Gibraltar – Travel Guide
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, allures visitors with its iconic Rock of Gibraltar, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and Africa. The historic town of Gibraltar boasts landmarks like the Moorish Castle and the Great Siege Tunnels, showcasing its strategic military history. Europa Point, at the southernmost tip, features the Trinity Lighthouse and views of the Strait of Gibraltar. St. Michael`s Cave, with its limestone formations and underground chambers, offers a fascinating natural attraction. Gibraltar`s blend of British and Mediterranean influences, duty-free shopping, and friendly Barbary macaques make it a unique destination for travelers.
All about Gibraltar
Gibraltar FAQ
What is Gibraltar known for?
Gibraltar, a slice of Britain located at the Iberian Peninsula`s southern tip, is synonymous with the mammoth limestone Rock of Gibraltar, with its summit clocking in at just over 1,400 feet above sea level. It is also well-known for its extensive tunnels of above-ground caves inside the Rock of Gibraltar, of which the number is over 150. Due to its position between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Gibraltar has been called `the Key to the Mediterranean` for centuries, and is home to a sizable British Armed Forces and NATO presence today. Gibraltar is renowned for its Barbary macaques, unique to Gibraltar and the only wild monkeys native to Europe, who are now housed on their own special nature reserve. Despite its small size (just 2.6 square miles), Gibraltar is home to six beaches, a vibrant city center, and great duty-free shopping opportunities.
What are the best places to visit in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar City will be where you stay when you visit Gibraltar. Nearly all of Gibraltar`s population lives in `the city`, which locals call `Westside` since the populated areas are almost exclusively on the western side of the peninsula. The southernmost point of Gibraltar (and on the Iberian Peninsula) is Europa Point. St. Michael`s Cave is located in the interior, inside the Rock of Gibraltar. Catalan Bay Beach, the most popular beach, is located on the northeastern coast.
How many days should I spend in Gibraltar?
We recommend approximately 2-3 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights, desired hotel and activities. While you are in the area, we recommend utilizing extra days to visit nearby Spanish cities such as La Linea de la Concepcion (just over the border from the Gibraltar Airport) and Algeciras, which sits on the Bay of Algeciras just to Gibraltar`s west.
What is the best way to get around Gibraltar?
The best way to see Gibraltar is by bus. The buses are run by the Gibraltar Bus Company, and there are nine bus routes that reach all corners of the small peninsula. Two of the bus routes (#5 and #10) run from the airport to the rest of the peninsula, while bus route #1 is the `midtown loop`, running between Market Place and Willis`s Road. The route to reach Europa Point is bus route #2. Adult day passes for Gibraltar buses cost £2.50. You can also take taxis; there are seven taxi stands in Gibraltar, with the largest being at the `frontier`, the area just north of Gibraltar Airport and just south of the Spanish border, and at Casemates between Casemates Square Shopping Mall and the International Commercial Centre. Flagfall is approximately £2 and each kilometer (0.6 miles) costs roughly £1.50 more, and you shouldn`t pay more than £15 to reach any point in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Taxi Association offers 4-5 stop tours of the peninsula and you can ask your taxi driver about it when you are at the taxi stand (minimum 4 people typically, at approximately £35 per person, with a length of 75 to 90 minutes).
What is the currency of Gibraltar?
The currency of Gibraltar is the Gibraltar pound (written like the British pound, with the symbol £). Both Gibraltar pounds and British pound sterling are legal tender and are worth the exact same amount when spending in Gibraltar. Euros are not legal tender but are accepted in many businesses. Be warned, the exchange rate used by shops will not be as favorable as the exchange rate you will get if you trade Euros for Gibraltar pounds. Just be sure that you spend any Gibraltar pounds while you are in Gibraltar because it will be difficult to exchange these in any other country except the United Kingdom.
Exchange desks and ATMs are available throughout the peninsula. All major worldwide credit cards such as Visa, American Express, MasterCard, etc. are accepted in Gibraltar, and major UK credit cards are accepted there as well.
Do people speak English in Gibraltar?
The official language in Gibraltar is English. All signs and necessary documents that you will need to read in Gibraltar will be in English, and you will be able to converse in English in nearly every situation while on the peninsula. The locals speak a patois called Llanito, Andalusian Spanish heavily mixed with British English, as well as with words from Maltese, Arabic, and other languages influential to this region.
Best time to visit Gibraltar
Gibraltar is very small, just 2.6 square miles in area, but there`s a lot to do in this British Overseas Territory all twelve months of the year.
