Attractions
Ronda
Situated on a towering plateau in the mountains 30 miles (48km) inland from Marbella stands Ronda, one of the loveliest and most historic towns in the region. Ronda is a popular day-trip for holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol wanting to escape the beach and soak up some culture in one of the many cafés and restaurants. It is famous for the plunging river gorge that divides the medieval from the 18th-century parts of the town. Known as El Tajo, the gorge is spanned by a stone bridge, Puente Nuevo, which once housed a prison and now acts as a dramatic viewpoint for visitors. There is a spectacular walkway, El Parador, along the river gorge, which offers superb views of the surrounding countryside. Ronda is also well known for its bullring - the oldest and largest in Spain. When there are no fights, the bullring is open to visitors, and has a fascinating museum.
Granada
Granada, a high altitude city of romance and folklore, boasts one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, the Alhambra palace-fortress. Built by the Nasrid rulers in the 14th century the Alhambra is the most important and spectacular piece of Moorish architecture in Spain. The huge complex, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, includes the summer palace with its fountains and gardens; the Palacios Nazaries with its intricate ornamentation; and a hilltop fortress. The city also boasts a Cathedral containing a Royal Chapel in which Isabel and Ferdinand of Spain lie buried, and a Moorish medina area, known as the Albaicin, with its labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses. North of Granada is Sacromonte hill, famed for its cave dwellings which were once the home of a large gypsy community. The Interpretation Center has an Ethnographic Museum detailing the history and culture of the cave dwellers. See www.sacromontegranada.com for more information.
