People call the ancient town of Ronda in the south of Spain “Ciudad Soñada,” which means “City of Dreams.” Some say the poet Rainer Maria Rilke came up with the phrase, but Ronda has had a beautiful air for hundreds of years, drawing artists like Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles to its mountaintop location. 

A big part of what makes Ronda unique is its landscape and buildings. “Ronda is thought to be one of Spain’s most beautiful cities because of its stunning location, with the deep gorge (Tajo) and the Serranía de Ronda mountains all around,” says Maike Ange, a ToursByLocals guide who lives in Ronda. Of the three bridges in town, Puente Nuevo, also known as the “New Bridge,” crosses the 400-foot valley that separates El Mercadillo (“New Town”) from La Ciudad (“Old Town”). The dramatic views are still only a small part of Ronda’s draw, though.

Ronda is amazing in both looks and history—there’s proof that it goes back to the Neolithic period, and there are still Roman and Moorish ruins there—but the place itself isn’t too overwhelming. According to Ange, “because it’s a small town, you feel right at home right away.” “You can walk to all of Venice’s best attractions, which makes the evenings magical when the day visitors have gone home and romantic lights light up the bridge and the area.”

You could easily spend the day in Ronda from nearby Málaga, but there’s enough to do to make it worth the extra time. Roland Klawitter, who also gives walks of the area, says, “For people who have never been to Ronda before, I…recommend combining [a] walking tour with an immersive visit to the fascinating [wineries], famous olive oil mills, or the world-famous bull ranch.” “Don’t miss the famous Goyesca Bullfight, contest, or climb the via ferrata for a challenge.”

Planning a trip to one of Spain’s oldest towns? Read on to find out what locals say you need to know to make the most of your time in Ronda.