Gibraltar Attractions
Status: British dependent territory
Gibraltar, long famous as the "key to the Mediterranean", which has been held by Britain since 1704, lies near the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula. The Rock of Gibraltar (Arabic Jebel al- Tarik) rears out of the sea on the east side of Algeciras Bay, linked with the mainland of Spain by a narrow isthmus. The town of Gibraltar lies on the west side of the Rock, which rises from the sea in a series of terraces. Since Gibraltar has for all practical purposes no sources of water of its own, large cisterns ("water catchments") have been hewn out of the rock at its higher east end. The only monkeys living wild in Europe are the Barbary apes of Gibraltar. The population of Gibraltar is a mixture of people from all parts of the British Isles, from Spain, Portugal, Morocco and other Mediterranean countries, as well as some Indians. The language pattern is equally mixed: in addition to English in all its variations and of course to Spanish, Gibraltar has a dialect of its own, basically Spanish but with an admixture of English. Since the withdrawal of most of the British troops and the loss in jobs which followed, Gibraltar has tried to attract investment from the EU and become a financial center. Tourism (4.1 million in 1991), the sale of stamps, and the commercial harbor are significant sources of income together with a modest degree of industry (oil, foodstuffs). The currency is the Gibraltar pound and since 1991 a coin worth 70 ECU (50 pounds) has been in circulation.
Transport
The runway of the civil airport is built out into Algeciras bay and is crossed by the road to the Spanish frontier (with traffic light control), there are flights to London and Tangier (Morocco). There are also ferry services to and from Tangier.
Vehicles on Gibraltar drive on the right.
Gibraltar, long famous as the "key to the Mediterranean", which has been held by Britain since 1704, lies near the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula. The Rock of Gibraltar (Arabic Jebel al- Tarik) rears out of the sea on the east side of Algeciras Bay, linked with the mainland of Spain by a narrow isthmus. The town of Gibraltar lies on the west side of the Rock, which rises from the sea in a series of terraces. Since Gibraltar has for all practical purposes no sources of water of its own, large cisterns ("water catchments") have been hewn out of the rock at its higher east end. The only monkeys living wild in Europe are the Barbary apes of Gibraltar. The population of Gibraltar is a mixture of people from all parts of the British Isles, from Spain, Portugal, Morocco and other Mediterranean countries, as well as some Indians. The language pattern is equally mixed: in addition to English in all its variations and of course to Spanish, Gibraltar has a dialect of its own, basically Spanish but with an admixture of English. Since the withdrawal of most of the British troops and the loss in jobs which followed, Gibraltar has tried to attract investment from the EU and become a financial center. Tourism (4.1 million in 1991), the sale of stamps, and the commercial harbor are significant sources of income together with a modest degree of industry (oil, foodstuffs). The currency is the Gibraltar pound and since 1991 a coin worth 70 ECU (50 pounds) has been in circulation.
Transport
The runway of the civil airport is built out into Algeciras bay and is crossed by the road to the Spanish frontier (with traffic light control), there are flights to London and Tangier (Morocco). There are also ferry services to and from Tangier.
Vehicles on Gibraltar drive on the right.
Read More
Europa Point
From Europa Point there are fabulous views of the Bay and across to the African Coast. On the point are a restaurant, chapel, and a lighthouse.
Highest Point
Beyond the Apes' Rock, on the left, a flight of steps leads up to the Highest Point (425m/1395ft).
Alameda Botanic Gardens
At the end of Main Street are the Southport Gates, beyond which is the Alameda, a public garden with luxuriant subtropical vegetation and an open-air theater. At the north end of the gardens is a cableway running up to the Signal Station (395m/1295ft), near which are the Water Catchments (reservoirs).
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset |
Europa Road
On the east side of the Alameda is the beginning of Europa Road, a 5km/ 3mile long scenic road which climbs steeply up the west side of the Rock between the houses and gardens of South Town and then runs down between the jagged rock faces of Europa Pass.
Gibraltar Museum
The museum focuses on the cultural and natural history of Gibraltar, including the Strait of Gibraltar. Established in 1930, the museum is housed in Bomb House, the former residence of the Principal Artillery Officer.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 14:00 |
Harbor
Northwest of the square is the harbor, and just beyond this the Old Mole, built in 1309, which along with the North Mole marks the northern end of Gibraltar's large harbor.
Moorish Castle
The old town of Gibraltar, North Town, begins beyond the airport, which is laid out on the isthmus of level ground, with Casemates Square. Above this, to the east, is the Moorish Castle, originally built in the eighth Century and rebuilt by the Almohads in the 14th Century, of which only the keep and a few fragments of masonry remain.
St Michael's Cave
Farther south from the Highest Point a track leads off Queen's Road to St Michael's Cave, the largest cave on the Rock, with fine stalactites and stalagmites. In summer the cave is used as a concert hall. At the end of Queen's Road there is a sharp bend turning back into Europa Road.
Upper Galleries
From Main Street Willis' Road leads past the Moorish Castle into Queen's Road, a narrow road which runs along the Rock, half way up, affording fine views. At the near end of this road, on the left, are the Upper Galleries, which were hewn from the rock during the Franco-Spanish siege of Gibraltar in 1779-83 and still house cannon.
Upper Rock Nature Reserve (Apes' Rock)
Apes' Rock is home to Barbary apes which are the only monkeys living wild in Europe. A British army corporal is assigned the duty of feeding these living symbols of Gibraltar. Visitors should be wary in their dealings with the apes, which tend to bite.
Upper rock is a nature reserve and offers great views. It is also a good area for viewing migrations of birds between Africa and Europe.
Upper rock is a nature reserve and offers great views. It is also a good area for viewing migrations of birds between Africa and Europe.
