Gibraltar – The Rock with a big personality
Gibraltar is an eclectic mix of both British culture and tradition, mixed with the Spanish love of life and fiestas, which gives the place a vibrance that is unique to the Rock.
Located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar is approximately 6.7 km2 in area. Considering how small Gibraltar actually is, it has a comparatively large resident population of around 32,000.
This increases significantly during the week with the influx of workers resident in Spain. Inevitably this surge of people, coupled with regular and frequent go-slows on both sides of the frontier, increases traffic congestion during the week.
So, if you are planning a trip and will be crossing from Spain, it is better to leave the car in one of the frontier carparks and walk across, than sit in traffic queues, or cope with mopeds coming at you from every conceivable direction!
Many visitors to the Rock arrive either by sea on the cruise ships, or at Gibraltar airport. Indeed, the tourist and supporting industries generated from the various Mediterranean cruise ships arriving at the port, and supplying the ships themselves, form a significant part of the Gibraltarian economy.
A few things you should know before you visit Gibraltar
Most Gibraltarians are exceptionally proud of their British Gibraltar heritage, and are very welcoming by nature. Being Gibraltarian is a very important part of national identity, in much the same way as Scots view their own Scottish national individuality.
Gibraltarians generally speak both English and Spanish, as well as a derivative of both, known locally as Llanito. It is quite strange to hear both English and Spanish interspersed in the same sentence, but this is one of the things that gives Gibraltar it’s character and personality.
An important travel tip for shoppers, is that similar to the United Kingdom in the seventies and eighties, in Gibraltar the shops are generally closed on Saturday afternoons and all-day Sunday. So, if you are planning a shopping trip, make sure you check the opening times.
If you are planning to cross the frontier with Spain, another tip is to do so before the rush hour. 07:30 is usually fine, or if that is too early, leave it until around 10:30. If you are in town early, you can usually get a coffee in Casemates Square while you wait for everything to open up.
Also, if you are going to cross the frontier, be careful with alcohol and especially tobacco limits. Due to the low duty rates in Gibraltar, Spanish Customs are exceptionally hot in enforcing the regulations.
Travelling around Gibraltar
Don’t take the car into Gibraltar unless you really have to.
If you enjoy walking, this is undoubtedly the best way to get around most of Gibraltar. Pretty much everything is within walking distance.
You can’t fault the bus service in Gibraltar either. It really is excellent. At the frontier or on any bus, you can buy a day pass. This costs about £2.50 for an adult, and allows you to hop on and off wherever you want to.
I would recommend getting a tourist map so you can see where you want to visit, and if it is within your walking ability. You can pick one up at the frontier, and in Casemates at the Tourist information centre. You will also find them in various shops as well.
Taxis in Gibraltar are fairly inexpensive. You can generally get anywhere in Gibraltar for around £5 to £6.
Places to see in Gibraltar
In forthcoming articles, I will write about most of these individually. But here is a good starting point.
outside Trafalgar Cemetery
The Apes of Gibraltar or more accurately, the macaques of Gibraltar, are one of the most iconic symbols of the Rock. Whilst they mainly inhabit the upper rock, they are also occasionally seen in Trafalgar Cemetery and have been known venture into town. The macaques are fairly well behaved around humans and will jump on your shoulders.
However, you should remember that whilst the look very cuddly, they are wild and can bite. Like all ape and monkey species, they are natural thieves, so be careful of your bags, and never feed them.
Europa Point is the most southerly point of Iberian Peninsula and has great historical significance in the maritime history of the European continent. It is also home to the Trinity Lighthouse, the old chapel of Nuestra Señora de Europa (the Shrine of our Lady of Europe), and the Mosque of The Custodian of the Holy Mosques. From Europa point you also have fantastic views over the Algeciras bay, and over to Morocco.
Gibraltar Nature Reserve & Cable Car. The nature reserve is located on the upper Rock, can only be accessed by licenced Rock Tour vehicles, and if you have a head for heights, the cable car. The nature reserve includes many of the important tourist and historical sites on the Rock and is definitely a must see.
Top of the Rock – O’Hara’s Battery is the highest point on the Rock of Gibraltar, and is a long climb up, but worth the effort. This area was until recently off limits to the general public but has now been opened up.
St. Michael’s Cave, is a must see in Gibraltar. It is one of many spectacular natural caves on the Rock and is filled with stunning stalagmites and stalactites. Known to have been inhabited by Neanderthals in prehistory, it is made up of several halls and chambers, and also has a small underground lake.
Gibraltar Skywalk and Windsor Suspension Bridge. The Skywalk is a new attraction in Gibraltar which opened in 2018. It is located in the Nature Reserve on the Upper Rock, and if you can overcome the acrophobia, has some spectacular views in all directions. Not far from the Skywalk and connected by walking trails, is the Windsor Suspension Bridge, which stretches over the upper gorge.
The Moorish Castle is located high above the Old Town and overlooks the Casemates area of Gibraltar. It was originally built in the 8th century, destroyed, rebuilt in the 14th century and partially destroyed again. The Tower of Homage is still standing, and clearly bears the battle scars of its’ history.
Main Street and Casemates. Main Street is the main shopping area on Gibraltar and is a must on any trip to Gibraltar. Whether you need a new pair of shoes from Marks & Spencer or fancy a pint in the Lord Nelson in Casemates Square, you can’t visit Gibraltar and not visit this part of the Rock.
Ocean Village is a short walk across the road from Casemates Square, and is a very popular destination, especially in the evenings after work. There are lots of bars are restaurants and can get very busy in the summer season. Bruno’s is a very popular pub in Ocean Village which does good food as well.
The Great Siege Tunnels are an incredible feat of engineering, that were carved out of the Rock using only manual labour. They were constructed in just six weeks by the British military, in defence of the Rock from the combined forces of France and Spain. The siege lasted from 1779 to 1783. Entrance to the tunnels is included in your ticket to the Nature Reserve.
The Botanic Gardens are located at the end of Main Street near the Southport Gates. It provides a pleasant interlude from the day-to-day hustle and bustle of Gibraltar. The gardens are exceptionally well maintained, and there is a small zoo that was created for rescued animals that cannot be returned to their natural habitat.
