Beyond Marbella · Beyond Marbella
Gibraltar, the Rock at the gateway to the Mediterranean: the back story
The back story
About Gibraltar, the Rock at the gateway to the Mediterranean: the back story
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, dominated by the Rock. You cross the border from La Línea de la Concepción on foot or by car.
Crossing the border
Gibraltar is reached by road via La Línea de la Concepción. Many visitors park in La Línea and walk across the border; the road into town crosses the airport runway. Carry your passport and check the current entry requirements before you go.
The Rock
The Upper Rock Nature Reserve has caves, wartime tunnels, viewpoints over the Strait to Africa, and the famous Barbary macaques. Reach it by cable car or on foot.
Few borders in Europe are as surprising: you walk across an airport runway to enter Gibraltar.
Money and shops
Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar pound, at par with sterling, and Main Street is lined with shops.
Our advice: go on a clear day for the views, walk across the border rather than queueing by car, and never feed or touch the macaques.
Why it's on our list
- The border
- The Rock
- The macaques
- Main Street
- Getting there
- Practicalities
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Gibraltar, the Rock at the gateway to the Mediterranean: the back story before you go.