How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Gibraltar Itinerary & Guide
Last Updated on 15th September 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Gibraltar is a tiny speck of a nation in the very south of mainland Spain that is actually a British Overseas Territory. The northern edge of Gibraltar shares its border with Spain and is situated at the very tip of the Iberian peninsula. Here’s your ultimate guide to the perfect one day in Gibraltar itinerary.
At just 6.7 km2 in size, Gibraltar is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, often referred to as simply ‘The Rock’ and is a must-see while in southern Europe.
When wandering around Gibraltar, you’ll soon discover that the little country feels akin to wandering around any town in the UK, with red post boxes, telephone boxes, and typical British high street chains to be found in abundance.
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Is one day enough time to visit Gibraltar?
If you’re pressed for time, then 1 day is enough to see all of the major attractions that this tiny country has to offer. Thanks to its small and compact nature, almost all of the main sites are located close to one another and so can easily be enjoyed in a short time frame. Ideally, the perfect time to explore Gibraltar would be over the course of two to three days.
What is Gibraltar known for?
Gibraltar is most famous for ‘the Rock’ an impressive natural rock jutting out from the earth that has since en turned into a nature reserve. Gibraltar’s military history is pretty famous, as is its Moorish architecture. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe which is home to wild apes. Gibraltar is a British overseas territory, meaning that its citizens are British passport holders.
Good to know: many people commonly mistake Gibraltar for being an island. It’s actually a very narrow peninsula and can be found at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula on the Bay of Gibraltar.
Suggested one day in Gibraltar itinerary
Get to Gibraltar
If you’re not staying in Gibraltar itself then you’ll have to start your day by walking from Spain into Gibraltar (be sure to bring your passport). One of the more unique experiences en route is that you’ll have to walk across the air strip, as this marks the border between Spain and Gibraltar.
Those who are crossing into the nation from nearby towns in Spain on foot, by car, or by bus will have to walk across this air strip and may well have to wait for a plane to land to be able to cross over!
We don’t recommend taking a car as queues can be as long as several hours in order to cross into Gibraltar. Instead, opt to walk! The border is open 24/7 and there is no limit to the number of frontier crossings that you can make.
Gibraltar can also be visited as a day trip from several cities, including Seville. If you prefer all of the travel details to be taken care of for you, then you can book a guided tour from Seville to Gibraltar like this one.
Get the cable car to the top of The Rock
Truth be told, one of the best things to do in Gibraltar is to catch a cable car to the top of The Rock. Tickets can be purchased online. When it comes to buying the ticket, you’ll want to select a return ticket that includes the Nature Reserve (i.e. an all inclusive ticket).
The journey to the top takes six minutes. Arrive earlier in the day to beat the crowds. From the summit (known as Top Station), you can enjoy beautiful views of the port below so be sure to bring your camera along.
On a clear day, you can see across the Strait of Gibraltar all the way to Morocco in northern Africa. It’s also possible to see Spain’s Costa del Sol and an amazing view of the Rock of Gibraltar itself.
The Skywalk
Though not the best activity for those with a fear of heights, one of the best things to do in Gibraltar is to take The Skywalk, which is located just a short walk away from Apes Den. The glass walkway has a see-through base and offers 360º views 340 metres directly above sea level.
The walkway is actually higher up than the tallest point of London’s The Shard and is constructed atop of a former WWII base structure! From the end, visitors can see three countries spanning two continents, making this one Gibraltar attraction that shouldn’t be missed!
Upper Rock Nature Reserve
After admiring the view, it’s time to head into the Nature Reserve. If you’ve bought the all inclusive cable car ticket, then this will include the price of entrance into the Reserve. The best gem of heading into the Nature Reserve is heading into the Ape’s Den to see all of the monkeys!
Gibraltar is home to the only wild apes in Europe and they can be seen at the cable car mid station. The tailless monkeys are the Barbary Macaque (scientifically known as Macaca Sylvanus) and no one quite knows how they ended up on Gibraltar.
