A Brief about the History of Gibraltar
Last week, I visited Gibraltar with my husband and spent three days there learning about its history and culture and doing various activities.
Officially a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is geographically situated on the far south coast of Spain and the edge of Europe.
Gibraltar strategically forms one of the ancient Hercules’s pillars, guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It has been a significant location for war and is a strategic location for trade through shipping, giving ships passage through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Countries like Spain and France fought multiple battles to seize this territory and claim possession. Gibraltar was also a geopolitical location for war, and European countries used it to invade North Africa in World War 2. German, Italian and other forces also attacked it.
Gibraltar was under Spanish rule until 1704, after which it was captured by an Anglo-Dutch fleet during the War of Spanish Succession. As the war ended, Spain legally ceded Gibraltar to the United Kingdom under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, renewed in 1763 and 1783 by the Treaties of Paris and Versailles.
Spain repeatedly tried to siege Gibraltar from the UK, which had declared it a royal colony governed by England. The Great Siege began in 1779 and lasted until 1783. During the Great Siege, numerous tunnels, currently a prominent feature of The Rock, were used to host garrisons for bombardments.
In 1968, a referendum decided whether the people of Gibraltar wanted to remain with the Kingdom of Great Britain or Spain. Almost 13000 people voted to stay with the UK. In another referendum in 2002, the Gibraltarians again showed their interest in Britain’s favour.
Gibraltar is self-governed and has its own flag, but the UK takes responsibility for its defence and foreign policy.
What’s the Official Language of Gibraltar?
The official language is English, but most residents also speak well in Spanish. There is also an unusual dialect called “Yanito,” which is a mixture of English, Spanish, and some Italian words frequently spoken by the locals of Gibraltar.
Where to Stay in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar offers various accommodation options for its visitors, ranging from budget-friendly apartments, guesthouses, and yachts to luxurious hotels. Some popular areas to stay in Gibraltar include the town centre, Ocean Village, and Queensway Quay. The town centre is known for its historic charm and proximity to top attractions. Ocean Village and Queensway Quay are marina areas with a lively atmosphere, waterfront restaurants, and stunning views. The accommodation price in Gibraltar begins at £80 and can go up to £300/day for one or two adults, depending on your location, property type, and budget preferences.
Do you need to apply for a visa to visit Gibraltar?
If you are a European Union, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein national, you do not need a visa to visit Gibraltar. Even UK residents who are not British nationals and hold a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) can visit Gibraltar without applying for a visa. Still, check the Gibraltar government website or with your local embassy for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements.
My Staycation in Gibraltar
I booked a studio apartment in the city centre through Booking.com, which cost me £300 for three nights. Not bad, right? The cherry on the cake was its proximity to Eastern Beach, Catalan Bay, Ocean Village, and The Rock. The apartment had a balcony where I could sit and embrace the backside view of The Rock. Moreover, the bed was so close to the balcony door that I could soak in the sun’s rays and grab some Vitamin D while sleeping during noon. The kitchen of this apartment had all the amenities, ranging from a fridge to a microwave, which is why my husband and I preferred to have breakfast in the apartment, except one day when we wanted to try English Breakfast outside. That saved us a lot of time and cost, and we used to leave directly for the places we were aiming to cover in a day.
Disclaimer for transparency
Perfect 3-Day Gibraltar Guide for 2024
- Where to Stay in Gibraltar?
- How to Spend Three Days in Gibraltar
- Is Upper Rock Nature Reserve Worth It?
- Tours Available to Explore the Gibraltar Rock and Nature Reserve Attractions
- Benefits of Gibraltar Pass
- Shopping Tips for Gibraltar
- Where to Eat and Drink in Gibraltar?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Tip: Book an early morning flight to Gibraltar so that you can save money on flight booking and have at least half of the day to visit some places. If you travel within Europe, you will reach there in a maximum of 2.5-3 hours. Hotel or apartment check-ins usually happen between 3–4 p.m., but you can always contact them for early check-ins.
As soon as you reach Gibraltar airport, finish all the immigration formalities, and pick up your luggage from the belt, I suggest you walk towards your accommodation, especially if you have booked your accommodation in the city centre near Devil’s Tower Road or Ocean Village. Reaching your place will take 15-20 minutes, but the experience will be incredible. On your way, you will cross the airport runway to enter Gibraltar city, which opens like any pedestrian crossing in Europe.
Day 1
If you reach your accommodation before 2 p.m. and can’t do an early check-in, you can drop your luggage off at the concierge or keep it inside the room, depending on your understanding with the hotel staff or host.
