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A short break to Gibraltar: the top must-do things

A view of the rock of Gibraltar at sunset

By Emma Marshall

Where can you go where you can walk across the airport runway to get to your hotel, explore a rock that has over 30 miles of tunnels bored into it, and wander along country paths and not bat an eye at a large monkey sitting preening itself on a fence?  The answer is on a short break to Gibraltar.

A picture of a British Airways plane on the runway in Gibraltar.  You can uniquely walk across this runway to your hotel
The runaway at Gibraltar airport that you can walk across

I recently spent two nights in this tiny British Overseas Territory that borders Spain on its southern shores.  It’s only 2.6 square miles but you can easily fill a weekend exploring all the sights Gibraltar has to offer.

Read on for the top must-do things on a short break to Gibraltar.

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A short break to Gibraltar: the top must-do things

One of the moneys you can see on the rock of Gibraltar - you can see these on a short break to Gibraltar
A monkey on the rock!

Most of the top things to do in Gibraltar on a short break to Gibraltar centre around “The Rock”. This is hardly surprising since at almost 1,400 foot, it’s impossible to go anywhere without staring up and seeing it.  

It has also played an important role in some of the historical events that have shaped Gibraltar’s history. You can learn more about these during your stay. 

Below I’ve listed the essentials that I think should be on everyone’s list for a short break in Gibraltar. Read on for more information on what to do in Gibraltar.

A trip to the summit of the Rock of Gibraltar

This is a must and pretty unavoidable since many of the things you will most likely want to do are part of the Rock of Gibraltar itself.  But I’d recommend going straight to the summit where you will be rewarded with some breathtaking, panoramic, views.  

You can either drive up, or take an organised tour (see below). You can also opt to walk via the Mediterranean Steps (apparently not for the faint hearted!), or brave the cable car ride that takes you from the town’s Main Street.  

I chose to take the cable car.  I have to say that even though I’m not a fan of them (see my post on my experiences of taking the cable car up Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf Mountain), this one is fine.  

It only takes six minutes and is a fairly smooth ride. In no time you’re stepping out and looking straight at the Rock’s peak.  You won’t be disappointed and will snap some incredible photos from the vantage point here.

Picture of the viewing station at the top of the Rock of Gibraltar - you can see the rock and look out across to the sea
The viewing station at the Rock of Gibraltar

There is a café here, so you could stop off for a cuppa. Alternatively, you could do as I did and stroll downhill along a pathway which offers up some stunning views which you won’t want to miss.

If this is on your to do list, make sure you stop off about twenty minutes into the walk. Here you’ll find the glass Skywalk which provides a 360-degree vista out across the sea.

Meet the Gibraltar monkeys

A picture of a Gibraltar monkey sitting in the sunshine
A Gibraltar monkey!

It’s almost impossible to have a short break to Gibraltar and not see its famous monkeys.

Although you normally have to leave the town and start ascending the Rock to run into the furry residents, one local did tell me that they do, on occasion, wander into town.  

The specific breed here are the barbary macaques. This is a species normally found in north Africa, but present in Gibraltar as the only wild troop in Europe.

Organised tours will take you to the spots that they are most likely to hang out in – for example, Apes’ Den.  Once there you get to see quite a few all in one place.

This is primarily because they are drawn by the lure of food from some of the tour guides. Note, however, that the Gibraltar tourist board asks that you don’t feed the monkeys as it can encourage aggressive behaviour as they vie to get the titbits.  

I witnessed this on my first day. None of the monkeys were aggressive amongst a group of tourists – just a bit excitable. But I actually preferred it the next day when I wandered through the lanes of the Rock’s nature reserve and could see them in their natural environment.

They were lounging on fences staring out to sea, preening themselves at the side of the road, or playing with their fellow monkeys.  

Picture of a Gibraltar monkey sitting on a fence on the side of a lane in the Rock's nature reserve
A Gibraltar monkey at the side of a lane in the Rock’s nature reserve

Seeing them being their natural selves was so much more rewarding. And I didn’t see a single one that exhibited any signs of aggression.  

3 monkeys on a rail in Gibraltar
Two pictures of Gibraltar monkeys - one with three looking out over to the sea; the second is of one monkey preening another one
Gibraltar monkeys

So if you opt for a tour, perhaps think twice about feeding the monkeys, even if the guide does so.

Explore the Gibraltar war tunnels

There are two places where you can experience the Rock’s tunnels, each associated with a different time in Gibraltar’s history.

The Great Siege Tunnels

The creation of these tunnels started in May 1782 as part of the defence of Gibraltar from France and Spain during the Great Siege. it was a way of hoisting a gun from what is known as “the Notch”, a sheer part of the cliff face on the northern side of the Rock.  

