Minibus Day Tours from Ronda - Discover the Sierras

White Villages visits:

• Grazalema       

• Las Palomas Pass through the mountains       

• Zahara de la Sierra

From Ronda we head to the white village of Grazalema, nestled into the craggy mountains of the Sierra del Grazalema Natural Park, and once the site of a huge textile weaving business. Whilst only one (partly) functioning weaving mill remains, the smart houses which belonged to the former mill owners still line the narrow white streets, lending Grazalema a rather more grand feel than most other white villages. The village still holds annual bull runs, where bulls are "encouraged" to chase foolhardy runners around the plaza and up and down the narrow streets. Without the bull running, you can take a pleasant walk around this calm and tranquil village, enjoy refreshments in a cafe by the plaza and take in the fabulous views across the valley below.

We then drive up a narrow, twisting road which winds up through the mountains to the top of Las Palomas Pass at 1,357m above sea level. Here we make a brief stop to take in the huge vistas of three Andalucian provinces - Cadiz, Málaga and Seville.

Then it is down to the village of Zahara de la Sierra, a charming white village overlooking a beautiful blue lake.  Take a short walk around the village and there is time for optional refreshments here before returning to Ronda.  

Meeting Place: RONDA TRAIN STATION

4-7 people: €75 p.p.

2-3 people: €95 p.p.

Child: €25 p.c.

Winery Tour visits:

• Acinipo Roman Ruins       

• Visit a local Bodega for a tour and wine-tasting           

We drive up into the hills near Ronda, past vineyards and wheatfields, to the ruins of the Roman city of Acinipo. It was built more than 2,000 years ago to house retired soldiers - though how many lived to retirement age is a common question! We take a short walk up the hill to the partially rebuilt remains of the Roman amphitheatre (originally large enough to seat 2,500 people) and enjoy amazing views from the top of the escarpment across the valley below.

At the nearby Bodega Doña Felisa, we take a short guided tour of the vineyard, production rooms and cellar. This is one of Ronda's largest vineyards, producing wines under the main house name of Chinchilla. The tour finishes with a wine tasting with accompanying tapas.

Meeting Place: RONDA TRAIN STATION

Minimum requirement of 4 people: €95 p.p. (includes wine tasting)

Pileta Cave Tour visits:

• Acinipo Roman Ruins       

• Cueva de la Pileta (pre-historic cave paintings)                   

We drive up into the hills near Ronda, past vineyards and wheatfields, to the ruins of the Roman city of Acinipo. It was built more than 2,000 years ago to house retired soldiers - though how many lived to retirement age is a common question! We take a short walk up the hill to the partially rebuilt remains of the Roman amphitheatre (originally large enough to seat 2,500 people) and enjoy amazing views from the top of the escarpment across the valley below.

Continuing on into the mountains we head to the Pileta Cave. The guided tour here is with a member of the family who originally discovered this cave system on their land and lasts just over 1 hour. The caves are decorated with 25,000-year-old cave paintings and filled with wonderful stalactites and rock formations.

Please note: there is a steep stone step climb to the entrance of the cave and inside the caves can be a bit wet and slippery, with lots of steps up and down. Please wear shoes/trainers with good soles and bring a warm top to wear.

Meeting Place: RONDA TRAIN STATION

4-7 people: €75 p.p.

2-3 people: €95 p.p.

Child: €25 p.c.

Prices exclude cave tour entry €10p.p