Gibraltar Rock, St Michael S Cave Travel Guide

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Explore Gibraltar Rock: a historic fortress, natural wonder, and home to the famous Barbary macaques, offering breathtaking views and unique experiences.

Gibraltar Rock, a towering limestone promontory, is a symbol of strength and history. Rising dramatically from the sea, it offers stunning views, fascinating tunnels, and the chance to encounter the famous Barbary macaques, making it a must-see destination.

A brief summary to Gibraltar Rock

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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Gibraltar Rock.

Purchase a Nature Reserve ticket to access most attractions on the Rock, including St. Michael's Cave and the Great Siege Tunnels.
Consider visiting early or later in the afternoon to avoid long queues for the cable car.
Be aware that the Barbary macaques are wild animals; do not feed them or get too close.
Wear comfortable shoes, as exploring the Rock involves a lot of walking, especially if you choose to hike.
Check the weather forecast before your visit, as conditions on the Rock can change rapidly.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Lower St Michael's Cave

Saint Michael's Cave

Douglas's Cave

Cradle of History

Skywalk Gibraltar

Explore Gibraltar Rock on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Gibraltar Rock, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From the Gibraltar border, walk south along Winston Churchill Avenue. Turn left onto Line Wall Road and continue to the Grand Casemates Square. From there, follow Main Street south towards the Cable Car station, which is located near the Alameda Botanical Gardens. The walk from the border to the Cable Car station takes approximately 30 minutes.
Public Transport

After crossing the border, a bus can be taken from Winston Churchill Avenue to the base of the Rock. A round-trip ticket costs around £6. From the bus stop, it is a short walk to the Cable Car station.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available after crossing the border. A taxi ride from the Gibraltar Passport Control Station to the Rock of Gibraltar costs approximately €3. Alternatively, taxi tours are available, which include transportation to various attractions on the Rock and Nature Reserve entry tickets, but these are more expensive.
Cable Car

The Gibraltar Cable Car provides a direct route to the Top of the Rock. The Cable Car base station is located at Grand Parade, near the southern end of Main Street. A round trip ticket including the Nature Reserve costs £49 for adults and £31 for children (4-11 years). The cable car ride takes approximately 6 minutes.

Discover more about Gibraltar Rock

Gibraltar Rock is a monolithic limestone promontory that dominates the landscape of Gibraltar. Rising to 426 meters (1,398 feet), it has been a strategic military point for centuries, offering commanding views of the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.Geologically, the Rock was formed approximately 200 million years ago from the shells of tiny sea creatures. Tectonic plate movements uplifted these layers, shaping the iconic form we recognize today. Caves like Gorham's Cave reveal evidence of early inhabitants, including Neanderthals.Historically, Gibraltar Rock was known as Mons Calpe to the Romans, one of the Pillars of Hercules marking the edge of the known world. In 711 AD, it became Jebel Tarik (Mount Tarik) after the Berber chieftain Tarik ibn-Ziyad landed there, initiating the Muslim conquest of Iberia. The Moors fortified Gibraltar for over 700 years before Spanish forces recaptured it in 1462. In 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession, British forces captured the Rock. Today, the majority of the Rock's upper area is a nature reserve, home to around 300 Barbary macaques, also known as Barbary apes. These monkeys freely roam the area and are a major attraction for tourists. Visitors can explore St. Michael's Cave, a large natural grotto with stalactites and stalagmites, and the Great Siege Tunnels, a network of underground passages dug during the 18th century. The Skywalk, a glass platform, offers panoramic views.