Take the road less travelled and venture up the ‘Spanish Stairs’ to get to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar

You will avoid getting squashed in a cable car, bus or taxi, and still be rewarded by spectacular views of the Mediterranean to Spain and Morocco.

UPDATED: However, the last new thing is also a really good way to experience Gibraltar – without all the tourists: Cycle tour on E-bike. See further down about this new option.

However, do not visit Gibraltar without having a ticket to the top of the rock in advance.

 

 
Other than the curiosity value of being a small part of the UK which has a land border with Spain, Gibraltar itself is not a must-see as far as I´m concerned.

The view from the Rock, however, is breath-taking and well worth a visit, in spite of being a view that you unfortunately cannot avoid sharing with hundreds of other tourists.

This article is also available in German: Gibraltar auf Deutsch

Unless you are arriving by plane or sea, you have to cross the border from the  neighbouring town of La Linea de la Concepción.

You will have to go through customs and border control, though fortunately this is a lot quicker and easier nowadays than it used to be.

If you are driving across by car, you can park in the large parking garage just past the airport.

First impressions are of an ugly, run down and slightly seedy town, with a lot of traffic and construction noise.

Fortunately these soon melt away as you reach the old city wall and the pedestrian zone within.

 

It is the view from the top of the rock that makes the visit worthwhile

It can be reached on foot, by cable car, by bus or by taxi.

All require an entrance ticket to Upper Rock National Park.

The comfortable choice is a taxi shared with up to 8 people, costing 35 euros per person, including entrance fees to the Nature Reserve.

The taxis all run a scheduled route to the traditional sights and viewing points, which means that there are 15 – 20 taxis in line waiting for their corresponding tourists to move forwards.

It is relatively well organized, but you do not exactly feel alone in nature or with the monkeys – there are tourists everywhere!

Option number 2 is taking one of the official tour buses, which carry approximately 25 passengers and are of course cheaper.

However, as with option number 1 above, with the 8 – 12 tour buses gathering together at the sights, there is no escape from the melee of tourists.

Your third option is to take the cable car, which involves queueing up before being packed into a tight cabin, and eventually getting out onto the same piece of rock as hundreds of other tourists.

The advantage of taking the cable car is that you have time to walk around on the rock unhurried.

If you walk up you will have expended most of your energy by the time you get there, and if you take the bus or taxi you will be briskly shepherded back on board after just a short stop there.

So we have three options which are all variants of a well-oiled tourist processing machine.

And then finally there are the ‘Spanish Stairs’

Not a well-oiled machine, and definitely not for the weak of limb or dizzy of head.

Rather, it is an ancient stairway built by the Spaniards before the British arrived on the Rock, and with very uneven and varied steps.

According to the taxi drivers, it is downright dangerous, but then they would say that as if you take the stairs that means lost earnings for them.

Either way, braving the Spanish Stairs is probably your most authentic option: the Rock in the raw.

Only recommended if you are in shape, and remember you still have buy entry tickets for the national park (see how below).

St. Michael’s Cave, which is one of the stops with the taxis and tour buses, is not worth a visit – unless you have never seen a stalactite cave before.

Go for the views instead, and it’s ok if you only see them from the top.

There’s no need to try to see them from every possible angle.

The monkeys are fun to see, but you will see them anyway no matter what route you take.

The two most popoular tickets to the top of Gibraltar:

---

 
 

The latest new thing is to ride up the rock on an E-bike

Book the bike tour here – incl. entrance to Upper Rock National Park:

 
Back in town you will find the shopping street, called Main Street.

It is lined by expensive shops, British pubs, Spanish-style cafés and restaurants, and a lot of tourists.

Enjoy a pub meal of shepherd’s pie or fish ‘n’ chips, and then make a quick exit.

Head over to the nearby Bohemian town of Tarifa – also touristy, but less so.

We loved exploring the lovely streets and squares, as well as the many fine shops and restaurants – they really have made an effort here!

 

Do also see our article about how to get tickets for the Alhambra in Granada here.

 

Visit Gibraltar from other places:

Frequently asked questions about Gibraltar

 

What should you experience in Gibraltar?

1. Rock of Gibraltar: Upper Rock National Reserve overlooking Africa.
2. The monkeys (on the Upper Rock)
3. The tunnels and fortresses from World War II.
4. St. Michael’s stalactite cave (not a must).
5. Main Street with English pubs.
6. Dolphins, whales and turtles.

