Are you curious about how to get to Setenil de las Bodegas so you can discover the famous town carved into a rock yourself?
In that case, you’re at the right place!
I have visited Setenil de las Bodegas myself, and as a local living in Southern Spain, I can also provide lots of practical tips that will save you a lot of time.
In short, the easiest way to visit is to drive there, but if you’re visiting Ronda, you can also take a short inexpensive taxi ride (just like I did!). There are no trains going directly to the village and only very limited bus connections.
Let’s dive in and discover how to get to this pretty village!
Where is Setenil de las Bodegas
Nestled in the stunning province of Cádiz, Setenil de las Bodegas is a picturesque village famous for its dwellings built into rock overhangs above the Río Trejo. This architectural marvel makes Setenil de las Bodegas a fascinating destination, within easy reach from the nearby town of Ronda.
See the location of the village on the map below.
How to Get to Setenil de las Bodegas
If you’re planning your trip to Setenil de las Bodegas, I presume you are planning to stay somewhere in Southern Spain and arrive at Malaga International Airport (AGP).
Here are a few standard journey options you can consider:
- drive from Malaga (about 1.5 hrs)
- drive from Ronda (20 mins)
- drive from Marbella (1 hr 20 mins)
- public transport: not a great option
1. How to Get to Setenil de las Bodegas from Malaga
Driving to Setenil de las Bodegas offers the most flexibility and is straightforward.
From Málaga, you can take the A-357 and A-367 to reach the village in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The roads are scenic, particularly as you approach the village, with views of the Andalusian countryside.
See the outline of the journey on a map below.
Bonus Tip:
Public Transport from Malaga to Setenil de las Bodegas
Other options for transport from Malaga are pretty limited – you can take a bus to Ronda and that takes close to 2 hours one way.
After that it will be another taxi journey to get to the village, roughly 20 minutes.
You can check the bus tickets for the journey Malaga to Ronda on Alsa.es website, they have option to change the language to English.
The tickets start at 10 euros one way and there are six to ten departures per day. You should buy your tickets in advance and don’t rely on getting them at the station or from the driver.
Train from Malaga Maria Zambrano train station is another option, but there are very limited departures, like two per day, and you have to change the trains at Antequerra, which extends the total travel time. Plus its more expensive too.
If you’re planning this as a day trip, I recommend using a rental car instead of public transport because it’s not worthwhile getting there just for couple of hours before catching the bus back.
2. How to Get to Setenil de las Bodegas from Ronda
From Ronda, it’s a very short and easy ride, see the map below – only about 20 minutes easy drive through a quite village street.
I took this trip myself with a local taxi from Ronda.
Taxi from Ronda to Setenil de las Bodegas
As I mentioned earlier, I did this day trip with a local taxi from Ronda. The journey was about 15 minutes and we paid under 20 euros.
You can find local taxis next to the bullring in Ronda.
Bus from Ronda to Setenil de la Bodegas
There is a local bus that operates between Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas, but the departures are limited, and the journey takes around 45 minutes, twice as long compared to the taxi.
You can check the timetable here, but do ask at the Tourist Office in Ronda about the up to date schedule and prices for the buses.
Where to Park in Setenil de las Bodegas
Parking in the village is a little tricky since the roads are very narrow and often one way traffic only. In the map below you will see all the available parking places in the village.
Check them before you plan your trip – I don’t recommend just driving in and trying to leave the car somewhere by the side of the road. The village is small and it gets very busy in the summer months, so don’t take the risk.
3. Getting to Setenil de las Bodegas By Bus
Direct bus services to Setenil de las Bodegas are limited, as I mentioned earlier.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider getting to Ronda by bus from Malaga, as early as possible in the morning.
The same bus stops also in other destinations on Costa del Sol, like Fuengirola or Marbella, before heading up north to Ronda.
From Ronda, to save time and see most of the village, you should get the local taxi.