When walking through the park, you’ll also come across a number of abandoned military fortifications. In the centuries gone by, Gibraltar was heavily fortified and today vestiges of the past can be found across every turn in the form of guard stations and old lookouts.
One particular highlight is O’Hara’s Battery (close to the Mediterranean Steps). This former artillery battery is perched atop the highest point of the Rock of Gibraltar and the steep climb up is more than worth the beautiful view from the top. There are also old tunnels and WWII rooms to explore dating from between 1899 to 1976.
St Michael’s Cave
One of the greatest highlights of the Nature Reserve is St Michael’s Cave, which is one of the top things to do on the peninsula that doesn’t involve military history. The natural cave is one of many which are located in the peninsula but is the one that has been used by humans for thousands of years.
According to local legend, St Michael’s Cave is one of the Pillars of Hercules and may even be the entrance to The Underworld. In reality, you can enjoy incredible light and sound shows and the ticket price is included with the all-inclusive Nature Reserve tickets. There are snacks and drinks for sale at the cave, as well as free Wi-Fi.
Mediterranean Steps
If you feel like walking even more, then before leaving the Nature Reserve, be sure to head to the Mediterranean Steps. These steps were constructed by the British military and now offer visitors one of the most breathtaking views to be found anywhere in Gibraltar. They can be quite challenging so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water along.
Walk around the city centre
After spending a long morning wandering around the Nature Reserve, head back down The Rock to reach the town centre. If you’re looking for a little whimsical and cottagecore aesthetic, then the old town of Gibraltar is the place to stroll around.
Casemates Square is one of the most important sites in the city centre as it is the largest square and is named for the early 19th-century British-built Grand Casemates.
Other highlights of the city centre include the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned, the Governor’s Residence, and the Royal Gibraltar Post Office.
Best places to eat in Gibraltar
Moorish Castle
Perched just above the town centre, the Moorish Castle dates back to the Moorish occupation of the city during the 8th-century, though only a fraction of the ancient fortification has survived to this day. The two main highlights are Tower of Homage and the Gate House, as well as the beautiful view over the city.
Gibraltar Botanic Gardens
As you might expect from somewhere with a warm climate, the botanical gardens of Gibraltar are simply breathtaking and are well worth a visit, even if you only have 1 day in Gibraltar.
The subtropical gardens were created in 1816 and cover an area of around 6 hectares. The gardens are free to visit and are open every day from 8 AM to sunset.
Europa Point
End your one day in Gibraltar by heading to Europa Point, which is the most southerly tip of Gibraltar. This area is home to the likes of the mid-19th-century Europa Point Lighthouse, the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe.
If you have two or three days in Gibraltar
While you can cover much of what Gibraltar has to offer over the course of a single day, if you have more time then there are a number of attractions worth adding to your list. Here are some of our top picks:
Jews Gate Cemetery
One of the more unusual places to see in the state is the Jews Gate Cemetery, a place of interment which was used from 1746 to 1848 to bury the Jewish residents of Gibraltar. The out of the way site is known as the Windmill Hill Cemetery and comprises of the earliest known Jewish burials in Gibraltar.
Where to stay in Gibraltar
The British Overseas Territory is fairly expensive when compared to southern Spain and so many visitors to The Rock opt to instead stay over the border in nearby Spain. Be sure to bring your passport with you when travelling across the border as you will technically be leaving the Schengen Zone and entering another country!
La Línea de la Concépcion in Spain is around a 30 minute walk to reach the Spain/ Gibraltar border and is a popular place to stay for those wishing to visit The Rock. Some of the top hotel picks in town include Ohtels Campo de Gibraltar and AC Hotel by Marriott La Linea.
If you prefer to stay in Gibraltar itself, then there is quite limited choice and so be sure to book well ahead of time in order to secure the best rates and avoid disappointment. Some of the top picks for places to stay within Gibraltar itself include Rock Hotel (luxury) and Sunborn Gibraltar (luxury).
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