Ronda – My Travel Guide

I stayed in Catalonia Hotel which is not really my style as it’s a chain and modern but the views from the 3rd-floor room over the bull ring were fabulous and I would stay again. Breakfast was an additional 17€ per person and it’s much more fun to head out to enjoy ‘tostada con tomate’ (tomato on toast) in the street bars. 

 

 

Eating & Drinking in Ronda

• Sunset drinks or ‘copas’ on the rooftop of the Catalonia hotel, with exceptional views of the bull ring and the sun setting over the mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. A pinch yourself moment.
• Casa Ortega for lunch or dinner. There is a dedicated member of staff in charge of slicing the best tomatoes, Jamon & cheese. Barbiana Manzanilla and selection of great local wines available, normally by the bottle. 
• Bar Casa Moreno – it was the draught La Gitana Manzanilla that captured my attention here! Exceptionally good value tapas.
• I totally love places like Bodeguita el Coto! A very tiny unassuming bar where you have to open the door to enter (most bars have their doors permanently open, even in winter!), Highly recommended is the ‘montadito’ (little sandwich) of tomato and ‘bacalao’ (salt cod)
• Almocabar  Tel 952 87 59 77 – this bar/restaurant (great for lunch or dinner) is a good downhill walk from the centre of Ronda but worth it. It’s a firm favourite of Australian Chef Frank Camorra. Game is a big thing in this area and here I just love the partridge pate, washed down by a local red such as Pago el Espino, Los Aguilares. Unless you’re feeling energetic, a taxi is the best way back up the hill.
• Tragta, has a reputation for being the best modern tapas bar in Ronda. It is the tapas bar of  Michelin 2* star restaurant Bardal, the only restaurant in town with Michelin stars. The ‘bocadillo de calamares fritos’ – fried calamari sandwich – is spectacular, the black bun is made with squid ink. Worth travelling for.

 

My Ronda Travel Tips

Visit out of season – before Easter and after September. Ronda is horribly touristy in high season which is when I’d always previously visited. I saw it through different eyes out of season.

• 1 – 2 nights in Ronda makes for a perfect add-on to a stay in Vejer after one of my tours or classes.  Also, an ideal weekend break from the UK, 1 & 1/2 hrs drive from Malaga airport, 1.45 hrs from Sevilla airport. Both offer regular flights from the UK.
• Fabulous vineyards surround Ronda, very remote, small production and some exceptional wines. Which in turn can mean a higher price.
• Visit the cliff-hanging Cuenca Gardens for great views of the famous bridge. More than 20 terraces are connected with a vast number of steps.
• Bardal is Ronda’s Michelin Star restaurant which was thankfully closed when I visited otherwise I’d have been tempted.
• The famous Ronda bull ring is one of the oldest bullrings in Spain. 

 

My Favourite Wines & Vineyards in Ronda

Los Aguilares – red, white & rosé (tinto, blanco & rosado)

F. Schatz – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Acinipo (name of the old Roman settlement outside Ronda)

Descalzos Viejos – enchanting location in a historic monastery.

Anything that takes your fancy, it’s worth experimenting with the wines from Ronda.