Highlights
The Upper Rock Nature Reserve
Reached on foot or by cable car, the top of the Rock gives views across the Strait to Morocco on clear days. The reserve covers most of the sights below and is home to Gibraltar's famous Barbary macaques.
The Barbary macaques
Europe's only wild monkey population lives on the Rock, mostly around Apes' Den and the top cable-car station. They are used to people but are wild animals: do not feed them, and keep bags and food out of reach.
St Michael's Cave
A large limestone cave with dramatic stalactites, part of which has been turned into an auditorium used for concerts and events.
The Great Siege Tunnels
Tunnels cut by hand into the Rock by British soldiers during the Great Siege of 1779 to 1783, with gun positions overlooking the isthmus. The later Second World War tunnels can be visited on separate tours.
Mediterranean Steps
A steep, demanding footpath that climbs the eastern side of the Rock from Jews' Gate to O'Hara's Battery, with sheer drops, wild flowers and views along the Spanish coast. Go early, wear proper shoes and take water.
Europa Point
The southern tip of Gibraltar, with its red-and-white lighthouse, the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, a shrine to Our Lady of Europe and views across the Strait to the Rif mountains of Morocco.
Main Street and Casemates Square
The pedestrianised spine of the town, with British-style pubs and shops, the Gibraltar National Museum nearby and Casemates Square, a former barracks area now full of cafés.
Dolphin watching
Boat trips from the marinas head into the Bay of Gibraltar, where common, striped and bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen.
Interesting facts about Gibraltar
- The road into town from the Spanish border crosses the runway of Gibraltar International Airport, and traffic stops when planes take off or land.
- Gibraltar covers less than 7 square kilometres, yet the Rock contains more than 50 kilometres of tunnels.
- Together with Jebel Musa in Morocco, the Rock was one of the Pillars of Hercules that marked the edge of the known world in antiquity.
- Gibraltar has been British since 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht, and its residents speak English and often a local mix of English and Spanish called Llanito.
- Remains of Neanderthals have been found in Gibraltar's caves, and the Gorham's Cave Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best time to visit
Gibraltar has a mild Mediterranean climate and can be visited all year. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are pleasant for climbing the Rock and walking the steeper paths. Summer is hot and humid, and cruise-ship days make the town and cable car busy. Winters are mild but can be wet and windy. A local cloud known as the Levanter can sit over the Rock when the east wind blows, hiding the views, so keep the summit flexible if you can.
Practical information
| Capital | Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| Currency | Gibraltar pound (GIP), at par with pound sterling; sterling is accepted and euros are widely taken, often at a less favourable rate |
| Languages | English |
| Plugs | Type G, C |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 for all emergency services |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Similar to the UK: around 10 percent in restaurants if service is not included, and rounding up in taxis. |
Getting around
Gibraltar is compact and largely walkable, though steep. Local buses run between the border, the town and Europa Point. The cable car climbs to the top of the Rock, or you can walk up through the nature reserve; taxi and minibus tours of the Upper Rock are popular too. Many day visitors walk across the border from La Línea de la Concepción in Spain, as queues for cars can be long. Gibraltar airport has flights to the UK, and the nearest major Spanish airport is Málaga.
Staying connected in Gibraltar
Coverage across Gibraltar is generally good, though signal can be weaker inside the tunnels and caves. Because Gibraltar sits right next to Spain, your phone may connect to a Spanish network instead, especially near the border, at the top of the Rock and on the east side; check which network you are on, as Gibraltar is outside EU roaming rules. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafés and pubs. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Gibraltar eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Gibraltar
- Google Maps: Walking routes through the town and up the Rock; download offline maps in case you lose signal in the reserve.
- XE Currency: Comparing prices in pounds and euros, since many places quote both.
- Google Translate: Handy if you continue into Spain for the day; download Spanish for offline use.