GibraltarTravel Guide
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory perched on a limestone outcrop at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, offers a fascinating blend of cultures, history, and breath-taking scenery. With Spain behind it and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Gibraltar's location has shaped its intriguing identity.
From the iconic Rock of Gibraltar, home to playful Barbary macaques (the only wild monkeys in Europe), to red phone booths and post boxes dotted throughout the town centre and luxury yachts docked in the marina, Gibraltar truly is a unique and eclectic European destination!
Relax on beautiful beaches, explore coves and caves, visit the nature reserve or take a cable car ride to the top of the Rock. Enjoy warm hospitality and delicious fusion cuisine, reflecting Gibraltar's diverse heritage shaped by British, Spanish, and other Mediterranean influences.
Whether you're a history lover, wildlife enthusiast, or adrenaline seeker, this tiny territory has huge appeal! Dive into our Gibraltar Travel Guide to find out more!
Explore Gibraltar
Where to stay in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar's Old Town with its 14th-century buildings in the Main Street area, offers easy access to major attractions making it popular with tourists. Hotels in Gibraltar range from British seaside resort-style to upscale options, but other accommodation is also available, like holiday apartments. If you’re a budget traveller, consider staying in La Línea de la Concepciín, just across the border in Spain, to enjoy cheaper rates.
The Rock Hotel is a gorgeous colonial hotel built in 1932 at the foothills of THAT famous rock, with views of the botanical gardens, the Bay and Straits of Gibraltar. It’s been a favourite of celebrities throughout the decades, so you’ll be walking in the footsteps of greats like John Lennon and two James Bonds! With luxury rooms and suites, the biggest pool in Gibraltar, fine dining on-site and excellent service, you’ll feel like a celebrity yourself!
For the ultimate luxury experience, board the Sunborn Gibraltar. A permanently moored yacht in the Ocean Village Marina, this is Gibraltar’s only 5-star hotel. It offers an array of entertainment - a casino, spa and four dining options to keep you busy. You’ll also be within walking distance of the town centre.
Eliott Hotel offers 4-star accommodation in the Old Town within walking distance of historical sites and other attractions, including the marina and cable car. It features a rooftop pool with panoramic views, stylish rooms, a solarium and two restaurants.
Emile Hostel offers budget accommodation in the heart of town close to all the action, including shops and pubs, plus Western Beach is just 1.4 km away. Choose between dormitory rooms or private rooms, meet fellow travellers in the shared lounge or on the terrace and take advantage of free Wi-Fi.
Believe us when we say, this is just the start. Book your accommodation today!
Things to do in Gibraltar
From adrenaline-fuelled activities and exploring underground to wildlife encounters and marine adventures, you’ll never be bored in Gibraltar!
Head to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve for the main event of your stay – the Rock of Gibraltar. A cable car ride takes you to the summit for incredible views over the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and the Strait of Gibraltar all the way to Africa! Feel the adrenaline rush as you step onto the glass platform – the Skywalk – with the ground 340m below. Or walk over the Windsor Suspension Bridge, also in the reserve, which crosses over a gorge.
The Rock of Gibraltar is rich in military history because of its strategic position at the meeting point of continents and seas. Batteries, forts, and a Moorish Castle tell the story of its turbulent and colourful past. Join a guided tour of the Great Siege Tunnels carved out by British soldiers to secretly move armaments out of sight of the Spanish. See the exhibits of artillery pieces and bump into life-size models of soldiers.
For more underground fun, explore St Michael’s Cave with its impressive stalagmites and stalactites.
The Upper Rock Nature Reserve also offers hiking trails, and you can follow paths up to the Ape’s Den where over 200 Barbary macaques live. See these playful primates in their natural habitat, but please don’t feed them! It’s prohibited. According to legend, when the monkeys leave Gibraltar, so will the British – maybe that’s why Sir Winston Churchill sent more monkeys to live there in 1944!
The Alameda Gardens, also known as the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, are a peaceful oasis ideal for picnicking on the manicured lawns, surrounded by red aloes and dragon trees. Stroll past trickling fountains and over-canopied bridges, admiring the diverse subtropical plants and flowers.
Another must-visit viewpoint is at Gibraltar’s southernmost tip – Europa Point – where the Gibraltar Trinity Lighthouse guards the Strait of Gibraltar. This red-and-white landmark draws photographers, families and anyone interested in maritime history. Unfortunately, you can’t enter the lighthouse, but the area around it offers stunning views and other attractions, such as a historic chapel.
Looking for an immersive experience? Then a tour is the way to go.
Flights to Gibraltar
Gibraltar food and drink
We’ve mentioned Gibraltar’s multi-culturism, but communities of Jews, Indians and Moroccan Muslims add to the cultural melting pot of the territory. Pub food can be found next to tapas eateries and restaurants serving Moroccan dishes alongside traditional Jewish bakeries.
Some notable dishes? Calentita (a savoury pancake made from chickpea flour) is regarded as the national dish; fideos al horno is baked macaroni with Bolognese sauce, while pan dulce is a sweet bread made during Christmas time with nuts, fruits, and spices with either Italian or Portuguese origins. Isn’t this a wonderful culinary mash-up?
In the town centre, the Chatham Counterguard strip and Casemates Square –also referred to as the heart of Gibraltar – buzz with pavement cafés and wine bars. Sip on Amaretto and snack on Spanglish tapas under umbrellas or head to the famed British pub The Lord Nelson for breakfasts like eggs benedict and their signature dish of cod fillet with mushy peas.
