GIBRALTAR
Climb the rock - meet the apes - head down for fish & chips & pints & darts
Photo by Michal Mrozek on Unsplash
British OverseasTerritory GUIDE
The Pillars of Hercules
Photo by Rui Marinho on Unsplash
BEST TIME TO GO - April to November is good. The other months are cold and wet. September and October are good months with fewer crowds.
STAY -
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There aren't many cheap accommodation options in Gibraltar. You could try airbnb or bite the bullet for a night or two. It would be nice to be a short walk away from the pubs in the old town and also close to the marina. Have a look at these -
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Rock Hotel **** - situated on the Rock a little further out with stunning views, Colonial Hotel built in 1932 which once hosted Winston Churchill, outdoor seawater pool in it's own garden, restaurant, bar, free parking onsite
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Ocean Spa Plaza Resort Apartment - closer to Ocean Village and still close to the main town square, rooftop pool and spa wellness area including hammam, terrace with sea views, expensive onsite parking
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Engineer Guesthouse - excellent location close to the square and the main street, no parking available
VISAS -
TIPS -
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Don't feed the monkeys
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Don't pat the monkeys
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Don't scare the monkeys
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Take GBP Sterling £ (English Pounds) which are interchangeable with Gibraltar Pounds - Euros € are accepted by some places but they don't give a very favourable rate
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Get rid of any Gibraltar Pounds before you leave as they will be useless anywhere else
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There can be long queues to cross the border - on foot is the fastest way
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Gibraltar International Airport (GIB) - only has direct flights to the UK - London Heathrow and Gatwick, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh
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If you haven't seen the footage Gibraltar Airport runway has a very unusual location. To get to town from the airport you can walk across the runway or take a taxi. If there are none around it is a short walk to the border where you can get a taxi or bus into town.
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The closest Spanish airport is Malaga Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport (AGP) - which has direct flight to 149 destinations in 33 countries. You can connect through Doha, Europe, Cairo, New York and Montreal
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Malaga to Gibraltar is 130 kms. You could take a taxi (1½ hours), a bus to the border (3 hours) or rent a car.
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Once you've bought your tickets get some travel insurance to cover yourself.
Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
HISTORY -
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The Muslim invasion of Europe started here. They stayed in Gibraltar for 700 years. It was finally recaptured by the Christians in 1462. It was captured by Britain in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession when the king died without an heir. The territory was ceded after the war along with the island of Minorca. Due to it's strategic location Gibraltar has been held siege 14 recorded times.
POPULATION - 33,666
CAPITAL - Gibraltar (Strong one of God)
RELIGION - British >25%, Spanish >25%, + Italian, Portuguese, and Maltese
ETHNICITY - White 93%, Black 7%
LANGUAGE - English
NATIONAL DRINK - English Beer
NATIONAL DISH - Calentita (besan pizza with no topping)
GOVERNMENT - Parliamentary Representative Democratic British Overseas Territory
BORN - 1704
BIG MAC IN $US - $3.50 with small potatoes
LITERACY - 99%
MINIMUM WAGE ANNUAL IN $US - $19,200
CURRENCY - Gibraltar Pound GIP 1 GIP = $1.16
LIFE EXPECTANCY - 78.7
TOURISTS PER YEAR - 11 million
NO.1 TOURIST SITE - The Rock and the Apes.
CHEERS - Cheers
#18 GIBRALTAR OVERNIGHT
HIGHLIGHTS - fish & Chips & beer & darts
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Gibraltar 1- 2N
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The Rock - El Peñón
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Weird Airport
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English Pubs
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Bobbies
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Fish and Chips
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Sunset at Europa Point
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St. Michael's Cave
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St. Michael’s Cabin
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The Great Siege & World War 2 Tunnels
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The Mediterranean Steps or the Cable Car
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Main Street, Irish Town and Casemates Square
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Llanito - the local lingo - Chico: half a pint of beer
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Gibraltar Skywalk & Windsor Suspension Bridge
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10 September is National Day including events & activities the preceding week
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Gibraltar is one of the two Pillars of Hercules, the gateway to the Mediterranean. If you are traveling from Europe to Africa this is the place to do it. "Rome 2 Rome" comes through here and if you do "Las Costas de Espana" and want to continue on to "Meet Morocco" you will pass through here. Or it would make a good weekend getaway.
