Ronda’s Puente Nuevo: history, views and how to visit

A bridge to join the two halves of Ronda

The Tajo, the gorge cut by the Guadalevín river, splits Ronda in two: El Mercadillo to the north, which grew up outside the old walls, and La Ciudad to the south, the historic core. For centuries, getting from one to the other meant heading down towards the older bridges near the riverbed. That is why the last one to be built is still called the “New Bridge”, more than two hundred years on.

The first attempt to span the gorge at the top began in 1735, under Philip V: a single arch raised in a matter of months that collapsed six years later, in 1741, killing around fifty people. Work on the present bridge started in 1751 and ended in May 1793, in time for that month’s fair. The stone blocks were quarried from the bottom of the gorge itself.

What to see on a visit

Walking across is free and open at any hour: the deck works as a viewpoint over the Tajo, with the river far below and the Serranía on the horizon. Take it slowly and look over both sides, as each shows a different face of the gorge.

Inside the bridge there is an interpretation centre covering the wildlife, plants, geology, town planning and history of Ronda. Opening times, tickets and the tourist pass that includes it are on the official Turismo de Ronda page.

The best places to see it from

The bridge only really makes sense when you see it from outside. These are the usual spots, from easiest to most demanding; the Ronda viewpoints walk links them into one route.

• Paseo de Blas Infante and Plaza de España, in El Mercadillo: the approach to the bridge alongside the Parador terraces.
• Mirador de Aldehuela, just across the bridge in La Ciudad, where Calle Armiñán begins: the closest view of the arch and the drop into the gorge. More in our Mirador de Aldehuela guide.
• Jardines de Cuenca: terraced gardens on the side of the gorge between the Puente Nuevo and the Puente Viejo, with steps between levels.
• The bottom of the gorge: the classic photo of the whole bridge is taken from below. The path down is steep and the way back is all uphill; check access with the tourist office before you go.

When to go

The light changes the stone completely: mornings bring out the depth of the gorge, and late afternoon turns the bridge golden. At night it is lit up, and the walk between the bridge and the viewpoints takes on a different pace; see Ronda after dark.

If you plan to eat afterwards, La Pilastra is at the old-town end of the bridge, beside the Mirador de Aldehuela. Eating by the Puente Nuevo explains how a meal fits before or after crossing.