To get from Ronda to Granada, you must take a train, bus, or private car service like Daytrip. Although the train and the bus are more affordable, you'll be far more comfortable riding in a private car with Daytrip. Not to mention, Daytrip also lets you stop for sightseeing to make your journey that much more exciting.
Is there a direct train from Ronda to Granada?
Unfortunately, there is no direct train from Ronda to Granada. You will encounter at least one transfer. Typically, a train trip takes about three hours.
Do I need to get tickets to Alhambra in advance?
Yes! Alhambra tickets sell out months in advance! Book yours as soon as you know when youâre visiting Granada. Itâs even worth getting your Alhambra tickets first and planning your entire trip around this!
What is the best way to get from Ronda to Granada?
The best way to get from Ronda to Granada is with Daytrip's private car service. Not only is this the fastest way to travel, but it's the most enriching since you can talk with your English-speaking driver and stop for sightseeing along the way!
A car trip from Ronda to Granada will transport you between two of Spain's most beautiful cities. As you leave the cliffs of Ronda behind, you'll cross southern Spain until you reach Granada in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.
When you ride with Daytrip, you'll have a chance to visit some of the most beautiful and interesting sites in the region. Swing by Montefrio to see what National Geographic called "The Most Beautiful View in the World". Wander among the white-washed houses and Moorish heritage of Frigiliana, or Colomares Castle, a unique monument to Christopher Columbus.
Once you reach Granada, your driver will bring you to your accommodation and offload your luggage. Then youâll be ready to start exploring this picturesque city offering everything from ancient history to spectacular natural landscapes. There's a treasure trove of surprises to discover, crowned by the Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and perhaps the world's most beautiful building.
About Granada
Granada has been inhabited since at least 500 BC and served as the political and cultural center of southern Iberia for the entirety of recorded history. According to legend, the city was named Granada after the arrival of the Jews in 136, but this has never been wholly confirmed. Islamic forces ruled the city for 700 years, from 711 to 1492, which shaped its identity.
Moorish influences can be seen throughout Granada, but it's the Alhambra Palace that's the star of the show. With its impossibly intricate details, this 14th century fortress-turned-palace is perhaps the single finest piece of Moorish architecture in Europe (tickets MUST be purchased in advance at https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/).
Granada is also home to fine Renaissance, Neoclassical, and Baroque monasteries, churches, palaces, museums, convents, and even hospitals, delicious food, and captivating museums.
From Ronda to Granada: travel tips
Below are a few travel tips that everyone traveling from Ronda to Granada needs to know. Armed with this information, you should find it easier to experience a stress-free trip.
### Pack warm clothes
Spain is well known for its sun-drenched beaches and blue skies, but few realize it has its fair share of chilly weather. So, if you're planning to travel from Ronda to Granada during spring, autumn, or winter, be sure to pack warm clothes. This is especially true if you plan to drive with Daytrip and stop and sightsee outdoor local attractions.
### Stop for sightseeing
Make the most of your time in Spain by using your travel day to visit some smaller, lesser-known destinations. Daytrip's private car service lets you visit Antequera and the UNESCO-listed Dolmens nearby, or take in the world's most beautiful view at charming Montefrio. Adding unforgettable experiences while you travel? Yes, please!
### Wisely choose when to travel
Although you can travel year-round in Spain, you might want to avoid the summer. Temperatures average 94° F (34° C) in July and August. Along with being downright unpleasant for walking around, youâll find that many establishments close as the locals head to beaches to escape the brutal heat.
### The tap water is safe to drink
Some travel destinations don't have safe tap water, so it's usually best to be cautious. Fortunately, in Spain, you can drink tap water, so you don't have to worry about keeping a stock of bottled water. Though filling up a reusable bottle for when you're exploring is a good idea.
How to get from Ronda to Granada
Ronda is pretty small, with a population of about 33,000 â so, understandably, you're worried about figuring out how to get from Ronda to Granada.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to take a trip between these cities, including by train, bus, and private car. Let's have a look at these:
### From Ronda to Granada by bus
Unfortunately, there is no direct bus from Ronda to Granada. If you decide to go the budget-friendly route and take the bus, you'll have at least one transfer. Typically, you need to take a bus with the Damas line to Malaga and then from Malaga with the ALSA line to Granada.
Surprisingly, although the distance between the two cities is only about 91 miles, it can take between 4 and 5.5 hours to complete a trip. Also, although more affordable than the train or a private car service like Daytrip, tickets are still somewhat pricey. A ticket can cost up to $40, which might not be worth the lost time and compromise in comfort and convenience.
