The imposing Rock of Gibraltar, located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsular , is an enigmatic place. This colony clearly relishes its British associations, with its red post boxes and even the occasional ‘Bobby on the beat’, but at the same time has forged a multicultural identity that encompasses the Spanish, North African, Genoese and other nationalities that have flocked to Gibraltar and settled there.

The people of Gibraltar speak both English and Spanish, and all the road signs are in English. Gibraltar is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, which has also given its name to the Bay and the Straits, which it overlooks. Spain is to the north and west, and Morocco to the south.

History
The Rock itself is a vast 426 metre limestone ridge, surrounded on two sides by sheer cliffs. Ancient Greek mythology called the Rock of Gibraltar one of the ‘two Pillars of Hercules’ the other being Jebel Musa in Morocco. Legend has it that the two pillars, which marked the edge of the ancient world, were separated during Hercules’s Twelve Labours.

Gibraltar has been a fortress for many centuries as evidenced by its extensive fortifications (see below).

Because of its strategic position at the eastern entrance to the narrow strait and because it stands guard over the only exit from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, the Rock has found itself at the centre of many a political battle over the last few thousand years. The Greeks knew the rock as ‘Calpe’ but the modern name of Gibraltar is thought to have comefrom the Arabs who invaded Spain in the eighth century. The leader of the invading army was called Tarik and the rock renamed ‘ Jebel Tarik’ - the mountain of Tarik. The name stuck, evolving over the centuries to the current version.

The sovereignty of Gibraltar has long been a point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Gibraltar was ceded by Spain to the Crown of Great Britain in perpetuity under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht . However, Spain asserts a claim to it and wishes for its return. The decision was put to the people of Gibraltar in 2002, who overwhelmingly rejected shared sovereignty even though the British government had grudgingly agreed to this with Spain. They decided to abide by the wishes of 99% of the residents of Gibraltar and left things as they were.

Getting There
Gibraltar North Front airport is just one kilometre (a 10 minute walk) from the town centre, and there’s a bus service into the town with regular departures. There are also taxis and courtesy coaches.

Many international cruise ships stop at the port of Gibraltar, and there’s also a regular ferry service or a catamaran from the ferry terminal to Tangier.

Money
The currency of Gibraltar is the Gibraltar Pound, with coins the same as in the UK but with a different design on the reverse. The Gibraltar government issues its own coins, but UK notes are accepted. Most establishments also take Euros and in some cases they also accept US Dollars.

For the latest exchange rates visit www.xe.com

If you travel to Gibraltar from the UK it’s advisable to change any of your unspent Gibraltar pounds into UK currency in Gibraltar before you leave, as banks in the UK will charge you for exchanging Gibraltar Pounds.

All major debit and credit cards are widely accepted, as are traveller’s cheques, best taken in Pounds Sterling to avoid additional exchange rate charges.

Banks are generally open from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 9:00 am – 4:30 pm on Fridays.

Food and Drink
Gibraltar has no shortage of decent bars and bistros, both in the town and at the two marinas. They combine Mediterranean licensing hours with British beer. Gibraltar’s location and history mean that as well as the large selection of British dishes on offer, it is also possible to find French, Spanish, American, Moroccan, Italian, Chinese and Indian cuisine. There’s the usual selection of fast food operations too, everything from Pizza Hut to Burger King as well as fish and chips.

If you are partial to seafood, the variety on offer in Gibraltar is good and said to be among some of the best in the world. Many of the dishes have a Spanish and Portuguese influence, and the national specialities worth a try are the spinach tortilla, and the calentita and panissa (both quiche-like dishes made with chick pea flour).

If you enjoy a tipple, you’ll be pleased to know that brand-name spirits are much cheaper in the bars of Gibraltar than they are in many other countries
You’re normally expected to tip between 10 and 15% in a restaurant. The legal drinking age is 18 although if accompanied by an adult it’s 16.

Nightlife
Gibraltar has no shortage of entertainment venues on offer, and these are invariably open until the early hours. There’s a busy casino complex which also features a restaurant, nightclub, roof restaurant (open in the summer months) as well as the usual gaming rooms. There are cocktail bars in most hotels which are open to visitors, and they often put on jazz nights or other musical entertainment. If that’s not your scene, there are also plenty of wine bars, pubs and disco pubs to choose from. For live entertainment during the summer months, head out to the popular Casemates Square at the end of Main Street. Originally aplace of public executions today it is better known as the best place for al fresco dining and shopping.

Shopping
Gibraltar is a member of the European Union, but it’s outside the Customs Union so travellers from EU member states can still enjoy duty free purchases that have been banned to travellers in other EU countries.

This means that everything bought in Gibraltar is sold at reduced-tax prices and is also VAT-free. Most of the shops are on Main Street, and the best buys are jewellery, textiles (a good selection of cashmere and silk items) glassware, porcelain, perfume, leatherwork, watches, electronic gadgets and photographic equipment. Anglophiles will rejoice in some good old British establishments such as Marks & Spencer, Mothercare and Dorothy Perkins.

The local shops are definitely worth investigating for local linen, designer glasses, wine and spirits as well as souvenirs. Upmarket designer brands jostle for attention at bargain prices. Watch professional glass blowers at work in the Crystal Shop and take home a memento or two.

