Gibraltar Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Architecture
Gibraltar's interesting architecture includes the 14th-century keep of the much-rebuilt Moorish Castle; the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, a mosque before its conversion to a Christian chapel in 1462, which houses the 15th-century image of the Patroness of Gibraltar; and the Lighthouse and Mosque, which blends classic Islamic design with modern facilities.

Gibraltar Museum
See a replica of the Gibraltar Skull - the first Neanderthal skull found in Europe (1848) - and caveman tools and ornaments excavated from the Rock’s caves. There are also exhibits from the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Moorish, Spanish and British periods of the Rock’s history, a comprehensive collection of prints and lithographs, and a large-scale model of the Rock made in 1865.

Macaque monkeys
In the Apes’ Den, take pictures of the famous Barbary apes, which are in fact not apes but macaque monkeys without tails. These are the only wild primates in Europe.

Marina Quay and Queensway Quay
These two modern marina developments provide visitors with the chance to indulge in some serious people watching while sampling delicious seafood in attractive harborside restaurants.

St Michael’s Cave
St Michael’s Cave is situated 300m (1,000ft) above sea level, and was known to the Romans for its spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. It is part of a complex series of interlinked caves, including Leonora’s Cave and Lower St Michael’s Cave. Today, it is used for concerts and ballet. The Upper Galleries, hewn by hand from the Rock in 1782, house old cannons and tableaux evoking the Great Siege (1779-1783).

Trafalgar Cemetery
Find the town’s ancient cemetery just off Main Street, at Southport Gate. Trecherous sea battles took their toll, with many lost lives commemorated here. Browse the intricate and well-kept headstones, some dating back to 1789.

Top Things to Do

Admire the greenery
A large area of the upper rock has been declared a nature reserve, and since 1991 new species of plants have been planted to create botanical gardens.

Birdwatching
Birdwatching can be undertaken in spring and autumn, when thousands of migrating birds stop off on their way between their breeding grounds in northern Europe and their wintering areas in Africa. Owls, eagles, harriers, hoopoes, buzzards and black kytes join resident species such as peregrine falcons, blue rock thrush and barbary partridge.

Cable-car
Take a cable-car trip to the top of the Rock. Built in 1966, the Top Station is on the summit of the Rock, from where visitors can see Spain to the north and southwards to Africa. The cable-car journey stops at the Apes’ Den.

Changing of the Guards
This takes place several times daily at the Convent - residence of the governor, and formerly a 16th-century Franciscan Monastic house.

Fishing
There are several charter boat companies who will to take tourists on half and full day fishing excursions. Ask the tourist office for details.

Guided walks
Go on a guided walking tour around the almost-complete city walls, every Friday at 1030.

Mediterranean Steps walk
Starting at O’Hara’s Battery (the highest point in Gibraltar), the walk snakes down the eastern cliff, and around the southern slopes, to the western side of the Rock.

Relax at the beach
On the east side are Eastern Beach, Catalan Bay and, towards the south, Sandy Bay, where the Rock is very sheer and parking difficult. Little Bay, a pebble beach, and Camp Bay/Keys Promenade are on the western coast. Pier fishing facilities are available. Scuba-diving, parasailing and waterskiing can also be practiced.

Rock Tour
The 90-minute Official Rock Tour takes visitors to the various attractions around the Rock.

Spanish road trip
Go on a day trip to Ronda, Malaga and Jerez in Andalucia (the Spanish province); day trips by air to Tangier and other Moroccan cities can also be arranged.

Whale watching
The Bay of Gibraltar is home to a large population of dolphins and whales, and tourists can take boat trips to view these fascinating creatures.