The Most Unique Experiences To Have In Gibraltar

Gibraltar’s proximity to Morocco, its location on Spain’s southern tip and its status as a British overseas territory have combined to make it unlike anywhere else you’re likely to visit. From mingling with its Barbery macaques to picking up on the country’s surreal vernacular, here are seven experiences only to be enjoyed in this intriguing destination.

Apes

Gibraltar’s furriest residents are its Barbery macaques – the only wild monkeys to be found in continental Europe. A population of about 230 resides all over the rugged terrain of the territory’s Rock, but most are to be found on its 400 metre peak and give you a friendly welcome when you step off the cable car (although it’s recommended that you keep personal belongings close to you). It’s said that these apes hold to the key to Britain’s control of Gibraltar, and that when they die out the UK will lose its dominion of the territory.

Pillars of Hercules

If you’re approaching Gibraltar by road from Spain on a clear day, you’ll get a great view of the Pillars of Hercules. According to legend, the Rock of Gibraltar was once one with the Jebel Musa – a peak in the Rif mountains of Morocco, 13 miles away across the Straits – before Hercules smashed through them creating the Two Pillars. Seen on the approach, they look like a majestic gateway to the Mediterranean, marking the point at which that sea’s warm waters meet the Atlantic. An even better view of the Musa and the north coast of Africa is available from the viewing platform at Europa Point on Gibraltar’s most southerly tip.

Pick up some Llanito

One of the most bizarre aspects of visiting Gibraltar is overhearing locals talk in the territory’s unique vernacular, Llanito. Llanito reflects Gibraltar’s many-sided history and consists of a mixture of Andalusian Spanish and English peppered with words from several other Mediterranean languages. At first, its rhythm makes you think you’re listening to English; but then you hear Spanish spoken with a strong Andalusian accent, blended with words and expressions from Portugese, Maltese and Italian. The locals all speak English too – and many also Spanish – but encountering this strange language is an experience only available in Gibraltar.

1. Walk to Spain

Depending on the length of your visit to Gibraltar, you might wish to spend a few hours or perhaps a day in Andalusia, too. If so, getting there couldn’t be easier: you simply head to the territory’s northern tip, follow the signs to Spain and stroll across the border to find yourself in La Linea de la Concepcion. Though not the prettiest place you’ll visit, La Linea is a working, largely tourist-free Spanish town that offers a complete contrast to the affluent British territory less than a mile away. Many of Gibraltar’s catering staff are Spaniards from La Linea and the surrounding area, who walk across the border every day to earn wages several times higher than those available in Andalusia.

It’s hard to get lost when walking from Gibraltar to Spain; Derek the Conqueror, flickr

Tunnels

Particularly amazing to contemplate as you gaze at the Rock of Gibraltar is the fact that it houses 34 miles of underground tunnels – almost double the length of all its roads put together. Dug for defensive purposes, the earliest of these subterranean pathways date from 1782, during the Great Siege Of Gibraltar, and were used to install guns into the Rock’s vertiginous terrain. The network was extensively enlarged throughout the 20th century, particularly between 1933-38, when four underground reservoirs were built, and the Second World War, when a further 18 miles of tunnels were added to the existing seven. Some of these caverns and pathways are now closed to the public, but the Great Siege and Second World War tunnels make for a truly fascinating visit.

Mix of cultures

Owing to its unique mixture of British, Andalusian and Moorish culture and history, Gibraltar is unlike anywhere else you’re likely to visit. Before being captured by the British in 1704 during the War of Spanish Succession, the strategically-important territory had been swapped between Spaniards and Moors for centuries (its two Moorish periods were between 711-1309 and 1333 and 1462). It’s this many-sided history which accounts for Gibraltar’s unique ambience, its intriguing mix of architectural styles and its Spanish-English-Mediterranean vernacular, Llanito. It’s precisely this blend of influences that can result in some surreal and unforgettable experiences when visiting here.

Views

It’s not often that you can survey three countries and two continents from a single viewpoint, but this is the unique experience afforded by taking the cable car up the Rock of Gibraltar’s 400-metre peak. From here, surrounded by the local Barbery macaques, the old town of Gibraltar is spread out below you to the left whilst Spain stretches away beyond it to the north. Turn around to look south and the coast of Morocco is visible, 13 miles away across the Straits, as is the hazy outline of the Rif mountain range. The influence of all these different countries – Britain, Spain and Morocco – and of Europe and Africa have combined over centuries to give Gibraltar its unique culture.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.