Gibraltar holidays
Gibraltar is a mix of the exotic and the familiar. Red pillar boxes, a decent fried breakfast, fish and chips, afternoon tea and recognisable shops like Marks & Spencer give this ‘Rock’ a very British stamp. Yet Gibraltar is so much more than a British outpost. Here you’ll find tapas, scudding dolphins and its infamous wild monkeys, the Barbary macaques, all sitting within a sub-tropical climate.
Conquer the Rock
You may need to physically cross its airport’s runway to enter this tiny 2.5 square miles British Overseas Territory, but that’s just one of Gibraltar’s lovable traits . It’s dominated by a huge Jurassic limestone monolith, weaving through which are an incredible 34 miles of tunnels alongside some impressive caves.
Stroll its acres of botanical gardens or hop onto its cable car to soar 400 metres up and take in views of two continents, three countries and two bodies of water. For a small ‘Rock’ it packs quite a punch.
Whether you choose a dolphin-spotting boat tour or a paddle around Sandy Bay with its sands imported from the Sahara – Gibraltar loves to indulge. Stroll through acres of beautiful botanical gardens, take on its sky platform for epic views and meet mainland Europe’s only population of wild monkeys. Book your flights to Gibraltar today.
Carefully selected Gibraltar hotels
Best hotels in Gibraltar for all types of traveller
Stay at the iconic, purpose-built Sunborn Gibraltar yacht – Gibraltar’s first five-star stay. You’ll find it moored at the vibrant Ocean Village Marina. Offering views of the Med from its elevated spot is The Rock – Gibraltar. This art deco hotel includes Winston Churchill, Sean Connery and John Lennon among its former guests. Find the perfect, rooftop poolside perch in which to take in views of the bay at the centrally located Eliott Hotel. It’s also a short walk from restaurants and shops. If it’s the utmost in convenience you need, you can’t go wrong with the comfortable Holiday Inn Express Gibraltar, close to the airport and moments from Ocean Village’s marina and casino.
Gibraltar holiday FAQs
- There’s nothing quite as life-affirming as watching dolphins play. You can find pods of these creative cetaceans somewhere around the Rock on most days. Not only do they gather food and feed together, but these creatures also soothe each other to sleep. If you take a boat tour from Marina Bay that cruises the Strait, you might even be lucky enough to see one or two catching a flying fish.
- Take a stroll to the small Catalan Bay, on the eastern side of the Rock, and escape the main city. During the 19th Century, only fishermen were allowed to live here, even then their numbers were limited. Many of the families who live here now are their descendants. You’ll also find the Our Lady of Sorrows church here where each September a statue is carried from here to the beach and is blessed in the sea.
- It takes just six minutes for the cable car to climb up the Rock to its apex more than 400 metres above sea level. When you arrive, expect to be greeted by its famous wild monkeys, as well as beguiling views of two continents, two bodies of water and three countries. On a clear day look north east towards the Sierra de las Nieves and the Costa del Sol, east over the blue Mediterranean and south to the Rif Mountains of North Africa.
- There’s plenty of beaches in Gibraltar, and popular spots include Little Bay and Camp Bay to the south west, where you’ll find a lido built in a former quarry. It’s also the location of Europe’s first artificial reef – created by activists to protect sea life. Catalan Bay lies to the east and has a village, and it’s round here you’ll find Sandy Bay. This secluded beach has distinctive orange sand because 50,000 tons of it was imported from the Sahara to replace what was washed away by stormy seas. While here, you can also try your hand at coasteering, paddleboarding or surfing.
- Discover the city’s swashbuckling history at the Gibraltar National Museum with its maze of rooms exhibiting anything from prehistoric and Phoenician Gibraltar to the Great Siege (1779 to 1783). You’ll also find 14th Century Islamic baths and a 7th Century BC Egyptian mummy that was discovered in the 19th Century.
- If you have a head for heights, you’ll love the Skywalk – which protrudes over the edge of a cliff. At 340 metres above sea level, it’s higher than the top of London’s Shard. Walk across its glass-bottomed platform for views over three countries and two continents. Enjoyed that? You may want to try the wobbly, white-knuckle walk across the Windsor Suspension Bridge, which sits above a vertiginous gorge.
- About a 15-minute walk down from the top cable car station is St Michael’s Cave – a natural cave that’s full of history. It’s also crammed with stalagmites dating back thousands of years, which are brought to life by a spectacular light and sound installation. The cave also houses an auditorium for events and concerts, which can seat 400 people.
- This tiny British Overseas Territory on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula covers just 2.6 square miles– much of which is set around a huge imposing limestone rock that was created millions of years ago.
- Main Street is where you’ll find plenty of Brit-style caffs, pubs, and duty-free shopping. Close to here is the Gibraltar National Museum where you can learn all about this city’s fascinating history before heading to The Convent. Built in the 16th Century, it was the home of Franciscan friars but is now the official residence of British governors and is where you’ll catch the changing of the guard.
- For a deeper delve into The Rock’s history, you might like one of the tours around Gorham’s Cave. Fossils and artwork unearthed in this UNESCO World Heritage Site revealed it to be one of the last stomping grounds of the Neanderthals before their extinction around 40,000 years ago.
- If you love plants, you’ll adore the acres of paradisical planting at the Alameda Botanic Gardens before taking the cable car to the top of the Rock to be greeted by some stellar views. From here you can access the nature reserve (with a ticket), allowing you to explore some of Gibraltar’s most protected areas and access attractions like St Michael’s Cave, Great Siege Tunnels, the Moorish Castle and the breathtaking Skywalk.
- Hopping in a hire car enables you to take the coastal road from Gibraltar to Marbella – a very manageable 50 miles. With plenty of stop-offs, you’ll get to imbibe the culture of this beautiful part of the Costa del Sol.
- A first stop at San Roque’s Old Town provides early 18th Century neoclassical structures along narrow cobbled streets. Contrast this to the revelry of nearby Sotogrande marina with its glitzy cafes and passing yachts. Meanwhile golf lovers can make their way to San Roque Golf Club with its two championship courses. Golfers will love a stay at golf resort SO/Sotogrande.
- Carrying on along the main A-7 coastal route, you might want to take a small detour to picturesque Torreguadiaro or La Chullera before heading to Estepona. This once sleepy fishing port has become quite a draw thanks to its snazzy nightclubs and 17 pristine beaches – most with lifeguards. While here, don’t miss the glass domed Orchidarium (housing 1,500 species of orchids).
- Why not stay at the spa hotel of Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa.
- Back on the A-7 it’s a short drive to Estepona, famed for its traditional character, depicted by white-washed buildings awash with colourful flowers, and a maze of cobbled streets. For the epitome of luxury, Ikos Andalusia, an ultra-all inclusive beachfront resort, is hard to beat.
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