August 8, 2025, 11:48 am | Read time: 5 minutes

Spain boasts many spectacular sights, but a particularly unique natural phenomenon can be found in the south of the country, in the Andalusia region. In the province of Cádiz lies the village of Setenil de las Bodegas, home to 2,600 residents, nestled right into the rock. TRAVELBOOK introduces this extraordinary place.

How the Rock City Came to Be

In Setenil de las Bodegas, natural features and architecture meet directly. Just a few minutes from the city of Ronda, the village is situated in a rocky gorge. Along the small Río Trejo river, white houses are built directly against or under the massive rocks. Setenil developed over a long period, with the oldest traces of human settlement dating back to prehistoric times.

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According to “andalusien360.de,” the exact timing of settlement cannot be precisely determined. It is likely that the Moors used the protected location to build a small fortress. In the 15th century, the Catholic monarchs conquered the village after seven sieges. The name “Setenil” probably derives from the Latin septem nihil (“seven times nothing”). Later, wine was cultivated in the surrounding area, stored in cool wine cellars under the rocks, giving the place the addition “de las Bodegas.”

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The Most Beautiful Places in and Around Setenil de las Bodegas

Calle Cuevas del Sol & Calle Cuevas de la Sombra

Setenil de las Bodegas is particularly known for the two streets Calle Cuevas del Sol and Calle Cuevas de la Sombra. They are part of the “Pueblos Blancos” (“white villages”), which are notable for their white facades and can be found throughout much of Andalusia. The white lime mortar coating serves as heat and insect protection in areas that often reach temperatures of more than 40 degrees.

Calle Cuevas del Sol runs directly under the rock overhangs, which loom like roofs over the houses. As the name suggests, the sun hits the street mainly in the morning. In addition to residential houses, there are small cafes, souvenir shops, bars, and some former wine bodegas.

On the other side of the Río Trejo is Calle Cuevas de la Sombra. It is mostly in the shade, making it pleasantly cool even during the warm summer months. While the sunny side is more lively, Calle Cuevas de la Sombra primarily serves as a residential area and appears particularly calm and mystical in the evening hours due to its deep rock overhangs.

Iglesia de la Encarnación

Externally rather simple but still worth a visit is the main church of the area, Iglesia de la Encarnación. Built in the late Gothic style, the church is located right next to the old Moorish castle of Setenil de las Bodegas. Its location in the upper part of the village offers a great view of the nearby river. Particularly noteworthy is the altarpiece of the Annunciation inside the church, depicting scenes from the childhood of Jesus, created in three parts at the end of the 15th century, as reported by “guíadecadiz.com.”

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Ronda

Close to the rock city of Setenil de las Bodegas lies another noteworthy place, Ronda. Only about 20 minutes away, it also offers an impressive panorama. The reason: Ronda is situated on two rock plateaus separated by a deep gorge. They are connected by the Puente Nuevo bridge, which spans the El Tajo gorge and offers a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In the old town (“La Ciudad”), you will find the typical white houses reminiscent of a classic Andalusian mountain village. Numerous viewpoints, such as the Jardines de Cuenca park, are also perfect for a photo stop in the city, which is over 700 meters above sea level.

Traveling to Setenil de las Bodegas

Setenil de las Bodegas is best reached from Germany by plane and rental car. Destination airports are either Málaga or Sevilla, both of which are regularly served from several German cities. From Málaga, the drive by car takes about 1.5 hours, and from Sevilla, around 2 hours. Public transportation is limited, so a rental car is recommended.