The Best Hotels in Ronda, Spain

The Andalusian town of Ronda is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain
The Andalusian town of Ronda is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain | Courtesy of Hotel la Fuente de la Higuera / Expedia.com

Ronda, in the Málaga province of Spain, is packed with excellent hotels, many of which are boutique with views of El Tajo Gorge and the dramatic Puente Nuevo bridge, the Plaza de Toros de Ronda — the oldest bullring in Spain — and the old Moorish quarter. Including a converted townhouse built in 1736 for the heirs to the conqueror of Peru, these are the best places to stay in this wonderful Andalusian town.

Hotel Catalonia Ronda

Hotel, Resort

Yellow exterior of Hotel Catalonia Ronda at night
Courtesy of Hotel Catalonia Ronda / Expedia.com

From the elegant Modernista facade to the shimmering design and decor within, few places in town can match the glitz of Hotel Catalonia Ronda. It has a raft of amenities too, from a spa with a heated pool and sauna to a rooftop infinity pool with views over Ronda’s famed El Tajo Gorge and the Plaza de Toros de Ronda, the oldest bullring in Spain. These vistas are shared with the hotel’s Panorámico Restaurant, as well as many of the pricier rooms.

Molino del Arco

Luxury

Stylish bedroom at Molino del Arco with four poster bed
Courtesy of Molino del Arco / Expedia.com

Part of an estate that has remained in the Clavero family for more than 500 years, the Molino del Arco was a 17th-century finca (ranch-style estate) before being converted into a boutique hotel. Landscaped gardens blend with olive groves and vineyards, and there’s a swimming pool surrounded by lawn that provides views over the valley towards Ronda a few kilometres away. Inviting lounges and honesty bars give it a homely vibe, which extends to the unfussy guest rooms.

Hotel la Fuente de la Higuera

Boutique Hotel

Homely living room at Hotel la Fuente de la Higuera with velvet sofa, fire place and dark furniture
Courtesy of Hotel la Fuente de la Higuera / Expedia.com

On a hillside with picturesque vistas over the valley, this rustic hotel provides bucolic serenity just a short drive from Ronda. The centuries-old property was originally an olive mill and has been updated, while retaining respect for its past. Brimming with plant life, the peaceful garden contains a generous swimming pool with loungers. Dining is a highlight here too, with Michelin-star talent in the kitchen.

Hotel Ronda Nuevo

Hotel

Two single beds in room at Hotel Ronda Nuevo with contemporary art behind bed
Courtesy of Hotel Ronda Nuevo / Expedia.com

Hotel Ronda Nuevo has just three rooms, each with its own theme – you can choose from cinema, flamenco or literature – but all share simple, modern decor plus up-to-date amenities that include app-controlled lighting, temperature and music. Two of the rooms also feature jacuzzi tubs. The modernised centuries-old building is located on the south side of the city gorge, just steps from the two dramatic bridges that span it.

Casa Palacio VillaZambra

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

Double bedroom at Casa Palacio VillaZambra with pink striped curtains and dark wooden furniture
Courtesy of Casa Palacio VillaZambra / Expedia.com

Those with a fear of heights might want to think twice about a stay at Casa Palacio VillaZambra. The cliff-edge setting on the older side of town makes for some of the most dramatic and vertiginous views over El Tajo Gorge, the bridge and surrounding landscape. The hotel is housed in a whitewashed villa with palatial interiors that include antiques and a range of ornate architectural flourishes.

Hotel Enfrente Arte

Boutique Hotel

Swimming pool with unique figurative statue at Enfrente Arte Hotel
Courtesy of Enfrente Arte Hotel / Expedia.com

Enfrente Arte is a friendly boutique hotel on one of the prettiest streets in Ronda. Each of its 12 bedrooms is themed around a particular artist or subject — especially lovely is the light-filled Picasso Twin, which opens out onto a spacious first-floor balcony overlooking the street below. Spaces to relax include a roof terrace with great views, a tropical garden and a self-service bar stocked with local wines. Also included in the room rate is the best breakfast in Ronda, featuring custom-made crepes.

Baraka

Boutique Hotel

Two single beds in room at Pension Baraka, Ronda with yellow walls and hanging curtains
Courtesy of Pension Baraka / Hotels.com

Pension Baraka is in a beautiful 18th-century townhouse in the old Moorish quarter of Ronda and has two rooms, each with its own name. Warda (Arabic for rose) has a double bed, paintings by the hotel owner Anahid and steps leading into a courtyard, while Safra (yellow) is a twin room with mountain views. You’ll love the personal service from the proprietor, who is happy to give you recommendations about what to see and do in Ronda.

Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel

Boutique Hotel

Room at Hotel Montelirio with terracotta tiles, curtained bed and red colour palette
Courtesy of Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel / Expedia.com

Hotel San Gabriel is run by Ana and José Perez, siblings who grew up in this gorgeous 18th-century building before their parents turned it into a hotel. The townhouse dates from 1736 when it was built for the Pizarros, heirs of the conqueror of Peru, and was acquired by the Perez family in the early ’90s after almost being destroyed in a fire. The 23 rooms are rendered in a traditional style, and facilities include a wine cellar and a cinema room with velvet seats that came from the main theatre in Ronda.

Hotel Montelirio

Hotel

Two single beds in room at Hotel Montelirio with sage walls and floral curtains
Courtesy of Hotel Montelirio / Expedia.com

For a luxury room with a view, head to Hotel Montelirio right on the edge of El Tajo Gorge overlooking the Puente Nuevo. The rooms are decorated with their own themes and in the Superior Doubles, you can relax in hydro-massage tubs while gazing upon the mighty bridge. Guests here rave about the Michelin-recommended restaurant, where you can enjoy imaginative, pan-European cuisine on a terrace overlooking the rugged scenery of the Serranía de Ronda.

Hotel Aire

Boutique Hotel

Minimalist double bedroom at Hotel Aire with white sheets, dark curtains and wooden floor
Courtesy of Hotel Aire / Expedia.com

Just down the winding little road that leads to Ronda’s understated 17th-century Old Bridge, one of the two that Puente Nuevo was built to improve upon, Aire Hotel has three individually decorated rooms in a stately old townhouse. The owner is charming and helpful, and the beds exceptionally comfortable. An excellent breakfast is included in the room price.

This is an updated version of an article by Mark Nayler.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article