Sipping Sherry Under Giant Rocks! A Magical Town Carved by the Moors
🌟 Setenil de las Bodegas – "God lifted the mountains of Andalusia, the Moors nestled houses into rock crevices, sunlight gilds honey-colored balconies like gold leaf, and I raise my glass to this thousand-year wonder."
🏞️ Overview
A hidden gem in Andalusia, Spain! Setenil de las Bodegas is famed as the "Town Under the Rocks"—where the Moors carved homes directly into canyon boulders, creating natural roofs🪨. Stroll narrow streets with looming cliffs above, babbling streams below, and the rich aroma of sherry around every corner… like stepping onto a Game of Thrones set—magical and romantic!
⏰ Opening Hours
Town: Open 24/7 (free to explore!)
Cave restaurants/bars: ~11:00-23:00 (best for afternoon sherry☀️)
Church of La Encarnación: 10:00-14:00 & 16:00-18:00
💡Tips: No entry fee! But cave restaurants cost ~€10-€15/person; sherry from €3/glass.
🎯 Must-Do Experiences
Laze at a cave café
→ Try Bar El Mirador (epic cliff terrace views!) with Fino sherry + Iberian ham—sunlight filtering through rocks onto your glass is pure magic🍷✨
Photoshoot on Calle Cuevas del Sol
The "Street of Sunlight" with overhead boulders is jaw-dropping!📸 Wear bright dresses—honey-hued rock reflections add instant filters.
Climb Moorish castle ruins
⓪ 10-min hike to Castillo de Setenil for panoramic views of white houses "growing" from rocks🏰!
🚗 Transport Guide
Location: 30km from Ronda, 1.5hr drive from Seville
🚌 Best options:
✅ Drive (most flexible! Free parking at town entrance)
Navigate to "Aparcamiento Setenil de las Bodegas"
✅ Bus:
Seville → LOS AMARILLOS bus → Transfer at Osuna → Setenil (~2.5hr)
💣 Avoid: Sparse bus schedules! Opt for private transfers/day trips.
📅 Itinerary Tips
Classic day trip:
AM: Ronda (see Puente Nuevo) → PM: Arrive in Setenil by 14:00 → Explore Cuevas del Sol → Sherry at Bar El Mirador → Sunset at castle → Return by 19:00
💡 For depth: Stay overnight in a cave B&B!
🎒 Prep List
👟 Grippy shoes! (cobblestones + steep slopes)
🕶️ Sunglasses + hat: strong rock reflections in afternoon photos
💶 Cash: small shops only accept bills
📱 Offline maps: spotty signal
🥘 Must-eat: Huevos a la Flamenca (Andalusian baked eggs) at cave restaurants!
"When my glass clinks against rock walls, I understand—the Moors didn’t just carve stone, but romance spanning millennia."
🌍 Follow me for more magical towns!
🎈 One of Europe’s Historic Gems
Also among Spain’s most charming and unique towns—Segovia, located ~70km north of Madrid in Castile and León. Here, a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct, medieval walls, and fairy-tale castle coexist perfectly. My days here were Europe’s most serene.
🕘【Hours】: Open 24/7
⛺【Attractions】: ✅ Segovia’s Top 9 Spots
1⃣ Acueducto de Segovia
2⃣ Statue of the Devil
3⃣ Postigo del Consuelo
4⃣ Mirador del Alcázar y los dos Valles
5⃣ Plaza Mayor
6⃣ Catedral de Segovia
7⃣ Puerta de San Andrés
8⃣ Muralla de Segovia
9⃣ Alcázar de Segovia
🚌【Transport】: Direct buses from Madrid (🔍Avanza) to Segovia’s center—5min walk to old town (alight at terminus).
👉【Itinerary】: ✅ Must-try: Suckling pig
Segovia’s cochinillo is as iconic as Spanish ham. Recommended: Restaurante José María. Note: It’s rich—1/4 pig suffices for 3-4 people.
🧡【Prep】: Segovia shines year-round, but spring/fall offer mild weather. Summers are hot (pack sunscreen/hats); winters require warm layers.