 

Can you pay with euros and British pounds in Gibraltar?

Yes, in most places.

However, the euro is not the official currency, so there may be places that do not accept euros, but you will hardly experience this during your visit.

 

Can you walk to the top of Gibraltar?

Yes, by the Spanish Stairs. You can also cycle, take a taxi, bus or cable car. But you can’t drive up there in your own car.

 

What can you do in Gibraltar?

1) The Rock of Gibraltar. Walk, bike, taxi, bus or cable car.
2) Tunnels and fortresses from the Second World War.
3) Dolphin safari in the Strait of Gibraltar
4) Shopping on Main Street
5) Eat at the English pub in Main Street

 

Can you get an authentic experience of Gibraltar?

Yes and no. It requires an explanation:

It is impossible to experience Gibraltar without running into large crowds of tourists.

But there are a few good options anyway:

1) Climb the Spanish Stairs, which is an experience in itself, and thus avoid most of the tourists

2) Take the cable car up and then go out on your own hike at the top – away from the tourist crowds.

 

What are the Spanish Stairs?

The Spanish Stairs are an old stone staircase with uneven steps built by the Spanish before the British came to Gibraltar.

It is an attraction in itself.

And because it is hard to climb them there are not that many who choose to take it.

 

Can you see Africa from Gibraltar?

Yes. The Strait of Gibraltar is only 16 km wide.

In clear weather there is a great view over the Strait of Gibraltar and to Africa.

 

Can you get to the top of Gibraltar by bike?

Yes, as something new, you can now go on an E-bike trip to the top of Gibraltar.

It’s a great way to experience Gibraltar – and you avoid most of the tourists.

E-bike tour to the top of Gibraltar

 

Do you need a ticket to the top of Gibraltar?

Yes, everyone must buy a ticket to Upper Rock National Park to get up – no matter how you get up there.

Tickets to Upper Rock National Park

 

Is Gibraltar part of United Kingdom?

Yes, Gibraltar is a self-governing territory under the United Kingdom.

With BREXIT, Gibraltar is outside the EU, but there are still negotiations to ensure easy access across the border for the many Spaniards who work in Gibraltar and for the many visitors.

 

Is Gibraltar a major attraction?

No. It is not a magnificent sight.

But there are still two good reasons to visit Gibraltar:

1) The curiosity of a small piece of Great Britain with a land border with Spain

2) The fantastic view from the top of the Gibraltar rock, which can be enjoyed together with the wild monkeys

 

What is the greatest experience in Gibraltar?

The absolute best thing about Gibraltar is the fantastic view from the top of the rock – over the Strait of Gibraltar and to Africa.

 

Are there many tourists on top of Gibraltar?

Yes, it’s a tourist hotspot.

Especially at the cable car and at the taxi stands, there are many tourists.

Fortunately, it is possible to get away from the tourist crowds and find beautiful places without other people.

 

Is there customs and passport control at the border with Gibraltar?

Yes and no. It requires an explanation:

Due to BREXIT, it is the Schengen border and therefore there is customs and passport control.

Due to the many Spaniards who work in Gibraltar and the many visitors, only random checks are made and therefore it flows well.

However, the negotiations on how the Schengen border should be handled are not finished. One possibility is e.g. that Gibraltar’s airport will be located within the Schengen area – i.e. that the border will be moved to the other side of the airport.

 

Can you bring the car across the border?

Yes, it is no problem to drive across the border to Gibraltar by car. However, there may well be queues.

 

Where can you park in Gibraltar?

You can’t drive around Gibraltar that much by car.

But you can easily park in a car park on the outskirts of town and walk from there.

There is a big parking complex shortly after passing the airport runway.

 

Is Gibraltar a beautiful city?

No, not really.

Between the airport and the city wall, it is actually ugly and dirty.

When you get through the city wall and into the pedestrian streets, it is clean and neat. But it is not a beautiful city.

 

Do you have to pass the airport runway?

Yes. The airport is located between the border and the city, so to get to the city you have to cross the airport’s runway.

When planes land and take off, the road is obviously blocked. In this connection, queues may arise.

 

How do you get to the top of Gibraltar?