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There are a number of long-running festivals that bring tourists to Gibraltar each year, not to mention those who come here for the nightlife, the peninsula`s six beaches, and the mammoth Rock of Gibraltar.
Make sure to read this page to find out more about everything from holiday and festival dates to expected weather conditions.
Tipping in Gibraltar
This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. In Europe, tipping is not as habitual, although tips are more commonplace in a popular tourist destination such as Gibraltar.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Gibraltar pounds?
The currency of Gibraltar is the Gibraltar pound (written like the British pound, with the symbol £). Both Gibraltar pounds and British pound sterling are legal tender and are worth the exact same amount when spending in Gibraltar. U.S. dollars are not accepted as payment anywhere in Gibraltar.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Tipping culture in Gibraltar, as far as restaurants, cafes, and bars are concerned, is a melange of tipping customs from Spain, just across the border, and customs of the United Kingdom, of which Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. Service charges (typically in the neighborhood of 8 to 12 percent) are added to restaurant bills in Gibraltar, so check your bill before deciding on your final tip. Tips for restaurant service in Gibraltar is typically around 10%, so if you are in a more informal restaurant that has a service charge, just round up to the closest £5 and that will be sufficient. For more expensive restaurants, tips are expected in the 15 to 20% range, but never more than that, so factor in at most an extra £10 on top of a service charge at fancy restaurants. Tipping at bars and pubs is similar to the UK, where you leave change as tips, no more than £2 per round is necessary, even with table service.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping for hotel porters who transport your luggage to your room is similar to how you would tip in the United Kingdom, between £1-£2 per bag depending on size or weight (use your best judgment). For room service, tip at your discretion, usually up to £5 per order, but consider tipping £10 if the order is elaborate or expensive. Hotel maids should be tipped £1-£2 per day, unless you are in more upscale lodgings, then you should tip closer to £5 per day. Leave these tips on the bedside table or on the bed. Hotel concierges should be tipped for their attentive service; a good gauge is to tip them £5 per service requested/arranged.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
With taxi rides being as short as they are in Gibraltar, at most you will tip £5 to a taxi driver, and that`s if they helped you with your bags in any way. A tip of approximately £3 is usually sufficient for everyday taxi rides. Tip as much as you feel is appropriate if the taxi driver is also conducting a tour of the Rock of Gibraltar. (At least £5.)
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
As covered previously, the most likely tour you will be taking in Gibraltar is the Rock of Gibraltar taxi tour, which is the only way you can experience much of the Rock of Gibraltar by automobile. Our recommendation is that you tip at least £5 or as much as £10 if you liked your tour; your guide will appreciate it, especially since that kind of tip is not required and shows your gratitude for their time and expertise.
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
Other Services: Tipping for other services such as catering, hairdressing, spa services, etc. are similar to best-judgment rules you would use while traveling in the United Kingdom. If you are happy with the service provided, tip them approximately 10% of the cost of services rendered.
Final Thoughts:
Tipping culture is more and more entrenched in Gibraltar because of its tourist status, but this guide should help take some of the guesswork out of gratuities. Do not feel bad for not tipping if you did not enjoy a service rendered, but if you honestly did partake and like the service you received, do tip, please.
Driving in Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, but there are a few key differences between driving in Britain and driving in Gibraltar. The biggest one is that people drive on the right-hand side of the road, like neighboring Spain but unlike the United Kingdom.
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Here are some other helpful tips and driving rules in Gibraltar:
– There are no tolls or entry taxes in order to enter Gibraltar by car.
– The speed limit throughout the peninsula is 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour) unless noted by clearly-posted traffic signs.
– It is mandatory that you wear seatbelts when riding/driving in your vehicle at all times.
– You must not talk on a cell phone unless you are using a hands-free device.
– Dipped headlights must be used during the evening and early morning before sunrise.
– Pedestrians have the right of way at all crossings in Gibraltar so be prepared to yield to them as necessary.
– If you are riding a motorcycle or any other type of two-wheeled vehicle, a helmet is mandatory.
– If you want to take an automobile tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, you must reserve this with a local tour group as non-resident automobiles are not allowed past the Moorish Castle entrance.
If you are picking up your rental car in Gibraltar, be sure to ask your agent any questions you might have before leaving. Avis, Budget, and many other international rental car companies operate in Gibraltar, most being based at Gibraltar Airport in the northern part of the peninsula near the `frontier` (the Spanish border).