Lunch at Ocean Village or Grand Casemates Square
Once you set foot in Gibraltar City, energise yourself with good food. The Ocean Village and Grand Casemates Square have an array of restaurants offering various cuisines, such as Italian, Indian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Continental, etc.
💡 Tip: If you are vegetarian and want to try Spanish cuisine, eat Spanish paella served with vegetables.
Gibraltar National Museum
Next, you can visit the Gibraltar National Museum to learn about the history and culture of this territory. It opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 2 p.m. on Saturday. The entry fee in the museum is £10 for adults and £5 for kids under 12 (at the time of writing this article).
Sandy Bay
If the museum doesn’t fit your schedule, proceed to Sandy Bay. There, you can relax at the beach, swim in the Mediterranean waters, and soak in the sun, especially in Summer when days are long and the sun sets at 8:30 p.m.
Tip: If you come from Casemates Square, take Citibus Market Place Terminus to Devil’s Road. Then, walk for 31 minutes to the beach.
Catalan Bay
This beach is within twenty minutes walking distance of Sandy Bay. Catalan Bay is a picturesque fishing village in Gibraltar between Sandy Bay and Eastern Beach. In the distant past, Catalan Bay was inaccessible from the central city of Gibraltar.
Eastern Beach
These three beaches are on the same coastline and are perfect for beach-hopping in the summer. I have kept this one last because it’s near to the city centre, so it’s safer to visit in the evening.
Dinner at Ocean Village
Enjoy your dinner at Ocean Village, the city’s only vibrant nightlife destination with pubs, casinos and waterside restaurants.If you want to try authentic Indian food, I suggest visiting Little Bay in Ocean Village. It is a premium dining restaurant, but it’s worth giving a try.
After dinner, stroll alongside the marina bay and relish the harbour views.
Casino
There are two casinos in Ocean Village: Admiral Casino and Sunborn Casino. Admiral Casino allows only registered members to play. As I didn’t go inside Sunborn Casino, I am unsure if they allow visitors to play without membership.
Day 2
Visit the Top of the Gibraltar Rock station via Cable Car
On day 2, visit Bianca’s at Marina Bay if you want an English Breakfast at the bayside.
The second option is to start your day with coffee and get ready to visit ‘Top of the Rock’ by cable car. Take Citibus number 10 to the Cable Car station. The bus’s drop-off point is a small walking distance from the station. Once you reach the base station, buy tickets and board the next cable car to visit the Rock.
💡Note: The opening hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. (Mon-Sun). Check the exact timings and ticket prices here.
Keep all your belongings, especially food packets and water bottles, inside your bags because Barbary macaques may welcome you as soon as you come out of the cable car at the ‘Top of the Rock.’ Sometimes, they also snatch shades from tourists.
My trivial story: When I was in the cable car, a tourist warned me to remove the chain from my shades because the monkeys may find the chain fascinating to snatch. Thankfully, I didn’t meet them at the ‘Top of the Rock’ station, but I noticed them later fighting near the Upper Rock Nature Reserve entrance. You would have realised I am pretty scared of the monkeys by now.
Lunch/Brunch/Coffee at The Mons Calpe Suite Restaurant
Within the Top of the Rock Station complex is a souvenir shop where you can buy gifts and The Mons Calpe Suite restaurant, which offers breakfast, lunch (before 2 p.m.), and drinks with spectacular views. The best part for a vegetarian like me is that it serves decent options in various cuisines, such as European, Continental, and Mediterranean. The prices are also reasonable, as per the location.
💡 Note: There are souvenir shops on Main Street market with reasonably priced souvenirs.
Enjoy Panoramic Views
The terraces at this station offer the best picturesque views, and the money-saving hack is that you can enjoy them without paying for a Nature Reserve ticket. You just need to pay for the to-and-fro ticket for a cable car. On a sunny day, the top station offers magnificent 360-degree views extending over three countries (Spain, Morocco, and Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory), two water bodies(Strait of Gibraltar and Mediterranean Sea) and two continents (Europe and Africa).
Come Down through Cable Car
You might wonder why I didn’t cover the Upper Rock Nature Reserve and other places on the Rock in this itinerary. Well, here are my reasons:
- A cable car ticket costs £19/adult, and the Upper Rock Nature Reserve ticket with attractions costs £18/adult. As I calculated for two adults, the total cost was £74, whereas the cable car tickets cost us only £38.
