alhambra Palace and gardens, ski slopes open Nov / May – 2 hr.
Cordoba:  Grand Mosque, Historic Jewish quarter – 2 hr.
Jerez:  Spanish riding school, dancing horses, Sherry bodegas – 90 min.
Cadiz:   Walled defensive City on promontory – site of Drake’s ‘singeing the King of Spain’s beard’
Tarifa:  Walled city at the junction of Med. and Atlantic, wind surfing and kiteboarding on long beach, whale watching – 2 hr.
Gibraltar:  BRITISH, proper Police officers and double decker buses, fish and chips, Apes, duty free shops, cheap fuel – 90 min.
Estepona:  Lovely coastal town with marina and fish restaurants – 1 hr.

AFRICA :  Day trip to Tangiers, early breakfast, 9am ferry, 45 min crossing, guided trip through the old town, markets, souk etc.
ask for details

Lakes & Beaches

Imagine a beautiful turquoise coloured lake bordered by pine forests. A tranquil retreat where you can swim, go canyoning, fish, or enjoy a picnic on the lake shore. Not so far from Ronda (Ardales) you will find an artificial lake created by a dam, known as the Garganta del Chorro. Watch out for the eagles which continually circle around the sheer cliffs.  There are canoes and pedalos for hire.

A 3/4  hour drive in the other direction takes you down to the coast and directly to the beach of San Pedro.  A long, safe, and clean beach (no dogs) with some cheerful restaurants. The whole coast of Andalucia has a range of beach bars and restaurants, from luxury, chill-out, sportive to authentic Spanish bars with sardines on skewers and other fresh fish straight from the sea.

Wine & Ham

Conrad, Los Aguilares, Descalzos Viejos, Chinchilla, Schatz  . . . just some names of the long list of Bodegas we have here in this area. Most of them are open to visit and to book a wine tasting. The area round Ronda has been designated as a special zone of production in the DOC Sierras de Malaga, which ensures specified grape types are used, and that wines come from the individual vineyard.

If you would like to try some top quality ham and cheese, we know places in town where they have the best local products at reasonable and honest prices. And if you want to take some home, there are specialist shops where you can taste, choose, watch as your selection is finely sliced by hand, and then vacuum packed for the return trip.  This also makes a perfect gift.  One shop is only 4 km from the Finca.  Perfect for that “last minute – well planned” present.

Flamenco

To make your Spain experience complete, we suggest a flamenco show. In the bar-restaurant El Quinque you can see flamenco. They offer shows both afternoon and evening.  Enjoy your tapas while savouring this purely Spanish cultural dance and music.

We have some serious music artists here in Ronda. Celia Morales is one of them. Her playing is really impressive.  Located in the heart of Ronda she gives performances 4 times a day !  For more information, please check her website: www.celiamorales.es

Restaurants

Surprisingly good and not at all expensive. Going out for dinner is a real pleasure here. Whether you prefer tapas or a long evening dinner, we have a long list of excellent restaurants and bars for you. Highly recommended is the restaurant CASA MARIA for a surprise menu! at very affordable price. We will give you his contact information and recommend other good restaurants up to our double Michelin∗∗ https://restaurantebardal.com/restaurante-3/

Or prepare your lunch/dinner in our beautiful communal kitchen .

Activities

Day trips to

Ronda – old town, bridge, Tajo, bull ring, Mondragon palace museum . . .
Sevilla – Cathedral, and Alcazar,
Cordoba – the Grand Mosque and historical Jewish Quarter
Granada – Alhambra palace, ski slopes open from November to May
Jerez – dancing horses, and sherry houses.
Gibraltar – British, with red double decker buses and ‘proper’ policemen – just 8 miles from Africa
Tarifa – whale watching, and wind-surfing, kite boarding
Morocco – fully guided day trips in Tangier, or longer ones can be arranged
Walks – gentle self guided, or harder guided hill climbs
Bike rides – cycle hire for on road, or off road, along the many droving road tracks – guided or self-guided

Coast-

San Pedro is the first little town on the coast, just ‘down the hill’ from Ronda
Estepona is the nearest larger coast town, with a nice marina and fish restaurant
Sailing and Catamaran trips
Whale watching
Speed boats
Game fishing

This post is also available in: French