Hola! Welcome to Setenil de las Bodegas, one of the most unique white villages in Andalucia. What makes it stand out are the picturesque cave-like houses, restaurants, and small shops built directly into the cliffs. It’s a fascinating blend of nature and architecture! But don’t worry, there are more things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas that will make the trip worth taking! Winding streets, vibrant squares, historic landmarks, and breathtaking viewpoints await! Vamos!
Travel tip. You can easily visit Setenil and nearby Ronda during the same-day trip – they are located 20 kilometers apart, just 25 minutes by car.
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Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain FAQ
Setenil de las Bodegas is a small village located in Andalusia in the northern border of the Province of Cadiz in Spain. The town extends along the course of the Rio Trejo river.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind destination in Andalucia, Setenil de las Bodegas is a must-visit. Here, you’ll get a taste of something different that the region offers. You’ll see with your own eyes why this small white village has become a very popular tourist destination in recent years and was named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain!
Setenil is best known for the unique cave dwellings where houses, restaurants, and shops are built directly into the rock formations.
The name Setenil de las Bodegas reflects the village’s rich past. It’s believed that part ‘Setenil’ comes from the Latin phrase ‘Septem Nihil’ (seven times nothing) referring to the seven failed attempts by Christians to conquer the town. The second part was added later when the village became known for wine cellars (bodegas) and locals took advantage of the cool caves to produce and store wine. This tradition thrived until vineyards were devastated by phylloxera in the 19th century.
Things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Cave Houses
Cave houses in Setenil de las Bodegas date back to prehistoric times when early settlers took advantage of the natural rock formations for shelter. Unlike traditional caves, they were built into existing rock overhangs, using the cliffs as natural roofs and insulation, protecting from the summer heat and cold in the winter.
Over time, as Setenil developed, these rock shelters evolved into proper homes, and even shops and restaurants. Nowadays, these remarkable cave houses remain a highlight of the village, and exploring them has become one of the most important things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas.
While exploring Setenil de las Bodegas, be sure not to miss these interesting streets and squares full of unique cave architecture:
Calle Cuevas del Sol
Calle Cuevas del Sol is one of the most iconic cave streets in Setenil de las Bodegas where whitewashed houses and lively bars/restaurants sit beneath massive rock overhangs. Its name is translated as ‘Sun Street’ as for most of the day it’s bathed in sunlight. It’s the most touristy street in the village, usually very busy.
Calle Cuevas de la Sombra
Calle Cuevas de la Sombra is translated as ‘Shade Street’, this street offers a striking contrast to its sunny neighbor. Here, cave houses, shops, and cafes sit under a massive rock ledge that keeps the street in shade, creating an impressive and quite a dramatic tunnel. Cuevas de la Sombra is a great place to experience Setenil in a bit quieter setting.
Calle Herreria
Calle Herreria is one of the oldest streets in the village. It’s a narrow, steep, and peaceful cave street with traditional whitewashed houses lying under towering rock formations. It’s considered one of the most beautiful and romantic streets in Setenil de las Bodegas with the plaque ‘Bésame en este rincón’ (eng. Kiss me in this corner) at the end of it.
Calle Jaboneria
Calle Jaboneria is a picturesque street with a row of cave houses, most of which still function as inhabited private homes. Its name is translated into ‘Soap Factory street’, suggesting that it might once played a role in the village’s craft past – but its exact origin is unknown.
Calle Calcetas
Calle Calcetas is another charming, steep street on the outskirts of the village offering a more secluded look at Setenil’s cave homes. If you leave your car at Parking Los Caños, you definitely won’t miss it. There, you’ll also find several cave houses for rent.
Calle Cabrerizas
Calle Cabrerizas is one of Setenil’s hidden gems located opposite Calle Calcetas. When reaching this street, it feels like making it to the end of the town, away from all popular cave streets. It’s a perfect spot to get a nice view over Setenil de las Bodegas from a distance.
Plaza de Andalucia
Plaza de Andalucia is the lively square in the heart of the upper part of Setenil. It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops, some of which are built into the rock. It’s a great place to relax for a moment and soak in the town vibe. We think Plaza de Andalucia looks best from the small viewpoint above, on the street leading to the remains of the castle.
Right above Plaza de Andalucia, you’ll also find Setenil de las Bodegas Tourist Office.
Book now: Setenil de las Bodegas and Ronda Complete Tour from Malaga
Uff, these are all the cave streets we wanted to recommend. We’re sure that now you understand why they are such a big deal here and for many travelers exploring them became one of the most important things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas. Without a doubt, these make this village a unique destination in Andalucia.
Travel tip. If you decide to spend a night in Setenil de las Bodegas (which we highly recommend) be sure you choose an accommodation in one of the cave houses like Tajito Romano or Casita en el Tajo. It’ll be an experience like no other!
Viewpoint: Mirador del Carmen
For amazing views over Setenil, be sure to head to the Mirador del Carmen viewpoint. You’ll need to climb 93 steps but what awaits at the top is worth it! Here you’ll admire panoramic views over the village but also take an iconic photo with the Setenil sign. You can also visit the Hermitage of the Virgin of Carmen dating back to the 18th century. Climbing Mirador del Carmen is without a doubt one of the top things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas.
Also visit nearby: 10+ Things To Do In Ronda, Spain On A Day Trip
Remains of Setenil de las Bodegas Castle
The remains of the Setenil de las Bodegas castle are a reminder of the village’s Moorish past. It was built in the 12th century and played a key role in defending the area. In its heyday, the castle had about 40 towers and it was really hard to conquer – Christians tried seven times before finally succeeding in 1484!
