Whether you love Gibraltar or hate it, there is no denying that this intriguing British enclave attracts visitors from all over the world. The rock is situated just one hour´s drive from Marbella and all of the Costa del Sol´s holiday resorts are within easy driving distance.
Situated on a narrow piece of land linked to the end of Spain, the rock of Gibraltar is 426 metres high and covers an area of 6 square kilometres. The thin coastal strip of land to the west overlooks the Straits of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean, and the east side with its sheer, steep cliffs overlooks the Mediterranean.

Most of Gibraltar´s interesting history evolves from its strategic position at the southern-most tip of the Iberian peninsula, where Europe meets Africa, and still remains to be an important base for the British Navy. The territory shares a border with Spain to the North. Gibraltar was granted by Spain to Great Britain in perpetuity in 1713, under the Treaty of Utrecht, and although Spain insists it should be returned to them, it remains British territory. The British Government has vowed to respect the wishes of the Gibraltarians, who oppose any proposals for shared sovereignty with Spain.

The rock is home to many historical sites and places of interest, that tourism boosts the economy, and many cruise ships also dock here regularly, bringing visitors from all over the globe. Gibraltar has become a popular holiday and business travel destination over the years and has the added bonus of tax-free shopping.

Such popular UK stores as Marks and Spencer´s, British Home Stores, Morrison´s Supermarket and Clark´s Shoe Shop all attract shoppers from Spain and beyond, and many ex-pats who live on the Costa del Sol make regular visits for their home-from-home products. Cigarettes and alcohol are also dirt cheap compared with the UK and Spain, but there are quite strict restrictions on how many you can legally take back through customs. Only 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits are allowed each time you cross back into Spain.

The limestone cliffs of Gibraltar are home to many natural caves, including the breathtaking St. Michael´s Grotto which is open to visitors. It is also well worth taking a trip down the tunnels of the great siege, which were used as a defence system in the 18th century, and can still be explored today.

You can take a taxi tour of the rock, or if you prefer to be left to your own devices, you can walk all the way up Main Street, past the Governor´s building to the cable car. We prefer to explore this way, and have taken many friends to the top of the rock where the famous Barbary Apes of Gibraltar live. Mostly found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco it is thought this distinct breed of ape was introduced to Gibraltar hundreds of years ago, and have flourished ever since. The animals have become accustomed to tourists on the rock, and will come up close or even leap onto your shoulders when you are least expecting it.
There is also a fabulous audio tour at the top of the rock which explains the surroundings, the history and the traditions of Gibraltar. The views from the platform close to the cafeteria are absolutely stunning, and you can see clearly the African coast and the Spanish resorts in the distance.

Five beaches surround Gibraltar, including Catalan Bay, Eastern Beach, Camp Bay, Sandy Bay and Little Bay, and water-sports facilities are available in Marina Bay, Sheppard´s Marina and Queensway Quay Marina, where diving, sailing and dolphin-spotting are widely enjoyed. We recently enjoyed a trip out on the dolphin boat, and saw literally hundreds of dolphins swimming alongside the boat in the Bay. Apparently they are attracted to this area by the warmer water.

Last time we visited we decided to stay at the Queen´s Hotel for a night, which is a 3-star hotel close to the cable car at the top of Main Street . The rooms were adequate and comfortable, the food was good and the location was excellent. But make sure if you are going in the summer months that you have a room with air conditioning, as this hotel is in the centre of town and keeping the windows open is not an option.

The best known hotels in Gibraltar are the Caleta, the Elliott and the Rock Hotel, which are all 4-star establishments, with views and comfort to match. The restaurant at the Rock Hotel is superb and offers innovative European and International dishes from around the world. Very highly recommended. Other top restaurants to try include Simon´s in Cornwall ´s Lane, where you will find excellent fish, seafood, steaks and more, and Bianca´s Bistro, in Marina Bay, which boasts a fabulous waterside terrace and a varied menu to suit all tastes.

If you fancy a few drinks before your meal, have a stroll around Marina Bay or Irish Town, where there are plenty of cafés, bars and British style pubs to keep you refreshed. Gibraltar offers something for everyone, and is the perfect place to spend a day or more with the family. Temperatures are very similar to the nearby Costa del Sol, so remember to take your sun cream, and more importantly, remember your passport.