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Captured by the British over 300 years ago this unique anomaly is definitely worth a visit. Arrive for a substantial brunch. See the sights. Spend a couple of nights. English fry up for breakfast and then off for the day. Have a day trip to Morocco or Spain before returning for sundowners. Tangiers is the obvious choice in Morocco and you could visit Marabella and Ronda in Spain. You could go on an organised tour or better yet do it on your own.
Barbary Macaque
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Photo by Raul Cacho Oses on Unsplash
Downtown Gibraltar
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There is plenty to see and do here to keep you active and occupied for a few days. It's a bit of an anomaly which makes it interesting. A little part of the United Kingdom here in sunny Spain. The obvious one is to climb the rock. It is a 1 hour climb up the Mediterranean Steps, or 6 minutes up in the cable car. There are tunnels, caves, sky walks, museums as well as WWII and more ancient history. Thanks to the British influence Gibraltar is a great place to have breakfast or brunch. Alfresco seating and good weather doesn't hurt either. From award winning "Full English", Vegetarian and Spanish dishes you'll be spoilt for choice.
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A great way to get around and up the place is by e-bike. You can do tours as well as renting by the hour. If you're feeling like a round of golf one of Europe's finest courses The San Roque Club is a half hour away.
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It could be convenient and even good value to see some of the the sights on a tour. Have a look through these and see what you think.
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The Star Bar - This place is so old it is said Christopher Columbus enjoyed a steak (and perhaps a pint) here before heading off to discover the new world. Good food (award winning signature breakfasts), live music and televised sports.
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The Lord Nelson is one of Gibraltar’s most loved pubs. A classic English Pub with a Naval theme. Set on the main square it's another great people watching spot. Breakfast on the terrace is a highlight. So many breakfasts and so few mornings. It's also has live music and televised sport.
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Another great place for a shop, a sit down and to enjoy a meal or a few drinks with the marina views is Ocean Village. It's only a 10 minute stroll from the old town. If you're feeling hungry in the morning try the Ship which is famous for it's Big Boy Breakfast.
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Jury’s is next to Gibraltar’s courtrooms. It has a terrace and is a great spot to sit and people watch. They are an excellent option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or just to pop in for their delicious coffee and cakes.
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For a Full English or Vegetarian Breakfast with iconic coffee head to Sacarello’s in Irish Town. They are a household name in Gibraltar and still supply their famous coffee to many of the other cafes in town.
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Head up to the Top of the Rock Cafe for unbeatable views. Sitting at the top of the Rock you can see Europe, Africa, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. You can take the cable car up which leaves from the old town area.
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Most of Gibraltar’s famous Barbery macaques live up here. They say when the apes leave so will the British. In 1942 their numbers were down to 7 and Churchill ordered their numbers be replenished from Morocco and Algeria. These days they number in the hundreds.
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Bistro 292 has a pleasant terrace to sit on. It's a good spot for breakfast or some fish and chips.
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Sit down for lunch with the most incredible of views at Mons Calpe Suite. Restaurant and bar with amazing views at the top cable car station. It closes at 19.15 so you can catch the last cable car down. It isn't an option for dinner.
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National Day - 10 September is National Day and is one of the main events in Gibraltar as well as a public holiday. It commemorates the sovereignty referendum, which took place in 1967, where voters chose to remain under British Sovereignty. Most of the events take place at Casemates Square and include street parties, food stalls, concerts and marching bands. There are fireworks and a massive balloon release in the national colours.
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There are many events and activities in the week leading up to National Day, taking place at a number of venues around Gibraltar. Get your bookings in early.