Are you staying at Costa del Sol and want to book a day trip to Ronda from Fuengirola?
In that case, you’re at the right place!
I have visited the picturesque Andalusian village of Ronda myself, and as a local living in Fuengirola, I can also offer lots of practical tips that will save you time and money.
This article provides all your options for planning this one-day trip, including my insider guide to the town of Ronda.
PS: There are affiliate links in this post. If you use them I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping me run this site!
How to Plan a Day Trip to Ronda from Fuengirola
The best way to see Ronda on a day trip from Fuengirola is to book a full-day tour with a local travel company. I have included everything you need to know and where to book below.
In addition to an excursion, you can, of course, do this trip by rental car or by bus – I have included details for both at the end of the article.
Guided Day Tour to Ronda with Fuengirola Pick up
I highly recommend booking this guided tour of the beautiful town of Ronda, which also includes a trip to the nearby village of Setenil de las Bodegas (see photos below). On this full day excursion, you will see not one but two beautiful white villages, for a very affordable price.
You will also get a full guided walk tour of the village, so you can see the most important sights like the famous gorge el Tajo, the new bridge, one of the oldest bullrings in Spain – the Real Maestranza bullring. You will also have a few hours of free time to explore on your own and buy some souvenirs.
This tour is exceptionally popular and sells out fast, if you want to make sure you can get a spot while you’re in Fuengirola, use the link below to book the trip.
Your Excursion to Ronda Includes
- Visit of Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas
- Complete guided tour of both towns – if selected
- Free time to explore
- Option to book your spot and pay later
- English-speaking professional guide
- Travel with air-conditioned coaches (buses)
- Two pick up locations in Fuengirola
- Return trip to and from Fuengirola
- Cancellations made up to 24 hours are FREE
Pick up and Drop off in Fuengirola
There are two pick up and drop off points in Fuengirola: you can either leave from Los Boliches – opposite the Los Boliches train station, or the other option is in front of the tourist office near Fuengirola main train station.
When you choose the dates from the calendar on the booking page, you will see 4 options for Fuengirola: 2 of them are without the tour of Ronda, with free time, and the other two are with a guided tour of Ronda.
Make sure you select the correct option as that determines the pick up time and also the pick up location.
Itinerary for Your Day Tour of Ronda
You will arrive in the village of Setenil de las Bodegas after roughly 2 hours bus ride.
In the village, you will get one hour to explore on your own, and wonder through the main streets of the village admiring the restaurants and homes hiding under the massive rock formations.
After a visit to the village, you will board the bus and take a 30 minute journey to Ronda.
In Ronda, you will either have time to explore on your own, at your own pace, or do a 1.5 hour guided tour (if you selected this at the time of booking).
The guided tour will focus on the main monuments of the town, with local guides taking you through the narrow streets of the old town, the almocábar gate (puerta de almocábar), the famous puente nuevo, the town hall square and other important locations. You will learn everything about history of this beautiful andalusian town on a leisurely walk, after which you still have free time to explore on your own.
After your visit to Ronda is complete, you will take the same bus journey back to Costa del Sol, and the bus will drop you off at the same location where you departed from.
Schedule & Booking Terms
The departure times for this trip to Ronda from Fuengirola are around 7.00 am.
You can check the exact pick up time by selecting the dates and the pick up location on this page.
This bus departs from Malaga and makes stops in Benalmadena and Torremolinos, with Fuengirola being the last pick up location before the bus heads up north towards Ronda.
You should be at the pick up location at least 15 minutes before the bus arrives.
Don’t worry if it’s a little late, it’s coming all the way from Malaga and there might be traffic on the way, so little delays are normal.
How to Book Your Day Trip to Ronda from Fuengirola
The booking process is super easy, but I will list the steps here for those that might need help:
- Head over to the day trip info page here, and select your dates from the calendar.
- Add the number of people for this excursion
- Choose the preferred pick up location from Fuengirola and choose from two options – one with free time or one with guided tour
- In the selected option you will also see the start time for the trip and also exact pick-up location
- Click book now which will navigate you to a payment page
- You can pay by debit card, credit card or paypal
- After you complete the online booking, you will get a confirmation email which lists all the details you need to know for your trip
- You do not need to download any app for this trip, simply download the PDF vouchers from your email and show it to the driver
- You do not need to print your booking voucher, in most case they just ask your name and don’t even need to see it
Practical Information for Your Day Trip
- Comfortable shoes are a must when visiting Ronda – no heels
- The road to Ronda may lead through serpentine roads in the mountains, so if you struggle with travel sickness, I would recommend taking some travel medicine with you.
- Take water with you, especially if you’re traveling in the summer.
- Ronda is located 740 meters (2500 feet) above sea level, so it is much cooler than the coast, especially in fall and winter. In the summer, on the other hand, it will be very hot!
- I would not recommend this trip for very young kids, as they might struggle with the bus journey
- Do not take large backpacks with you
Day Trip To Ronda From Fuengirola by Car
If you have already rented a car for your stay in Fuengirola, you might as well explore the option of driving to Ronda on your own.
The distance between Fuengirola and Ronda is just under 100 km, which would take you about 1.5 hours to drive. Once in Ronda, you will have to navigate the often small narrow roads to find a convenient parking location before exploring Ronda on your own.
Alternatively, you can book an independent tour guide for the day in advance online here.
How to Drive to Ronda from Fuengirola
The map below outlines the journey to Ronda:
Where to Park in Ronda
Here is a map with all the parking options available in Ronda:
Day Trip To Ronda From Fuengirola by Train
There are no trains connecting Fuengirola with Ronda.