A picture of a tunnel inside of the Great Siege Tunnels in Gibraltar
Inside the Great Siege Tunnels

A small group of men, (less than twenty), spent five weeks boring through the rock to create passageways. In the process, they opened up air vents on the outside of the rock. This was most likely to enable the noxious fumes from the rock blasting process to escape or as a way of getting rid of the rock that had been dug out.  

Picture of an air vent in the Great Siege Tunnels - from here you get a great view outside and across to the sea
An air vent in the Great Siege Tunnels

As a result, several embrasures were formed. These doubled up as areas in which to mount guns.  You can see these gun points as you walk through the rock: open vents where you can look out to sea and which have guns and cannons placed behind them.

Picture of an embrasure/gun point in the tunnels
An embrasure/gun point in the Great Siege Tunnels

The Notch was finally reached after the end of the Siege. During the Second World War Royal Engineers then continued the tunnelling.

The World War 2 Tunnels 

These are definitely worth exploring. Thirty-four miles of the rock were excavated to provide space for military equipment during the war and as a secure site to protect troops.

In much the same way as the Jersey War Tunnels that I’ve also written about, Gibraltar’s tunnels were large enough to hold a hospital, fuel and ammunition.

Picture of the outside of the World War 2 Tunnels in Gibraltar
The outside of the World War 2 Tunnels
Inside the tunnels where a hospital has been recreated - there are beds and models of nurses
Inside the tunnels where a hospital has been recreated

You have to book on an official tour to see these tunnels: click here for details of how to email to book this. You’re then taken around different sections, stopping at various points to listen to a handheld audio guide.

This gives an excellent overview of the significant work that was needed to create the tunnels as well as life inside them. In total, you’re probably inside the tunnels for around 45 minutes.

Alternatively you can book an organised tour that will also include a trip to the World War 2 tunnels: see, for example, the Gibraltar World War II and Fortress Tour.

Be amazed by the Gibraltar caves

As you descend the Rock from the top, you’ll pass the entrance to St. Michael’s cave.  You must go in here.  It’s only small, but what it might lack in space, it more than makes up for in spectacle.  

It really is one of the top things to do in Gibraltar in my opinion.

The first thing you come across is an auditorium, set up for concerts (and I imagine pretty memorable concerts, given the unique location).  

An auditorium in St. Michael's cave, lit up in red
The auditorium in St. Michael’s cave

Walk past the seating area and then you’re in the main part of the caves. At this point, I just had to stop and stare. In front of you are massive stalactites forming twisted columns working their way up from the floor.

Above you are stalactites and helictites hanging down in seemingly razor sharp blades from the ceiling. 

Inside St Michael's cave, lit up in purple
Image: © Alan Kolnik/ Dreamstime.com
Inside St. Michael's Cave, lit up in green and blue
Inside St. Michael’s Cave

They are all lit up, the colours alternating between greens, blues, purples and pinks. There is also music playing around you, all of which adds to the atmosphere in here.

It’s a really special place in my opinion.  I’ve been to a fair few caves in my time, but never have I seen anything like this.  

Visit Mons Calpe

Mons Calpe is the Roman name for the Rock, one of the Pillars of Hercules that guard the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The second one is in north Africa.

This is really just a viewpoint. However, it affords you superb views across the sea and out to Morocco in one direction and Spain in the other.  

On a clear day, it’s worth a quick stop here.  You can also look out over these countries if you visit the Ibrahim al Ibrahim mosque at Europa Point.

The view out to sea from Mons Calpe - you can see land in the distance
The view out to sea from Mons Calpe

For such a small place, there is a surprising variety of other things that you can see if you have the time. Read on for more ideas of other things to do on a short break to Gibraltar.

Wander the Gibraltar botanic gardens

The 19th century Alameda botanic gardens are just a couple of minutes from the cable car station.  They are small, but a really pleasant place to cool off after a long walk around the Rock of Gibraltar or if you need to escape from the scorching sun.

A view from the botanic garden in Gibraltar
2 pictures of the Gibraltar Alameda botanic gardens - trees, plants and a small lake
The Gibraltar botanic gardens

Visit the Moorish Castle 

You can also walk around the Moorish part of town. This is a few minutes uphill from the main town square, Casemates. It has a castle with its Tower of Homage. 

The  Moorish Castle in Gibraltar
The Moorish Castle in Gibraltar; image: © Creamegg/ Dreamstime.com

Stop by Casemates Square

This town square is where you can find a number of bars and restaurants.  

