Gibraltar holidays: the Rock, the apes and the Strait
A slice of Britain at the southern tip of Spain, with a limestone rock over 400 metres high, wild apes and views to Africa. Gibraltar works as a day trip or an unusual long weekend.
The Rock of Gibraltar
Photo: Michal Mrozek / Unsplash
Gibraltar at a glance
You are on top of the Rock, 400 metres above the sea, and a Barbary macaque is sitting on the wall next to you eyeing your bag. Across the Strait are the mountains of Morocco, only around 15 kilometres away. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, and down in town there are red phone boxes, pubs and pounds, but Spanish sunshine.
The whole territory covers under seven square kilometres, so you can see most of it in a day. Many visitors come from the Costa del Sol, around two hours from Málaga by car or bus. For more ideas, see our Europe travel guide.
What to see
The Upper Rock and the apes
The nature reserve at the top is reached by cable car or on foot. It is home to Europe's only wild monkeys. Keep food out of sight, as they will steal it.
St Michael's Cave and the tunnels
The great limestone cave doubles as a concert hall. The Great Siege Tunnels were cut into the Rock during the siege of the 18th century.
The Skywalk and Europa Point
The glass Skywalk platform hangs 340 metres above the sea. Down at Europa Point, the southern tip, are the lighthouse and a mosque looking towards Africa.
Dolphins in the bay
Boat trips leave the marina for the Bay of Gibraltar, where several species of dolphin live all year.
Europa Point
Photo: Kent Rebman / Unsplash
When to go
March to June and September to November: comfortable temperatures for walking on the Rock.
July and August: hot and busy with day-trippers from the Costa del Sol. Go early.
Winter: mild, though the easterly Levanter wind can wrap a cloud around the summit.
Good to know
Bring your passport. There are border checks between Spain and Gibraltar. Check the current rules before you travel.
The currency is the Gibraltar pound, at par with sterling, and UK notes are accepted everywhere. Euros are widely taken at a poorer rate.
Queues at the border by car can be long. Park in La Línea and walk across.
The airport is right at the border, so you walk past the runway on the way in.
Where to stay
Gibraltar has few hotels. The Rock Hotel is the 1932 classic on the slope above town, and Sunborn Gibraltar is a yacht hotel in the marina. Most visitors still stay on the coast, see our Costa del Sol guide.
Frequently asked questions about Gibraltar
How much time do I need in Gibraltar?
A full day covers the Rock, the cave and the town. Stay a night if you also want a dolphin trip.
Do I need a passport for Gibraltar?
Yes. There are border checks between Spain and Gibraltar.
How do I get from Málaga to Gibraltar?
By hire car or bus to La Línea, then on foot across the border. The journey takes around two hours.
Can I fly to Gibraltar from the UK?
Yes, there are direct flights from London and Manchester. The flight takes under three hours.