My friends came to visit me in the Axarquia and booked an Andalucia roundtrip which started in Benalmadena, from where they went to Ronda, then back to Marbella.

Ronda is a magnificent place to visit for a number of reasons, first and foremost, its impressive architecture that has been expertly blended into the natural landscape; when you visit Ronda your first impression may be that it was formed with the mountains and was not man-made. Impressive walls, some of which are adorned with Arab writing, protect the city. The palaces and houses sit, etched into the stone, and the buildings appear to be growing out of the bedrock. Once you get over the initial shock of beauty and engineering genius, you should take a look around the city and enjoy some of its attractions. You can choose to wander the streets and discover on your own, but to get the full experience it is recommended that you develop a plan and do some reserach on the sites you will see. To help in your quest you may want to check in at a tourist office. There are two tourist offices located in the city for maps and other information. One is located in the Plaza de Blas Infante, the other in the Plaza de Espana. Here are some spots you will likely be directed to investigate.

Inside the city you will find one of Spain's treasures-the "Mirador"-the bullring. Ronda is famous for its bullring, which is the oldest and most decorative one in the entire country. The arena is the country's largest, and it still functions today. When it is not used for events it is open to the public for tours.

Another spot you should not miss is the Casa del Rey Moro. It was built in the 18th century under Christian rule. While it was called the Moorish Palace, it was never home to a Moorish King. The Casa del Rey Moro is an impressive architectural feat.

Along with the bullring and Casa del Rey Moro, you will want to scope out the churches located at the northern end of the city, as well as the old mosque that still stands today. Depending on what time of the year you go to Ronda, you may have the chance to witness and participate in a festival. The Fiesta de la Virgen de La Paz, a celebration of the patron Saint of Ronda, is held on January 24th, and the Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is celebrated towards the end of December. These are just two of the many special events that occur on the streets of this beautiful and historical town.