Gibraltar - The Perfect Mini Break For Brits

A British overseas territory since 1713, Gibraltar, is situated on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula 14 miles from Morocco. This British influence is evident and amongst the Mediterranean weather and buildings, you will find red post boxes and fish and chip shops that remind you of the UK. Gibraltar has a land border with Spain however the best way is to fly and this can be done from most UK airports.

Flying to the UK to Gibraltar

Getting to Gibraltar from the UK is easy and you can fly from four airports. These are Manchester, Bristol, London Gatwick and London Heathrow. There are plenty of flights as well. You can fly from Bristol 3 times a week and Manchester, Gatwick and Heathrow once or twice daily. 

Sun and Sand

With average temperatures of 25 degrees and dry summers, Gibraltar can be relied on to give you a suntan. So if you enjoy lying on a sun lounger on the beach or by the pool then Gibraltar is as good a place as any. Although it covers less than 3 square miles still manages to have four beaches, each of which can give you something different. Camp & Little Bays are located on the south of the peninsula (even better for you sunseekers) and away from the Rock of Gibraltar which means they are less likely to catch any clouds. It also has a lido, and you can see across the Bay of Gibraltar to Algeciras. The rest of the beaches are on the eastern coast in the shadow of the Rock and continue in several coves and bays along the edge of the peninsula.

History 

Due to its prime location overlooking The Strait of Gibraltar, the peninsula has always been highly sought after and therefore has been a pivotal part of the history of the Mediterranean, especially since the British took control of it. The Moorish Castle has stood overlooking Casemates Square since the 8th century, it was rebuilt in the 14th Century and whilst not much of the castle remains, the Tower of Homage and the Gatehouse give you a good feel of what a formidable structure it would’ve been. The siege tunnels and batteries give you a great insight into how contested Gibraltar has been throughout the centuries. They were built by the British during the famous Great Siege and are an architectural masterpiece having been built entirely by manual labour to allow them to get gun batteries in advantageous positions, some of these cannons are still displayed today. 

Sights and Nature 

The Rock of Gibraltar dominates much of the peninsula but what lies beneath it is easily more visually stunning. I am of course speaking about the caves, one of which – named Cathedral Cave - is large enough for 400 people to watch anything from a drama to opera. There is also St Michael’s Cave the largest of Gibraltar’s 150 caves.  This stunning feat of nature has a number of connecting caves and the lower hill even has its own small underground lake. While talking about The Rock, the best way to get to the top is via Cable Car. Built in 1966 the cable car can carry up to 30 passengers and provides spectacular views of the west of Gibraltar. No trip to Gibraltar would be complete without going to see the Barbary Macaques. Gibraltar has become famous for its monkey inhabitants, the only monkeys living in the wild anywhere in Europe. The best place to see them is in the Gibraltar Nature Reserve which encompasses most of the upper rock and has a number of Gibraltar’s main tourist attractions.

Adventure  

Something Gibraltar is often overlooked for is its adventure opportunities. There are a number of nature trails across the peninsula or you can go coasteering along rocky outcrops and cliffs. Something that does provide a great view of all of the whole peninsula is the skywalk. This see-through walkway allows you to see both sides of Gibraltar and across the Strait of Gibraltar, something that is truly special. Being a peninsula gives tourists many different water-based activities in which they partake such as chartering a yacht or going sailing, doing morning yoga on the beach and then going swimming afterwards or having a go at stand-up paddle boarding. However, by far the best of these water-based activities is the diving opportunities in the Bay of Gibraltar. Gibraltar has great marine biodiversity and has over 35 shipwrecks offshore which have been made into artificial reefs. These shipwrecks really make it a unique diving experience and can be done whether you have diving experience or you’re a complete novice.

 

So there we have it, you wouldn’t think that such a small place could have so much going on but Gibraltar has something for everyone no matter what kind of holiday you’re looking for and what’s even better you can use all your British currency there and maybe even pick up a few Gibraltarian pounds sterling while you’re at it (although these can’t be used in Britain). It's perfect for a short break.  To find out more about holidays to Gibraltar call us on 01157843388 or email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk. If you’re wanting to book, call us, email or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for and we’ll be more than happy to help you out. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and find out about our other destinations here at CT4N Travel. If you've been to Gibraltar, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages.