Gibraltar

The Port’s efficient, attractive Cruise Terminal includes telephones, a bar/cafeteria, arts and craft shops, display areas and a Gibraltar Tourist Board Information office.

Cruise ships berth about 1.5 km from town, a 15 minute walk. Bus stops are on the route, but some accept cash only rather than cashless payments.

The port also runs shuttles, mainly mini vans, though waits can be long: 3 £ one way or 4 £ return. Taxis cost 4 £ per person one way.

Take a printable map with you.

The Rock of Gibraltar makes its greatest impression on first sight through its isolated, towering presence above the surrounding countryside. It is a narrow peninsula connected to the Iberian Peninsula’s end by a narrow sandy isthmus.

Gibraltar covers less than 7 square kilometers, which makes most of it possible to see on foot. Remember, however, that roads can be very steep, particularly the routes up to the Upper Rock. Take a taxi to avoid the climbs; every driver seems to know all the apes by name.

Do not miss the very short runway. The tunnel at its end is now complete and open to cars, buses and taxis, while pedestrians and e-scooters still cross the runway.

Gibraltar is the Spanish derivation of an Arabic name meaning “mountain of Tariq.”

Cable cars operate 9.30am to 5.45pm for the Upper Rock. A “cable car and apes” return costs £16; a ticket with St. Michael’s Cave and Siege Tunnels entry costs more and involves some walking and climbing.

***Please plan accordingly: the cable car is closed for refurbishment until sometime in 2027.***

A “Taxi-Tour”, generally for 8 people in an MPV, costs £31 for a 1.5 hr trip and includes Cave, tunnels and upper rock entry fees. Taxis often claim the cable car is broken; do not believe them. These tours leave the cruise terminal.

For apes and the view alone, choose the cable car; for everything, use the guided tour. Guard belongings carefully because the apes can be very aggressive.

Cable-car queues can be long in season.

Walk downhill for 20 minutes from the Cable Car top station to St. Michael’s Cave, an impressive system with a large concert venue, the Upper Hall, and several equally striking smaller chambers. The Upper Hall also hosts weddings and other memorable events.

A 71-metre-long suspension bridge across a 50-metre-deep Anglian Way gorge in the Upper Rock has just been installed, giving thrill-seekers a new reason to visit Gibraltar.

For Gibraltar history, visit the Gibraltar National Museum in the city center.

Spain is very close, but border controls are cumbersome and jams at the border are frequent and long.

Main Street, around a kilometer long with adjacent lanes and byways, has a wide, often duty-free range of goods with truly british character, including “bobby’s”. The cable car station is at the and of Main Street.

Tobacco can cost less in the ship’s tax free shop, while Gibraltar alcohol is dirt cheap.

Weekday shop hours are normally 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., with half days Saturday; many but not all close Sundays.

The Gibraltar pound is on par with the British pound. Euros are accepted, but Sterling is best because the exchange rate is terrible.

Morrisons is noted for ATMs without additional fees.

Gibraltarian coins and notes are not legal tender in the UK.

Residents of Gibraltar speak English and Spanish. Burger King on the main square has free WiFi.

Gibraltar public holidays.