Rock of Gilbratar
 

We will be in Spain in May and my husband inists we see The Rock. Is this really worth seeing? Our bike trip tour does not include this sight, so we would have to rent a car for an afternoon to break away from the tour.

How far out of the way is it? I really enjoyed Gibraltar, including a tour of the rock. You see some world war ll guns, etc. and you go into the tunnels. You go up by cable car or bus. The monkeys are everywhere and will steal food right out of your hand. The view is good. On a clear day, you can see Africa. We went to the museum where the cask they put Nelson in, after his death, is displayed. The best bargain for shopping is the most beautiful pearls I have ever seen, and cheap too. There is an airstrip, that they open when a plane lands, that`s also the road, so they have to stop traffic when a plane lands, for a few minutes. It was entertaining for a day, but that would be enough time. So it depends on how far you would have to go out of your way to see it.

What makes something worth seeing? In London there are many attractions (I'm thinking waxworks) that tourists flock to, but I wouldn't give them a moment of my time.

A few years ago I had to be in Gib for just over a week. It's a small place, which I feel adds to its charm. Walking around the rock itself is most pleasant, and of course the monkeys/fortifications/views are all part of the attraction. It's very British there (in an old fashioned sense) and is so different from Spain, I'd advise taking a little time aside to see it.

Monkeys, monkeys, and monkeys, horrible monkeys everywhere.

If you go to Andalucia there are thousands of places better than Gibraltar. Cádiz is one of the most beautiful Spanish "provinces", the city, Cádiz, is similar to "La Habana", and there are also many beautiful towns,like "Puerto de Santa María", "Caños de Meca"...

But if you like the ugly monkeys go to Gibraltar.

Laura dear, if that's all you saw in Gib, I'd suggest a new opticians.

Hi nancydarst, I had friends from Milan visit Gibraltar about two years ago. Except for the monkeys I don't remember the details but they absolutely loved their time on The Rock. And it sounds like MK2 did also.

If you go, please post a trip report. And have a fun trip.

I have not been there myself, but dh has. He said it was very interesting and that he thoroughly enjoyed it. He was there as a port stop in the military, so we was with the guys and they all commented on the monkeys, but not in a negative way.

It's a rock, best seen from afar.

I think it makes a great daytrip!

I personally enjoyed Gibraltar very much. After spending quite a long time in Spain, I found it a welcome change for a day (not to suggest that I don't love Spain, I really do and hope to plan another trip soon). The monkeys are charming and lots of fun and the little village is also charming. I think it's worth seeing, definitely.

I'm wondering if any one can tell me how much time to allow to see the Rock of Gilbratar? We will be in Spain in Sept/Oct and will be driving the coastal route from Sevilla to Ronda (almost to Málaga, then into the mountains), and I had thought to stop here. We wouldn't have the whole day to spend - perhaps a few hours. Will that be long enough?

Thanks!

Chele60 - if you are only going to be there a couple of hours I suggest two things. One - don't park inside the border of Gibraltar. Lines can be horrible going in and especially coming out. You could be caught in traffic forever. You can park outside and walk in - don't forget your passport! Two - when you get inside if you want to see everything quickly there are tours in a minibus/van that will take you straight away to the major sights, wait for you while you view it and take you to the next one, etc. It was a nice way to see things quickly. I've been several times and if I was only going to be there for a couple of hours I would spend the extra few bucks to do it this way. By the way, eat before you go in unless you want to pay a fortune for some greasy fish and chips. Remember, they use the pound (but will gladly accept euros). Everything is pretty pricy.

We spent a lovely afternoon in Gibralter at the end of our last trip to Spain ... had a great lunch on a hotel terrace near the top of the Rock. We found exploring the Rock to be quite a unique travel experience and we're sure are glad we didn't miss it! IMO it is certainly worth an afternoon to visit.

Gibraltar is wonderful, and I wouldn't miss it. The rock apes can become quite insistent, even to the point of reaching inside your coat pocket for candy. I personally enjoyed that, but then I am a person who will not visit a zoo.

Do read up on Gibraltar's history before you go. That rock has held a very important place in the history of that part of the world, as whoever controlled it also controlled access to the Mediterranean from the west. Although no longer as strategic a location as it once was, the control of Gibraltar had a profound effect on trade and war between north Africa, Med. Europe, Greece, the Middle East, etc. Context is what makes these places so fascinating!

Agree with earlier post that Cadiz is also wonderful---its history of Islamic control in the Ummayad Empire (hope I am remembering that correctly) is still very present in architectural influences, and the town is charming.

Nancy - what would you be missing that day on your bike tour that you would have to trade for Gibraltar? Just curious.

PJI ~ Thank you for the info! Gives me some great tips and will be referencing this for future use.

Thanks!

I really enjoyed my experience on Gibraltar, and I would go. I've been there twice, the first time we drove, and the second time on a cruise ship.

Driving to get onto Gibraltar was a piece of cake. Leaving was another experience. The queues were large and it took a long time. It was 15 years ago, but I distinctly remember it took a long, long time -- the Spanish search just about everybody leaving the "rock."

Visit the rock, and as PJI states, walk in, do not drive in. Be sure to visit St. Michael's Caverns. ((b))