Walk along the Alameda del Tajo and the Mercadillo balconies

What it is

A tree-lined park next to the bullring, on calle Virgen de la Paz, that ends at the edge of the gorge. It dates from the early 19th century and was once called the Alameda de San Carlos. Five landscaped paths lead to a promenade with balconies that look out, over a huge drop, to the Hoya and the Serranía de Ronda; below the viewpoints is the formation they call the Asa de la Caldera (the Cauldron Handle). It is flat, with shade and benches, and works with a pushchair.

What you will see

Besides the views, the trees: the Sierra de las Nieves Mancomunidad says that in the Alameda there are specimens more than 200 years old included in the guide to the remarkable trees of the province of Málaga, such as a Himalayan cedar, a large stone pine and a honey locust. The Town Council put out its renovation to tender in early 2022, with a project by the architect Sergio Valadez: new paving on the central path, lighting and street furniture.

From the west end the paseo de los Ingleses starts, which follows the edge of the gorge to the gardens of the Hotel Victoria. In the other direction, the Balcones del Tajo run alongside the Camino de los Tilos, which leaves the Alameda and goes in a straight line to the Parador. On the way you pass the Blas Infante gardens, with an open-air auditorium, the tourist office and a small temple dedicated to Miki Haruta, a Japanese painter who lived in Ronda. From the Parador to the Puente Nuevo it is a short step.

When

At the end of the afternoon, when the sun sets over the sierra. It is free and open, so you can come back more than once. For children it is the best part of the visit: room to run, shade and nothing to pay. Dogs may go on a lead.

To combine

Next door you have the Real Maestranza bullring and, on the other side of the Puente Nuevo, La Ciudad with the Palacio de Mondragón. A relaxed stroll through the Alameda, the balconies and the paseo de Blas Infante takes 30 to 45 minutes; if you pass by the tourist office, ask there for the municipal pass and the map.