Ronda, Málaga

• Location: On the banks of the Guadalevín River, in the province of Málaga.
• Population: 36, 700 inhabitants.
• Climate: Mediterranean, with colder winters than on the coast.
• Website: www.turismoderonda.es

The city of Ronda extends over the banks of the Guadalevín, a tributary of the Guadiaro flowing from north to south and whose course passes through the Tajo de Ronda, a deep gorge 180m in depth. Visitors strolling through its ancient Arabic streets or along the shores of the Guadalevín and through the beautiful poplar grove park, admiring the city's Plaza de Torros, the oldest one in the world, or reliving the story of the masses of bandits who swarmed near the city, will find it hard to resist being captivated by the magic seeping from its stones and atmosphere. Ronda was part of the Moorish kingdom in Spain until 1485, when it was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs. The remnants of the city's Arabic history can be seen in the old town, and in its old city walls south of the Guadalevín. Another Arabic monument tourists can visit is the Laurel Castle, an Arabic fortress which now stands in ruins after Napoleonic troops destroyed it in 1808.

Gastronomic specialities of Ronda include forest honey and mushrooms.

It's unsurprising that so many different authors, such as Plinio, the royal poet of Seville, the geographer al'Idrissi, and the musician and poet Vicente Espinel, found it necessary to write about this seductive city in their works.

The New Bridge and the Plaza de Toros are must-see places in Ronda.

During 'Feria' (a festival day) Goyan bullfights are celebrated, so named since the bullfighters' costumes resemble those in Goya's prints.

The best bullfighters of the moment compete for the honour of participating in these fights, dressed in fine colours and preceded by parades of horse-drawn carriages with their occupants in period dress.