Setenil de las Bodegas: Southern Spain’s Cliffside Village
The beautiful cliffside village of Setenil de las Bodegas
On our way to Ronda, we made an unexpected stop in one of the most unique villages I’ve ever seen—Setenil de las Bodegas. If you ever find yourself exploring southern Spain, this spot is absolutely worth the detour.
Under the cliffs in Setenil
Setenil de las Bodegas
Our private tour to Ronda (booked in advance through the concierge at Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort—thank you, Aga!) had to take a longer route due to recent flooding. Our amazing guide Francisco from Indiana Natura made the best of the change and brought us through Setenil. It ended up being one of the highlights of the day.
Setenil is a small white village tucked into the cliffs above the Río Trejo in Andalucía. What makes it stand out from other pueblos blancos is how the homes and shops are built directly into the surrounding rock. This type of construction, along with the white-painted walls, help keep the village cool during the region’s hot summers.
We arrived mid-morning and wandered the narrow, whitewashed streets. I tried to imagine what it would be like to live here, in one of the cliffside homes with swallows nesting in the rocky walls. Thousands of them return each spring, rebuilding tiny mud nests tucked into crevices. We stopped to watch them for a while—a glimpse into nature’s ecosystem at work. You can enjoy this moment in our video below:
Join us for our tour of Setenil
Then we stumbled on one of my favorite travel moments of the trip: a tiny cave bar (La Tasca) that also serves coffee with cozy stone walls and cute little tables. The vibe was simple, warm, and welcoming—and our coffees were just 1.15 euros. It’s not every day you sip espresso under a rock ceiling that’s been part of the landscape for generations.
Coffee at La Tasca
We also popped into a small pottery shop inside another cave. I picked out two handmade blue and white Andalusian-style ceramic bowls, hand-painted and only 5 euros each. Simple, useful souvenirs I’ll cherish every time I use them.
Beautiful handmade pottery in Setenil
As a dog lover, you know I had to stop to talk to a friendly dog in a sweet little souvenir shop. He stole my heart for a few minutes and of course, I had to take his picture.
Our new friend in Setenil
Setenil might be small, but it’s packed with charm, texture, and stories. Whether it’s the way the rock forms part of everyday life or the swallows returning to build their homes, everything feels beautifully connected to place and rhythm.
If you go:
Setenil is about 20–30 minutes from Ronda and easy to add to a day trip.
You can explore the main streets on foot in under an hour but save time to linger in the cute little cafes.
The cave cafés and shops are concentrated along Calle Cuevas del Sol and Calle Cuevas de la Sombra
Try to arrive early before the crowds, especially in high season
You might also enjoy these articles: (Coming soon!)
Marriott Marbella Beach Resort: Our Southern Spain Adventure
Exploring The Alhambra in Southern Spain
Exploring Granada in Southern Spain
Wandering Marbella’s Old Town: From Cobblestone Streets to Boho Boutiques
Have you ever had coffee somewhere truly unexpected or unique? I’d love to know, share with me in the comments below.
