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The Rock of Gibraltar
A limestone monolith guarding the Strait of Gibraltar, home to wild macaques, caves and siege tunnels
A limestone monolith guarding the Strait of Gibraltar, home to wild macaques, caves and siege tunnels
Several troops of macaques live on the Upper Rock. They are wild animals: do not feed or touch them, and keep food and bags out of sight. Feeding them is illegal.
Keep bags zipped; macaques are quick to grab food.
Photo: Scott Wylie, CC BY 4.0
A spectacular limestone cave with stalactites, lit with coloured lights. Its main chamber is used as an auditorium for concerts.
Photo: Bjørn, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tunnels blasted through the rock by the British during the Great Siege of 1779–83 to position cannon, with views over the airport and Spain.
Photo: TripBucket, CC BY 2.0
There are a few cafés on the Rock, including at the top cable car station; most visitors eat in town.
Bring water, especially in summer, as walks on the Rock are steep.
A cable car runs from the town to the top station at about 412m. You can also walk up, or join a minibus tour. An Upper Rock Nature Reserve ticket covers the main sites.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. Under the EU–UK agreement on Gibraltar, routine checks at the land border with Spain ended on 15 July 2026, and Gibraltar joined the Schengen area for travel purposes. Arrivals at the airport and port now pass joint British and Spanish (Schengen) checks, and non-Schengen visitors, including UK nationals, are registered under the EU Entry/Exit System. The currency is the Gibraltar pound, at par with sterling, which is also accepted; euros are often accepted at a less favourable rate. Check current rules before you travel.
Gibraltar is priced in pounds; the nature reserve ticket and cable car are the main costs.
Top to bottom.
Take the cable car up, walk the Skywalk and viewpoints, visit St Michael’s Cave and the Great Siege Tunnels, and see the macaques at the Apes’ Den, then walk down via the Moorish Castle.
Never feed or touch the macaques; fines apply.
Wear comfortable shoes; the roads and paths are steep.
An easterly wind can create a cloud over the Rock and cut views.
Buy cable car and reserve tickets online to save time.
Quick answers for planning time in Rock of Gibraltar.
About 426m.
Yes, via roads and footpaths, though it is steep; the cable car is easier.
They are wild and can bite or snatch food; keep your distance and never feed them.
Entry to the main sites, including St Michael’s Cave and the Great Siege Tunnels.
Yes, on clear days you can see Morocco across the strait.
English is the official language; Spanish and Llanito are widely spoken.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Gibraltar travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.