4. How to Get to Setenil de las Bodegas By Train
The nearest train station to Setenil de las Bodegas is in Ronda.
Trains from major cities like Madrid, Málaga, and Seville run to Ronda fairly regularly, but there are limited departures each day.
You can get your tickets and check timetable at Renfe.es. Here are some price estimates:
- Malaga to Ronda: from 15 euros one way, 4 departures per day, duration about 2 hours
- Seville to Ronda: duration over 3 hours, 4 departures per day.
- Marbella to Ronda: no train service
- Cordoba to Ronda: from 22 euros one way, 4 departures per day, duration about 2 hours
Once at Ronda station, I recommend getting a taxi directly from the station to Setenil.
5. Visiting Setenil de las Bodegas with Tour Company
If you don’t like the hassle of driving and navigating the local traffic, you can also book a visit to the village as part of a local tour.
There are a few local companies that offer this trip as part of a day trip to Ronda, and I recommend the one below (I have personal experience with them).
The trip is very affordable, and it might work out much cheaper than driving there by car or using public transport.
Click the book your trip button below, select the date for the trip and then choose from the list of pick up locations.
This trip is available with a free pick up from the following locations: Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola.
You can also upgrade the trip to include a walking tour in Ronda, plus for a peace of mind, you get a free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip.
How great is that?
Tips for Visiting Setenil de las Bodegas
- Car Rental: Renting a car might be the best option to explore Setenil and the surrounding areas at your own pace.
- Stay Updated: Always check the latest travel schedules and availability, especially for buses and trains, as they can change seasonally.
- Accommodation: Consider staying overnight to fully experience the unique charm of Setenil de las Bodegas. The village has quaint accommodations that enhance the visit.
- Where to Eat: I got lucky and found a place where I had the best meal of the whole Ronda trip, and I still talk about it today. The restaurant was called Cafeteria Bar Sol y Sombra (location here).
- Stay Hydrated: If you’re visiting in the summer, always carry water with you and use plenty of sun protection.
- Watch out for Cars: the roads under the rocks are not blocked for traffic so keep an eye for ongoing cars (see photo below).
How Much Time Do You Need for Setenil de las Bodegas?
I spent nearly the whole day in the village, and if you want to see a bit more than just a few streets under the rocks, I recommend allocating at least half a day.
Try to arrive in the village early in the morning before the tourist crowds get there, stay for lunch (check the restaurant I recommended earlier) and leave early in the afternoon.
Setenil De Las Bodegas – All in the Name
So what does the village name mean?
The name translates in two parts – Setenil originates from the Latin phrase ‘septem nihil’, which means ‘seven times nothing’. This is a reference to the town’s resilience when it stood up against the Moorish-Christian siege during the Reconquista. Bodegas is a traditional Spanish word that pays homage to the town’s wine-producing tradition (source).
One thing I found out is that it’s very commonly misspelled. I was even telling the wrong name to the taxi driver when we were leaving from Ronda, and was surprised that he was looking at me all confused.
For a quick reference, here are some common misspellings of the name:
- Setinel de las Bodegas
- Sentinel de las Bodegas
- Sentil de las Bodegas
- Setenil de Bodegas
- Setinil de las Bodegas
- Senetil de las Bodegas
Final Thoughts
I hope you are as excited about visiting Setenil de las Bodegas as I was when I saw photos of the village for the first time.
It might not be easily accessible by public transport, but I think it’s well worth the drive there to experience this unique architectural gem – a place you will remember for a long time and tell all your friends about!
What to See Near Setenil de las Bodegas
If you’re visiting the village, don’t forget to also check out the nearby Ronda, including the famous Puente Nuevo and Casa don Bosco (among other places).
LOVE it? SAVE it for Later!
Don’t forget to save this hidden gem to your Pinterest account, so you can explore it when you’re ready to plan your trip! Check out my board for the best places in Southern Spain for even more inspiration!
