Málaga and Ronda: what to see in a weekend

Weekend trips are so fun and easy to take in Spain thanks to the well-connected public transportation system. It’s even possible to visit more than one destination in one weekend without feeling short on time if you plan accordingly. One long weekend took me to the beautiful cities of Málaga and Ronda, and here I will share my itinerary. 

Thursday evening

I flew out of Madrid after work on Thursday so that I would be able to hit the ground running in Málaga on Friday morning. I arrived around 9 p.m. and checked into my hostel for a good night’s sleep before heading out to explore the city. 

Friday 

The next morning, I woke up bright and early to wander around Málaga and see the beach. I was there in February, so it was too cold to swim, but the weather was still lovely for sitting on a bench to read with a view of the ocean. 

After lunch and more exploring, I went to the Alcazaba, an 11^th-century Moorish fortress filled with open squares, water features, gardens and spectacular views. At the entrance, you can choose to buy a ticket for just the Alcazaba or a double ticket that also includes entrance to the Castillo de Gibralfaro. I chose the double ticket and headed to the Moorish castle next, where I found more winding paths and gardens, as well as picturesque views of the city spread out below. 

I then walked about halfway back down the path that leads to the castle, where there is a lookout point that is known for its amazing sunset views over the harbor. Watching the sun descend behind the mountains as it spread out a sea of pink and gold across the ocean was the perfect end to a busy day. If you stay until the very end of the sunset, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the city’s nighttime lights sparkling all across the horizon. 

I grabbed a quick dinner on my way back to my hostel, then turned in promptly in preparation for an early morning bus ride to Ronda. 

Saturday 

After an approximately 3-hour journey with Avanza through twisting mountain roads with gorgeous views into the valleys, I arrived in Ronda just before 11 a.m. Ronda captured my heart immediately with its quaint streets and history around every corner. 

My main goal of being in Ronda was to see the famous bridge, El Puente Nuevo, from below. After dropping my bags off at my hostel and fueling up with a coffee and a sandwich, I set out to appreciate the views from the top of the bridge before beginning my descent. I followed these directions from Turista-Inglesa on TripAdvisor. This camino was by far the highlight of my whole trip. Walking along the country roads felt like wandering through a dream. I got to see so much local life, from sprawling vineyards to horses and dogs roaming the countless farms. I only saw a few people during my whole journey—and each one was kind enough to take a picture for me. 

The walk took me about 3 hours in total from my starting point at the top of the bridge, down to the bottom (with some time to soak it all in), and back to the same point I started at. I then had the rest of the day to enjoy the town, catch another sunset over the mountains, and enjoy the best carbonara pasta I’ve ever tasted. Then it was back to my hostel for another early night before a dawn train ride back to Madrid. 

Sunday 

I caught the first Renfe train back to Madrid, arriving around 1 p.m. Chugging peacefully through the countryside felt like a fitting end to a beautiful weekend of travel. 

If I could change one thing about my trip, I would leave Ronda later on Sunday to give myself more time to enjoy the town. It was truly a magical place, and I wish I had been able to explore it more fully. 

I believe it is entirely possible to enjoy Málaga and Ronda in one long weekend. Of course, if your itinerary allows you more time, take it—there is always so much more to see!