On foot: The authentic solution: Climb the Spanish Stairs.
By bus: The cheapest transport solution. Max 25 passengers per bus.
By taxi: The comfortable solution: Max 8 passengers per taxi.
With the cable car: Packed with tourists, but with free movement at the top.
By bike: The most free-spirit solution. Book a trip with E-bike to the top.

 

Is it hard to walk to the top?

Yes, it is hard work to walk up the Spanish Steps.

The stairs are long and with uneven steps. And the level difference is significant from the bottom to the top.

 

Is the cable car a good experience?

No, the cable car is packed with tourists.

But once you get up there is a good opportunity to get away from the tourist crowds and find beautiful places for yourself.

 

Are the buses a good option?

No, even if it is the cheapest form of transport.

The buses queue up at all the sights and when you can finally get out, all the tourists are gathered in the same place.

 

Is taxi the best option to the top of Gibraltar?

Taxi is definitely the most comfortable transport solution.

However, the taxis also queue at the sights and you get out at the same places as everyone else.

 

Are the monkeys a good experience?

Yes, the monkeys are funny. And it is a good experience to get close to them.

Unfortunately, the monkeys stay where the large tourist crowds are – because they are being fed – and therefore you cannot experience them alone.

Watch out for your glasses and other loose objects! The monkeys are stealing!

 

Can you get really close to the monkeys?

Yes, the monkeys are used to tourists and are often fed.

You can easily experience them up close – and make a selfie with them.

 

Why do taxi drivers warn against the Spanish Steps?

They warn against the uneven steps and the hard physical walk up the stairs.

But isn’t it also because they lose income when people take the stairs instead of the taxis?

 

Is the stalactite cave St. Michael’s Cave worth a visit?

No, actually not. It is small and quite ordinary.

The exception is if you have never seen a stalactite cave before.

 

Are the tunnels worth a visit?

If you are interested in history – especially the history of the Second World War – then it is exciting to experience.

Otherwise, there is nothing special about the tunnels.

 

Is the old fort worth a visit?

Again, it is a historical monument.

The fort itself is not a great experience, but there is a nice view from the fort, so it is not only for those interested in history.

 

Are there E-bikes to reach the top of Gibraltar with?

Yes. There is no actual bicycle rental, but a trip on E-bikes is arranged – where the bicycles are made available by the organizer.

E-bike to the top of Gibraltar

 

Is the Main Street shopping street a good experience?

Main Street is peculiar because here are English pubs, fancy shops and an international atmosphere.

But otherwise there is nothing special about Main Street and Gibraltar town in general.

 

Are there good shopping opportunities in Gibraltar?

Yes, there are many fancy shops.

Some items can be bought with advantage, e.g. tobacco, spirits and special English produce.

 

Can you get to Gibraltar from Malaga/Costa del Sol?

Yes, day trips are organized from all over the Costa del Sol.

Gibraltar from Malaga

Gibraltar from Costa del Sol

Gibraltar from Fuengirola

 

Can you get to Gibraltar from Seville?

Yes, there is both a traditional tour to the top of Gibraltar as well as a whale and dolphin safari tour from Seville.

Gibraltar from Seville

Whale and dolphin safari from Seville

 

Is there a dolphin safari from Gibraltar?

Yes, the Strait of Gibraltar is absolutely perfect for seeing dolphins. Book the trip here:

Gibraltar Dolphin Safari

 

Is there a City card that covers everything in Gibraltar?

Yes, but that’s not all there is to it. See it detailed here:

Gibraltar City Card

 

Can you combine a dolphin safari with a trip to the top of Gibraltar?

Yes, there is a combination ticket with the cable car and dolphin safari. See it here:

Combination cable car & dolphin safari

 

Where do you buy a ticket to Upper Rock National Park?

Entrance tickets to the Upper Rock National Park can be purchased here:

Tickets to Upper Rock National Park

 

Where can you book an E-bike trip to the top of Gibraltar?

The e-bike trip to the top of Gibraltar is offered through GetYourGuide.

E-bike to the top of Gibraltar

 

3 beautiful places to stay in Tarifa – not far from Gibraltar:

	Room Tarifa. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Arte Vida. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Silos 19 Suites. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com

 

 

Selected – and unique – farm stays from Booking.com:

Unique accommodation away from the crowds that might interest you:

Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

 

Other unique accommodations

Sights (A)

---