Zahara de la Sierra Town:
Approximately 100 km from Seville, reachable in about 1.5 hr via the A-375 highway by car.
Zahara de la Sierra is a mountain town located in Cadiz, strategically positioned between Seville and Ronda. Its history dates back to ancient times, and it was once a Muslim settlement during the Middle Ages. Along the way to the town, you can enjoy stunning scenery and witness the breathtaking inland charm of Spain.
The Bullring of the Royal Cavalry of Ronda, also known as Plaza de Toros de Ronda, was completed in 1785 and is considered one of Spain's oldest bullrings. Ronda is also recognized as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, earning special admiration from Ernest Hemingway. Constructed entirely of stone, the bullring features a main gate designed in Baroque classical style. With a circumference of approximately 66 meters, the arena houses a bullfighting museum displaying exhibits such as traditional matador costumes.
Ronda on the Cliff, the White Romantic City in the Clouds
Ronda, located in southern Spain, is a picturesque cliffside town often called "the city perched above the clouds." The steep gorge divides the town into the new and old quarters, with the historic district standing dramatically atop sheer cliffs, creating a breathtakingly magnificent sight. In his novel "Death in the Afternoon," written in Ronda, Hemingway wrote: "If you want to go to Spain for a honeymoon or to elope, Ronda is the perfect place. If your honeymoon or elopement fails in Ronda, then you can always go to Paris to find new love." This town is also the birthplace of Spanish bullfighting, home to a historic bullring and museum.
Ronda is divided into the new town and the old town. The old town preserves Islamic and Christian relics intact, with monasteries, mansions, museums, and churches scattered throughout its streets and alleys.
The Puente Nuevo, Centro de Interpretación, an 18th-century stone bridge, is the iconic landmark of Ronda. Spanning 98 meters across El Tajo de Ronda, this bridge divides the historic and picturesque city into two parts, offering breathtaking views of the towering cliffs below. The best vantage point to admire the bridge is from the Jardines de Cuenca.