Ronda has a train station, but it is not connected directly with Fuengirola. There are only trains available from Malaga,and these are connecting trains via Antequerra, with only one or two connections per day, which means it’s impossible to do this as a day trip.
Day Trip To Ronda From Fuengirola by Bus / Coach
If you would like to explore the option for buses or coaches, that’s certainly an option, but you have to keep in mind that the average one-way bus journey is close to 2 hours.
Currently, Avanza runs a connection between these destinations with up to 5 connections per day. The first bus to Ronda leaves just before 9am and unfortunately, there are only two return buses to Fuengirola, the last one around 6pm, which makes this a very short day trip option.
See the bus timetable below and also the ticket prices.I do not recommend this option, unless you’re happy to stay in Ronda overnight to make this worthwhile.
I used this bus myself to get to Ronda, but I stayed for 5 nights so it was more than ok.
Fuengirola to Ronda Bus Timetable
- 8.55 am departure from Fuengirola – arriving in Ronda at 10.40 am
- 10.25 am departure from Fuengirola – arriving in Ronda at 12.30 pm
- 15.50 pm departure from Fuengirola – arriving in Ronda at 17.55 pm
- 21.45 pm departure from Fuengirola – arriving in Ronda at 23.40 pm
Buses back from Ronda to Fuengirola:
- 12.15 am departure from Ronda – arriving in Fuengirola at 14.00 pm
- 14.00 pm departure from Ronda – arriving in Fuengirola at 14.10 pm
- 16.30 pm departure from Ronda – arriving in Fuengirola at 18.40 pm
- 18.05 pm departure from Ronda – arriving in Fuengirola at 20.05 pm
Fuengirola to Ronda Bus Tickets
The prices for the tickets start at 10.54 euros one way, per person.
Is Ronda Worth Visiting on a Day Trip?
Yes, Ronda is indeed worth a visit on a day trip! It’s not a huge town, and the main monuments are located within walking distance from each other.
I think one day is plenty of time to explore everything Ronda has to offer.
Chec my suggested itinerary on how to spend your one day in Ronda.
One Day Trip Itinerary for Ronda, Spain
Ronda is one of the oldest towns in Andalusia, and has so much to offer.
Dating back to the prehistoric period, it offers a diversity of monuments – from arab baths, to spectacular hiking opportunities and spectacular views, you’re in for a treat if you’re visiting Ronda!
Here is one day itinerary suggested for a self guided full-day excursion.
What to See in Ronda: Map
Morning: Arrival and the New Bridge
Start Early: Try to get to Ronda early in the morning. The light is beautiful, and it’s cooler. Plus, beating the crowds gives you a peaceful experience of the city.
Breakfast with a View: Begin with breakfast at a café with a view of the El Tajo gorge. There’s nothing like sipping your café con leche with such an epic backdrop.
Puente Nuevo: After breakfast, head straight to the Puente Nuevo, the iconic bridge spanning the gorge. It’s not just a bridge; it’s a masterpiece of 18th-century engineering. The views from here are breathtaking, so take your time and lots of photos.
Midday: The Old Town and Lunch
Wander the Old Town: Stroll into the old town, La Ciudad, through the ancient gates. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The winding streets, whitewashed houses, and flower-filled courtyards are picturesque.
Visit Casa del Rey Moro: Although the house itself is not open to the public, the water mine and gardens are a must-see. The steps down to the water mine offer a unique perspective of the gorge.
Lunch: By now, you’ll be ready for lunch. Choose one of the local restaurants in the old town. Ronda is known for its traditional Andalusian cuisine, so perhaps try some rabo de toro (oxtail stew) or gazpacho.
Afternoon: Culture and Relaxation
Mondragon Palace: Spend the early afternoon exploring the Mondragon Palace, which houses the municipal museum. Its gardens are serene, and the views are stunning.
Bullring: Next, visit the Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest and most beautiful bullrings in Spain. Even if bullfighting isn’t your cup of tea, the architecture and the museum are worth the visit.
Evening: Sunset and Dinner
Alameda Park: In the late afternoon, head to Alameda Park to catch the sunset. The park sits on the edge of the cliff, offering unparalleled views of the countryside and the setting sun.
Dinner in Style: For dinner, choose a restaurant with a view of the gorge or the countryside. Ronda has several places where you can enjoy local wine and produce while watching the lights twinkle in the valley below.
Stroll and Star Gaze: Finish your day with a leisurely stroll around the town. The streets are beautifully lit at night, and the stars are bright above the open countryside.
Other Day Trips in Fuengirola
Fancy explore more of what the region of Malaga and Costa del Sol has to offer?
Here are some of the most popular day trip options from Fuengirola, all available as a tour by a local company, or in most cases you can do these also by public transport.
- Day Trips from Fuengirola to Morocco
- Day Trip from Fuengirola to Frigiliana
- Day Trip from Fuengirola to Nerja
- Fuengirola to Seville Day Trip
- Day Trips From Fuengirola to Granada
- Caminito Del Rey Day Trip From Fuengirola
Which Day Trip to Book Next?
From the list above, I would highly recommend checking out the tour of Granada and Caminito del Rey.
If you are staying in Fuengirola longer and have more free time, then include the day trip to Morocco (I just returned from this one and it was fantastic) and also teh capital of Andalusia – Seville.
Final Thoughts
Ronda may be a small city, but it’s packed with charm, history, and beauty. Your one day here will be memorable, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you find yourself planning a return trip to delve deeper into its wonders.
Enjoy your trip!
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Not ready to plan your trip? Save it to your Pinterest board for Southern Spain, and while you’re there, don’t forget to check out more beautiful places in Ronda in my dedicated board.