- Visiting all the attractions on the Rock takes the entire day. There are no toilets or cafés to take a break, except at the Cable Car Top Station, which is exhausting. Moreover, eating food outside isn’t easy in the presence of macaques anywhere on the Rock.
- The time my husband and I would have spent covering these attractions, we used that to visit other places. As I conversed with other travellers, I learned that covering all the attractions in one day is difficult.
- The topmost reason was these cute wild creatures or Barbary macaques. I understand that for Europeans, this is the only place where they can see tail-less monkeys freely roaming around and doing all the shenanigans. However, for Indians like me, watching monkeys is not a big deal because they are everywhere in India, especially in the northeren region. I have been bitten by a monkey once and had many scary encounters, so I have a phobia. In addition, when I read the reviews about the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, many people mentioned that there is no one to control them if they come after you.
💡 Note: I have curated the entire itinerary based on my experience, but you can alter it at your convenience. The Upper Rock Nature Reserve and other attractions are mentioned below in another section for tourists interested in visiting them.
The Alameda – Gibraltar Botanic Gardens are beside the Cable Car base station, so if you have time, you can include it in your plan, or else you can do it the next day.
Take a Bus to Europa Point
Within 5 minutes of walking from the Cable Car station, there is a bus stand where you can get bus number 2 to Europa Point. This bus will take you to Europa Point within 15-20 minutes. This is the southernmost point of Gibraltar, and here, you can see the Atlantic Ocean connecting to the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar. In addition, you will embrace the view of the Rif Mountains of Morocco and some Spanish towns in clear weather.
Europa Point is linked with Catalan Bay and Sandy Bay, which are on the Eastern side of the Rock through the Dudley Ward Road Tunnel.
Following are the attractions that you can explore at Europa Point:
- Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque was a gift from Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd. It took two years to finish. Today, the mosque’s building is not in good condition. It needs renovation and painting to improve its appearance.
- Harding’s Battery is a restored artillery battery in Gibraltar. It shows the scale of guns that could fire 800 projectiles over the Strait of Gibraltar. Europa Sunken Magazine, which contained this artillery, is now used as the visitor centre.
- Trinity Lighthouse, or Europa Point Lighthouse, was built between 1838 and 1841 and is the only lighthouse built by The Trinity House Corporation outside the British Isles.
- Gorham’s Cave Complex, a combination of four distinct caves, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of the last known habitations of Neanderthals in Europe.
- This place is 15-20 minutes’ walking distance from the mosque. There are no proper footpaths, so you need to check for passing cars.
- Walking to Gorham’s Cave Complex offers a view of the Rock that differs from the Top of the Rock station. The caves are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday. There is a viewing platform at Europa Advanced Road for those who can’t take the tours of Gorham’s Cave. The entry fee is £5 per adult. The tour of caves costs £25/adult + a guide fee of £25/group. There are also weekly boat trips from the sea to visit the Gorham’s Cave Complex.
All the other attractions are free to explore, except for Gorham’s Cave Complex, for which you must buy tickets.
💡 Additional tips: Visit Europa Point Cafe whenever you want to enjoy a coffee, cake, or Gelato. Toilets are available beside it.
Grand Casemates Square and Main Street
Take bus number 2 to Casemates Square. This scenic route takes you through the enchanting old town of Gibraltar. Sit on the window side to enjoy the view.
Come to Grand Casemates Square, a commercial hub with many pubs, cafes, shops, and restaurants. This place also hosts various cultural events.
Next, you can walk to Main Street to go shopping. The shops on Main Street are usually open Monday-Friday and Saturday until 1:30 p.m., but only a few are open until 4 p.m. They remain closed on Sundays.
Dinner at Chatham Counterguard
Explore restaurants at Chatham Counterguard, a pedestrian street lined with pubs and restaurants popular with locals and tourists.
Day 3
This is your third day in Gibraltar, and you will probably be leaving the next day, so keep it relaxing. Start your day with a hearty breakfast before you embark on the boat cruise.
Dolphin Watching Tour
Dolphin watching is an incredible activity in Gibraltar. Watching dolphins swim in the crystal clear waters of Gibraltar Bay is soothing and can be one of your glimmering moments during the day.
Though dolphins can be seen all year round, the best months to see them are from November to January. Depending on the seasons, other aquatic wildlife may also be seen swimming in Gibraltar Bay waters.
The Dolphin Watching Tour is available at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. It is 75 minutes long, and you may see all three species of dolphins (common, bottlenose and striped) in their natural habitat. During the tour, the guides keep looking for them using vernaculars, informing the audience as soon as their pods become visible.
