Exploring Ubrique: In the heart of Andalusia’s Serrania de Ronda Mountains

One of southern Spain’s renowned ‘pueblos blancos’ – whitewashed villages – is the alluring town of Ubrique, which dazzles under the bright sun, contrasting vividly to the emerald landscape of the beautiful Serrania de Ronda Mountains that surrounds the town.

This pretty pueblo blanco in the Cadiz province of Andalusia is a fascinating place to visit, providing travellers with enlightening insight into Spain’s Arab past.

Apart from its beauty and spectacular situation along the lush valley of the Rio Ubrique, and at the front of the crag of the Cruz de Tajo, Ubrique is world-renowned for being at the hub of the leather-making industry, supplying fine leather products to the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton. A leather museum – the Museo de la Piel – celebrates the town’s esteemed leather heritage, exhibiting various leather works and the old leather production machinery.

Another iconic feature of Ubrique is the town’s prominent bullfighting tradition. One of Ubrique’s most famous sons is Jesulin de Ubrique, a flamboyant bullfighter who remains a much-loved character in this traditional town. Paying homage to the controversial Spanish sport is Ubrique’s bullring and its bullfighting museum, aptly named Museo de Taurino Jesulin de Ubrique.

Though adversaries of bullfighting will be pleased to know there’s plenty to see and do in Ubrique that doesn’t involve the contentious Spanish tradition. Visiting the remains of the Moorish castle, the Castillo de Fatima, offers an educative excursion, which could be followed by a leisurely meal in one of the many quality restaurants, bars and cafes that  line Ubrique’s charming streets.

Being nestled in the Serrania de Ronda Mountains, where the breath-takingly beautiful natural parks of Los Alcornocales and Grazalema meet, Ubrique is surrounded by the most beautiful of natural landscapes, geared towards some truly spectacular hikes.