- Local time
- 09:10
- Currency
- Gibraltar Pound (GIP)
- Capital
- Gibraltar
- Calling code
- +350
- Drive on the
- right
Overview
The Rock at the entrance to the Mediterranean: Barbary macaques, St Michael's Cave, the Great Siege Tunnels and views of Africa from Europa Point, in a small British territory bordering Spain.
Gibraltar, known as the Rock or Gib, is a British overseas territory at the entrance to the Mediterranean, bordered by Spain to the north, with Morocco a short way across the strait. It covers less than 7 km² and has about 34,000 people. The Rock is honeycombed with military tunnels, its upper slopes are a nature reserve home to Barbary macaques, the only wild monkeys in Europe, and from Europa Point you can see Africa.
The feel is British, with pubs, English as the official language and the pound, but most people also speak Spanish and traffic drives on the right. From 15 July 2026 Gibraltar's entry rules for short visits follow the Schengen rules. Many visitors arrive on a cruise ship or walk across the border from Spain.
- The Upper Rock: The nature reserve of the Barbary macaques, with wide views.
- St Michael's Cave: A natural grotto once used by Neolithic people.
- Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnels dug as defences during the Great Siege.
- Europa Point: The southern tip, where you can see the coast of Africa.
- Gorham's Cave complex: Four caves listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Dolphin watching: Boat trips to see several species of dolphin in the bay.
Places to visit
- City
- Coast
- Park
- Historic site
Cities
- Gibraltar: The whole territory: Main Street, Casemates Square and the marinas, below the Rock.
Beyond the cities
- Gibraltar Nature Reserve (park): The Upper Rock, home of the Barbary macaques; the summit is a military area.
- St. Michael's Cave (site): An impressive natural grotto, entered with the nature reserve ticket.
- Great Siege Tunnels (site): Defensive tunnels dug during the Great Siege.
- Europa Point (coast): The southern tip, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, with views of Africa.
- Gorham's Cave (site): Part of a UNESCO-listed complex of four caves.
- Gibraltar Botanic Gardens (park): The Alameda gardens, free to enter, with a zoo.
Things to do
See
- Upper Rock and the macaques Gibraltar Nature Reserve: Take the cable car or a taxi up to see the monkeys and the views.
- St Michael's Cave St. Michael's Cave: A large natural grotto, included in the nature reserve ticket.
- Great Siege Tunnels Great Siege Tunnels: A defence system cut into the Rock.
- Europa Point Europa Point: Look across to Africa; bus 2 is the only bus that goes there.
- Gibraltar Museum Gibraltar: On Bomb House Lane; closed on Sundays.
Do
- Mediterranean Steps Gibraltar Nature Reserve: A steep path of rock-cut steps up the east cliff to the summit; you need a head for heights.
- Dolphin trips: Common, bottlenose and striped dolphins in the bay.
Drink
- Pubs of Casemates and Irish Town Gibraltar: British pubs, and the Wembley Bar, the most southerly pub in Europe.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 9 March 2026 · Commonwealth Day
- 3 April 2026 · Good Friday
- 6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
- 28 April 2026 · Workers' Memorial Day
- 1 May 2026 · May Day Bank Holiday
- 25 May 2026 · Spring Bank Holiday
- 8 June 2026 · Queen's Birthday
- 31 August 2026 · Summer Bank Holiday
- 10 September 2026 · Gibraltar National Day
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 · Boxing Day
Getting around
| Main airports | GIB |
|---|
Gibraltar is small enough to see much of it on foot, though roads up to the Upper Rock are very steep; taxis and the cable car help. Two bus companies run flat-fare routes: route 2 serves the cable car and Europa Point, routes 5 and 10 the airport and the border. Traffic drives on the right and speeds are in km/h; Canada notes a general limit of 50 km/h. Queues at the border can make it easier to park in La Línea and walk in.
Flying to Gibraltar? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flightsWhere to stay
- Hotels: From mid-range to expensive; some have views of the bay.
- Hostel: A family-run youth hostel near Casemates Square.
Space is limited and accommodation is expensive, so many visitors stay across the border in La Línea and walk in.