The dolphins are friendly creatures, and you will see them playing near the boat multiple times. You may also catch a glimpse of them putting on a spectacular display of leaps and splashes right at your feet.
Along with watching 40-500 dolphins, depending on your luck, you will also explore the stunning views of European and African coastline.
Documents: Since Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, UK residents may need to show their passport to the guide. The EU nationals can use their national ID.
Sometimes, they may not ask, as happened in my case, but keeping these documents handy is always safe.
The Alameda – Gibraltar Botanic Gardens
Visit Gibraltar Botanic Gardens and stroll amidst nature while watching the Mediterranean coastline in front of its topmost view point and the Rock from its backside. Entry to the garden area is free, but you must buy a ticket to see the Wildlife Conservation Park. The garden opens from 8 a.m. until sunset on all the days.
The garden has fantastic cacti and other succulent plant species to explore. It also has a play area for kids’ entertainment.
Gibraltar Distillery Co. and Spirit of the Rock Experience — Comparison and Differences
These two brands are famous for gin, rum, and vodka in Gibraltar because they manufacture their own. While the Gibraltar Distillery Co. manufactures its spirits in the UK and sells them in Gibraltar, The Spirit of the Rock manufactures only in Gibraltar.
The Gibraltar Distillery Co. is in Casemates Square, where you can walk in and experience gin and rum tasting for free. You can buy the bottle in an elegant brand-crafted box if you like the taste. The shop also contains customised brand-crafted boxes that are perfect for buying as souvenirs or gifts.
The Spirit of the Rock experience shop is at Gibraltar International Airport. The prices of their spirits are more reasonable than those of the Gibraltar Distillery Co. They mentioned the story behind the creation of each variety on tiny cards kept inside the boxes, which impressed me. You can take these cards from the shop even if you are not buying the boxes. Gibraltar Distillery also has a story behind its brand creation, but it isn’t articulate, like The Spirit of the Rock.
I bought an entire gift box from Gibraltar Distillery Co. for £50, which included two gin glasses (£20), one bottle (£21), and a T-shirt. Though the owner told us that we wouldn’t get their gin anywhere in the UK, I found it in a souvenir store at the airport, and the price was lower than the Gibraltar Distillery Co.
Is Upper Rock Nature Reserve Worth It?
Visiting the Upper Rock or Gibraltar Nature Reserve is a must-to-do experience, but you may skip visiting it from your itinerary for any of the following reasons:
- You have a short time and want to use it to explore more attractions in Gibraltar other than the Gibraltar Nature Reserve.
- You are only interested in watching the panoramic views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea, which you can also see from the Cable Car Top Station and Europa Point.
- The ticket price is too high and you are not able to compensate it due to shortage of time. Visiting all the Upper Rock Nature Reserve spots will take the entire day, and you may have to skip a few.
- You are scared of beautiful Barbary macaques like me who roam freely in the Gibraltar Nature Reserve and can come closer to you 😂.
If you don’t fit into any of these categories and decide to visit the Gibraltar Nature Reserve attractions, then keep the following in your to-do list:
- Pillars of Hercules
- Jew’s Gate Cemetery
- Windsor Suspension Bridge
- Skywalk 360′ view
- O’Hara’s Battery
- St. Michael’s Cave
- Great Siege Tunnels
- Moorish Castle
💡 Note: I recommend taking the cable car to reach the top station and exploring these attractions while walking down the Rock. Use this map to clearly see in what order you need to cover all these places.
If you are visiting Gibraltar in summer and have just one day to spend there, check out my perfectly curated 1-day itinerary here ⬇️
How to spend a day in Gibraltar during the summer
Tours Available to Explore the Gibraltar Rock and Nature Reserve Attractions
eBike Tour
Private Tour
Walking Tour
Minivan Tour
Guided Bus Tour
Benefits of Gibraltar Pass
Discover the beauty of Gibraltar with the Gibraltar Pass, available every day of the year and grants access to over 15 of its best attractions.
With this one-day digital pass, you can experience the thrill of the Cable Car, explore the stunning St. Michael’s Cave, venture through World War II tunnels, and more. Children under five can enter for free, making it a perfect family activity.
The Gibraltar Pass includes free bus transport and discounts at over hundred shops and restaurants across Gibraltar.
Check the freebies and special offers that this Gibraltar Pass offers.
Citibus Routes in Gibraltar
Note: Google Maps doesn’t clearly show the Citibus stops and their timings. Download the Move It app to find the bus stop locations. Here are the bus routes and the bus network map.
