{"id":74379,"date":"2022-09-13T10:09:33","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T08:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=74379"},"modified":"2026-09-30T22:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T20:37:12","slug":"what-to-see-in-setenil-de-las-bodegas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-setenil-de-las-bodegas\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in Setenil de las Bodegas: 10 places"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Setenil de las Bodegas<\/strong> It is probably the most original of Andalusia\u2019s white villages. It is in the province of Cadiz<\/strong>, right in the heart of the Serran\u00eda, and its centre lies within the gorge formed by the Trejo River<\/strong>: the houses are built beneath enormous rock overhangs that serve as roofs, with winding, cobbled streets spread across different levels. Its historic centre has been declared Bien de Inter\u00e9s Cultural<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can see everything on foot in half a day, as the town centre is compact and the ten places featured in this guide are just a few minutes\u2019 walk from one another. Setenil is about 18 kilometres from Ronda<\/strong>, so most visitors combine a visit to both villages in a single day: you can do this with a Day trip to Ronda and Setenil from M\u00e1laga<\/a> or, if you\u2019re staying further south, with the excursion from Gibraltar and Tarifa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The route we suggest follows the course of the River Trejo, which is the central feature that has shaped the village: it starts at the bottom, in the streets beneath the rock face, and ends at the top, at the Torre\u00f3n and the viewpoints. This way, you only have to climb once and avoid having to go up the same slopes twice.<\/p>\n\n

1. Cuevas del Sol Street<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cuevas
Cuevas del Sol Street, Setenil\u2019s most recognisable landmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is the village\u2019s most recognisable sight and the spot where almost all the photographs are taken. It is situated in the lower part of the village, running parallel to the River Trejo: the houses are lined up beneath a large overhanging rock that acts as a natural roof \u2014 the coat<\/strong>, as they call it here\u2014 whilst the other side looks out over the water.<\/p>\n

It enjoys sunshine for much of the day \u2013 hence its name \u2013 and is the busiest area in the municipality, with bar and restaurant terraces carved directly into the rock, such as the well-known Frasquito Bar<\/strong>. It\u2019s the perfect place to have a drink before carrying on.<\/p>\n

A word of advice: first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon<\/strong>, the low-angled light brings out the shape of the rock above the rooftops much better.<\/p>\n\n

2. Cuevas de la Sombra Street<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cuevas
In Cuevas de la Sombra, rocks cover the entire width of the street.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It runs along the opposite bank of the Trejo, just a few metres from the previous one, and here something different happens: The rock covers the entire width of the track<\/strong> and extends all the way to the houses on the opposite side, literally creating a tunnel between the fa\u00e7ades.<\/p>\n

Hardly any direct light gets in, which keeps the street cool even in the height of summer<\/strong>. The contrast between the two streets \u2014 one bathed in sunlight and the other in shadow \u2014 is the best way to understand why Setenil was built this way, making use of the stone rather than clearing it away.<\/p>\n

Cave houses have increasingly become a tourist attraction, and many have now been restored as country cottages and accommodation providers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas from Costa del Sol<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. The Carmen Viewpoint and the Chapel of Our Lady of Carmen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Panoramic
From the Mirador del Carmen, you can see the keep and the church.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here they are the best views of Setenil<\/strong>. You climb up some rather narrow stairs and, at the top, a panoramic view of the village opens up, with its white houses, the Tower of Homage<\/strong>, the remains of the city wall and the Church of La Encarnaci\u00f3n. It is this view that allows one to understand the course of the river and the rooftops nestled beneath the stone.<\/p>\n

At the same point is the Hermitage of the Virgin of Carmen<\/strong>, from the 18th century<\/strong>. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the patron saint of Setenil<\/strong> and its festivals are held on mid-July<\/strong>, which is the best time of year to see the village in its natural setting.<\/p>\n\n

4. Andalusia Square<\/h2>\n

It is the heart of the upper town and a landmark to help you find your way around. Here you\u2019ll find the Town Hall<\/strong>, with its cover, and the Tourist Information Office<\/strong>, which is worth noting down for opening times and leaflets. The streets leading to the castle and the church branch off from the square, and this is where local social life is centred.<\/p>\n\n

5. Calle Herrer\u00eda and the \u201cKiss me in this corner\u201d spot<\/h2>\n

The Herrer\u00eda Street<\/strong> It takes its name from a former blacksmith\u2019s workshop, and is one of the most characterful streets in the old town: narrow, steep, with houses that cling to the slope and the rock face.<\/p>\n

