Gibraltar Travel Guide at a glance
Why visit Gibraltar: Unique history, the iconic Rock – and monkeys!
How long to spend: 1-2 days – perfect as a daytrip from Southern Spain
Don’t miss: The Rock, obviously! Make time to explore the tunnels as well as meet the monkeys
Hidden gem: The Gibraltar National Museum and the beautiful Catalan Bay
A tiny, one-of-a-kind place perched on the dramatic Rock. A little slice of Britain at the tip of Spain – complete with red phone boxes, a fascinating history and the only wild monkeys in Europe.
Honestly? I had no idea what to expect from Gibraltar, but I left enchanted by it. Gibraltar’s mix of British quirks, Mediterranean sunshine, and centuries of history make it a fascinating spot for a day trip or weekend escape.
In this guide, I’ll share the best things to see and do in Gibraltar — from exploring the famous Rock and its tunnels to discovering pastel-hued Catalan Bay, spotting dolphins, and crossing one of the world’s most unusual runways.
Best Things to Do and See in Gibraltar
Below is a guide to the top things to see and do in Gibraltar. You can also view all the attractions in this blog, plus my top bars and restaurants in Gibraltar on this map.
The Rock of Gibraltar
Gibraltar is only small, and the Rock dominates it. The town was originally built on its slopes. You can see it for miles around. It’s the reason for its fascinating history.
A visit to the Rock is an absolute must in Gibraltar. And there’s a lot to see. Including:
- The famous Barbary Macaques, Europe’s only wild monkeys.
- St Michael’s Cave, a huge cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites, and the most beautiful spot in Gibraltar.
- Miles and miles of military tunnels, used to defend Gibraltar during multiple wars and sieges. You can learn about some of these in the tunnels themselves – such as the World War Two tunnels experience and the Great Siege Tunnels.
- The Rock itself – an absolute geological marvel, which offers views over Gibraltar and across to Spain and Morocco
Because of the amount to see on the Rock, I’d really recommend planning what to see in advance, and maybe booking a guided tour. You can find out more, including top tips, in my full guide to visiting the Rock of Gibraltar.
Duty free shopping
Other than the Rock, the main appeal for a lot of people in Gibraltar is the duty free shopping, with many goods available VAT-free.
To be honest, this wasn’t really our thing, and when we did look in the shops we found that in reality, most things weren’t actually much cheaper than over the border in Spain – or even more expensive.
Two things that are definitely cheaper are cigarettes and alcohol, if that’s your thing. The iconic and historic Lewis Stagnetto brand is the way to go – they have a number of shops along Main Street.
If you’re interested in duty free shopping, read Visit Gibraltar’s guide.
Explore Gibraltar’s Old Town
We were surprised and charmed by Gibraltar’s lovely, largely pedestrianised Old Town. Some of the architecture is stunning, with the main town area filled with Gibraltar’s most important buildings, British pubs and shopping brands, and the heart of Gibraltarian life. I’ve written a full guide to architecture in Gibraltar here. But below is a quick guide to the main buildings and sights to look out for.
Top sights in Gibraltar’s old town
- Casemates Square – Gibraltar’s main square, and the gateway into the City Centre. It’s lined with bars, restaurants and shops, with an old British barracks building at one end. The square is also one of Gibraltar’s main hubs, hosting events throughout the year.
- Main Street – Also known as Calle Real, Main Street runs the whole way through Gibraltar’s old town, and is lined with shops and some of Gibraltar’s most beautiful buildings, reflecting its blend of influences – including British Regency, Andalusian and Genoese.
- Irish Town – A small, pretty pedestrianised street that runs parallel to Main Street. Its name likely comes from an Irish regiment stationed in Gibraltar, who lived on the street. In the 18th century it was known as a street of ‘ill-repute’.
- The Convent – This is the official residence of the governor of Gibraltar, and has been for a few hundred years. It was originally a convent built in the 16th century, hence its name. It’s said to be haunted. Attached to it, you’ll find the small King’s Chapel – the oldest church in Gibraltar.
- The Catholic Cathedral – Officially called the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned, this is Gibraltar’s main Catholic place of worship and one of Gibraltar’s most impressive buildings. Like many Cathedrals in this region of Europe, it was built over the top of the old mosque from the Moorish period. It has a courtyard lined with pretty tiles.
- The Protestant Cathedral – Officially called the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, this church is more modern, built in the 19th century. It is inspired by Moorish architecture, which you can see in its arches.
Read my guide to exploring the best architecture in Gibraltar here.
