The famed white towns and villages around Ronda have long been a destination for discerning travellers. The rolling contryside of Serrania de Ronda and the adjacent Sierras de Grazalema are both rich in plant and birdlife and offer great opportunities for walking. The scenery is impressive with holm oak, pine forests, rivers, hidden valleys and open landscapes, all set against a back-drop of dramatic rugged mountains.The fascinating Andalucian Pueblos Blancos (white towns) of the Serrania de Ronda nestled between the mountains are a must see stop for any tourist, although which to choose, they each have their own reason for visiting.

The villages are almost evenly split between Malaga and Cadiz provinces and were founded or colonised by Moorish settlers from Morocco who painted them white with a limestone wash since this was known to help cool the houses in the harsh heat of the summer sun.

Every springtime the village women women make up fresh batches of limestone paint and give their houses a fresh coat of white wash.

The history of the little villages of the Serrania de Ronda is a little different from other Spanish villages, for hundreds of years these villages lay on the frontier between Christian Spain and the Moorish Kingdoms. Whilst the mosques are gone, Moorish artistic styles remain.