Hotels
Best hotels in and around Gibraltar: eight places to stay on both sides of the border
The Rock of Gibraltar rises 426 metres straight out of the sea, with apes at the top and a view to Africa on a clear day. Gibraltar is small and has few hotels. That is why we have included hotels on both sides of the border: four in Gibraltar and four on the Spanish side, where you walk across the border from La Línea.
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Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, at the entrance to the Mediterranean. It covers less than seven square kilometres, and most of that is the Rock itself. The town lies on the western side, with Main Street, Casemates Square and the Ocean Village marina. At the top is the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, with St Michael's Cave, the Great Siege Tunnels and the famous Barbary macaques.
Gibraltar has few hotels, and only four meet our standards. So we have also included four hotels on the Spanish side, in San Roque, near Sotogrande and around Estepona, from fifteen minutes to around 50 minutes by car from the border. All eight have a guest rating of at least 8.8 out of 10 and more than 50 reviews on Expedia. Our links go there, and the hotel is always chosen before the link. The hotels in Spain are clearly marked (Spain) in their headings.
Quick answer: where should you stay in and around Gibraltar?
To walk everywhere, stay in Gibraltar, at The Rock Hotel or on the Sunborn hotel ship. For golf, pools and lower prices, stay on the Spanish side in San Roque or near Sotogrande and drive in. To combine with the Costa del Sol, stay in the old town of Estepona.
Best in Gibraltar: The Rock Hotel
Most unusual: Sunborn Gibraltar
Best for self-catering: West One by Bentley
Best for golf (Spain): Hotel Inmood San Roque
Best on the Costa del Sol (Spain): Hotel El Pilar Andalucia
How to choose the right hotel in and around Gibraltar
Gibraltar or Spain: in Gibraltar you can walk to restaurants and the cable car. On the Spanish side you get more space and often lower prices, but you cross the border every time.
The border: you walk across the border from La Línea in a few minutes. Bring your passport, as Gibraltar is outside the Schengen area. By car the queue can be long at rush hour.
Car: you do not need a car in Gibraltar. If you stay in Spain, a car is easiest, and you can park in La Línea and walk across.
Currency: Gibraltar uses pounds, but euros are accepted in most places. On the Spanish side you pay in euros.
Flights: Gibraltar has its own airport with flights from London. Many fly to Málaga instead, around an hour and a half's drive away.
The terrace at sunset
The terrace overlooking the bay at sunset at The Rock Hotel.
In Gibraltar
All the hotels in Gibraltar are on the western side of the Rock, between Main Street, Casemates Square and Ocean Village. You can walk to most things, and the cable car takes you up to the Upper Rock.
The Rock Hotel: the classic on the slope
The Rock Hotel sits on the slope below the Rock and has been Gibraltar's best known hotel since the 1930s. It has a pool in the garden, a bar and Alfred's restaurant, with views over the bay towards Spain and Africa.
This is our pick in Gibraltar, if you want a classic stay with a view. It is a steep walk down to Main Street, but the cable car to the top starts close by. Sit on the terrace at sunset and watch the ships in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Rock Hotel
The hotel ship at night
The Sunborn hotel ship at its berth in Ocean Village in the evening.
Sunborn Gibraltar: a hotel on a ship
The Sunborn is a luxury hotel on a large ship permanently moored in Ocean Village. On board you find a spa, a casino, two restaurants and terraces looking over the marina and the Rock.
This is our most unusual pick, for couples and anyone who wants something different. The restaurants and bars of Ocean Village are right outside, and the border is close by. Eat at one of the restaurants along the quays in the evening.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sunborn Gibraltar
One of the bedrooms
A bedroom with large windows at West One by Bentley.
West One by Bentley: apartments with a pool
West One offers modern holiday apartments near Casemates Square, with kitchens, a seasonal outdoor pool, a gym and parking. The apartments are bright, with large windows.
This is our pick for families and longer stays, when you want to cook for yourself and have more room. Main Street and the marina are within walking distance. Shop for food around Casemates and have dinner at home with a view.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at West One by Bentley
The terrace
The terrace at Holiday Inn Express Gibraltar.
Holiday Inn Express Gibraltar: simple and central
Holiday Inn Express is a modern hotel in central Gibraltar, with free breakfast, a terrace and Nunos, an Italian restaurant. The rooms are simple and modern.
