The Amazing Town of Setenil de las Bodegas
In this article, I will take a tour of everything you need to see in Setenil de las Bodegas, a beautiful town in the Cadiz mountain range that is part of the so-called “Route of the White Villages”.
In addition to being in a beautiful location, in the Trejo river canyon, Setenil de las Bodegas has a unique difference with the rest of the white villages, the difference is that a good part of their homes have been “built” under a rock ledge which make it one of the most original and most beautiful villages in Spain.
Want to book a day trip to Setenil de las Bodegas?
WHAT TO SEE IN SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS
Being a small town, you can easily see everything that needs to be seen in just one morning or afternoon. Visiting Ronda and Setenil de la Bodegas in the same day it is a very good idea.
THE POPULAR STREET CUEVAS DEL SOL
Cuevas del Sol Street (sun caves) is undoubtedly the best known street in Setenil de las Bodegas and the image that we all have in mind when thinking about this original town.
It is a narrow street normally crowded with tourists, on the side of the street is the small river Trejo. The main feature of this street, as its name suggests, is that its houses are excavated in the mountain and receive sunlight most of the day.
This is not the only street to see in Setenil de las Bodegas with these peculiar houses, you can also find them in the Cuevas de la Sombra street (shadow caves), Mina Street, Herrería Street, Jabonería Street, Cabreriza Street, Triana Street, San Román Caves and Calcetas Street.
Also on this street you will find a lot of bars and restaurants to have lunch or have some tapas.
CALLE CUEVAS DE LA SOMBRA IS ANOTHER OF THE MOST POPULAR STREETS TO SEE IN SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS
From Cuevas del Sol Street, crossing two small bridges, you can access another of the most beautiful streets in Setenil de las Bodegas, Cuevas de la Sombra Street.In this street you will also find cave houses where, due to the narrowness of the street, sunlight is hardly reached. Here you will find restaurants and various very sweet artisan patisseries.
THE BEAUTIFUL PLAZA OF ANDALUCIA
Strolling through Cuevas de la Sombra Street, and continuing to Calle Ronda (and after climbing an insufferable slope) we arrive at the Plaza de Andalucía, one of the most beautiful plazas in Setenil de las Bodegas. In this street you will find several bank branches, bars and coffee shops.
CALCETAS STREET, ONE OF THE MOST SINGULAR STREETS TO SEE IN SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS
One of the nicest streets to see in Setenil de las Bodegas is Calle Calcetas, where you will find beautiful cave houses. To get there you must cross the archway from the Plaza de Andalucía through Callejón Street, just in the curve, next to the Hotel Villa de Setenil, you will find some stairs that will lead you to Calcetas Street.
TORREÓN DEL HOMENAJE
The Torreón del Homenaje is the only remainings left from the old Almohad Alcázar, it is from the 12th-13th centuries and stands on top of the town.
Currently the tower is being renovated, becoming one of the best monuments to visit in Setenil de las Bodegas.
Inside you can find different traveling exhibitions and from its roof you will get beautiful views of Setenil and its surroundings, you can even see the neighboring town of Olvera.
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE INCARNATION ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES TO SEE IN SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS
The church of Our Lady of the Incarnation is one of the most beautiful churches you can visit in Setenil de las Bodegas. It was built on top of the old mosque of the town, contructed in late Gothic style and under the patronage of the Catholic Monarchs between the XV – XVII centuries.
Inside there is a Crucified Christ from the beginning of the 17th century, a Chasuble of silk and gold donated by the Catholic Monarchs in the consecration of the building and a table-painting altarpiece from the end of the 15th century.
SETENIL VIEWS FROM THE ROAD
Finally, something indispensable to see in Setenil de las Bodegas is the views of the town from the road. From there you can take some very cool photos.
WHERE TO EAT IN SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS
Setenil de las Bodegas has a very good gastronomy offer. The town is full of bars and restaurants, but it is in Cuevas del Sol Street and Cuevas de la Sombra Street where you can find most of the famous tapas bars such as Frasquito Bar, La Escueva, La Tasca, La Bodeguita, Calvente Bar, La Cueva del Iberian, etc.
Want to book a day trip to Setenil de las Bodegas?