Gibraltar Border & Essential Guide

Gibraltar, also known as The Rock, is a British overseas territory in Andalusia. Historically belonging to Spain, it was granted to Britain in 1713. It’s a reminiscence of the past, a time of conquests and colonies, where wars ended with the loss of territories.

At the request of its citizens, Gibraltar still belongs to the UK and is not part of Schengen. Border controls and long queues can form on entry and exit.

You can use euro in most shops, but is not the official currency. They should provide change in pounds.

In this article we will concentrate especially on the border aspect of Gibraltar as well as some useful tips for transportation and tourism.

Travelling by car to Gibraltar may have serious drawbacks among which are outstanding the long queues both into and out from the Rock. We detail the arrival by car and then point out other alternatives that may be more suitable.

Gibraltar Entrance

The access motorway to Gibraltar is the CA-34 to La Linea de la Concepcion, the border town with the Rock, from the N-340 or A-7 (motorway Malaga- Cadiz).

The last stretch to the border usually is congested and sometimes the waiting time can be considerable. Famous is the “Big Queue” of July 27, 2013 where there were waiting times of 6 hours with 30 degrees Celsius.

Although that was an exception, the queues are generally not and thus it’s a useful tip to always carry enough water, especially during the summer months.

While waiting in your car there may approach an individual who wants to charge the entrance to the Rock and the parking; just ignore him, the entrance to Gibraltar remains free.

Gibraltar Border

Since Britain is outside the Schengen area of the EU, so is also Gibraltar and identity checks are required to cross the border (ID card or passport). Travellers of other nationalities may need a visa (information at csro@gibraltar.gov.gi).

The border is open 24 hours. For border control of pedestrian passers have recently been installed “smart borders” which are automated passages with facial controls, which supposedly speed up the passage at the border.

Parking in Gibraltar

Parking in Gibraltar is often limited and expensive. There are open-air car parks by the Cable Car station and on Queensway. Parking in unauthorised areas could result in your vehicle being towed or immobilised.

It’s generally recommended that you park before crossing the border to walk across; this way you will avoid the queues that can form. On the other side of the border, you’ll find transport to the city centre.

A catamaran was launched in 2010 linking Algeciras with Gibraltar, but we don’t know if it is still operating. There are tourist cruises from Gibraltar, but they do not go as far as Algeciras.

Useful Tips

Alternatives for traveling to Gibraltar in your own vehicle are public transport and private transfers from Malaga airport to Gibraltar. The bus station of La Linea is located about 300 metres from the border.

From the Gibraltarian side of the border is available a bus to downtown. It is a red double-decker bus with the number 5 which during the summer months has an open deck to enjoy the view from the border to Main Street.

There is also a taxi rank and a tourist information office.

Do you want to know how the traffic is now on the border of Gibraltar? Here is the link to a live webcam on the English side: http://www.frontierqueue.gi/

Gibraltar Airport

When we look for information about Gibraltar airport, we are surprised by its curiosities. One of them is that it is the airport with the shortest runway in the world and the second most dangerous in Europe, Its runway even crosses the border road!

This airport is located half a kilometre from the city centre and is territorially outside British territory, according to the Spanish authorities. In the past, planes were forbidden to fly over Spanish territory.

The origin of this airport dates back to the Second World War, when it was built for military use. It was not until 1987 that civilian use was agreed and from 2006 the restrictions were lifted, allowing flights between Spain and Gibraltar. 

If you ever cross the border while a plane is arriving, you will experience this curious scene as the sirens sound to warn people not to cross, as a plane is approaching to land.

Gibraltar can be a good starting point for many English people who want to get to know Andalusia. If you are one of them, we can pick you up and take you wherever you need to go.

Destinations and airlines

These are the destinations and airlines operating out of this airport as of today in April 2023.

• Bristol with EasyJet.
• London-Gatwick with EasyJet
• Heathrow Airport with British Airways
• Manchester with EasyJet

Activities and things to do

Gibraltar’s economy relies mainly on tourism. Visitors usually stay for one day. Can you enjoy Gibraltar in one day? Let’s explore things to do and places to visit. We can take you from Malaga to Gibraltar along the beautiful western Costa del Sol.

Ascent to the Rock of Gibraltar: Options and prices

Don’t leave Gibraltar without visiting the Rock. Can you drive up? In the past, for a fee of around €10. Now only vehicles with Gibraltar plates can drive up.

You can walk up or use the cable car. The cable car costs around £12 for a round trip. Another option is to ascend by cable car and descend on foot. If you want to visit the Nature Park too, the price is around £20 per person.

Curiosities

As a curiosity, monkeys are very active on the Rock, so be careful with your objects and above all don’t show them shiny objects as they will want to take them away from you. Be aware that they are wild animals and their behaviour can be unpredictable.

The Barbary macaques in Gibraltar are considered by many to be the top tourist attraction in Gibraltar. The most popular troop is that of Queen’s Gate at Ape’s Den, where people can get especially close to the monkeys. They will often approach and sometimes climb onto people, as they are used to human interaction.

Where do the monkeys in Gibraltar come from? Those monkeys are Barbary macaques and are the only wild monkey population on the European continent. They originally come from the Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains in Morocco. The macaque population had also been present on the Rock of Gibraltar long before Gibraltar was captured by the British in 1704 and according to records, since prior to reconquest of Gibraltar from the Muslims. It was during the Islamic period where a purported introduction may have taken place.

Shopping on Main Street

There is a bus from the border that takes you directly to Main Street; this is the main shopping street where you can buy gifts, jewellery, watches and even tobacco. It use to be cheaper than in the Peninsula, but remember that you will then have to cross the border.

To pay, you can pay in either currency, either in euros or pounds. If you pay in euros, you will most likely get the change in pounds.

Diving and catamaran excursions

If you like diving, this is a place you should not miss. There are more than 30 shipwrecks in Gibraltar; under its waters lies a large part of the maritime history of the Strait of Gibraltar.

If you like boat trips instead, there are dolphin-watching excursions from the bay.

In short, Gibraltar is a good option to consider during our holidays. Remember that in addition to airport transfers we offer minibuses or the vehicle you need for excursions; if you want we can help you, contact us and tell us your plans!