After Gibraltar, our direction was towards Madrid, where we had booked flights back home. There were still a few days before our departure, so we had time for travel, and we decided to skip the city of Madrid this time.
The stunning old town of Ronda
First, we headed to Ronda, which was about 100 kilometers from Gibraltar.
Ronda is an extremely beautiful city located on the edge of a rugged cliff, and its hallmark is the truly impressive Puente Nuevo, which spans the 120-meter-deep El Tajo gorge in the center of the city and connects the city spread on both sides of the gorge.
Ronda is a popular day trip destination from the popular cities of the Costa del Sol, such as Malaga or Fuengirola, both of which are about 100 kilometers away.
Ronda is a very cozy and historically rich city with plenty to see. While admiring the gorge, bridge, and beautiful scenery, it’s easy to spend a few hours exploring from several viewpoints.
Other interesting attractions in Ronda:
– La Casa del Rey Moro – A historical palace with an old water mine and a beautiful garden.
– Bullfighting Arena – The bullfighting arena, built in 1785, is one of the oldest in Spain, and it also houses a bullfighting museum. Visitors can access the arena’s field to explore.
– Puente Viejo – A pedestrian bridge dating back to the 16th century, which crosses the same gorge as the Puente Nuevo.
– Arab Baths – Well-preserved ruins of a spa from the 12th century.
– Carrera Espinel – A cozy pedestrian street in the center of Ronda, lined with many nice cafes and small shops.
Views in Sierra de las Nieves National Park
After exploring Ronda, we continued towards Cordoba. We planned to visit interesting sites along the way and not to take the most direct route. We made a detour through mountainous landscapes and stopped near Ronda at the Mirador del Guarda Forestal viewpoint, located in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. From here, there were beautiful mountain views, and there was also a magnificent statue admiring the scenery. It’s a nice place with beautiful views, so it’s worth stopping if you’re in the area.
Cordoba – UNESCO World Heritage Site
We arrived in Cordoba in the evening and checked into a hotel here for two nights to have time to explore the city more thoroughly. The hotel was Crisol Jardines de Córdoba, a very nice and stylish 4-star hotel located a couple of kilometers from the city center.
Upon arriving at the hotel, we went to the terrace to relax after a day of driving. We ordered glasses of wine, but the bar had just closed, which we didn’t know as the staff were still behind the counter as usual. However, the bartender poured us the glasses and said we could have them for free because he had already closed and cashed up. This was a lovely little extra for good service and probably wouldn’t work in Finland 🙂
Cordoba is a truly beautiful and historic old city with a strong Arab history, which is also evident in its buildings. In many places, you wonder whether you’re in Spain or in Europe at all. Cordoba’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here are a few of Cordoba’s sights that are definitely worth experiencing:
– Puente Romano – Cordoba’s famous bridge, which dates back to even before the beginning of the Common Era, although the existing bridge is mostly from the 9th century. On one end of the bridge is the Torre de Calahorra tower, offering great views of the bridge and housing a museum dedicated to its history.
– Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos – A magnificent fortress from the 14th century, with a large and beautiful garden featuring orange trees, beautiful flowerbeds, and water features with fountains.
– La Mezquita – A mosque-cathedral dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries, initially built as a mosque by the Arabs and later converted into a cathedral. The building is large, and there is plenty to see inside.
– Calleja de las Flores – A beautiful street full of flowerbeds, with the bell tower of the mosque-cathedral peeking through the narrow gaps between the buildings.
– Templo Romano – Impressive ruins of a Roman temple, skillfully restored.
Cordoba is an intriguing city that offers a generous dose of history, which is well-reflected in its streetscape. There’s plenty to see in the city, and a couple of days easily pass by while soaking in the city’s atmosphere and exploring its buildings.