I didn’t spend much time in the actual town as I was more focused on the Rock. I also have to say that didn’t find it was the most buzzy and vibrant of places I’ve ever visited. However, this may be because I visited in early January.

Casemates Square in Gibraltar
Casemates Square in Gibraltar; image © Anilah/ Dreamstime.com

Visit Lower St Michael’s Cave 

If your visit to St. Michael’s Cave has whetted your appetite, you may want to see more. If so, you can book an organised tour to see the natural attractions in Lower St. Michael’s Cave (these apparently include a gorgeous underground lake).  

The tour can take around three hours. My understanding is that it’s also a bit more full on than the alternative cave visit (involving some climbing).  

Chill out on the beach 

There are a scattering of beaches that you can visit, should you want some respite from sightseeing.  I didn’t make it to any of them, but it was January!

More information about their location can be found here.

Check out a museum

There are a handful of museums that you can also visit.  

These include the Gibraltar National MuseumGibraltar Crystal and The City Under Siege Exhibition.  All are centrally located.

Go further afield

If you’re in Gibraltar for an extended period, you may want to visit its neighbouring countries – Spain and Morocco. Spanish cities such as Malaga and Seville are around an hour and a half and two and a half hours away, respectively.  

You can also get ferries that take you to Tangier Med, 40 km away from Tangier, in Morocco – these take around an hour and a half.

You can also travel to Tangier from Tarifa in Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. You can catch a bus from Gibraltar to Tarifa which takes an hour.

Gibraltar is also an ideal place for a day trip from other places, for example from Seville and from Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Gibraltar tours for your short break to Gibraltar

In addition to the tours already highlighted here, there are several GetYourGuide tours that combine a range of sights that you can see on your short break in Gibraltar:

Further information for your short break to Gibraltar

Admission prices 

If you choose to visit the attractions on the Rock of Gibraltar independently, rather than book an organised tour, you need to purchase a Nature Reserve ticket. This £13 (£8 for children). The World War 2 tunnels are extra at £8.  

Overall this is pretty good value for money as this gives you access to a number of different things. This includes the Gibraltar caves, Apes’ Den and the Great Siege Tunnels.  If you want to just wander around the Rock, but not visit any of the attractions, you need to pay £5.  

The cable car is £16.00 return (£7.00 for children). When it is purchased with the Nature Reserve ticket it is £29.00 (£17.50 for children). Again, there is the extra £8.00 for the World War 2 tunnels.

It runs every 10 minutes to 15 minutes from 9.30am to 7.15pm during the summer months (from the beginning of November until the end of March, the last car ascends slightly earlier at 5.15pm).

You can purchase tickets for the cable car and nature reserve online up to three months in advance.

You can also book an organised tour that combines a cable ride and a dolphin watch. This tour combines a trip on a catamaran with a cable car ride to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.

Gibraltar climate

The climate of Gibraltar is a pleasant one.

Situated adjacent to southern Spain, it is blessed with the same hot and sunny summers and mild winters. In July and August the temperates can approach 30 degrees centigrade. In winter, it rarely goes below 14 or 15 degrees.

This makes it a perfect winter destination. I visited in early January and experienced warm sunny days – a great antidote to the cold and rain in my home city!

A short break to Gibraltar: Gibraltar accommodation

If you’re exploring the options for Gibraltar accommodation for your short break, there are several options.

The Holiday Inn Express: I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. For me, this was perfect. It was clean, reasonably priced and literally minutes from the airport.

It does take a walk to get into town (around 15 minutes) but I found it was really good value for money. I’d definitely stay here again on a short break to Gibraltar.

The Caleta Hotel: The Caleta is a hotel for those of you who want to see the sea from your Gibraltar accommodation. It has a swimming pool, spa and health club.

The Rock Hotel: As its name suggests, the Rock Hotel is situated actually on the rock, near to the Alameda Gardens and cable car.

It’ll suit those of you who want a little bit of luxury and amazing views. It has an outdoor swimming pool.

The Sunborn: If you want to stay somewhere a bit different, consider the Sunborn, where you can stay on a yacht in the marina. There’s a swimming pool and fabulous views of the rock from the sundeck.

For other options for Gibraltar accommodation, click here.

Other ideas for short breaks

I hope I’ve convinced you that there are lots of things to do in Gibraltar.

If you like city breaks in small, unique places like Gibraltar, or trips with amazing scenery, you might also like other places I have previously written about:

Lead and featured image: (c) Sergey Dzyuba/ Dreamstime.com

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2 Comments

  1. I tried to enter Gibraltar in 1971 but alas , Spain had blocked passage from its border. This was a complete and well written description and now I must try again unless Brexit affects the land crossing from Spain .

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