I spent a day on “The Rock” in July this year. We went on a day trip (an easy walk across the border from Spain). It’s a funny place, a UK territory, but quite an autonomous one with it’s own currency (Gibraltar pound) and flag.

It really is just a rock, not very big and easy to visit in a day or two. It’s rather strange as once over the border you are thrust from European Spain into a very English town. Fish & Chips, pubs, tea, British high street shops, British tourists etc but all with blue skies and warm sun.

Parts of it look and feel like any high street in England making it somewhat unappealing.  However, there are a few sights which are of interest.  You can see these with a driven guided tour, but we opted to go it alone.

Getting There & Away: We stayed in La Linea (the town over the border in Spain) so we walked across the border.  You can drive, but the queues looked awful so I think walking was the way to go. You can also visit as part of an organised coach tour from places in Spain.

Getting around: you can walk, take tours or buses. There is also a cable car up to the top.

Weather: Hot and sunny in the summer, cooler but not cold in the winter.

Food: British!  If you crave Fish & Chips, you can get them here.

Sights & Activities:  Going to the top for the view and the monkeys, walking the Mediterranean Steps.  There are also some caves and museums which we didn’t get to, but which are apparently very worthwhile.

Surprises: Walking across an actual runway – rather surreal and mildly scary.

Tips: Stay in La Linea (the Spanish town across the border) which was convenient as well as being much cheaper. Hotels in Gibraltar are few and the ones we saw looked grotty and overpriced.