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Territory of United Kingdom

Southern Europe

GibraltarTravel guide

Explore Gibraltar visa rules

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Spain, with Morocco across the strait to the south. It is also called The Rock or Gib.

Why go

  1. Climb the Rock for wide views and its famous wild Barbary macaques.

  2. Explore caves and tunnels linked to Gibraltar’s long history.

  3. Visit Europa Point for views of the coast of Africa.

  4. Take a boat trip to see wild dolphins in the bay.

Getting there

By air

  • Gibraltar International Airport has daily flights to and from London Heathrow and London Gatwick. There are also flights from Bristol and Manchester.
  • Málaga Airport in Spain is about 120 km east of Gibraltar and serves many destinations. The bus journey takes about three hours, with only a few services each day.
  • Jerez Airport in Spain is another option. It is closer to Gibraltar than Málaga Airport.

By land

  • The land border is open 24 hours a day. Car queues can be long, with summer waits of up to two hours.
  • You can park in La Línea de la Concepción in Spain and walk across. Parking near the border costs money, but free parking is available elsewhere in town and near the stadium.
  • La Línea has buses from Seville, Málaga, Cádiz, Granada and Algeciras. Its bus station is about a five-minute walk from the border.

By sea

  • FRS operates an irregular passenger service from Tangier Med in Morocco. The source lists no more than two departures a month and a journey of about 90 minutes.
  • Cruise ships call at Gibraltar. The cruise port is about 1.3 km from Casemates Square and Main Street.

Customs

  • If you arrive by air from outside the Schengen Area, the group of European countries with shared border arrangements, you must pass through both Gibraltar and Spanish immigration.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Citibus runs routes 5 and 10, while Gibraltar Bus Company runs the other routes. Fares are the same whatever distance you travel. Gibraltar Bus Company accepts cards or cash with exact change. Citibus accepts cash only and can give change. You can pay in pounds or euros. The source says paying in euros costs more than the exchange rate would suggest. A Citibus day ticket works on both companies’ buses. A Gibraltar Bus Company day ticket works only on that company’s buses. Route 2 passes the cable car station and is the only bus to Europa Point. Routes 5 and 10 serve the airport and border.

  • Car

    Drive on the right. Speed limits are shown in kilometres per hour, and distance and height signs use metric measurements. Streets can be narrow and poorly signposted, with a complex one-way system. Parking is limited. A road tunnel bypasses the airport runway crossing.

  • Walking and cable car

    Gibraltar is small but long and thin, so walks can be longer than expected. You can take the cable car up the Rock and walk down the Mediterranean Steps. The route from the cable car to the steps is poorly signposted. The Mediterranean Steps are a demanding cliff-side walk. They suit people comfortable with heights and steep steps.

What to see and do

  • Europa Point

    Gibraltar’s southernmost point has views of the African coast. It is where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.

  • Gibraltar Nature Reserve

    The reserve combines military history with the home of Gibraltar’s famous wild Barbary macaques.

  • Gorham’s Cave complex

    Four caves form a World Heritage Site recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

  • St Michael’s Cave

    This impressive natural cave was used by people in the New Stone Age. Entry is included in the Nature Reserve ticket.

  • Siege Tunnels

    These tunnels were dug as a defence system during the Great Siege. Entry is included in the Nature Reserve ticket.

  • Alameda Gibraltar Botanic Gardens and zoo

    Visit the gardens for free, or pay separately to enter the zoo.

Food and drink

  • Casemates Square

    Several pubs and restaurants serve similar meals. Outdoor seating makes it a place to watch people passing by.

  • Kosher food

    Gibraltar has kosher restaurants, bakeries and small food shops.

  • The marinas

    Try the marinas for waterside dining.

  • Wembley Bar

    A traditional English pub in the south district, with views towards Africa. It is described as Europe’s southernmost pub.

Money

Gibraltar pound (GIP), equal in value to the British pound sterling.

  • British pounds are accepted everywhere alongside Gibraltar pounds.
  • Change leftover Gibraltar pounds before leaving. Gibraltar banks exchange them for British pounds free of charge.
  • Ask shops for change in British notes if you will not spend it in Gibraltar. Gibraltar pounds are not accepted outside the territory, including in the United Kingdom.
  • Most shops accept euros, but the exchange rate may be poor. Government offices and post offices do not accept foreign currency.

Typical costs

  • The Nature Reserve ticket, which includes St Michael’s Cave, was listed at £45 in October 2025.
  • Alameda Botanic Gardens are free to enter. The zoo is listed at £8.
  • Dolphin-watching trips were around £25 per adult in 2023. Dolphin Safari also lists a child fare of £15.
  • Gibraltar Museum admission was listed in September 2019 at £5 for adults and £2 for children under 12. Children under five enter free.

