Gibraltar

A British rock peninsula guarding the gateway to the Mediterranean, where you can see the Rock's macaques, the Great Siege Tunnels and Europa Point Lighthouse in a single day, along with duty-free shopping and distinctly British streets.

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Covering only about 6.8 km², it commands the Strait of Gibraltar between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, with Morocco in Africa just 14 km across the water. The peninsula is almost entirely taken up by a 426-m limestone rock, and borders La Línea in Spain to the north. Sightseeing falls into three parts. First, the Upper Rock Nature Reserve: take the cable car up and walk down along the trails, passing the wild macaques at the Apes' Den, the Skywalk, the Windsor Suspension Bridge and St Michael's Cave, with the Great Siege Tunnels, the World War II Tunnels and the Moorish Castle at the northern end; if you're fit, you can tackle the Mediterranean Steps. Second, the old town, where Grand Casemates Square, duty-free shopping on Main Street, the Gibraltar National Museum, the Trafalgar Cemetery and the Botanic Gardens are all within walking distance. Third, Europa Point at the southern tip, with its lighthouse, mosque and 100-ton gun, plus the beach at Catalan Bay on the east side; in summer you can also take a boat out to see dolphins. The climate is Mediterranean: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct are the most comfortable, summer is hot and dry and good for swimming, and winter is mild but windy and wet, with the cable car suspended in strong winds. Most visitors arrive overland from Málaga, Marbella or La Línea in Spain, walking across the border and over the airport runway into town; there are also direct flights to Gibraltar Airport from London and other UK cities. The currency is the Gibraltar pound (at par with sterling; UK pounds are accepted everywhere, and most places take euros but at a poor rate). Unlike in the UK, traffic drives on the right; sockets are the UK type. Chinese passport holders need a UK visa or must meet the relevant conditions to enter – always check the latest rules before travelling. A full day is usually enough to see the main sights, but staying a night makes it more relaxed.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries