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Gibraltar: 5 Things To Do In Gibraltar (After Visiting The Caves)

So, you’ve already found your way to St Michael’s caves and explored the tunnels burrowed deep into the Rock of Gibraltar. Now what? There are still a wide range of sights and activities in Gibraltar!

1. Ascend/Descend the Rock of Gibraltar by Cable Car

A cable car runs up the mountain, with great views of the harbor below. The topmost point reaches 1,352 feet. Hopping off at the station at the top of the Rock, a cafe and gift shop can be found, in addition to those anticipated vantage points.

A multimedia guide (free with purchase of an adult ticket) is also available at the top station’s terrace, with information about the history of Gibraltar.

2. Visit the Europa Point Lighthouse

Europa Point lighthouse can be found on the southernmost point of Gibraltar. Built in 1841 and still in use today, the lighthouse, now fully automated, serves as a helpful navigation assist for passing vessels.

The original light source was supplied by an oil lamp, with advancements in oil types, lenses, and wicks being implemented through the years to improve intensity. By the mid-1950s, the addition of electricity replaced the use of oil altogether.

3. The Mosque of the Custodian of the Holy Mosques and Shrine of Our Lady of Europe

Within a short distance of each other, the Mosque and Shrine occupy the same location as Europa Point. There is a parking lot centrally located between the sights, along with a public bathroom. The Mosque is open to the public during the day, and you can admire the marble tiles, stained glass windows, decorative wood panels, and brass chandeliers.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, a converted mosque, was established after the Spaniards took control of Gibraltar. The patroness of Gibraltar, the Lady of Europe’s wooden carving has been dated as far back as the late 1400s or early 1500s. Removed from Gibraltar for safe keeping, it was finally returned to Gibraltar in 1864; and in 1967 the carving was returned to the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe.

4. Take in Some Shopping on Main Street

Main Street is a great place to take in some VAT/duty free shopping. The shops lining the street are a combination of designer fashions, local handicrafts, and everything in between. There are also a few of the iconic British telephone booths scattered around, which make a fun photo stop!

Even if you are not much of a shopper, it is a lovely stroll. With cobbled streets and businesses that have stood since Gibraltar was a trading post in the 19th century, it is quite picturesque.

Irish Town, also a bustling commerce street in its heyday, is one street over from Main Street. The Merchant Houses, which typically comprised a store front, storage space, and living area on the ground, first, and second levels, respectively, are now home to cafes, restaurants, and other businesses.

5. Get Lunch at a Local Cafe

Main Street boasts a lively collection of bars, cozy coffeehouses, and a wide array of cuisine choices. Find an outdoor cafe down one of the side streets of Main Street, or head to Casemates Square to relax and people-watch. Or, find a renovated Merchant House for some classic British fare.

Note: The currency in Gibraltar, the Gibraltar Pound, is equal to the GB Pound Sterling; so if you have GB pounds, you don’t have to worry about changing money.

Gibraltar: Pillar of Hercules and St Michael’s Cave

Before you even enter Gibraltar, you can see its trademark landmark; the Rock of Gibraltar. Also referred to as one of the pillars of Hercules, its mate is across the Strait of Gibraltar. Both the Jebel Musa in Morocco and Mount Hacho in Ceuta have been mentioned as the other peak of the fabled pillars.

According to legend, one of Hercules’ 12 labors involved traveling westward to capture cattle from Geryon, a three bodied giant. On his way, Hercules came to a mountain, directly in his path. Rather than climbing the mountain, he split it in half to get through. These two halves of the mountain peak make up the fabled pillars of Hercules.

Crossing the border into Gibraltar on foot, you go through two immigration stations, back to back. You exit Spain and Spain’s immigration building, and walk through a sort of no man’s land, arriving at the immigration entry station for Gibraltar.

Officially on Gibraltarian soil, one of my many stops on the itinerary for the day was St Michael’s Cave.

St Michael’s Cave, located within the Rock of Gibraltar, was thought to have been endlessly deep in ancient times. It was once believed that the cave led down to a passageway connecting Europe with Africa.

Passageways aside, getting up to the caves is an adventure in itself. The road leading up the mountain is barely wide enough to accommodate the two way traffic. Add in a couple dozen backpackers along the edge of a tightly winding road, our driver expertly delivered us to the entrance of the caves.

Once inside, the view from the top platform is quite awe inspiring. The depths of the cave are amazing and I can see why it is such a renowned place. The front portion of the cave is also available for concerts. Due to the spectacular acoustics, the cave makes an ideal, and unusual, venue. Mood lighting intermittently strobes from the classic warm white, to red, to purple, blue, and green. It definitely feels like a concert could start at any moment.

During World War II, the cave was setup so that it could be used as a hospital. Tunnels, known as the Great Siege Tunnels, which were started in 1782 to aid defense in The Great Siege, were also advanced further into the sides of the Rock for strategic military posts.

Outside the cave, and along some of the lower terraced levels, the Barbary macaques can be found.

Commonly referred to as Barbary apes, the Barbary macaques, like the ravens of the Tower of London, share a similar legend about the animals leaving a specific location. In the Gibraltar specific legend, if the macaques were to ever leave the Rock of Gibraltar, Britain would fall. So, the macaques live a rather posh life, with a cozy habitat and regular, park sponsored feedings.

Signs are posted around the area, warning tourists against feeding the macaques, or attempting to pet them. My tour guide went a step further, and advised the group not to wear or hold anything shiny. Shiny objects will attract their attention, and they may remove it from your possession. So, car keys, watches, food items, even bags are better left in your vehicle, if possible.

Based on the macaque activity, our group must have arrived after lunch, as there were only two around, and one was napping under a tree. One did come out to the railing to say hello though. I think it knew I didn’t want to be too close to it, because as I moved away, it also moved along the railing towards me. I took a step back, it took a step forward. It was probably trying to get away from all the flashing cameras; I just happened to be trying to get away from it.

In addition to the barbary macaques, several permanent residences are perched along the mountain side. And while the tourists who visit find the macaques’ presence whimsical, the locals will tell you another tale. Apparently, the macaques will wander in to residences, taking food and rummaging through items left out. Due to the legend surrounding the macaques, they are protected, and there is not much the harassed locals can do to get rid of them.