Shopping in Gibraltar
What to buy and from where?
Gibraltar is a shopper’s paradise with a wide variety of unique items. So, here are some things to keep in mind when you visit Gibraltar:
Main Street: This is the central shopping hub in Gibraltar, which offers everything at reasonable prices, from designer clothes, souvenirs, spirits, sunglasses and diamonds to local crafts. You will not find this price range anywhere else in Europe.
Gibraltar is a VAT-free port, making it the perfect place to pick up tax-free items such as spirits, Swarovski items, watches, jewellery and perfumes.
Custom Allowances: Check the customs allowances for your home country before making any purchases.
For instance, if you are going anywhere in the European Union or the UK from here, remember that the customs at the border will levy a tax if your items exceed the quantity limit.
Local Products: Gibraltar has a unique selection of local products you won’t find anywhere else. You can buy Barbary macaque souvenirs, Gibraltar rock honey, and Gibraltar gin, all of which make great gifts and souvenirs.
When shopping in Gibraltar, compare prices and be prepared to pay with cash/debit card, as some shops may not accept credit cards like Amex.
Where to Eat and Drink in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar offers a wide range of dining and drinking options for visitors. Some popular restaurants include The Kasbar, an Indian restaurant with a rooftop terrace and magnificent views; The Lounge, a trendy bar and restaurant with an extensive cocktail list and live music; and The Waterfront, a seafood restaurant in a picturesque location.
You might also want to check out the Gibraltar Arms, a traditional British pub with grub and a vibrant atmosphere, and The Clipper Bar in the Sunborn Yacht Hotel. If you are a teetotaller, try Jasmine Tea at Thi Vietnamese in Ocean Village.
The Rock Hotel, one of Gibraltar’s oldest and most prestigious hotels, has a stunning terrace bar with panoramic bay views.
I highly recommend visiting O’Reilly’s Irish Pub and Steakhouse in Ocean Village to try yummy cocktails in their outdoor setting.
Best Vegetarian-friendly Restaurants in Gibraltar
Raj’s Curry House – This is a takeaway restaurant, but their food is excellent, and prices are affordable.
Pizzeria Plaza – Try their Cheese Garlic Bread and Vegetariana Pizza.
Neha Curry House – This is also a takeaway curry house where you can collect your order or place an online order from their website for deliver it to your place.
Amar’s Bakery and Restaurant – They serve vegetarian dishes and have an outdoor seating arrangement.
Dine-in reccomendations
Little Bay – Try their Soya Keema with Onion Kulcha
Las Iguanas – Veg Burrito Bowl and Nachos
Gill’s – I recommend trying their Veg Lasagne.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find your question below, feel free to contact me. I’ll be happy to help.
How many days are enough to spend in Gibraltar?
The number of days you spend in Gibraltar depends on what you want to do and see. If you’re interested in the main attractions, like the Rock of Gibraltar and Europa Point, you could see most of them in a day or two. However, if you want to explore the city and surrounding areas more thoroughly, you should stay for three or four days. It’s also worth considering how long you want to relax or enjoy the local culture, history, and cuisine.
What payment methods to use in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar’s official currency is the Gibraltar pound (GIP), pegged to the British pound (GBP) at a 1:1 exchange rate. Most businesses in Gibraltar accept Visa and Mastercard cards. Some retailers may also accept Euros and payment through online payment platforms like PayPal. However, it would help if you always carried a little cash on hand, especially in case of any issues with card payments. ATMs are widely available throughout Gibraltar, so you can quickly withdraw money in the local currency.
Is Gibraltar an expensive place to visit?
Gibraltar can be considered a relatively expensive place to visit compared to many other European destinations. However, if you are going from the UK, you will find the prices comparatively reasonable. In addition, the cost of a trip to Gibraltar will depend on various factors, such as your travel style, accommodation preferences, and the activities you plan to do while you’re there.
Due to its compact size and limited resources, accommodation and food can be pricey in Gibraltar. However, following my recommendation and planning in advance can help you find budget-friendly staycations. On the other hand, transportation in Gibraltar is relatively affordable, and many of the main attractions are free to visit.
Can you count Gibraltar as a country?
Gibraltar is a unique and self-governing British Overseas Territory located on the edge of Europe. While it is not officially recognised as an independent country by the United Nations or any other country in the world, it has its own government, parliament, and flag, which are symbols of its distinct identity. The people of Gibraltar are proud of their rich history and culture and strive to maintain their autonomy and sovereignty.
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