Unique Things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

Share and Subscribe

Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the most unique villages in southern Spain, and has been on my list for so long. I finally got the chance to visit—and it truly lived up to the hype.

What makes this town so famous and unique is that the houses are built directly into massive rock formations. Because of this unique approach, instead of removing the cliffs, people built their homes underneath them in the most creative way.

This post contains affiliate links where I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Your support helps me continue to provide valuable travel tips and recommendations.

Below are helpful resources to make your travel planning easier and stress-free:

Since Setenil is a small town, it doesn’t take long to explore—but it will definitely leave a mark. Even so, it’s quiet, beautiful, and has a charm that’s hard to explain. As you walk under the giant, dramatic rocky overhang and through the narrow streets, it feels surreal—like you’ve stepped into another world. And if you enjoy photography, you’ll also love taking photos here—I know I did.

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know: where to walk, what to eat, and a few tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

What is so special about Setenil de las Bodegas?

First and foremost, Setenil de las Bodegas has a really unique history that goes way back to prehistoric times. Currently, the population is about 3,000 people but people have been living in this area for thousands of years. In fact, some of the earliest homes were actually caves carved into the cliffs.

Moreover, what makes Setenil so special today are these same cave houses, which are still being used! Instead of building homes on top of the rocks, people built them into the rocks. As a result, it’s one of the few places in Spain where you can walk down a street and see homes, cafés, and shops tucked under giant stone walls.

There are two main streets where you can really see this—Cuevas del Sol and Cuevas de la Sombra. One side is sunny, the other is shaded by the overhanging rocks, which keeps the area nice and cool. It’s amazing how this natural rock becomes part of everyday buildings.

Another interesting place to visit is the Torre del Homenaje, the old tower that’s part of a medieval castle. It has great views of the town and sometimes has temporary exhibitions inside. Although Setenil may be a small town, it’s full of character, history, and surprises.

How to get to Setenil de las Bodegas?

AIRPORT

The closest international airports are Seville (SVQ) and Málaga (AGP) — both about 1.5 to 2 hours away by car. If you are OK driving, renting a car is the easiest and most flexible option, especially if you plan to explore nearby towns like Ronda.

CAR + PARKING

Driving is the easiest and most flexible way to get to Setenil. It’s about 20 minutes from Ronda, 1.5 hours from Málaga, and around 2 hours from Seville or Granada. We drove from Málaga, and the roads were in great condition. Plus, the drive itself was really beautiful—especially as we got closer to the village, with views of the gorgeous countryside. When you arrive in Setenil, you can park for free on C. San Sebastián, here is the Google location of the street, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the main area with all the cafes. Another option for parking at this garage.

TRAIN

You can take a train to Ronda, which is the nearest major town with a train station. From there, you can grab a taxi or rent a car for the 20-minute drive to Setenil. Ronda is a great place to explore too, so you could even combine both in one day trip.

TOUR GROUPS

If you’re staying in Málaga or Seville and don’t want to drive, you can book a guided day tour that includes Setenil and often Ronda too. It’s an easy way to see the village without worrying about transportation. Seville Tour Groups and Málaga Tour Groups.

Things to do and see in Setenil de las Bodegas

Setenil is a small town but there’s plenty to enjoy while you’re there! The main thing that makes it so special is how the town is literally built into the rocks, so just walking around is part of the experience!

Walk Down Cuevas del Sol and Cuevas de la Sombra

These are the two main streets in Setenil, they’re both must-sees and are amazing for taking photos!

Cuevas del Sol is the sunny side, there are tons of cafés, shops, and cave houses.

Cuevas de la Sombra is more shaded, with rocky overhangs that cover the street—so cool to walk under.

Sit at a Café Built Into the Rock

Make sure to stop at a café or restaurant to experience what it’s like to be in a pla

ce built right into the cliffside. Some have natural rock walls and ceilings, which makes it feel extra cozy and unique.

Make sure to stop and sit at a café or restaurant built right into the rock. There are plenty along the main street, Cuevas del Sol. Once you’re inside, you’ll see that some of these places even have rocky overhangs built into the ceiling or walls—it’s such a cool detail up close

I stopped at Bar Frasquito for a late breakfast — it’s right on the main street (C. Cuevas del Sol) that has the big rock hanging over it. Even though they had a full menu, they didn’t serve food from the menu until lunch! The only thing available (and what everyone else seemed to be having) was bread with crushed tomatoes and olive oil. So that’s what we ordered. When in Rome!

Spot the Romantic Quotes Around Town

One of my favorite things about Setenil is the romantic little phrases you’ll find written on walls and doorways as you walk throughout the town. They’re sweet, unexpected, and add so much personality to the streets — like love notes scattered across the village.

Climb Up to Torre del Homenaje

If you want an incredible view, go up to this old tower—the Torre del Homenaje. It’s part of the 14th-century castle ruins and gives you a beautiful lookout over the white village and countryside. Sometimes there are temporary exhibitions inside too, so it’s worth checking out.

Try Local Sweets and Pastries

Setenil has a few small bakeries where you can try Andalusian sweets and pastries. It’s a nice treat and a good excuse to take a break while exploring. Look out for places selling homemade goodies—it’s part of the local charm.

Wander the Narrow Streets and Hidden Corners

Take your time getting lost in the narrow streets and quiet corners. The best thing about Setenil is how peaceful and unique it feels. Every turn has something different, it can be a pretty view, a hidden shop, or just the way the houses are tucked into the rocks.