Here’s a list of the 15 best things to do in Gibraltar, along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.
The Rock
If you’ve heard of anything about Gibraltar, it’s probably the Rock. Also named Jabel-al-Tariq, this huge outcropping is located in the middle of this territory, which sits on the very tip of Europe’s Iberian peninsula.
The top of the rock is covered in a nature reserve, which attracts loads of visitors. It is said that the rock was one of the Pillars of Hercules. Its peaks reach over 400 meters high, made all the more impressive for its sheer, shale sides.
What’s even more interesting is the fact that The top of the Rock is home to monkeys, namely a large tribe of macaques, which are the only monkeys living in the wild in Europe.
St. Michael’s Cave
Saint Michael’s Cave is located in the upper rock of Gibraltar, at over 300 meters above sea level. The hollowed-out stone has been known to nearly all the civilizations in the area, as evinced by artifacts found deep within that date back as far as 40,000 BC.
Ancient legends speak of the cave as being the gate to Hell, although the scientific origins are easier to pinpoint: slow dripping of rainwater that dissolved the rocks over thousands of years.
It holds an underground lake and an auditorium where concerts are held, both of which can be viewed on guided tours.
The Great Siege Tunnels
Also known as the Upper Galleries, this series of tunnels goes into the Rock of Gibraltar, having been dug out of solid limestone rock during the attempted Spanish and French takeover of Gibraltar.
The British used these tunnels to place guns and firearms to be able to besiege those who approached to attack. The tunnels were dug by hand and with explosives, enabling the building of five galleries:
Windsor Gallery, King’s And Queen’s Lines, St. George’s Hall, and Cornwallis Chamber. Today, visitors can explore nearly 30 miles of tunnels.
Europa Point
At the southernmost tip of Gibraltar lies Europa Point, a flat area at the end of the Rock of Gibraltar. From Europa Point, you can catch views of Africa as well as the Spanish coastline.
The point contains historical and notable buildings, such as the famed lighthouse. Built between 1838 and 1841, it is under the authority of Trinity House in the UK, and it is located at the southernmost point of the Rock.
Other other notable buildings include the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, and the Nun’s Well.
Gibraltar Botanic Gardens
Gibraltar boasts some beautiful Botanic Gardens, known as La Alameda, which spreads out over 15 acres. These gardens were built in the early 1800s for the soldiers stationed nearby to have a nice, green area to frequent during their off-duty time.
Though they were neglected throughout the 1900s, they were renovated in the ‘90s to feature a wildlife conservation park. Plants range from native species to imported, including the Canary Island dragon tree, wild olive trees, desert palms, and other flowering plants. It also features an open-air theater that puts on a variety of shows.
Catalan Bay
This small fishing village on a bay is known as La Caleta in Spanish. The name is disputed, with some claiming it was named after Catalan military men that settled there after the War of Spanish Succession in 1704, and with others suggesting it’s just a mispronunciation of La Caleta.
The village was populated by Genoese in the 1800s when the government only allowed fishermen to live there. It is the second-largest beach in Gibraltar, and it gets quite crowded during the summer.
In September it is the site of a religious celebration when the Bishop carries Our Lady of Sorrows down to the beach to be blessed along with the sea. The beach is generally safe, although occasionally there are swarms of jellyfish.
Gibraltar National Museum
Gibraltar’s very own museum is a fascinating stop to find out more about the history and culture of this unique territory. Founded in 1930 as a place to house the astounding archaeological finds in the territory,
it focuses on the history of the rock itself as well as the culture of the inhabitants. The building also incorporates the remains of a 14th-century Moorish bathhouse, which is one of the best-preserved bathhouses in Europe.
O’Hara’s Battery
Located on the highest part of the Rock of Gibraltar, this artillery battery boasts the best views of the territory. O’Hara’s Battery is located 421 meters above sea level, and it can be visited to tour the historical artifacts as well as to take in the amazing views.
They have recently been refurbished and restored, making them a great stop for history buffs.
Star Bar
The Star Bar is purported to be the oldest bar in Gibraltar. It is a popular tourist attraction thanks to a history that dates back several hundreds of years. Have a go on their traditional fish & chips.
Near the territory’s Main Street, it was beloved for its ancient look, although it has been renovated recently. The food served is typical English, although it was rumored to serve up a steak to Christopher Columbus on his way out to America.
Gibraltar Skywalk & Windsor Suspension Bridge
The Gibraltar Skywalk & the Windsor Suspension Bridge are two attractions that are not for those with a fear of heights. The suspension bridge is 71 meters long, stretching shakily across the gorge by Royal Anglian Way.
You can see magnificent views across the strait, bay, and city. The Skywalk is located at the top of the Rock, a former military lookout that is now a glass platform with fabulous views across the Mediterranean.
The Convent
The Convent, as the governor’s residence is known, was built in 1531 and was once the site of a Franciscan convent. The friars left in 1704, after the British and Dutch captured Gibraltar, and the convent became the governor’s palace soon after.
The convent is rumored to house the ghost of a Spanish nun who was cruelly executed in the building. The convent actually holds the Commonwealth’s largest display of heraldry and also the last working keys to the gates to the city.
Ocean Village
The Ocean Village is a major marina in Gibraltar, which includes the Ocean Village luxury resort, all on Marina Bay. The marina is open to ships up to 100 meters long, with space for up to 330 ships.
It is a prime location, bustling with shops, casinos, and marina facilities. The modern design includes a floating five-star hotel.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity was finished in 1832, and its architecture features Moorish arches and a colonial look. The Church of England Diocese of Gibraltar is headquartered there.
If you visit, you can see a small stone with a cross next to the baptismal font. It comes from Coventry Cathedral in England, which was virtually destroyed in a WWII bombing.
Tower of Homage
Tower of Homage is part of the Moorish Castle, a complex of medieval buildings in Gibraltar. The Tower itself stands tall and is located in a strategic position. It was the only Castle constructed by the Marinid dynasty.
The fortifications date back to 1160, although these original fortifications were destroyed and then rebuilt in the 1300s. The tower is the highest known tower from the period of Islamic rule.
It played an important part in the Islamic invasion, which led then to Islamic rule across western Europe for 700 years.
Dolphin Watching
Dolphins (and whales!) populate the water around Gibraltar. They are so numerous that you can see dolphins swimming just about every day, especially the Common, Bottlenose, and Striped Dolphins.
Their sociable nature means they tend to swim in groups, and riding out to sea to catch a glimpse of them is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have while visiting Gibraltar.
There are three different dolphin-watching tours in the area, and some of them offer tours for under 20 GBP, which includes marine biologists to comment on the tour.