Where to Go
Blessed with some spectacular scenery as well as a fascinating history and gorgeous beaches, there is plenty to see and do in Gibraltar. .Apart from the below also allow time to visit the lovely Alameda Botanical garden and the tiny Trafalgar cemetery near Southport Gate.
Upper Rock Nature Reserve
The Upper Rock Nature Reserve is a protected area of natural beauty that’s perched high on the limestone peninsular of Gibraltar. This is where you’ll be able to see the famous Barbary Apes at close range, a colony of apes that has made its home on the Rock for hundreds of years. Legend has it that when the apes leave, Gibraltar will cease to be a British colony. Barbary Apes are in fact tailless macaques and are the only wild primates in Europe. If you visit the Reserve you can also see rare birds such buzzards and Barbary partridges.
Part of the Reserve also contains the Moorish Castle Complex, with various buildings, gates, fortified walls and its most dominant features, The Tower of Homage and The Gate House. The Moorish Castle dates back to the 14th century and The Tower of Homage is an impressive sight.

St Michael’s Cave
St Michael’s Cave was known to the Romans for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and forms part of a series of interlinked caves which also includes Leonora’s Cave and Lower St Michael’s Cave. The Cathedral Cave was long believed to be bottomless, which is probably where the legends came from that Gibraltar was linked to Africa by a subterranean passage. This passage has never actually been found, but if you’re interested in looking for it, rumour has it that it stretches around 24 kilometres beneath the Straits of Gibraltar.

Today, St Michael’s Cave is open to the public and used for concerts and ballet performances. The Upper Galleries, also house old cannons, and tableaux depicting the Great Siege of 1779-1783.

The Cable Car
Take a trip to the top of the Rock by cable car stopping off to visit the Apes Den on the way, and St Michael's Cave. Then admire the gorgeous views as you travel further up to the summit and where you can stop for a bite to eat at the restaurant.
Shrine of Our Lady of Europe
Located at the southern end of the Rock, the shrine was originally a mosque until it was converted into a chapel by the Spanish in 1462. The constantly burning light in the tower became Gibraltar’s first lighthouse. The famous pirate Red Beard is reputed to have plundered the shrine, but spared the 15th century statue of the Virgin and Child still venerated at the shrine to this day.

The Gibraltar Museum
The Gibraltar Museum holds a replica of the Gibraltar Skull, the first Neanderthal skull ever found in Europe, as well as a selection of tools and ornaments said to have belonged to cavemen, all excavated from the Rock’s caves.

There are also plenty of other interesting exhibits from the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Moorish, Spanish and British periods; a comprehensive collection of prints; a collection of old weapons; and even a large-scale model of the Rock, made in 1865.

The Rock Buster
If you’re going to visit Gibraltar, you can’t leave without a visit to the 100 Ton Gun at Napier of Magdala Battery.

This massive gun was made in 1870 by Sir W C Armstrong. It is said that during a visit of the Inspector-General of Artillery in 1902 the Gun was prepared to fire five rounds at full charge. The gun refused to fire, so after 30 minutes of waiting and trying, the General asked for a volunteer to fix the gun – which would involve him going down inside the gun and fastening the shell extractor to the projectile. After a long pause for consideration a particularly small and thin soldier volunteered for the task. Stripped to the waist, a rope round him and the extractor ready, the soldier was loaded into the gun. A few moments later, he was hauled back safely having carried out the job. His reward? Immediate promotion to the rank of Bombardier.

Europa Point
Europa Point is right at the southernmost tip of Gibraltar, and it’s where the famous lighthouse stands. The lighthouse, the only Trinity House Lighthouse outside the UK, stands 49 metres above the High Water mark at the southernmost end of the Rock and was opened on 1 August 1841. It was fully automated in 1994 and it can be seen from a distance of 27 kilometres.

World War II Tunnels
In 1940 Britain was at war with Germany and Italy and the future looked bleak for Gibraltar. Britain fully expected an imminent attack on Gibraltar and so prepared for this eventuality by building a massive network of tunnels, making a fortress inside a fortress. In May 2005 the World War II Tunnels were opened to the general public and visitors can now walk through the tunnels and marvel at the efforts of soldiers and civilians who worked on building the complex under the Rock during the War.

Gala Casino
Gibraltar's world famous casino, which was originally situated next to the Rock Hotel, has been reopened on the Ocean Village. It’s worth a visit even for non- gamblers. as it also houses a champagne bar, ice bar, sports lounge, char grill restaurant, and a terrace which all complement the state of the art casino tables, electronic casino zone, poker lounge, VIP area and 460-seat bingo club.

Beaches
Gibraltar has more than 300 days of sunshine a year and a visit to the beach is highly recommended. The four most popular areas of public beach are:

Eastern Beach: The largest and most popular tourist beach
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Catalan Bay: A smaller beach reminiscent of a Spanish fishing village, where you can find some excellent sea food and a lovely hotel overlooking the sea.

Sandy Bay and Western Beach: These are less popular with tourists, but the locals flock here.

For all current information please visit http://www.gibraltar.gi/tourism