Eat and drink
Pubs serve English breakfasts and hearty meals, especially around Casemates Square and Irish Town, while Queensway Quay, Marina Bay and Ocean Village have restaurants of many cuisines, including Indian, Chinese and Mexican. There are kosher restaurants, bakeries and shops. Many restaurant staff come from Spain and speak only Spanish.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | Issued within the previous 10 years and valid at least 3 months after you leave Gibraltar or the Schengen area |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa free | 90 days | 90 days in any 180-day period, counted together with time in the Schengen area. |
| Canada | Visa free | 90 days | No visa for up to 90 days. |
| EU / EEA | Visa free | No visa needed; a valid ID card or passport is enough. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
Since 15 July 2026 Gibraltar's entry conditions for short stays follow the Schengen rules. Arriving by air from outside Schengen, you go through Gibraltar's checks and then Spanish Schengen checks, after which you can move freely into Spain. Old British-issued visas for Gibraltar are no longer valid: visitors who need a visa apply for a Schengen visa at a Spanish mission. Stays over 90 days must be registered with the immigration department. Carry a consent letter for children who are not your own. Some goods must be declared at the airport. Rules depend on your passport: check the official link before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | Gibraltar Pound (GIP) |
|---|---|
| Cards | Common |
The currency is the Gibraltar pound, equal in value to the British pound; UK notes and coins are accepted too, but Scottish and Northern Irish notes usually are not. Gibraltar notes are not accepted outside Gibraltar, even in the UK: change them back at a Gibraltar bank, free, before you leave. Many shops take euros at a poor rate. Some shops and especially restaurants do not take cards.
Health
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A: consider it, Hepatitis B |
|---|---|
| Malaria | None |
Most problems can be treated locally at St Bernard's, the only hospital. UK residents get emergency treatment with a British passport, but some patients are transferred to Spain, so bring a GHIC or EHIC as well as travel insurance. Ambulance: 999; from a mobile you can also call 112.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)
Crime is low and violence rare, but pickpockets and bag snatchers operate. People walking between La Línea and Gibraltar at night have been attacked and robbed: take a taxi after dark. The Barbary macaques are wild and bite: do not feed them, which is illegal, and never touch a baby. Laws on alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour are similar to the UK's. Police: 199; 112 from mobiles.
Customs and etiquette
Gibraltarians are proud of their own identity and may be offended if called Spanish, even though most of them speak Spanish. Among themselves many speak Llanito, a mix of Andalusian Spanish and English.
Language
| Official languages | English |
|---|---|
| English | Widespread |
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| Population | 40,126 (2025) |
| Area | 10 km² |
| Time zone | Europe/Gibraltar (UTC+1) |
| Calling code | +350 |
| Driving side | right |
Staying connected
| Wi-Fi | Several pubs and cafés on Main Street, Casemates Square and Irish Town offer free Wi-Fi. The international dialling code is +350. |
|---|
Emergency numbers
| Emergency | 999 |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport for Gibraltar?
Yes, or an ID card for EU citizens. Since 15 July 2026 entry follows the Schengen rules: check the official link before you book.
Which currency is used?
The Gibraltar pound, equal to the British pound; UK money is accepted, euros at a poor rate.
Can I feed the monkeys?
No. It is illegal, can bring heavy fines, and the macaques bite.
Where is the nearest big airport?
Málaga, about 120 km away; Gibraltar's own airport has flights to the UK.
Do they drive on the left?
No, traffic in Gibraltar drives on the right, as in Spain.
More Travel Stories from Europe
PortugalSources This guide was last checked on · 14 sources
- Wikivoyage: Gibraltar · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Getting around, Where to stay, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata: Gibraltar · Overview, Places to visit, Money and payments, Country facts
- UK FCDO: Gibraltar entry requirements (updated 14 July 2026) · Overview, Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, Frequently asked questions
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Gibraltar, 2026 · Holidays and events
- Government of Canada: Gibraltar travel advice (updated 15 July 2026) · Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, Safety, Frequently asked questions
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- UK FCDO: Gibraltar safety and security · Money and payments, Safety
- CDC Travelers' Health: Gibraltar · Health
- UK FCDO: Gibraltar health · Health
- UK FCDO: Gibraltar travel advice · Safety
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: Gibraltar getting help · Emergency numbers
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