When we were in southern Spain a few years ago, we visited Gibraltar, which is a British territory located on the most southern end of the Iberian peninsula. Gibraltar is more of a sovereign city than a country, but despite its size, you still have to pass through customs and border patrol in order to enter and leave. The Rock of Gibraltar is the most famous landmark of the region and is strategic due to its location on the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the location of an important naval fortress that is built into the hills of the Rock of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is distinctly British despite its location in southern Spain. The pubs, the people, the atmosphere of the city almost all go out of their way to emphasize their allegiance to Britain and the United Kingdom. It was very interesting to visit, but in many ways it was very odd, and to say that there is controversy over the ownership of Gibraltar would be an understatement.
Before going, we talked to several people in Spain who had very strong opinions about this tiny country within a country. First and foremost, the people of Spain believe that the land should be theirs and they believe that the citizens of Gibraltar are occupying foreign land. In addition to that, the other thing that we were told was that there were huge problems with people going into Gibraltar and buying cigarettes and alcohol where it is cheaper and then selling it on the black market in other parts of Spain. There are strict limits on how much alcohol and tobacco can be brought across the border, but due to the number of people crossing on a daily basis, obviously there is the opportunity for smuggling. Regardless of the political friction, it was still an interesting place to visit.
Visiting the Rock of Gibraltar and walking the trails that led to the top was certainly the highlight of our visit there. The views of the Strait of Gibraltar were certainly stunning and definitely worth the hard hike in the heat, even though we were there in November. One of the more well-known, yet still interesting, things about the Rock of Gibraltar is the population of Barbary macaques that roam wild throughout the park area. Although these monkeys are definitely cute, they are wild animals and have been known to attack people at times, but are more likely to steal anything held too loosely. So, even though they make for great photo opportunities, don’t approach them and keep an eye on your possessions while you’re around them.
Walking through the caves and tunnels that make up the fortifications was also quite fascinating. There is also a cable car for those that don’t want to hike the steep trail to the top of the giant rock, but we would recommend only taking the cable car one direction and taking the time to either hike up or down since that is the only way to go into the fortifications that have been carved into the hillside. The fortifications are no longer in use today and we couldn’t imagine how claustrophobic it must have been for the soldiers who manned the canons within the tunnels. We definitely earned a pint by the time that we finished hiking around the Rock of Gibraltar.
Despite the controversy that exists over the ownership of the Gibraltar, it is definitely worth visiting while in southern Spain. Stepping across the border, you are immediately transported into a different world with thick British accents, the Union Jack flying everywhere to be seen, and restaurants serving typical English food such as fish and chips, bangers and masher, and kidney pie. We have to admit, we did take a couple of bottles of wine back to our hotel with us since the prices were so much less than what we were paying throughout the rest of southern Spain. All-in-all, it was a very interesting day, but a day was about all of the time needed to visit this country within a country.
Another great article!! We also visited Gibraltar when we were in Cadiz in southern Spain two summers ago. I have lived in Spain on and off as a child, and had been there before. But never as an adult. It was a fascinating experience. The next couple of years will be very, very interesting, as the Brexitvvote will have a significant impact on entry and exit from Gibraltar. Prior to the start of the EU, entry to Gibraltar by car was virtually prohibited. This is what is being predicted for the future, with Britain no longer being in the EU. That means that residents there will need to leave by either boat or plane, which makes The daily commute to work and school for many, literally impossible.
Nice pictures as alwyas. Visiting Gibraltar when it becomes full-fledged non EU territory could make it even more interesting for tourists 🙂 but certainly not for locals. Brexit will impact the lives of millions, and from all forecasts, not in particularly positive ways …
So many ramifications to the vote, not sure anyone thought it through. Very much an emotional response based on fear.
Fear and ignorance of the facts. The Brits are scrambling to backtrack or at least stall, and the rest of us in the EU will have to navigate uncertain waters while we wait for them to move ahead.
Fascinating, hadn’t even thought that effect from the Brexit vote. Thanks! 🙂
great post
Thank you! 🙂
welcome
I’ve always wanted to go to Gibraltar – just for the monkeys! 🐵
Yes, the monkeys are a lot of fun! 🙂
Do they try to steal everything?
Mostly food, but we’ve heard of backpacks, cameras, and purses all falling victim to their thievery.
I’ve heard that too – and sometimes seen it on TV programmes like ‘you’ve been framed’. Well, I’ll watch the valuables when I go then!
🙂
Great set of photos. We spent a day in Gibraltar on our tour of Spain and Morocco. Those Barbary Macaques are so cheeky and were waiting on top of the coach when we returned. One grabbed a bag of chips from one of the passengers and had to be chased away. Hubby did get a nice photo of me next to one, half way up The Rock. I think if one doesn’t have food, they’re not going to be bothersome. 🙂
Probably true about the food, maybe that is why they left us alone as well 🙂
Interesting post, glorious photos! Would love to go there!
Will be interesting to see what happens now that the UK voted for the Brexit. 95% of votes from Gibraltar voted stay…
Interesting… we hadn’t heard how Gibraltar voted. 🙂
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Gibraltar español! I had to say it 🙂 They say when the last monkey leaves the rock, Gibraltar will revert to being Spanish. The population was dwindling in World War II, so Churchill had more monkies imported from Morocco to increase the population. Not sure if that is legend or reality, but I like the story either way 😀
🙂
I hadn’t really given any thought to visiting Gibraltar, but you made it sound worthy the trip. I’ve not spent much time in Spain, so whenever that happens this will be a good add on.
🙂
Love this article. Now I have to put Gibraltar on my list!
What struck me about Gibraltar when I visited, was how diverse the population is. There are North Africans, Maltese, Jews, Genoese,Spanish, Irish and of course British. They do all unite behind that Union flag though – 96% on the last referendum on staying British, similar to EU support. With the high number of Brits living on the Spanish south coast, some places here seemed more British than Gibraltar! The Rock is definitely a quirky place to visit.
Very interesting. I was in Gibraltar many years ago (when the border with Spain was still closed) and will be back there in a couple of weeks. This time I’m hoping to take in day trips to Spain and Tangier and to see how the place has changed since my last visit. I’ll definitely being taking your advice to hike up to the top of the rock, as I didn’t do that last time.
We went to Tangier as well and it was beautiful!
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