For upmarket dining, consider Little Bay Bar & Restaurant at the Ocean Village Marina. This highly rated Indian restaurant favoured by celebs offers mouth-watering Indian tapas and fusion cocktails paired with a view of the harbour.
Amar’s Jewish bakery and kosher restaurant is set on the charming cobblestone streets of the Old Town centre and offers delights such as bourekas (puff pastry stuffed with tuna and cheese or potatoes and spinach) and bollos de cuaresma (hot cross buns), made according to a 100-year-old secret recipe.
The street food scene is also alive and well in Gibraltar and throws in some American options too! Your best bet is to head to popular areas like Casemates Square and Ocean Village. Submarine Streetfood in Casemates Square offers various subs (filled sandwiches), poke bowls, vegan options, and quick snacks.
The Top Dogs stand on Line Wall Road whips up cheesy burgers and saucy hot dogs, while some beaches have kiosks that sell fried fish and chips and local dishes like calentita.
Get a real taste for the local cuisine by booking a tour.
Gibraltar through your eyes
Where to shop in Gibraltar?
Who knew you could find a Marks & Spencer in Gibraltar? British brands rub shoulders with European-style boutiques on Main Street – the shopping district of the territory. This pedestrian-only street with shuttered pastel shopfronts and British bunting offers luxury brands, jewellery, electronics, groceries and souvenirs all in one stroll.
Adjacent to Main Street you’ll find the quieter Cornwall Centre, a small shopping arcade, while Casemates Square features several artisanal shops. In upmarket Ocean Village, the shopping centre of the same name offers stores like Esprit and Chesterton, bars, restaurants and fast-food outlets like KFC. Top tip: Gibraltar is a duty-free zone, so bring an extra suitcase for perfume and spirits!
Markets are also part of the shopping experience, selling local crafts and delicacies, souvenirs and fresh produce like the Gibraltar Public Market, a traditional indoor market near Casemates Square. We also recommend popping over to the Market Place Terminus to the north of the town centre with its markets, eateries, butchery and shops.
Looking for a safe and simple way to bring your money when you travel? Our Travel Money Card has you covered!
When is the best time to travel to Gibraltar?
Gibraltar has a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Its average annual temperature is from approximately 18°C (64.4°F) to 21°C (almost 70°F) during the day. It drops to around 15°C (59°F) overnight.
The hottest month is August, when temperatures can peak at 28.4°C (83°F) during the day, and the nights are also warm – above 21°C (70°F).
Even in winter, the temperature is mild and stays above 10°C (50°F), making it a go-to European holiday-season escape for December and January. The coldest month is January, with average highs just over 16°C (60.8°F). Most rain falls between November and February.
The best time to visit Gibraltar is spring from March to May and autumn from September and October. The temperatures are comfortable and ideal for sightseeing and hiking. These are also shoulder seasons, so you can expect fewer crowds. If you’re keen on beach weather and action, peak season (and almost-no-rain season) is from June to August.
Don't miss out. Book your flight today!
How to get around Gibraltar
Gibraltar is roughly twice the size of New York’s Central Park, so exploring on foot is fun as attractions and amenities are mostly within walking distance. If you arrive on a cruise liner, you’ll disembark at the beautiful Ocean Village Marina close to the town centre.
Gibraltar’s bus public transport system is efficient, reliable and budget-friendly. Citibus is the main bus service with routes that connect key areas, such as tourist attractions, beaches and residential neighbourhoods. Buying tickets is easy – either on the bus or online.
If you enjoy cycling, bike hire is available, or you can join a guided e-bike tour to see the country in a novel way.
Taxis are stationed at the Gibraltar International Airport, near the town centre, and you can hail one on the street, but unfortunately, rideshares like Uber are not available.
Let us help you organise your own wheels for exploring. Hire a car today.
What are the best beaches in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar has three beaches on the west coast and three on the east coast. You can enjoy swimming in both the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, while water sports like kayaking, diving and snorkelling can be enjoyed all around the coast.
Eastern Beach is the biggest sandy beach in Gibraltar, on the eastern border of Spain with the Rock of Gibraltar set behind it. This lively beach, popular with locals and tourists, offers various water sports like jet skiing and paddleboarding, while the kids can have fun in the playground.
Further south on the Mediterranean Sea, the curve of Catalan Bay forms a lovely stretch of beach near a quaint fishing village. This bay is famed for 14 shipwrecks that have formed artificial reefs, home to diverse marine creatures. It's a prime location for divers and snorkellers.
Sandy Bay has a unique story – this beach almost disappeared due to coastal erosion, so the Gibraltarians imported over 50 000 tons of sand from the Sahara Desert to replenish it. Enjoy sunbathing on its African sands!
Western Beach on the Atlantic Ocean is a gem if you’re looking for a quiet spot and shallow waters. It’s a starting point for walking trails to enjoy birdwatching and being in nature – with scenic views of course! There’s also a little beach restaurant offering tapas and other light meals.
Camp Bay (where the locals go) and Little Bay beaches are next to each other on the southwest coast. Camp Bay is a bit rocky but has other great features like a man-made waterfall and saltwater swimming pools. Little Bay is a cove with shallow waters and a small pool, making it family-friendly. These beaches have eateries nearby and you can easily enjoy both in one day.
