Ronda - Baños Arabes - Jardines de Cuenca - Puente Nuevo - Palacio Mondragón - Santa María La Mayor

This walk takes you along quiet streets though some of the prettiest parts of Ronda with views of gardens, plazas, parks and the famous Arab Baths. Finish up with a bird's-eye view of Ronda from the roof of Santa María La Mayor.

The Arab baths in Ronda are considered to be the best preserved Roman baths in Spain. The Muslims adaptated the system the Romans used for their baths, using the same set-up of three rooms for bathing with underfloor heating. The major difference is that the Romans immersed themselves in pools of water while the Muslims sprinkled water on the hot tile floors to create steam.

Notes:
Arab Baths opening times:
Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10:00-15:00

Santa María La Mayor opening times:
April to September 10:00-20:00
March and October 10:00-19:00
November to February 10am till 6pm 10:00-18:00
Sundays closed for Mass 13:00-14:00

Walk 3 on a long-distance walking trip in the Serranía de Ronda
From our journal:
Exploring some of Ronda’s interesting old buildings is a joy. One of the best is the church of Santa Maria La Mayor, right across the pedestrian walkway from our bedroom window. All week we have enjoyed hearing the bells ring out the hour and half-hour, knowing that soon we would get to see them up close. The site of the church has a long history. It was first a Roman temple, then a Muslim mosque, and on the reconquest of Ronda in 1485, a Catholic Church. In addition to gold and gilt, there is a lovely wooden altarpiece showing the 16 stations of the Marian Way of Light. Numerous books of early music are stored in the library. Like many churches we have seen in Spain, elements of the mosque are preserved and can be seen. The Muslim Mihrab in the entryway has intricate carvings. A spiral staircase leads up to the roof; on the way, it has an overlook to the interior that provides an unusual view of a column from the top. From the roof there are stunning views in all directions.

Possibilities for eating/sleeping
Apartamentos La Colegiata - Plaza de la Duquesa de Parcent, next to the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor. The apartments are close to the starting point for numerous trails starting from Ronda. The owner is helpful with maps and questions.
La Tragata, C/ Nueva 4, near Puente Nuevo - for tacos
Casa María, Ruedo Alameda 27, Barrio San Francisco - for a meal after walking

Resources
Baños Arabes information and video reenactment
https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/enclaves/enclave-arqueologico-banos-arabes-ronda

Previous walk: Pilar de Cartajima - Acueducto Romano
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/ronda-pilar-de-cartajima-acueducto-romano-sl-a-39-71716096

Next walk: Ermita de la Virgen de la Cabeza
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/ronda-ermita-de-la-virgen-de-la-cabeza-sl-a-36-72347065

Link to journal
http://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/GenalValley