basingstoke2

We liked Gibraltar and have been there a couple of times since the kids really enjoyed the apes and I liked the stuff that C-W mentioned. If you decide to go, save the hassle of taking the car across the border and park in one of the big lots on the Spanish side and walk in. It will be quicker, especially when leaving when most of the hassle occurs - its not a very long walk.

Sassafrass

I've been twice: once on purpose and once because a cruise stopped there and the weather was too poor to rent a car and go anyplace else. I found it only mildly interesting the first time and really disliked it the second time, so no, for me even an hour's detour would not be worth it. It really isn't just a four hour detour. It is your whole day spent doing that when there are, IMHO, so many other, more beautiful and interesting places.

If you happen to love caves, St Michaels is nice and the battlements are interesting. Still, IMHO, not interesting enough to spend the day when there are other things to see.

The only thing I really liked were the apes, but I am a fanatic about animals. I still would not drive that far to see them.

If you do decide to go:
I also recommend parking on the Spanish side and walking across the border; and taking a van or taxi to see the sights.

latedaytraveler

Almcquiggan, I found Gibraltar interesting. The trip was offered as an optional on one of those dreaded bus tours I like. We had a fabulous time enjoying Holy Week in Spain on that trip. Our jaunt to Gibraltar was on Good Friday which happened to also be Passover. At mid day worshippers were streaming out of the synagogue dressed to kill – I mean like at the Ascot or the Queen’s garden party. Women wore stunning hats with matching gloves etc. The children looked beautiful. I bought a string of pearls and had a typical British lunch mentioned above. Could do without the monkeys (one has no choice) but the views and sense of history are compelling.

Wish that we could have spent more time in Ronda so I would hestitate to encourage your driving from there to Gibraltar for the day. Ackislander’s description is accurate:

“The ride down the mountain to the coastal highway is interesting. Observe the wrecked cars (and in one case a tour bus) at the bottom of the canyons where they have rolled after driving off the highway.”

I have driven on many mountain roads in Europe and the Caribbean, but none was so scary as that one. I thought, “OMG, if we take another left turn and I look down the side, I will scream….”