It suits you if you want an affordable, easy base for a couple of nights. It is not luxury, but guests rate it highly, and the location makes it easy to walk to most things. Spend what you save on the cable car and a guided tour at the top.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Holiday Inn Express Gibraltar
The pool in the evening
The pool at Hotel Admiral Casino and Lodge in the evening.
In Spain: San Roque and Sotogrande
Just north of the border lies La Línea, and behind it the municipality of San Roque, with the golf courses of Alcaidesa and Sotogrande. The hotels here are fifteen minutes to half an hour by car from the border. You park in La Línea and walk across to Gibraltar.
Hotel Admiral Casino and Lodge: close to the border (Spain)
The Admiral is in San Roque in Spain, near the Alcaidesa Links golf course and around fifteen minutes by car from the border. The hotel has a casino, a garden, a bar and a pool.
It suits you if you want a quiet stay on the Spanish side and drive into Gibraltar by day. You get more space and often a lower price than in Gibraltar itself. Play a round at Alcaidesa, with views towards the Rock.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Admiral Casino and Lodge
The pool
The pool among the palms at Hotel Inmood San Roque.
Hotel Inmood San Roque: a golf hotel near Sotogrande (Spain)
Inmood sits by the San Roque Club golf course, close to Sotogrande and the famous Valderrama course, around 25 minutes by car from the border. The hotel has a pool with a swim-up bar, a gym with yoga and a terrace.
This is our golf pick, if you want to play the famous courses in the area and spend a day in Gibraltar. Drive to the marina in Sotogrande for dinner by the water.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Inmood San Roque
The facade at night
The facade of Hotel El Pilar Andalucia in Estepona in the evening.
In Spain: Estepona and the Costa del Sol
Estepona lies on the Costa del Sol, around 45 minutes by car north east of Gibraltar. The old town has white houses, flower pots and murals, and the town has a long seafront promenade. Further east, towards Marbella, golf courses and newer hotels sit in the hills above the coast.
Hotel El Pilar Andalucia: in Estepona's old town (Spain)
El Pilar sits in the old town of Estepona, near La Rada beach and the harbour. The hotel has two bars, three restaurants, a bright courtyard and bike hire, and guests rate it very highly.
It suits you if you want to combine the Costa del Sol with a day trip to Gibraltar. Expect around 45 minutes each way to the border. Wander the streets of the old town in the evening and have tapas on one of the squares.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel El Pilar Andalucia
The pool
The pool in front of the hotel at THE FLAG Hotel near Estepona.
THE FLAG Hotel: for adults between Estepona and Marbella (Spain)
THE FLAG lies east of Estepona, towards Marbella, near the Selwo wildlife park and with a golf course close by. The hotel is designed for adults, with a spa, a garden, a terrace and a pool in front of the hotel, and has one of the highest guest ratings in the area.
It suits couples and adult travellers who want calm and golf on the Costa del Sol and a day trip to Gibraltar. It is the furthest of our hotels from the border, around 50 minutes by car, so it works best as a Costa del Sol base. Hire a bike and follow the coast, or drive to Puerto Banús one evening.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at THE FLAG Hotel
When should you book?
April to June: warm and pleasant, and good for walking on the Rock.
July and August: the hottest and busiest months, especially on the Spanish side. Book early.
October to March: mild and quiet, with low prices. The easterly levanter wind can put a cloud over the Rock.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Gibraltar
How many nights do I need in Gibraltar?
Two nights is enough to see the Rock, the cave, the tunnels and the town. Many combine Gibraltar with a few days on the Costa del Sol or in Andalusia, and then the hotels in San Roque and Estepona are a good choice.
Is it cheaper to stay in Spain than in Gibraltar?
Often, yes. The hotels on the Spanish side have more space and lower prices, but you cross the border every day. On foot it takes a few minutes, but by car it can take longer.
How do I walk across the border from La Línea?
Go to the border crossing in La Línea, show your passport and walk on through. After the border you cross the airport runway, and you are in the centre in about fifteen minutes.
How do I get to Gibraltar from Northern Europe?
The easiest route is to fly to Málaga and drive or take a bus from there, around an hour and a half. Gibraltar also has its own airport with flights from London.
Are hotels in Gibraltar expensive?
Hotels in Gibraltar cost more than on the Spanish side, because there are so few of them. Prices are highest in summer and at weekends.