Setenil de las Bodegas: The hidden jewel of Cadiz
Just twenty minutes from the city of Ronda and less than two hours from the capital is one of the best kept secrets of Cadiz: Setenil de las Bodegas.
Enjoying a privileged location, in the Ronda Mountains, Setenil de las Bodegas is at first sight a beautiful whitewashed town,very similar to the other whitewashed villages in the area, with its beautiful streets and hideaways to get lost in.
As we get closer, the landscape begins to reveal that Setenil encloses something that is special, different… and curiosity soon comes knocking to find out what it is.
It's there, in the lower area, on the banks of the Guadalporcún river, where you're not sure if you're dreaming or if a place like that can really exist.
The village seems to have merged with the rocks!
The houses, some beneath the rock and others on top of it, create different heights, which form unique and charming areas.
But not just the houses. They have also built bars, shops and restaurants.
The streets have been made by defying gravity, and simple stroll provides unique sensations.
There are two areas, the "caves of the shade”, where as its name indicates, never sees the sun and the "caves of the sun”.
In the caves of the sun there are more bars and restaurants, all with two floors and a terrace. This is, without doubt, the most visited and lively area of Setenil.
Here you can enjoy the masitas, a traditional Setenil hamburger, or any of typical mountain dishes, all seasoned with one of the best oils of Andalusia.
After regaining strength we continued our walk.
Setenil is full of hideaways with that special charm so characteristic of the Serranía villages.
In the highest part, in the heart of the old Nasrid fortress, is the Torre del Homenaje, or Tower of Tribute,
the only surviving example of the old Alcázar fortress and silent witnesses to the confluence of cultures.
The castle has also been preserved, which overlooks the village from above and shows the past defensive of Setenil.
It is a fortress of medieval origin from the 14th and 15th century, which was built using the vertical rock walls
and has proven to resist the centuries, overhanging the Serranía.
From any point, Setenil will not leave you indifferent. Without doubt, a different way to enjoy a full day. Are you going to wait for someone to tell you about it?
