Ronda, one of the most beautiful Andalusian cities in Spain, is surrounded by charming white villages that captivate visitors with their unique architecture, rich history, and stunning landscapes. In fact, a recent 2024 study highlighted Ronda as one of the happiest cities in Spain.
Beautiful villages to visit near Ronda
Here we present the 5 most attractive villages near Ronda in case you are visiting our magnificent city:
Setenil de las Bodegas
Just 20 minutes from Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and unique villages in the region. Its most distinctive feature is the houses, bars, and shops literally carved into the rock, creating a truly unique urban landscape.
Points of interest:
- Cuevas del Sol street and Cuevas de la Sombra street
- Viewpoint of El Carmen
- Setenil Castle
Setenil was awarded as the best unknown destination in Europe in 2019, making it a must-see for any tourist in the area.
Zahara de la Sierra
Located about 40 minutes from Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra offers a captivating blend of history and natural beauty. This small white village of Muslim origin is nestled in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, providing breathtaking panoramic views.
Main attractions:
- Medieval castle
- Main Church (15th century)
- Zahara Reservoir
- ‘La Playita’ in the Gastor reservoir
Grazalema
About 45 minutes from Ronda, Grazalema is a charming village situated at an altitude of over 800 metres in the middle of the Sierra de Grazalema nature reserve. With just over 2,000 inhabitants, this village offers an authentic experience of rural Andalusian life.
Places of interest:
- Old town with picturesque white streets
- Viewpoints with spectacular views
- Church of San Juan
- Manta Textile Museum
Olvera
About 50 minutes from Ronda, Olvera is considered the gateway to the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos de Cádiz. With around 8,000 inhabitants, it is one of the largest white villages near Ronda in the region.
Don’t miss out:
- 12th century Moorish castle
- Church of the Incarnation (Neoclassical style)
- Llana street
- Sanctuary of Los Remedios.
Juzcar
About 30 minutes from Ronda, Juzcar offers a unique and colourful experience. Known as the ‘Smurf Village’, Juzcar is distinguished by its blue painted houses, in contrast to the traditional white of the region.
Attractions:
- Blue painted houses
- Narrow cobbled streets
- Breathtaking mountain scenery.
Although it lost the rights to use the ‘Smurf’ brand in 2017, Júzcar remains a quirky and attractive destination for visitors.
These five villages offer a diverse and enriching experience for tourists visiting the Ronda region. Each has its own unique charm and attractions, from the unique architecture of Setenil de las Bodegas to the unusual colour of Júzcar. A route through these white (and blue) villages near Ronda promises to be an unforgettable adventure full of history, culture and natural beauty.
Things to do on your visit to Ronda
To complement the experience of visiting the charming white villages near Ronda, we highly recommend a visit to Bodega Doña Felisa, located in Ronda itself. At our winery, we offer a unique wine tourism experience that will allow you to immerse yourself in the wine culture of the region.
At Bodega Doña Felisa we offer several options for guided tours, but we especially highlight the ‘Visit with Tasting’ for 38,50€. This experience includes:
- A guided tour of the vineyard and winemaking rooms
- Detailed explanation of the winemaking process
- Tasting of 4 local wines accompanied by an assortment of tapas
- Approximate duration 90 minutes
This visit is an excellent way to learn the secrets of local winemaking, appreciate the landscape surrounding the winery, and, of course, taste some of the best wines from the Ronda region.
