Gardens of Cuenca

You are now in one of the most peaceful and spectacular spots in Ronda: the Garden of Cuenca, clinging to the cliffside between the Puente Viejo below and the Puente Nuevo rising above. The gardens take their name from the city of Cuenca, twinned with Ronda since the 70s and likewise famous for its houses perched on the edges of dramatic gorges. In front of you, the terraces unfold along the rock face in stepped levels linked by stairways and small paved paths that wind around flower beds, cypresses, oleanders, olive trees and the occasional citrus tree, creating a microclimate slightly cooler than the rest of the city. At each level, the stone and wrought-iron railings open onto new viewpoints over the Tajo gorge, the Guadalevín River far below and, above all, the Puente Nuevo, for which this is one of the finest side views. It’s here that you can best appreciate how naturally the bridge seems to grow out of the rock, almost as if it were part of the cliff itself. Take your time to stroll from terrace to terrace, rest on a shaded bench and enjoy this remarkable balcony over the landscape.