Northern Defences: A Journey Through Gibraltar's Military History
Explore Gibraltar's Northern Defences: A historic military site with tunnels, fortifications, and stunning Mediterranean views.
Explore the Northern Defences, a network of military fortifications carved into the north face of the Rock of Gibraltar. These historic defenses, including tunnels, batteries, and underground passages, offer a glimpse into Gibraltar's strategic importance and military past, with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
A brief summary to Northern Defences
- 10 Moorish Castle Estate, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA, GI
- +35020045000
Local tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain can be uneven and involves some walking.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning views of the Mediterranean and surrounding landscapes.
- Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the best lighting for photography.
- Check for guided tours for a more in-depth understanding of the site's history.
- Bring a torch or headlamp to explore the tunnels and bunkers.
Getting There
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Walking
From Casemates Square, walk south up Main Street. Turn left onto Engineer Lane and continue uphill. Turn left again just before 'Piece of Cake' onto the road, then take the stairs attached to the building at the top. Follow the stairs to the Gibraltar escalator, which leads to the Northern Defences. This walk takes approximately 10 minutes for those who are relatively fit.
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Public Transport
From the Gibraltar International Airport, take bus number 3 towards the city center. Alight at the 'Moorish Castle' bus stop. From there, walk uphill along Moorish Castle Estate road to reach the Northern Defences. The bus fare is approximately £2.
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Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the Gibraltar International Airport and in the city center. A taxi ride from the airport to the Northern Defences costs approximately £13.6, depending on the route and time of day. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes.
Discover more about Northern Defences
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Northern Defences
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Ticket Office of Moorish Castle
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Granada Gate
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Vivian's fall
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Military Heritage Centre
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Lime Kiln
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The Queen's Picturehouse & Eatery
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The Lord Nelson
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Tower House
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Grand Casemates Barracks
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Unmissable attractions to see
Moorish Castle
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Jones' Battery
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Couvreport Battery
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Landport Tunnel
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Princess Caroline's Battery
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The Almond Tower
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Grand Battery
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Governor's Lookout Battery
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Gibraltar Distillery Company
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City Under Siege Exhibition
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Grand Casemates Square
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Statue of Gibralter Defence Force Soldier
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Casemates Square
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North Bastion
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Castle Steps
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Essential places to dine
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The Little Rock
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Gianni's
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Rock Fish and Chips
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Burger King
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Andrews Spot
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Venture Inn Pub/Bar Gibraltar
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Dehesa de Señorio
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Roy's Fish and Chips
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Aquaterra
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Berber Treasure shop
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Watch & Bullion
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Gibraltar Arts and Crafts
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Debenhams
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Omni Optic
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Duty Free
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Bubbles
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Emporium
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International Commercial Centre
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TIEMPO
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Marble Arc
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Mascot Gibraltar Limited
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Nightclubs & after hour spots
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The Arena Sports Cafe
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