Go on a dolphin spotting boat tour
The Bay of Gibraltar is home to three species of dolphins – the Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin and the Striped Dolphin. What we didn’t realise is how many of them there are. But not long into our boat tour, we spotted a dolphin. And then another. And then another. And soon, they were everywhere. Swimming under the boat, and in all directions around us.
It’s a magical experience, and a great way to get up close with these amazing creatures. There are also a number of other sea creatures you might see. We had the pleasure of seeing a sunfish.
There are three main providers of dolphin tours. I can recommend Dolphin Adventure, who we used. We had an amazing time, with informative and engaging guides. You can use the below tool to find availability and book.
You can explore the other options here.
You can also buy a ticket that includes a Cable Car trip up the Rock.
Learn about Gibraltar’s history at its National Museum
Gibraltar’s excellent national museum details its fascinating and utterly unique history. Among its historic treasures include well-preserved ruins of Arabic baths, which were found under the current building, and an Egyptian mummy that was found in the bay in the 19th century after the ship transporting it to the UK was wrecked. It also features a model of Gibraltar, created in the 1860s, around which you’ll find historic photos.
Entry is a rather pricey £15, but visiting is a must if you want to find out more about Gibraltar’s history. It also includes entry to the Gibraltar Natural History Museum, which is a fair distance away in Parson’s Lodge, and we didn’t get a chance to visit.
Cross Gibraltar’s runway (and into Spain!)
Okay, so you pretty much have to do this, given it’s the only way in or out of Gibraltar (unless you arrive by boat). But nonetheless it’s a unique experience, and one of the more unusual things you can do in Gibraltar.
Gibraltar’s runway is one of the few in the world that the public can walk across. And if you flew into Gibraltar, it’s a pretty surreal experience walking across the runway you only landed on a few minutes earlier! On top of this, the runway offers some pretty amazing views of the Rock.
Plane watching: Because of the proximity of the runway to Gibraltar’s main town, you can get some pretty amazing views of planes taking off and landing. There’s a small viewing terrace in the airport. Just next door is a supermarket, Eroski – upstairs it has a cafe and outdoor terrace, with great views of the runway. Elsewhere, the Holiday Inn Express is a great place to stay for a runway view. If this is of interest to you, make sure to check Gibraltar Airport’s arrival times, as there are only a few flights a day.
Crossing into Spain: Gibraltar borders with the small town of La Linea – a perfectly pleasant, workaday type Spanish town, with a nice pedestrianised centre and some great restaurants. It’s well worth crossing over the border to find yourself suddenly in a different country!
Gibraltar’s hidden gem, Catalan Bay
One of Gibraltar’s prettiest spots – and a bit of a hidden gem – is Catalan Bay. A tiny fishing village, isolated from the main town on the east side of the Rock, it’s filled with gorgeous pastel-coloured houses, a pleasant beach and a historic church. There are also a few beach bars and cafes. It’s a wonderful place to spend a bit of time while in Gibraltar.
Visit Ocean Village
Ocean Village is Gibraltar’s modern marina area. It’s a beautiful spot and shows a different side to the city. Especially popular with ex-pats and British tourists, it has a number of familiar British chain restaurants (Pizza Express, Wagamamas, Las Iguanas) and some British-style pubs. Two notable spots are Little Bay Indian, one of the best restaurants we visited in Gibraltar, and the Hendrix Pub, which hosts live music and pub quizzes.
Eat and drink at Gibraltar’s pub and restaurants
For such a small place, Gibraltar has an excellent food scene, with restaurants reflecting its mix of British and Mediterranean influences. Think fish and chips, as well as tapas and global cuisine.
It’s also home to loads of vibrant British-style pubs. Explore the best bars and restaurants and Gibraltar.
Lounge on Gibraltar’s beaches
Gibraltar is only small, and it’s very built up. If it’s beaches you’re after, I’d recommend heading to nearby towns in southern Spain – such as Tarifa, or along the Costa del Sol. That being said, there are a number of small and pleasant beaches in Gibraltar which are worth visiting when you’re there.
Eastern Beach is the longest, found on the east of the peninsula and stretching up to the airfield. It has a beach bar, and is a great spot for plane spotting while lounging on the beach. It also offers some of the best views of the Rock anywhere in Gibraltar.
Further down the Eastern side, Catalan Bay has a nice, small sandy beach – and a little further along still is Sandy Bay. You can easily walk to Catalan Bay (about 5/10 minutes from Eastern Beach). For Sandy Bay I’d recommend getting a bus.
Along the Western side are a number of small beaches, too. At Little Bay you’ll find a couple of saltwater swimming pools (free to use, though were quite dirty when we were there) and beach bars. Celebrity Cruises has a good guide to visiting beaches in Gibraltar which you can read here.
