Gibraltar ~ Travel Pictures & Information

Holiday Day Trip from Spain, Portugal to Rock of Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a holiday destination in its own right, but it's also a popular day trip from Spain, and Portugal's Algarve. (See my Gibraltar travel story about the day trip.) Tourists come to see Gibraltar's famous apes and views from the top of the rock.

Like most visitors, I walked across the narrow isthmus that marks the land border betwen Gibraltar and Spain, past the momument pictured here. Visiting vehicles -- cars, tour buses, taxis -- usually park in a large parking lot on the Spain side of the border.

Tour vans and taxis wait near the Gibraltar customs offices to take visitors to the top of the Rock, then back to the Gibraltar town shopping area. Find Gibraltar travel information on this page, and follow the links for Gibraltar travel pictures.

 

Gibraltar Travel Information ~ A Few Fast Facts For Visitors

How did Gibraltar get its name? It's thought that Gibraltar got its name from Jebel (mountain) and Tarik, the name of a Berber chief. So Jebel - Tarik (say it fast, and drop the 'ik') is now Gibraltar.

Do I need a passsport ? Since Gibraltar is not an EU country, take your passport. (List of Schengen countries)

Currency - What Money do they use in Gibraltar? The currency is the Gibraltar Pound (GIP) 1 GIP about $1.74 USD OR $1 USD about .57 GIP. || 1 GIP about 0.91512 GBP OR 1 GBP about 1.09275 GIP

How big is Gibraltar? At just under 6 square kms (2 1/3 sq. mi.), Gibraltar is not large, but the famous Rock dominates views for miles around.

Gibraltar Tourism information See Gibraltar Tourism which I've found to be easy to use

Guide books Try Gibraltar travel guide book.

Travel Health Is it safe to travel to Gibraltar? Gibraltar is generally considered safe, but check a travel health clinic for current information. See my travel tips section for general travel packing medications.

What Language do they speak? English is commonly spoken in Gibraltar. If you are also visiting Spain or Portugal, you may want to take along a Spanish phrasebook or Portuguese phrasebook (take both if you can - they are small and inexpensive, yet a great help at times!)

Driving to Gibraltar is about 5 hours by road from Faro, Portugal, and 2-3 hours drive from Seville or Malaga in Spain (travel maps below) Stay in Gibraltar, Spain or at Algarve hotels.

Maps I got brochures in the main town square tourist office, but they are pretty basic. You can get a proper Gibraltar travel map or get a Spain and Portugal travel map. I got an Algarve map before I left. Still have it, and loaned it to a friend for her trip.

Upper Rock tours are all done by licenced guides. Ask if the tour price includes St. Michael's Caves. I paid 13 GIP for a mini bus tour including the cave (Cash or Visa) though likely fuel charges have resulted in increases.

Gibraltar Taxi tours Private tours with a minimum or 4 people cost 14 GIP per person; ask at border for current info.

Private car tours At that time, private tours by car cost 7 GIP per person plus 1.50 GIP for the vehicle; fuel prices have increased, so expect higher costs.

Cable car rides to the Rock of Gibraltar cost about 7 GIP per person, and include admission to all sites on the Rock.

Three day tours Gibraltar and on to Africa (Tangiers) If you have time, some tours run three days, taking in Gibraltar as well as Tangiers, across the strait. As always, independent travel is an option.

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