Gibraltar

Spanning over 1200 years of history from British, Spanish and Moorish influences, Gibraltar has more to offer than just tax-free shopping. With little reminders of England clearly visible hinting at its once important base for the British navy, Gibraltar is a great destination for a short break. 

What to do…
Probably the most famous attraction, and what makes Gibraltar City Breaks so unique is the Rock. You can try the steep walk or there is a pleasant cable car ride, which runs most days - weather permitting, and the panoramic views of Gibraltar, nearby Spain and on clear days across the Strait to the Rif Mountains of Morocco is stunning and unforgettable. The Rock is known for the Barbary Macaques, or apes which have made their home there. They live on the Upper Rock and a visit to the Apes Den will get you up close and personal to these fabulous animals. Gibraltar has hundreds of caves and in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, St Michaels cave is full of stalagmites and stalactites to admire and if you are lucky you may even be able to see a concert in these breathtaking surroundings. The Great Siege Tunnels are a must visit too -this labyrinth of tunnels made an effective defensive system. Getting around Gibraltar is easy as most of the town is accessible by foot. The inner city walls, originally built by the Moors, are still standing and ambling along you begin to sense the battles that have shaped the history of this city. The Gibraltar Museum is worth a visit, as it covers all aspects of Gibraltar’s history and natural history, and houses the best preserved Moorish bathhouse in Europe .If you fancy taking to the water then a dolphin excursion is a great way to see these highly intelligent animals. For those wanting more, there are dive charters available. Nestling on the eastern side of the Rock, Catalan Bay is a small fishing village with a tiny but excellent beach. Some of the traditional boats are still used for fishing and there are a number of pubs and restaurants here too. Worth seeing (several times per day at the weekend) is the changing of the guard at the Governor’s residence. Formerly a franciscan convent, it has been the Governor’s official residence since 1728 and the adjacent King’s Chapel is now the garrison church. No trip would be complete without a visit to Nelson’s Anchorage. With magnificent views across the Strait of Gibraltar and of Rosia Bay, it commemorates  where Nelson’s body was brought ashore from HMS Victory after the Battle of Trafalgar,  the ‘100 ton gun’- the victorian super gun, marks the spot. If you still have time, then maybe some tax-free shopping to round off the trip?

Where to stay…
We recommend  three properties in our Gibraltar portfolio. The 3* option is the Bristol Hotel which is situated in the heart of the town with air conditioned bedrooms and a swimming pool. The O’Callaghan Elliot Hotel, which receives glowing feedback from Cities Direct clients, is a 4* hotel close to the cable Rock and boasts a rooftop swimming pool and sauna. Finally the well-known 4* Rock Hotel, an institution amongst Gibraltar hotels, located in the bay of Gibraltar with stunning views and wonderful cuisine.

What to eat…
As you would expect in such a multicultural place, the cuisine is very international, with plenty of opportunity to sample local fresh fish.

When to go…
November / December are a very popular time to travel to enjoy Duty free Christmas shopping, but the Mediterranean climate makes for relatively mild winters and hot summers so it is great to visit all year.

Getting there…
We offer direct flights to Gibraltar from 5 UK airports including Birmingham, Gatwick and Manchester, but Gibraltar may also be combined as part of a multi-centre break with destinations such as Seville or Malaga. Call us and we will be happy to create a tailor made itinerary just for you.

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