Gibraltar A day on the rock.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory on the tip of the Iberian peninsula. It occupies a strategic position at the entrance to the Mediterranean and as a result has always been a important British military base. Today Gibraltar has 32000 inhabitants and its economy is largely based on tourism and financial services. Due to the fact of its obvious geography it is also known by its nickname The Rock
How to get there. Gibraltar has a land border with Spain and you can cross from Spain into Gibraltar by car and on foot at this point, however it is not unknown for long queues to develop at this crossing.
It also has a small airport and there are direct flights to Gibraltar from the UK with British Airways and Easyjet operating from there.
However it is also a popular port of call on many cruise ship itineraries and although I have visited The Rock from Spain, the last twice I have been there was from cruise ships.
Gibraltar Airport
Cruise Terminal
The cruise terminal is located in what is known as the North Mole of Gibraltar Harbour, it has a few facilities within it including a cafe, public telephones, some craft/tourist shops and a branch of the Gibraltar Toursit Board. The fact Gibraltar is only 7 Sq km in size almost everything within it is in walking distance of the port, for example the town center is only 1.5 km from the terminal and its a easy 20 minutes walk.
Cruise ship docked in Gibraltar
WHAT TO SEE AND DO:
Gibraltar Nature Reserve & Cable Car
The reserve is basically the more elevated area of the famous rock that Gibraltar sits on, it is however a great spot for bird watching as its a main resting place for millions of birds that migrate each year between Africa and Europe, it is also where you find one of the most popular ways to get up the rock, the Cable Car.
The cable car is approximately 35 minutes walk from the cruise terminal, but on days when the ships are in town then it quickly gets very busy with queues developing, so if you want to use it get there early.
You can also however access this area by road, and there are many taxis and small vans who will happily take you on a tour of this area and its attractions.
Gibraltar Cable car climbing the rock
One of Gibraltar's more famous inhabitants is its population of Apes, these are in fact Barbary macaques native to Morocco. They are the only colony of wild monkeys living in Europe. The best place to see them is in the Nature Reserve at the top of the rock, and particular at a spot known as the Apes Den. However beware !! Remember these animals are wild, so they can bite and there very fast particular if they see a opertunity to snatch anything that may contain food. However they are something most people go to see and we were no different.
Gibraltar local says hallo
Logistics manager not getting to close 😊
No visit to the Rock would be complete without visiting the stunning St Michael's Cave.
This spectacular cave is 274 meters above sea level and is crammed ful of stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The largest part of the Cave known is as the Upper Hall is connected by 5 passageways to a smaller hall where you will see drops of up to 45 meters. Its even home to a small underground lake. Plus in one of the halls there is a natural underground theatre that can sit 400 spectators known as Cathedral Cave.
Inside the cave
Logistics Manager at St Michael's Cave
Stalactites & Stalagmites
Spectacular rock formations
The Great Seige Tunnels
These military tunnels are carved into the North face of the rock they were created by the British using nothing but manual labour in just 6 weeks as a defence of the rock when France and Spain attempted to recapture Gibralter in the 1700's. They were then further extended again during WW2 and now they stretch over 51 km in length. Guided tours of parts of the complex are available.
The Great Seige Tunnels a interesting place.
Gibraltar Botanical Gardens
These beautiful gardens are found at the end of Main Street near the Southport Gates and are public. They are worth a visit to see the lush sub tropical planting.
Gibraltar Botanical Gardens also known as La Alameda Gardens
Ocean Village
This area of Gibraltar is found around the Marina and its surrounded by upmarket bars and restaurants its also home to the 5 star floating hotel yacht, Hotel Sunborn. This area gets busy at night when it becomes the main focus of the Rock's nightlife.
Ocean Village
Europa Point
Although this area really has nothing much to offer in itself its the southern most point of Gibraltar and from its viewing platform on a good day you can see across the Gibraltar Straits to Morocco in Africa which is only 13 miles away.
Europa Point unfortunately on the day we were there the haze ment Morocco was hidden
Main Street
As the name suggests this is the main street through the old town area of Gibraltar which has a network of small lanes surrounding the street. The street is itself a slice of the United Kingdom in the sun, with its shops and bars all with names very familiar to UK residents and anyone who has visited the UK. Even the local police look familiar as they patrol the street. This is where you will want to head if shopping is on your agenda. At its end is Casemates Square which is surrounded by bars.
Yours truly on Main Street
Logistics Manger meets the local Gibraltar Constabulary
So that was a few of my suggestions on how to enjoy a day in Gibraltar, for such a small place it does pack a lot in.
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