Alameda Botanical Gardens
There’s very little green space in Gibraltar – so a visit to the Alameda Botanical Gardens makes for a lovely break from the city’s hustle and bustle. The gardens were created in the 19th century to give British soldiers a place to relax, and make for a lovely stroll. You’ll find both native plants, and those from abroad. It also has an open air theatre which hosts a number of events. Entry is free. Visit website.
Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park
Gibraltar’s small zoo began as a place to house animals that had been rescued from the illegal black market. It opened to the public in 2002, and has both exotic and native animals. It’s a great place to visit in Gibraltar with kids to see the animals and also to learn about animal welfare and trading. Visit website.
Europa Point
Europa Point is the southern end of Gibraltar – and it’s one of the most southern points in Europe. There’s not a lot to do here, but you’ll be rewarded with excellent views across to Morocco, only a few miles away. There’s a lighthouse, sports stadium, and mosque, which was built in 1997 and you can visit the inside of.
Explore all these attractions & more on my Gibraltar tourism map.
How to get to Gibraltar
Gibraltar has its own airport, with daily flights from a number of UK cities, including London and Manchester. You can use the below tool to find the cheapest flights and book.
If you’re flying from elsewhere, the closest airport is Malaga, with flights to cities all over the world. You can use aviasales to find the cheapest flights. You’ll then need to get a bus to La Linea, the town bordering with Gibraltar. This takes about 2 hours and can be booked here.
If you’re travelling from elsewhere in Spain, the easiest way is to travel by bus. Coaches go to La Linea, which is the town on the Spanish side of the border, from Malaga, Seville, Cadiz, Marbella, Torremolinos and other spots across the Costa Del Sol. You can find times and book tickets here.
Once you arrive at La Linea coach station, it’s a short 5-10 minute walk across the border to Gibraltar.
Getting around Gibraltar
Once you’re in Gibraltar, travelling around is easy. It’s only a small place, and you can just about walk everywhere. There are also a number of bus routes – you can see these here. Buses are quite affordable, and you can pay using cash or contactless.
There is also one taxi company in Gibraltar – the Gibraltar Taxi Company. It’s a more expensive way to get around but can be convenient. There’s usually a rank of taxis in Casemates Square.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Gibraltar
Is Gibraltar worth visiting?
Yes – Gibraltar is a unique place, with its highlight being the utterly dramatic Rock of Gibraltar. If you’re on a trip to southern Spain, it’s well worth a visit. Here are five reasons why Gibraltar is worth visiting:
1. To explore one of Southern Europe’s most dramatic geological formations
2. To hang out with Europe’s only wild monkeys
3. To learn about the unique and vital role this small peninsula has played throughout history
4. To explore the fascinating – sometimes bizarre – hybrid culture of Gibraltar
5. To discover somewhere completely different to anywhere else you’ll see on your trip to Andalusia
How long do you need in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar is a small place, and you can see most of its sights in a day. I’d recommend visiting as a day trip from Southern Spain – although if you can spare the time, it’s well worth hanging around for a night or two to soak up the unique culture a little more.
And if you just want to amble around pretty streets, mooch in cafes and eat fish and chips, Gibraltar is a great place to go slow for a little while.
Is one day enough to see Gibraltar?
Yes — you can see most of Gibraltar’s top sights in a single day. The territory is small, and its main attractions are close together, making it perfect for a well-planned day trip. That said, the Rock Nature Reserve alone is packed with things to see, so it’s best to go in with a plan — check out my guide to the Rock of Gibraltar to help prioritise.
If you have time, staying a night or two lets you explore at a slower pace, enjoy Catalan Bay or the Old Town in the evening, and experience Gibraltar once the day-trippers have gone home.
What’s the best area to stay in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar is compact, so wherever you stay you’ll never be far from the main sights. For first-time visitors, the Town Centre and Marina area (around Ocean Village) are the most convenient — close to shops, restaurants, and the cable car to the Rock.
If you prefer something quieter and more scenic, Catalan Bay or the South District are good options.
For more tips, hotel recommendations and area breakdowns, read my full guide to where to stay in Gibraltar.
What language do people speak in Gibraltar?
English is the official language, but most locals are bilingual and also speak Spanish and Llanito — a unique local mix of the two. You can read more about this in my blog interesting facts about Gibraltar.
What is Gibraltar?
Gibraltar is a small British overseas territory on the Iberian peninsula. It borders with the Spanish town of La Linea, in the Cádiz region of Andalucía.
It has been British since 1713 because of its strategic location – and has played a vital role in a number of wars. The British military still has a visible presence in Gibraltar, but nowadays it’s better known for its tourism, monkeys and duty free shopping, with millions of visitors every year.
Read my other Gibraltar guides
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