If you close your eyes and hear the name ‘Gibraltar’, you no doubt picture the famous Rock of Gibraltar. We’re talking rock with a capital R! Dominating the western entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, the iconic natural marvel has been a historical and strategic landmark for centuries.
Rising majestically 1,398 feet (426m) above the sea at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, the Rock of Gibraltar is a Jurassic limestone promontory that was formed approximately 200 million years ago. The highest point of the Rock is at O’Hara’s Battery, near the south end.
The Pillars of Hercules
The Pillars of Hercules are two prominent rock formations that mark the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The northern Pillar is the Rock of Gibraltar, known as Mons Calpe in antiquity. The specific location of the southern Pillar, Mons Abila, on the African side of the strait remains uncertain, but is identified today as either Monte Hacho in Ceuta or Jebel Musa in Morocco.
The origins of the Pillars of Hercules date back to ancient Greek mythology, later adopted by the Romans, where the hero Hercules had to perform twelve challenging labours as a form of penance. The myth tells that during the tenth labour, Hercules used his strength to separate Europe from Africa, thus forming the Strait, and defining the western limit of the known world.
Today, the Pillars of Hercules are a symbol of the rich history and strategic importance of the region.
Top of the Rock
Located at the gateway between Europe and Africa, the views from the top of Rock are absolutely spectacular. You can admire the Strait of Gibraltar, the Spanish coastline, and even see the above-mentioned Jebel Musa in Morocco on a clear day.
Beyond its obvious wow-factor, the Rock offers visitors and residents so many things to see and do, both above and below ground. Whether you are interested in the historical sites, want to see the famous Barbary macaques, or enjoy a hike with breath taking views, our guide reveals the highlights and top tips to really make the most of your visit.
The Gibraltar Nature Reserve
The Rock is home to The Gibraltar Nature Reserve, covering over 40% of the territory’s total land area! It was established as the Upper Rock Nature Reserve in 1993 to protect the area of land that the UK’s Ministry of Defence had decommissioned from military use, before being extended and renamed in 2013.
The reserve is known for its biodiversity and natural beauty, and is one of the main tourist attractions in Gibraltar.
Opening Hours: (May – September) 9:30am – 7:00pm, (October – April) 9:00am – 6:00pm.
Access
You can’t drive into the reserve because no unauthorised private vehicles are permitted. Four access options are available to you – walk/hike, cycle, take the cable car or book a guided taxi/bus tour.
To reach the top of the Rock, you need to purchase a one day Nature Reserve ticket which includes entry into the Reserve and its 17 sites and attractions. It costs £25 for adults and £17 for children (aged 5-11). This fee goes toward the maintenance and conservation costs of the reserve and its flora and fauna.
You can buy tickets in advance on the official Gibraltar Nature Reserve website. The ticket is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase, and includes a map of the Nature Reserve.
You can also buy a ticket at one of the Nature Reserve’s four entry points: Jews Gate, Moorish Castle, Devils Gap and the Cable Car Top Station.
Below you’ll find information about the various ways to access the Reserve and summit so you can make the best choice for you.
Please also remember that depending on your physical condition and the season, the heat can be an important factor to take in to consideration. In the summer months, it’s best to set off early in the morning, and don’t forget your hat, sunscreen and plenty of water!
Walk the Rock
The roads leading up the Rock are well-maintained, but as some parts are quite steep, the walk does require some physical effort as well as sturdy and comfortable shoes. Some of the roads are narrow, so it can be a bit annoying to have to regularly give way to passing taxis and minibuses, plus the smell of the exhaust fumes.
One of the most popular road walking routes starts from the Castle Steps on Castle Road. Make your way up, and at the top of the steps turn left onto Willis Road to follow up the northern side of the Rock. This will lead you to the Moorish Castle, one of the Reserve’s entry points, and then to the WWII tunnels and Great Siege Tunnels. From there, take Signal Station Road up to the viewing platform at the top of the Rock, from where you can take in the magnificent panorama. There are plenty of things to see on your way back down the Rock, including the Skywalk and St. Michael’s Cave (see below). The walk takes about four hours, depending on your pace and how long you stop at the various sites.
Hike
If you enjoy hiking and want to get off the beaten track, the Nature Reserve has a whole network of trails, pathways and steps. These combine the Reserve’s natural beauty and stunning views with some sites of historic interest that do not feature widely as part of the more mainstream ‘Rock tours’.
These trails are great if you prefer walking on natural paths rather than asphalt roads. Secondly, you can avoid the passing taxis and tour buses which can make the road walking routes less pleasant.
Mediterranean Steps
One of the best hiking paths is the Mediterranean Steps trail, offering amazing views and beautiful flora and fauna. It requires a reasonable level of fitness, good walking shoes and some tolerance for heights.
The trail starts at Jews’ Gate at the southern end of the Nature Reserve at 180m above sea level, and then zigzags 1.8 km up the eastern side of the Rock towards O’Hara’s Battery at 419m, close to the summit. Be sure to stop and admire the view from time to time – the panorama of Europa Point and across the Strait towards North Africa is absolutely breathtaking! The ascent takes between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on your fitness level. From the top of the Rock you can either retrace your steps, or preferably follow the road down, visiting sites of interest such as St. Michel’s cave.
The Mediterranean Steps is a challenging walk, and may not be suitable if you suffer from vertigo. Some parts of the steps are steep and uneven, but there are rope handrails to hold onto. It’s best to set off in the morning, although in the summer months, a late afternoon walk offers plenty of much-needed shade.
