When Is the Best Time
During the day, leaving time for ample exploring. Consider going in off-seasons if your schedule allows avoiding excessive crowds.
Tips and Review
The Rock of Gibraltar is a monolithic limestone promontory in the UK-controlled territory of Gibraltar located off the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula reaching 426 m high. “The Rock” commands visitors seek out its splendor. Jutting up ever-proudly into the sky, it gives you hundreds of reasons to explore.
A modern-day colony that manages to bring together a weighty history with evidence found in Gorham’s Cave that Gibraltar was the last known hold-out of human habitation (Neanderthal Man) between 128,000 and 24,000 BCE. It was one of the two Pillars of Hercules during ancient times, these two points ‘marked’ the limit to the known world that should not be crossed.
There was the Moors invasion, and the remarkable use of the “The Rock” during WWII, with miles of tunnels excavated from the limestone. Masses of rock were blasted out to build an underground city. In huge man-made caverns, barracks, offices, and a fully equipped hospital were constructed, housing an operating theatre and X-ray equipment.
Evidence of all of these pieces of its past are discoverable with tours. Even if you aren’t a science or history nut, it still delights the pub crowd and swanky shoppers. Hold tight to your bags, pickpocketing Barbary macaques (the only wild primates found in Europe) will be part of your adventure.
Take a trip up to the top of “The Rock” – there, no matter your interests, you’ll stand in amazement at the sheer beauty of the views of Spain and North Africa. For me, just this view made the trek to Gibraltar worth it.
Legend says the British won’t leave Gibraltar until the monkeys have left.
