If you are in the Campo de Gibraltar area, you are going to visit relatives or you want to do a mini Gibraltar excursion, this guide will be very useful…. because you know… What to see in Gibraltar?
Surely if you talk about Gibraltar the first thing that comes to mind is a rock and monkeys… but Gibraltar is much more, history, culture, a cosmopolitan city/state, a financial hub and a population that speaks “Spanglish”. with an Andalusian touch, yes you heard correctly and it is called “LLanito” both in the local dialect and in the demonym.
Gibraltar, apart from all this, has a unique feature, and the city is crossed by an airport, yes, you heard correctly, you will have to cross the airstrip to get from one end of the British colony to the other.
Well, once this small paragraph is done, which may seem like nonsense to you now, but once there it will surely be funny, let’s get down to business.
The 10 mandatory things to see in Gibraltar
Do not waste time and follow our updated and most complete guide to essentials on your visit to Gibraltar, curiosities, tips and secret routes.
Where is Gibraltar and how to get there?
Well, you can hardly miss it, it is the border city with La Línea de la Concepción, here you can see it on the map and see if there is a queue to enter or not, this British colony is part of the Bay of Algeciras along with the cities of the La Línea de la Concepción, San Roque, Los Barrios and Algeciras (Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain).
From Malaga airport it is exactly 124km (1h and 20 min)
The common is:
- Going to Gibraltar by car: it is the easiest and most comfortable way, but parking inside is almost impossible or expensive. I would recommend walking across the border and parking on Línea de la Concepción.
- Walking: You just have to cross the border by foot, usually quite quickly.
- An organized excursion: Due to the peculiarities of the rock of Gibraltar and its great interest in tourists, there are a large number of excursions from Malaga, Seville or Cádiz.
- By Air: Gibraltar airport has direct flights to Bristol, Manchester and London.
Being Spanish or European, only with the valid DNI/ID is valid to cross the border control. No passport is necessary.
10 essential places you have to see in Gibraltar
Gibraltar is quite small, how can you explore it on foot? We’ll see 😉 It has an area of less than 7 km². and quite and flat (and full of plains – southern joke-) but be careful if you want to see everything you will have to pull your legs, because the streets begin to get steeper as you climb the rock, yes, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Bay from Algeciras, the entire region of Campo de Gibraltar and Africa.
1. The impressive 360º views from the Rock of Gibraltar
Of course, the views of Gibraltar have to be in first position, there are several viewpoints, but they will all leave you speechless.
- Skywalk. On the top of the Rock. Seeing the Strait of Gibraltar, the Bay of Algeciras, the impressive mountains of Ceuta and Africa, even the neighboring towns, honestly take your breath away.
They are 340 meters above the sea, 360º views and a viewpoint with a glass floor, amazing!
As a curiosity, it was inaugurated by the very actor who plays Luke Skywalker in Star Wars in 2018, Mark Hamill. So if you are a fan of the galactic saga, you have another excuse to visit Gibraltar.
To get to the viewpoint you can do it on foot (I recommend it, but be prepared for the climb), by taxi, renting an electric bike from Ebike or from the last stop of the cable car.
- The cable car. You can also enjoy spectacular views from the cable car, the exit is right in the center of Gibraltar (calle real)
2. See the Gibraltar monkeys
And of course… THE MONKEYS.
If Gibraltar is known for something, it is for its famous monkeys, and it is that these cute little animals are not always in a good mood, in fact they will recommend that you be careful, but it is a full-fledged essential on our visit to Gibraltar.
These macaques are the only primates that are free in all of Europe.
The population is always around 250 specimens and like good primates they are divided into families and clans. In the Natural Reserve of the Rock of Gibraltar you can see them calmly, although it is not uncommon to see them browsing the city.
As recommendations they will tell you: don’t bother them, don’t take photos too close, don’t give them food, always close your backpack and be careful with your pockets, they are thieves. Just enjoy the visit and don’t make a scandal around them, think that you are the one in their house 🙃
There is a guided tour called the Monkey Talk Gibraltar, very interesting, they will explain the history of these primates, how they live and how they reproduce.
3. Enjoy the center of Gibraltar (Calle Real and surroundings)
I could not describe it, since it is a mixture of architectures and cultures in a small space, better to see it, but if you walk through the streets you will surely hear its inhabitants speak in the “llanito” dialect, believe me something very curious.