Language

  • English is the official language.
  • Most local people also speak Spanish. Some restaurant and café workers speak only Spanish.
  • Many locals speak Llanito, a local mix of Andalusian Spanish and British English.

Staying safe

  • Gibraltar has a low crime rate.
  • There have been reports of attacks on people walking back to Gibraltar late at night on the Spanish side of the border.
  • Consider taking a taxi after dark if you have been drinking in Spain, especially if you are alone.

Local customs

Do

  • Refer to local people as Gibraltarians or Llanitos. Llanito is pronounced “Ya-ni-to”.
  • Respect local pride in Gibraltar’s identity.
  • Be aware that some Gibraltarians are sensitive to the term “colony”.

Don't

  • Do not refer to Gibraltarians as Spanish. Many find this offensive.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation is expensive because Gibraltar has very limited space.
  • Many visitors stay in La Línea in Spain and walk across the border.
  • Budget accommodation options exist in Gibraltar, but the source does not name any.

Outdoor adventures in Gibraltar

Gibraltar offers steep walks up the Rock, wild macaques and dolphin trips in the bay. You can also visit natural caves and botanic gardens. The Mediterranean Steps suit walkers comfortable with heights and a demanding climb.

  • Gibraltar Nature Reserve

    WildlifeThe Rocknear Gibraltar

    Walk up the Rock or take the cable car up to explore its upper slopes.

    • Cost: Nature Reserve ticket: £45.

  • Mediterranean Steps

    HikeEast side of the Rocknear Gibraltar

    Hard

    Start at Jew's Gate bird observatory, on Queen's Road near Engineer Road. Follow the steps up the eastern cliff face to the summit. You can also take the cable car up and walk down.

    • This is a demanding climb up steps cut into rock.
    • You need to be comfortable with heights.

  • Dolphin watching in Gibraltar Bay

    WildlifeGibraltar Baynear Gibraltar

    Book a boat trip with Dolphin Adventure, Dolphin Safari or Neptune Marine. Dolphin Safari has a check-in office at 6 The Square, Marina Bay, reached from Bayside Road.

    • Cost: Dolphin Safari: £25 per adult and £15 per child. General dolphin-trip prices were around £25 per adult in 2023.

  • St Michael's Cave

    CaveThe Rocknear Gibraltar

    Visit the natural cave using the Nature Reserve ticket, which includes entry.

    • Cost: Included in the £45 Nature Reserve ticket.

  • Gorham's Cave complex

    Cavenear Gibraltar

    Visitor access and booking arrangements are not specified.

  • Alameda Gibraltar Botanic Gardens and zoo

    Wildlifenear Gibraltar

    Visit the botanic gardens for free. The zoo has a separate admission charge.

    • Cost: Gardens: free. Zoo: £8.

Airports, metros and trains in Gibraltar

Airports with scheduled flights

  • GIBGibraltar AirportGibraltarMain international airport

People and safety in Gibraltar

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian89%
  • Muslim4%
  • No religion3%
  • Jewish2%
  • Hindu2%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is not recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 34 of 101 countries can visit Gibraltar easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required34
  • Visa required67

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania13 of 14 countries
  • Europe3 of 4 countries
  • Americas14 of 19 countries
  • Asia1 of 10 countries
  • Africa3 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Gibraltar part of United Kingdom?

Gibraltar is a territory linked to United Kingdom, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United Kingdom.

Does a United Kingdom visa let me visit Gibraltar?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United Kingdom may not cover Gibraltar. Check the Gibraltar visa page for your passport.

Can I use British pounds in Gibraltar?

Yes. British pounds are accepted everywhere alongside Gibraltar pounds, and both have the same value.

Will I be able to speak English?

English is the official language. Some café and restaurant workers speak only Spanish.

Is it easier to drive in or walk across the border?

Parking in La Línea and walking across can save time when car queues are long. Gibraltar also has narrow streets and limited parking.

Which bus goes to Europa Point?

Route 2 is the only bus to Europa Point. It also passes the cable car station.

Can I reach Gibraltar by train?

Gibraltar has no train station. The nearest is San Roque-La Línea, about 15 km from the border, with buses and taxis for the final part.

Where can I see the famous monkeys?

The wild Barbary macaques live in Gibraltar Nature Reserve on the Rock.

Is the Mediterranean Steps walk easy?

No. It is a demanding climb up steps cut into the cliff, and you need to be comfortable with heights.

Where can I find kosher food?

Gibraltar has kosher restaurants, bakeries and small food shops.

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