Holiday Nerd

    City Guide: Gibraltar

    For such a tiny place, Gibraltar packs in an extraordinary amount. Sitting at the southern tip of Spain, this British Overseas Territory is ideal for a long weekend or as part of a southern Spain itinerary.  Despite the palm trees and Mediterranean sunshine with its fish and chip shops, British Bobbies and red phone boxes Gibraltar pulls of the feet of feeling more British than the UK, just with better weather

    Why Visit Gibraltar?

    • Dramatic natural scenery dominated by the Rock
    • Fascinating military and wartime history
    • Wild monkeys roaming freely
    • Reliable sunshine year-round
    • Duty-free shopping
    • A genuinely unique blend of British, Spanish, and Mediterranean cultures

    It’s small, easy, and endlessly interesting — perfect for a 48-hour city break.

    Getting There

    Gibraltar has its own airport, making it one of the smallest territories in the world with scheduled commercial flights. It operates frequent flights to most major UK airports.  Landing here is an experience in itself: incredible views of the Rock, sea on both sides, and often a thrilling descent due to strong crosswinds.

    Historically, Gibraltar Airport was considered one of Europe’s most challenging because of wind shear and limited space, but modern aviation has made it completely safe — just still memorable.

    One of Gibraltar’s quirks is that pedestrians walk directly across the airport runway to enter the city. When a plane lands or takes off, barriers close and everything pauses. It’s unusual, slightly surreal, and very Gibraltar.

    You can also enter on foot or by car from La Línea de la Concepción in Spain, though border queues can be unpredictable at peak times (changes are ongoing to improve this).

    Gibraltar is also a common stopping port on many Mediterranean cruises.

    Where to Stay

    As a small place accommodation in Gibraltar is limited but varied. The main hotels consist of:

    • Holiday Inn Express – Reliable, modern, and well located near the airport and marina.
    • Sunborn Yacht Hotel – A permanently moored superyacht offering something a bit different.
    • Rock Hotel – Old-school glamour with sweeping views across the bay.
    • Apartments & independents – A growing number of serviced apartments suit longer stays.

    A new 5-star Hilton hotel is planned for Catalan Bay, is planned but still being built.

    For cheaper options, some visitors stay across the border in La Línea (Spain). Just bear in mind that border queues can be unpredictable, particularly at peak times.

    What to See & Do

    The Upper Rock Nature Reserve

    This is the main attraction, and a single pass covers most of the highlights:

    • St Michael’s Cave – A spectacular natural cave system used historically as a hospital and now a concert venue.
    • Great Siege Tunnels & WWII Tunnels – A fascinating look at Gibraltar’s strategic military history.
    • Skywalk & Suspension Bridge – Jaw-dropping views over the Med and across to Africa.

    You can reach the top by cable car, guided tour, or on foot if you’re feeling energetic.

    The upper rock is home to a population of Barbary Macaques. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe with wild monkeys. Legend has it that if they ever leave, Gibraltar will cease to be British — a superstition taken so seriously that Churchill reportedly ordered reinforcements during WWII.

    They’re entertaining, but not cuddly:

    • Don’t carry food (even sealed in bags)
    • Don’t leave belongings unattended
    • Be careful with phones and sunglasses — they will swipe them

    Main Street & Casemates Square

    Gibraltar’s pedestrianised Main Street is packed with shops, cafés, pubs, and duty-free bargains. It leads down to Casemates Square, a lively spot for eating and people-watching, especially in the evenings.

    Europa Point

    At the southernmost tip of Gibraltar, Europa Point offers sweeping views. On a clear day, you can clearly see Morocco and the African coastline across the Strait of Gibraltar.

    Dolphin Watching

    The waters around Gibraltar are home to several dolphin species, and sightings are extremely common. Short boat trips run daily and are one of the most reliable dolphin-watching experiences in Europe.

    Crossing into Spain

    La Línea is a relatively deprived Spanish border town and, to be honest, there isn’t a huge amount to see. That said, if you’re craving authentic Spanish food, it can be worth popping over for a meal — just keep an eye on border queues when returning.

    Practical Information

    • Currency: Gibraltar Pound (pegged to GBP); UK pounds accepted everywhere and Euros also widely accepted. If paying in cash you may get Gibraltar notes back which might not be widely accepted in the UK (although are accepted by banks)
    • Language: English (Spanish widely understood)
    • Plugs: UK plug sockets
    • Roaming: Mobile data can be expensive — check your plan. Gibraltar is not often covered in European roaming so be careful. You can get Given its size you can get spanish mobile signal in some parts however if you are relying on inclusive roaming from Spain make sure you manually select a Spanish network and have a spend cap on as your phone will automatically try and switch to Gibraltar. 
    • Getting around: Very walkable; no car needed
    • Safety: Extremely safe
    • Footwear: Expect hills — wear comfortable shoes

    Best Time to Visit Gibraltar

    • Spring & Autumn: Ideal weather, fewer crowds
    • Summer: Very hot and busy (especially if a cruise ship is in)
    • Winter: Mild, sunny, and great for sightseeing

    Food & Drink in Gibraltar

    Gibraltar’s cuisine reflects its mixed heritage — British, Spanish, Italian, and North African influences all collide here.

    Things to try:

    • Calentita – Gibraltar’s national dish (a baked chickpea flour dish similar to socca)
    • Rosto – A hearty local comfort dish with Italian roots
    • Fresh seafood & tapas – Especially near the marina
    • British pubs – Full English breakfasts, Sunday roasts, and proper pints

    Shopping

    Thanks to low duties, alcohol, perfume, and tobacco are noticeably cheaper than in the UK or Spain.

    • Main Street has plenty of duty-free shops
    • There’s a large Morrisons supermarket
    • If you’re flying with hand luggage only, the airport duty-free has an excellent selection
    • With checked luggage, buying in town can be slightly cheaper

    48 Hours in Gibraltar: The Perfect Itinerary

    Day 1: The Rock & History

    Morning – Arrive in Gibraltar

    • Cable car to the Top of the Rock
    • Visit St Michael’s Cave
    • Walk the Skywalk and Suspension Bridge
    • Explore the Great Siege and WWII Tunnels
    • Spot the monkeys along the way

    Lunch

    • Eat near the summit or head back down to Main Street

    Afternoon

    • Wander Main Street and browse duty-free shops
    • Visit Casemates Square
    • Optional museum stop or harbour walk

    Day 2: Sea Views & Slow Exploring

    Morning

    • Dolphin watching boat trip
    • Coffee by Ocean Village Marina

    Late Morning

    • Walk to Europa Point
    • Take in views across to Africa

    Lunch

    • Casual tapas or seafood near the harbour

    Afternoon

    • Final shopping or relaxed stroll through town
    • Airport duty-free before departure

    Final Thoughts

    Gibraltar is small, but it’s packed with character, history, and genuinely unique experiences. Whether you’re here for the views, the wildlife, the shopping, or simply the novelty of it all, it’s a destination that punches well above its weight and makes for a fascinating, easy, and memorable break.