Gems of Gibraltar

There’s more to this wonderful destination than you might expect

When you think of Gibraltar, you might think of the famous monkeys and the pleasant thought of a “home away from home”. Yes, Gibraltar has firm ties with Britain – with Marks & Spencer on the Main Street, fish and chip shops, and UK  brands in the local supermarkets. But Gib, as the locals affectionally call it, has multiple cultures living within its three-mile-long radius and the locals are proud of their Mediterranean heritage.

Roam  the streets

The main street of Gibraltar covers the entire length of the city, and as you walk through the bustling streets, keep an eye out for picture-perfect churches, painted houses and historic Grand Casemates Square. And make sure you climb the narrow lanes and steps for gorgeous views.

Gibraltar’s Botanic Gardens is another quiet paradise where you can spot native species of trees. The gardens include an open-air theatre and play home to the Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park, which began in 1994 after a collection of parrots and monkeys were confiscated from illegal traders who were passing through the waters (Awcp.gi).

Explore the outdoors

If you want some help with the hills – as there are many – head out on an eBike Gibraltar tour, where you can either join an insightful guided tour or see the sights on your own time (Ebike-gibraltar.com).

Climbing the historic Mediterranean steps all the way up to the top of the Rock is a must-do, but make sure you feel fit enough, as the steps are arduous and at times unstable. At the top, you’ll be able to see views of Africa, explore the hidden caves and cross the Windsor Suspension Bridge, which offers magical views of the sea and city.

If you’re not up for a climb, you can walk, bike or drive up to the Rock. You can even follow in Queen Elizabeth II’s footsteps, by standing exactly where she and Prince Philip looked out from the Rock on a visit in 1954, just 11 months after her coronation.

When it comes to seeing the famous macaques, its best to wait until early evening. This is when they make their way down from the tourist traps and head back to their dens halfway down the Rock. If you want an authentic and unforgettable macaque experience, where you’ll be completely immersed in their lives, take an outing with eco tour agency Monkey Talk (Monkeytalkgibraltar@gmail.com).

Gibraltar isn’t a beach holiday, but Sandy Bay and the quaint village of Caleta offer all the sunbathing opportunities. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can grab a paddle board from IN2 adventures where all levels and ages are welcome. They also offer lessons and guided safari around the shores, where you just might spot a dolphin or two.

Speaking of dolphins, Gibraltar’s waters are famous for being a hive of activity for the many species and you can spot them on a Dolphin Adventure trip down by the harbour. Top tip: if you don’t see any, you’ll be able to get a return journey for free another day (Dolphin.gi).

A taste of Gibraltar

With a mix of heritages comes a mix of delicious cuisines, so you’ll be able to enjoy many food options in Gib. We recommend sampling the fresh dogfish and swordfish in old-school restaurant Seawave, or watching the sun go down at Rendezvous for Mediterranean charcuterie boards and smoked meats. If you’re after a local dish, head to Amars bakery for Calentita, a pancake made from chickpea flour, olive oil, salt and pepper.

To wash it all down, Campion gin is a small distillery that offers a journey through history at their Spirit of the Rock experience and use flowers that are only grown in Gibraltar to infuse their unique small batch gin.

Where to stay

Words: Hannah Mellin. Photos: Visit Gibraltar, Roxy Codali