Today, only a fraction of the original castle still stands – a well-preserved tower (Torre del Homenaje) and a short stretch of ancient walls. From the tower, you can admire panoramic views over Setenil and its surroundings from the highest point possible. You can buy tickets in the tourist office – entrance costs €2 (March 2025). For many, visiting the tower is one of the best things to do in Setenil.
In the area around the tower, you’ll also find a small viewpoint, a bench with a plaque above it with ‘Lo mejor de Setenil está aquí y eres tu’ sentence (eng. The best of Setenil is here and it’s you), and House of the Lady of Setenil – a small museum focused on village history (entry included in the price of the ticket to the tower).
Discover: Accommodation options in Setenil de las Bodegas
Church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
Just a few steps from Torre del Homenaje, you’ll find a small parish church – Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. It was built on the site of the old mosque between the late 15th and early 17th centuries, mostly in Mudejar and late Gothic style. Both the exterior and interior are very simple. Near the church you can also find a viewpoint (Mirador de la Villa) with nice views of the surrounding countryside. Setenil de las Bodegas church can be visited for free.
Discover more beautiful Andalusian white villages 🩵
Viewpoints in Setenil de las Bodegas
You’ll find several amazing viewpoints in the town. You don’t need to visit all of them but be sure to choose at least some – it’s one of the best things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas!
We’ve already mentioned some of them throughout the post but now let’s put them all together:
- Viewpoint Mirador del Carmen
- Viewpoint on Calle Ventosilla Alta street
- Viewpoint on Calle San Sebastian street
- Viewpoint Mirador de la Villa
- Torre del Homenaje
We’ll mark them all on the map at the end of the post.
Book now: Setenil and Ronda Guided Tour Day Trip From Seville
How to get to Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain?
Setenil de las Bodegas is located about 20km from Ronda, 95km from Malaga, 80km from Marbella and 85km from Estepona. The most convenient way to get to Setenil is by car or with an organized tour.
Where to park in Setenil de las Bodegas?
Your best option is to leave your car in Parking Los Caños, a paid parking garage located in the lower part of the city. You can also try to find a spot along streets like Calle San Sebastián, located in the upper part of the town.
But whatever you choose, if you travel in high season or just a nice sunny day during the weekend, be sure to arrive early as spots fill quickly and later you may have trouble finding any place.
Airports near Setenil de las Bodegas
The closest airports to Setenil are located in Malaga (100km away), Seville (125km away), and Gibraltar (130km away). From them, you can reach the village by bus, but we advise you to rent a car for a faster and more pleasant journey. You can check the connections that might interest you on the rome2rio.com website.
For great car rental deals visit: Rentalcars
To Setenil de las Bodegas by public transport
From some places, you can get to Setenil by bus but usually it’s quite a long journey, sometimes with few stops. It looks like it’s best to arrive by train or bus to Ronda first, and then travel by bus or taxi to Setenil. To check the connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website. To see the map of available train connections in Spain, visit acprail.com website.
Camping Setenil de las Bodegas
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping El Nogalejo or Camping Pueblo Blanco might interest you. All are located close to the village.
To Setenil with an organized tour
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning or looking for some unique experiences, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. You can for example choose this popular and well-rated Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas Complete Tour from Malaga (or its Seville equivalent). If you prefer to explore with a private guide, there’s an amazing Private Tour of Ronda and Setenil de Las Bodegas available too!
For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options, visit GetYourGuide or Viator.
Explore local attractions
Things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain – Summing up
Now you know what Setenil de las Bodegas is all about. It’s such a unique Andalusian village, isn’t it? No wonder it became a very popular travel destination! There might not be many things to do in Setenil but it’s still a place worth visiting even for a few hours, especially when combined with a trip to Ronda. Have a great time in Setenil!
Our video from Setenil de las Bodegas
Our opinion about Setenil de las Bodegas
For us, a visit to Setenil was a day trip from Benalmadena Costa where we lived for a few weeks. We visited the village in mid-December and during that time it was quiet, without many tourists. Exploring everything we wanted in Setenil took less than 4 hours.
We visited Setenil during our second time living in Andalusia, after hearing so many positive things about it. Overall, we liked it and we think it’s indeed a unique destination in the area, but to be honest, it didn’t impress us that much. Nearby Ronda made a much better impression on us.
Cave streets and houses looked cool (but not as cool as ones in Guadix), views from the viewpoints were nice too, streets were clean and well-taken care of, but… We just felt like we were visiting an average-looking Andalusian white village. Don’t know, maybe just after reading so many amazing things about Setenil, our expectations were too high. Oh, and we were really annoyed by cars inside the village – they really ruined the perception of Setenil.
So yes, we left a bit disappointed. But even with all of that, we can understand why Setenil de las Bodegas is a popular travel destination in Andalusia. Be sure to visit by yourself and form your own opinion. Enjoy!
Book now: Setenil de las Bodegas and Ronda Complete Tour from Malaga
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Setenil de las Bodegas?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Setenil de las Bodegas:
Where to sleep in Setenil de las Bodegas?
La Posada
La Posada is a charming accommodation set in the heart of Setenil de las Bodegas unique white village, famous for its cave dwellings. This property offers cozy, traditionally decorated rooms, blending rustic charm with modern comforts. Its central location allows guests to easily explore the town’s picturesque streets, local restaurants, and breathtaking rock formations.
Alojamiento Rural Carmen
Alojamiento Rural Carmen is a cozy rural retreat in the scenic village of Setenil, offering a peaceful and authentic Andalusian experience. The accommodation features charming, well-equipped spaces with a rustic touch, perfect for a relaxing stay. Its location provides easy access to the town’s famous cave streets, local dining spots, and stunning natural surroundings.