But what has made it famous is at the end: a a plaque surrounded by blue plant pots<\/strong> with the text “Kiss me in this corner”<\/em>. It is one of the most photographed spots in the village and is well worth a visit.<\/p>\n\n

6. The Watchtower<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Keep
The keep, known as \u2018El Torre\u00f3n\u2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s all that\u2019s left of the a fortress built during the Islamic occupation<\/strong>. Of the original complex, the main tower remains \u2014 the Tower of Homage<\/strong>, known here as El Torre\u00f3n\u2014 and a secondary tower that flanked the entrance gate. It was built at the highest point in the municipality, next to the church, and today houses temporary exhibitions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Its location on the Trejo Pass made it particularly difficult to besiege, and this is where the most curious part of the town\u2019s history comes in: the square withstood several Christian sieges<\/strong> before falling into 1484<\/strong>, shortly before the fall of the Kingdom of Granada. The name \u201cSetenil\u201d is popularly associated with how difficult it was to conquer.<\/p>\n\n

7. Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation<\/h2>\n

In the Villa neighbourhood, next to the Torre\u00f3n, this church in Late Gothic<\/strong> it was built between the 15th and 17th centuries<\/strong> and it is built on the site of the old mosque<\/strong>. It still has its Gothic fa\u00e7ade and a wooden coffered ceiling inside.<\/p>\n

Thanks to its location on the hilltop, the surrounding area serves as another natural vantage point over the hamlet.<\/p>\n\n

8. \u201cA flower, a woman\u201d, between Calle Mina and Calle Vega<\/h2>\n

The second of the village\u2019s commemorative plaques. As you walk between the Mina Street<\/strong> and the Vega Street<\/strong> you will find a plaque bearing the text \u00abA flower, a woman\u00bb<\/em>, in tribute to the women of Andalusia.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just a brief stop, but it has become one of the standard photo opportunities for anyone visiting Setenil, along with the one on Calle Herrer\u00eda.<\/p>\n\n

9. San Benito Chapel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The Chapel of San Benito, situated within the historic centre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A small church situated within the historic centre, a little way off the busiest streets. The exact date of its construction is unknown<\/strong>, and today it is home to the Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Its simplicity contrasts with the spectacular nature of the streets carved into the rock, and makes for a peaceful stop on the route.<\/p>\n\n

10. Liz\u00f3n Viewpoint<\/h2>\n

Round off the tour with a different perspective to the previous ones: from the Liz\u00f3n Viewpoint<\/strong>, on the banks of the Trejo, you can see at a glance how the village winds its way down the river gorge, with the streets and houses terraced at different levels.<\/p>\n

Many guidebooks overlook it, but it\u2019s well worth the slight detour. And if you\u2019ve got time to spare, have a wander aimlessly along the side streets: much of the old town still has sections where the houses make use of the rock formations as roofs or walls, and that\u2019s where the essence of Setenil lies. You can find out more with the Interesting facts about Setenil de las Bodegas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Walking route: in what order to see it<\/h2>\n

The ten sites are all concentrated within the town centre, which you can walk from one end to the other in just a few minutes, so the whole visit can be done on foot. The most efficient route, from the bottom to the top:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Cuevas del Sol Street and Cuevas de la Sombra Street<\/strong>, on both sides of the Trejo.<\/li>\n
  2. Climb to the Carmen Viewpoint<\/strong> and the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.<\/li>\n
  3. Andalusia Square<\/strong> as its focal point, with the Tourist Office.<\/li>\n
  4. Herrer\u00eda Street<\/strong> and the \u00abKiss Me in This Corner\u00bb spot.<\/li>\n
  5. El Torre\u00f3n<\/strong> and the Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Encarnaci\u00f3n Church<\/strong>, right at the top.<\/li>\n
  6. \u00abA flower, a woman\u00bb<\/strong>, the Hermitage of San Benito<\/strong> and the Liz\u00f3n Viewpoint<\/strong> to close.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The full tour, including stops for photos, takes between two and three hours<\/strong>. The village has uneven ground and cobbled sections, so comfortable footwear is advisable. And a useful tip for the summer: the streets beneath the rock stay cool<\/strong> and they offer the best shelter during the middle of the day.<\/p>\n\n

    How to get to Setenil de las Bodegas<\/h2>\n

    Setenil is about 18 kilometres from Ronda<\/strong> and just over 100 from M\u00e1laga<\/strong>.<\/p>\n