Ronda International Guitar Festival
Ronda, Spain · Guitar festival
- Location
- Ronda, Spain
- Type
- Festival
- Event dates
- 2 June 2026 – 6 June 2026
- Frequency
- annual
Official website
http://www.rondaguitarfestival.com/
See this festival alongside every other guitar event on the calendar and map.
Open the calendar & mapVisiting? A guitarist's guide to Ronda
Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
High in the mountains of Málaga, Ronda hosts its International Guitar Festival within a town famed for its dramatic gorge, ancient history, and a relaxing atmosphere that provides a welcome break from the bustling Costa del Sol. This annual event, held in early June, invites classical guitar enthusiasts to immerse themselves in music amidst one of Andalusia's most picturesque and historically rich destinations.
Getting there
Ronda is accessible by various routes, though planning for its mountainous location is key. By train, direct connections are available from major cities including Algeciras, Malaga, Antequera, Granada, Cordoba, and Madrid. The Ronda Railway Station is approximately 900 meters northeast of the center; a taxi to the old quarter of La Ciudad costs around €7, or it is a pleasant 20-minute walk. For bus travel, Málaga offers the easiest access, with Los Amorillos buses costing about €10 and taking approximately two hours. If driving, scenic routes wind through the mountains: from Marbella on the Costa del Sol, the A-376 takes about 1 to 1.5 hours for the 43-km journey, ascending to an elevation of 1,125 meters before descending into Ronda. From Seville, head south on A-376 to Utrera, then take A-375 to Puerta Serrana, and A-384/374 onwards to Ronda. Once in town, it is best to park your car and explore on foot, as navigating the older quarters by vehicle can be challenging, with some streets restricted to non-residents. Public car parks are available in the Mercadillo quarter, including an underground garage beneath Plaza del Socorro.
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Where to stay
Ronda is a small, walkable town, making it easy to settle in for the festival week. The town is divided into three main neighborhoods: the modern Mercadillo, the old Moorish quarter of La Ciudad, and the Barrio de San Francisco. For historical charm and proximity to many sights, consider basing yourself in La Ciudad, with its twisting, narrow streets. The Mercadillo offers more modern conveniences, including the bus and train stations. Booking accommodation in advance, especially around the festival dates, is advisable to secure your preferred location.
What you'll hear
The Ronda International Guitar Festival offers a week dedicated to the classical guitar, drawing talented players and audiences to its concerts and events. While specific competition details or featured concertos are not listed, the festival provides a platform for both established artists and emerging talents, enriching the town's cultural calendar with the beautiful sounds of the instrument.
While Ronda is not a specific pilgrimage site for a classical guitar composer, its deep historical layers and dramatic natural setting provide a unique backdrop for musical immersion. The town's ancient roots, from its Celtic and Roman past to its significant Moorish heritage, infuse the air with a sense of timelessness, creating an evocative soundscape for appreciating the festival's performances. The quiet resonance of its history and the dramatic beauty of the Tajo gorge contribute to an atmosphere distinct from other musical destinations.
If you play as well as listen, explore Joaquín Turina's Andalusian guitar works in our repertoire finder, where you can hear each piece and find the sheet music.
The local table
Ronda, situated within Andalusia, offers a rich culinary experience reflective of its fertile surroundings. The region's tradition of growing wheat, olives, and vines translates into a cuisine rich in local produce, from robust olive oils to the wines of the Serranía de Ronda. Enjoy authentic Spanish dishes, often incorporating fresh local ingredients and regional specialties, best savored in the town's many establishments. Look for traditional Andalusian fare, which emphasizes fresh ingredients and hearty flavors.
Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Ronda →
While you're there
Between concerts, Ronda offers a wealth of sights and activities. The town's principal attraction is the Puente Nuevo, an incredible bridge completed in 1793, spanning the 98-meter-high Tajo gorge and connecting La Ciudad with the Mercadillo. A small museum is housed within the bridge itself. Near the bull ring in the Mercadillo quarter, the Parque Alameda provides shady trees, ample walking space, and wonderful panoramic views from its viewing platforms. The Plaza de Toros, built in 1785, is one of Spain's oldest and most highly regarded bull rings, considered the cradle of modern Spanish bullfighting; it also contains a bullfighting museum. Explore La Ciudad, the old district, with its twisting streets leading to the Iglesia de Santa Maria la Mayor, Ronda's most important church, built on the site of a former Moorish mosque. Remains of the mosque, including an arch and stucco wall, are still visible behind the main altar's retable. Ronda also makes an excellent base for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, canoeing, river kayaking, and mountain biking. The town's setting amidst the Sierra de Grazalema (visible from the Puente Nuevo) and its inclusion in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park offer stunning natural beauty for exploration. Literary enthusiasts may recall Ernest Hemingway's *For Whom the Bell Tolls*, as an execution scene in Chapter 10 is said to be based on events in Ronda during the Spanish Civil War.
Tours, tickets and day trips in Ronda →
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This map centers on Ronda in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.
More guitar events in Spain: Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ) · Certamen Internacional Andrés Segovia · Certamen Miquel Llobet · CIGA - Alhambra International Guitar Competition · Concurso Ángel G. Piñero · Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM)
Also in June: Balaton Guitar Festival · Bale-Valle Armonica Guitar Competition · Baltic Guitar Days International Festival & Competition · Baltic Guitar Festival & Competition · Concurso Internacional Levino Albano da Conceição
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