### From Ronda to Granada by train
Renfe Viajeros offers trips from Ronda to Granada 3 times a day. Tickets cost between $21 and $51 and the trip takes about 2.5 hours. Traveling by train is convenient and safe, but you won't get to stop and sightsee, which is a major disappointment. You might also encounter transfers, which can slow down your travel time.
### From Ronda to Granada by private car service
Daytrip's private car service is the fastest, most convenient, and most comfortable way to get from Ronda to Granada. Your private driver will fetch you from your hotel in Ronda and take you through winding Spanish roads to your destination in Granada in only two hours and 10 minutes. Along the way, you can talk with your driver about local culture, or stop for sightseeing.
Daytrip is also cost-effective, considering you can stop by and explore local attractions and landmarks along the way. A trip starts at 55 euros per person, but it is worth the price, especially considering you won't have to lift a finger.
Things to do when you get to Granada
When driving from Ronda to Granada, you can explore places like Colomares Castle, Setenil de las Bodegas, Antequera, and Archidona. Then, when you get to this enticing city, you can wander through Granada and see some of the best attractions in the world.
But how will you know what to see and do? That's where our advice comes in, so have a look below to learn more about the best things to get up to in this Spanish city.
### Visit the Alhambra of Granada
The must-see attraction in Granada is the Alhambra Palace and Fortress, which sits above the city and is the only building of its kind in the world. The Alhambra is one of the best-preserved Moorish palaces in the world and one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture. Its architectural details are so impossibly fine that it looks like something from a fantasy---which is why it was used as a Game of Thrones filming location. The Alhambra is one of the top destinations in all of Spain, so you MUST book your spot months in advance.
### Granada Cathedral
If you're visiting Granada and love exploring churches and cathedrals, you should visit the Granada Cathedral. This Roman Catholic church is stunningly ornate, with a grand interior that will leave you gasping at the sight of its impressive facades and spectacular altarpiece.
There is a small entrance fee, but it's worth the cost. You can even book a tour of the cathedral if you want to learn more about its history, which is impressive, considering it took 181 years to build, with construction beginning in 1523 and ending in 1704.
### Mirador de San NicolĂĄs
After a long day of exploring, relax at Mirador de San NicolĂĄs and watch the sunset over the beautiful city of Granada and the Alhambra. But it's not only the sunset you have to look forward to. If you stay past sunset and wait for the lights of the Alhambra to turn on, you'll be transported to another time and place!
When is the best time to visit Granada?
If you're still planning your trip from Ronda, the best time to visit Granada is between April and June and September and October.
Although both the spring and fall are ideal for travel, we recommend the spring because the flowers are in bloom, the weather is pleasant, and the city also has several major cultural events.
You should avoid visiting Granada in the summer. No matter how tempting, summer can be incredibly hot, especially in July and August, not to mention summer is peak season, so prices will be high and the streets and attractions crowded.
Visitez ces sites en chemin
Setenil de las Bodegas
Built directly into a rock face, this unique village is famed for its stoic defense during the Christian reconquest. Stony DefenseÂ
Colomares Castle
The worldâs largest monument dedicated to the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus pays homage to the architectural styles that have influenced Spanish culture. Discovery WorldÂ
Antequera
Rich in history and culture, even this authentic Andelusian townâs name conjures up images of a rustic, medieval village. Authentic AndalusiaÂ
Archidona
Declared a Historic-Artistic Site for its Baroque urban planning and architectural heritage, what it lacks in size it makes up in culture. Small but MightyÂ
Frigiliana
Andalusiaâs most beautiful village is an enchanting jumble of white houses built by the Moors in the classic Mudejar style. Moor to LoveÂ
Montefrio
This white-washed village, allows visitors to enjoy thousands of years of history, and the âBest View in the Worldâ according to National Geographic. Frozen in TimeÂ
âMy family wanted to go from Seville to Rondo, then Granada, but did NOT want to do a tour bus, so I spent countless hours investigating options and then found this...hallelujah! We were able to plan our trip to coincide with our timetable, not a train/bus or tour and could stop when and where we wanted.
Alfredo greeted us in the Mercedes Van in Seville and drove us first to Grazelema then to Rondo. He was a delightful tour guide and waited for us as we toured the charming little town, then delivered us to the hotel in Ronda.
Damir picked us up in Ronda the following day and drove us to Granada..which was a beautiful drive...again in a beautiful and comfortable Mercedes van. The professionalism and the flexibility this service offers is over the top!â