The Nature Reserve’s website also presents four themed trails: History Buff trail, Thrill Seeker’s trail, Nature Lover trail and Monkey trail. Click here for more information.
Cycle
For adventure seekers, biking up the Rock of Gibraltar is a fantastic option! And an e-bike tour makes the ascent manageable for riders of various fitness levels.
EBike-Gibraltar offers a ‘Rock to the Top Tour’ that lasts 3.5 hours and costs £79 (pre-booking required). The price includes the Nature Reserve ticket, eBike and helmet rental and a guided tour.
If you prefer to explore independently, EBike-Gibraltar also provides free cycle maps to download here.
Cable car to the top of the Rock
Built by Swiss Cable Car manufacturer Von Roll in 1966, the Cable Car is one of the most popular attractions in Gibraltar.
The base station is at the southern end of Main Street, next to Alameda Gardens. The ascent to the top station, 1,352 feet (412m) above sea level, takes 6 minutes and offers unrivalled vistas of two continents, three countries, and two bodies of water.
A lot of visitors choose to take the cable car one way to the top of the Rock, and then enjoy the walk down, visiting various attractions on the way. Or the other way round, depending on your knees!
The cable car runs every 10 minutes or so and is open Monday-Sunday 9:30am – 7:15pm. Last Cable Car down 7:45pm
Ticket prices:
- Cable Car One Way & Nature Reserve: Adult £41.50; Child £26
- Cable Car Return & Nature Reserve: Adult £44; Child £26
- Cable Car Return: Adult £19; Child £9
Click here to book in advance.
The cable car ticket price also includes a free shuttle bus from the border, making this an excellent choice if you’re arriving from Spain in the morning.
Please note that the cable car doesn’t operate in strong winds or adverse weather.
Taxi or Bus Tour
Standard tours take about two hours and typically include the Pillars of Hercules, St Michael’s Cave, the Skywalk, Great Siege Tunnels and Moorish Castle for approx. £45 per person. Private tours cost a little more, but offer you greater flexibility.
Attractions in the Gibraltar Nature Reserve
Once you’ve reached the top of the Rock and enjoyed the amazing views, below are some of the highlights you can visit on your way down.
The sites are listed somewhat geographically, starting at the upper part the Rock and ending lower down near the town.
For more details visit www.naturereserve.gi
Southern Area
O’Hara’s Battery: Located at the highest point of the Rock of Gibraltar, the gun emplacement owes its name to General Charles O’Hara, Governor of Gibraltar between 1795 and 1802. Once a strategic lookout station, it now offers the best views in Gibraltar and is just a 15-minute walk from the top cable car station.
Skywalk: This attraction offers a thrilling experience. The cliff-hanging glass platform and walkway is perched 340 metres above sea level and offers majestic 360-degree panoramic views.
St. Michaels Cave: Once home to Neolithic inhabitants of the Rock, the limestone cave is famous for its stunning array of stalagmites and stalactites. In addition to its natural beauty, the cave is an atmospheric auditorium for events and concerts with a seating capacity of 400. Don’t miss ‘The Awakening’, an immersive light and sound show that takes place every 20 minutes.
Visit www.visitgibraltar.gi for more information.
Windsor Suspension Bridge: Opened in 2016, this suspension bridge spans 70 metres over a 50-metre deep gorge, and is a thrilling spot for adventure seekers!
Apes’ Den: Barbary Macaques are The Rock’s famous residents and the only wild monkey population on the European continent. Legend has it that when the macaques disappear from Gibraltar, so will the British. The den is a great spot to watch the macaques eat and play, but they are wild animals and it’s very important not to touch or get too close to them. Feeding the macaques is strictly prohibited.
Northern Area
The Great Siege Tunnels: British army engineers dug out the Great Siege Tunnels to provide gun emplacements during the Great Siege of Gibraltar, when France and Spain attempted to capture Gibraltar from Great Britain. The siege started in 1779 and lasted almost 4 years. The tunnels were a remarkable feat of military engineering and ingenuity. Today visitors can explore various chambers and passageways, with educational multimedia displays bringing the history of the tunnels to life. An absolute must for history lovers!
World War II Tunnels: The World War II Tunnels are a short walk downhill from the Great Siege Tunnels. The Rock has always been a strategic military base, and during the Second World War the British created an underground city with an incredible 30 miles (55km) of tunnels. The underground fortress could accommodate 16,000 men as well as food supplies to last them 16 months. Embark on a captivating journey through the tunnel network and gain a deeper understanding of Gibraltar’s role in wartime history.
Moorish Castle: The fortifications on and around the site of the Moorish Castle were first built in 1160, but they were destroyed when the Spanish reconquered Gibraltar from 1309-1333. The Tower of Homage dates back to 1333 AD when Abu’l Hassan recaptured Gibraltar from the Spanish, and is one of the most recognizable structures in Gibraltar.
Final thoughts
Exploring the Rock is the top attraction for most visitors to Gibraltar, and rightly so. The iconic natural landmark and its Nature Reserve with 17 sites of interest draw adventurers, history fans and nature lovers alike. And not forgetting the stunning views from the summit!
Whether you choose to walk, hike, cycle, take the cable car or a guided tour, your visit to the Rock of Gibraltar is sure to be a memorable experience.
Tip: Using the Nature Reserve map provided with your ticket, take time to select the attractions you don’t want to miss and plan your walking route accordingly. A bit of prior planning will mean that you don’t have to backtrack too much, and you’ll be able to maximize your time on the Rock!
Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by Vanessa Kingwell