Morning in Ronda
June 17, 2025
We had a simple breakfast of leftover bread, cheese, and salami before taking a morning walk through the park next to the bullring (see on map). The air was cool and refreshing. Ronda is such a beautiful town—we were both so glad to have come here. It truly exceeded our expectations.
After packing our bags, we checked out of our Airbnb at 11:30 a.m. and walked to Ronda Station (see on map). Today we were taking the train from Ronda to Granada. I had bought our tickets on the official website and stored them in my iPhone’s Wallet app.
The Train Journey from Ronda to Granada
The 12:24 p.m. train arrived on time, but the departure was delayed by about twenty minutes. Since the train wasn’t a direct one to Granada, we had to transfer at Antequera (see on map), which made us a little nervous about making the connection.
Delayed Departure and a Helpful Conductor
When the train finally started moving, the conductor came around to check tickets. I showed him the digital ticket on my iPhone, and he asked, “Your final destination?” I answered, “Granada.” He kindly told us, “Platform 4 for your connection.” His friendliness was reassuring—but if the train was late, platform numbers wouldn’t matter much. My partner said, “I’m a bit worried,” but as soon as the train started moving, he fell asleep like always.
Rolling Hills and Wind Turbines of Andalusia
Through the window, the Andalusian landscape unfolded before us—gentle hills stretching endlessly into the horizon. We saw many wind turbines spinning in the distance, reminding me that wind power must be a major energy source in Spain.
Making the Connection at Antequera
When we finally arrived in Antequera, the connecting train was still waiting for us. We felt relieved. Perhaps the conductor had tried to tell us that the connection would be held, but we hadn’t understood his Spanish.
Arriving in Granada
Tap-to-Pay Bus Ride to the Cathedral
We reached Granada Station (see on map), and from a nearby stop, we boarded Bus No. 21 to the Cathedral area (see on map). Granada’s buses accept tap-to-pay with credit cards—very convenient! The fare was €1.6. From there, we transferred to Bus No. 35 and headed up to our hotel, Hotel Guadalupe (see on map), located near the Alhambra Palace.
Checking In at Hotel Guadalupe
There were small cafés nearby that served breakfast, but we decided to book the hotel’s breakfast buffet instead (€12 per person). The room was neat and cozy, with all the essentials we needed.
After having a coffee in our room and taking a short rest, we took the bus back to the city center.
Sweet Treats at Café Ysla
Discovering the Famous Pionono and Local Pastries
We visited Café Ysla (see on map), famous for its pionono—a syrup-soaked sponge roll that reminded me of Japanese castella cake. It was delicious. We also tried a pastry called rosccide yama, a sugar-coated puff pastry similar to a mille-feuille. Both were excellent. Along with coffee, the total was €6.75.
A Festive Plaza Full of Mario? and Luigi? Balloons
In a nearby plaza, a local children’s festival was taking place. There were inflatable figures of Mario?, Luigi?, and even Princess Peach? dancing among the crowd.
Evening Around the Cathedral
The Grand Scale of Granada Cathedral
As we approached the Cathedral (see on map), its massive structure loomed larger and larger, giving a real sense of weight and grandeur. The guard told us, “Tomorrow,” as visiting hours had already ended for the day (until 6:30 p.m.).
Tapas and Wine at Bodegas Castañeda
We had dinner at Bodegas Castañeda (see on map), a lively restaurant filled with locals. We ordered red and white wine by the glass—there were no prices listed—and received three kinds of tapas: olives, small bread, and a tuna-topped egg.
I had wanted to try fried eggplant, a typical Andalusian dish, but the staff told us they didn’t serve it. Instead, they recommended stuffed eggplant. It turned out to be absolutely delicious—perfectly seasoned and cooked. Since I love eggplant, I was in heaven. The grilled vegetables on the side were simply seasoned with rock salt, enhancing their flavor beautifully.
We also ordered pork sirloin, which came in a generous portion and was just as satisfying. The side dish—grilled goat cheese drizzled with dark honey—was especially memorable. Everything came to €37.45 in total.
Although the tables were small, many customers were standing and using wine barrels as makeshift tables, giving the place the cheerful atmosphere of a festive tavern.
A Perfect End to the Day
Late-Night Grocery Stop and Ride Back to the Hotel
Before heading back, we stopped by Carrefour Express (see on map) near the bus stop to buy a 1.5-liter bottle of water (€0.75), then took the bus back to our hotel for the night.