Arab, Jewish and Catholic buildings and areas of worship practically all in 4 streets, open-top 2-story buses, red telephone booths, endless spots to take a selfie
From Main Street (Calle Real), Casemates or Irish town you will find small corners with a lot of charm.
4. The beautiful Cave of St Michael and caves.
Not only views in open spaces, Gibraltar also has magnificent views from within the Rock. Yes, you heard right, you can enter inside it, as if it were Batman.
St Michael’s Cave is an impressive thousand-year-old cave of stalactites and stalagmites that will transport you to another era. The visit is a joy, not only how beautiful it is, but also, it is equipped with lights, music and a concert area.
You can also do caving (only for the most daring) in La Cueva de St Michael. There is a second cave just below where space is less and I would not recommend it for everyone
5. Does Gibraltar have beaches? yes and they are free
Not everything will be walking, there is also a little while to enjoy the beaches of Gibraltar and why not, a year if the weather is good. A Mediterranean temperature helps that in Gibraltar you can go to the beach many days a year. Here you can take a look at the webcams of the Peñón beach
The famous beaches that you will find in Gibraltar:
- Sandy Bay is perfect if you want to stand up paddle boarding.
- Catalan Bay, La Caleta. The hotel-restaurant right at the beginning of the beach is wonderful. And the colorful houses on the beachfront attract a lot of attention.
- Levante Beach is the largest beach in Gibraltar.
- Camp Bay and Little Bay is a small swimming area, but without sand.
6. Do the Mediterranean Steps, hiking in Gibraltar:
I think it’s well worth it, it’s not long and it doesn’t get very heavy either. The Mediterranean Steps trail in Gibraltar is a very nice route where the slope is not very steep and the steps are not very steep either, I recommend it. A way to change the environment within the same city.
Less than an hour long, the trail has some amazing views. It starts at the Jewish Gate Cemetery and ends at O’Hara’s Battery, the point that served as a defense in World War II and the highest point on the Rock.
7. The Windsor Suspension Bridge, do you dare?
One of the most particular places, and especially if you are not afraid of heights, is the Windsor Suspension Bridge. Located in El Parque del Peñón de Gibraltar, it is a suspension bridge 50 meters above the ground and a length of 71 meters 😱
8. Gibraltar Marina Bay and see dolphins in the wild
Who said that nature and modernity were not compatible? Whether you like to see yachts, or if you want to eat, have a drink, take a walk, play the casino or see dolphins in Marina Bay it is possible. Here you will find the agency to watch marine cetaceans, dolphins in freedom in the Strait.
If you want a bit of relaxation and see if it’s your lucky day, you can go play at The Sunborn Yacht Hotel casino. A mega-ship turned floating hotel docked in the Port of Gibraltar, it has a casino, a mega-top restaurant and luxury rooms.
9. See the Rock from a bird’s eye view. Helicopter in Gibraltar
Well yes, we are talking about riding in a helicopter to see Gibraltar, the Strait, Africa and the entire Campo de Gibraltar region.
On a clear day (west wind) you will enjoy the views, it is about a 20-minute journey and the price is around 140 pounds. If you have a budget, I recommend it.
10. More things you have to visit in Gibraltar
Although you already have homework for a while, I think these recommendations will come in handy, whether you like to speed up your visits or if you have several days to stay in Gibraltar.
- Gorham Caves in Gibraltar a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Gibraltar’s Moorish Castle has always witnessed disputes since medieval times.
- The WWII Tunnels are highly recommended if you like history.
- The Alameda Botanical Garden is a haven of peace in the heart of Gibraltar.
Where to eat in Gibraltar
This is the list of restaurants that I recommend in Gibraltar:
- The Sunborn Yacht Hotel: it is the hotel-boat that I told you about before. Perfect if you want to treat yourself one day.
- The Caleta Hotel is an Italian restaurant on the Caleta beach.
- The Bristo Point has breathtaking views of the Strait. If it’s windy it’s practically impossible to go out on the terrace without ending up like Mary Poppins.
- The Rendezvous Chargrill is perfect for tapas.
- Ocean Village the marina has many bars and pubs where you can eat.
Gibraltar curiosities
- It has the same time zone as Spain (peninsular).
- Driving is on the right.
- The plugs in Gibraltar are like those in the UK, with three pins, although you can also usually find the typical European two-pin plug in hotels. Anyway, I recommend you take a universal adapter just in case.
- It is the only city crossed by an airport in the world, you will cross the runway to go from one end of the city to the other.