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I've always had a significant affinity towards enclaves, exclaves and certain territorial dependencies. Therefore today I'd like to tell you about a magic place called... Gibraltar. Well, there's no real magic except the pilots' skills regarding landing and takeoff procedures at Gibraltar International Airport. The British Overseas Territory (and British has tons of them (to be precise: 14) scattered within the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean, in the Mediterranean Sea and between North and South America).
Even though Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory it is linked by land to mainland Europe in southern Spain. Population in 2012 was estimated to around 30 000 people. Its size is 6.8 km²: it would fit into Liechtenstein, also in Andorra, definitely in Singapore (well, actually in Singapore's International Airport Changi) and in most big US cities. The size has its plus points: exploring Gibraltar is doable within a day!
+ Getting into Gibraltar
Seeing Gibraltar in a day
+ Sightseeing map of Gibraltar (walking routes included)
1. Gibraltar International airport
Every person entering this British Overseas Territory is required to pass through the airport: Don't worry, you won't be forced to buy a flight ticket! Since the runway cuts across the country and digging a tunnel would cost too much people and vehicles are required to walk or drive literally through the runway to reach Gibraltar. The number of flights is limited which makes crossing easy at nearly any time. When a flight arrives or departs barriers on both sides of the runway are lowered down and airport personnel checks the runway for any objects. After take off or landing barriers are lifted and traffic can cross. Walking outside the designated areas or even stopping is strictly forbidden and can lead to serious fines because it can be interpreted as "endangering of air traffic". When I walked across the runway photographing was okay as far as it didn't include any suspicious behavior. Mind that rain water puddles can build up on the runway sometimes. Aircraft don't mind it but nobody wants to walk with wet socks afterwards...
There's a funny story about the airport which our driver told us: when they were kids they used to play soccer at the nearby soccer fields just a few yards next to the runway. Back then airplanes didn't use ILS (Instrumental Landing System) and landed by visual flight rules. So when a plane was in sight the lights at the stadium had to be turned off because of the danger of bedazzling the pilots which forced the young Ronaldos and Messis to hold out in the darkness till the aircraft reached its parking position. The game was resumed... till the next landing.
A few years ago there used to be dispute between Britain and Spain which lead to a ban of usage of Spanish airspace by British jets. They were forced to approach Gibraltar over Portugal.
2. Cradle of History Monument & Gibraltar Memorial
The Cradle of History Monument welcomes us as we exit the airport area on the other side. The monument is shaped like the Rock and depicts Gibraltar's history.
Further down Winston Churchill Ave we will spot the Gibraltar Cross of Sacrifice to the left. It is commemorating the war victims of the British Empire. The cross (and the roundabout next to it) is a good reference point of our itinerary.
+ Do you speak... Llanito?
3. Main St. and Grand Casemates Square
Continue along Winston Churchill Ave and while feeling more and more British don't forget to pull to the left into Grand Casemates Square (named after the fortified barracks to the one side of the square). After crossing the square we are in the pedestrian zone of Gibraltar. Quite British, huh?!
Main Street is a pedestrian street, at some point however it is open to traffic or transforms into a regular street.
On our way we will encounter places of worship and of "foodship". Don't hesitate to stop for a bite: The Gibraltarian cuisine may have its influences from Britain but it also features some genuine Andalusian and Maltese taste!
+ Paying in Gibraltar
4. Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned and Cathedral of Holy Trinity
The Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned was built on the site of a former mosque in 1462. The Cathedral of Holy Trinity was built in a Moorish Revival style and is led by the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe.
5. Cable Car
By the end of Main St. at the Referendum Gates you'll find Trafalgar Sports Bar (a good place to grab something to eat) and at the back of it Queens Cinema. Opposite to it is the Grand Parade, a huge parking lot surrounding the Lower Cable Car station of Gibraltar. Next to it are the Alameda Botanical Gardens. The cable car will bring you to the top of the Rock with an optional intermediate stop at St. Michael's Cave/Apes Den. The cable car runs daily (every 10 min.) and opens at 9.30am. One-way ticket is GBP 9.50 (you can walk down, it's a looong walk), a return ticket is GBP 12 (discounts for students and kids & online-tickets available, check the pricing here). Last car may vary according to season, check here for more info. The cable car service doesn't operate on days with very bad weather and/or on gusty days (the later occurs from time to time due to the Mediterranean climate) but this can be also a blessing because there are local minibus drivers in front of the lower station who would offer you a lift to the top station, a guided tour by a local guy for the same price of the return ticket! You'll be able to see also the Ape Den, the St. Michael's Cave, the Great Siege Tunnels... So it's quite a good deal.
+ What does Gibraltar do for a living?
6. The Rock
This is the main natural landmark of Gibraltar: the famous Gibraltar Rock. It can be seen from Spain and even from neighboring Africa. Narrow roads lead to the top (also a cable car, see previous point). Along the road you would see lots of loop rings fixed into the ground. These were used to secure the cannons that were dragged to the top of the rock. Gibraltar had a very strategic role in the Battle of Trafalgar but also in the World War II, since Germany was trying to capture the Rock! Therefore the landmark was fortified.
7. Ape's Den & Barbary macaques
There's one thing that inevitably belongs to Gibraltar: It's hairy, quick-moving, cheeky and sneaky: The Barbary macaques! The Rock inhabits the biggest monkey colony in Europe. There are around 300 macaques living in Gibraltar, mostly at the Rock. This type of monkey used to live in Gibraltar long before it became British in 1704. Decades ago there used to be an appointed military officer from the Royal Navy whose job was to take care of the animals. Every newborn was named after a famous British officer, general, etc. Gibraltar even has an extra government budget for food and health care of the macaques!
Tourists love taking pictures and petting the monos, as locals call them. Mind however that these little guys are quite smart and are waiting for you to distract so they can grab your bag of food, your hat or even your mobile phone thinking it might be digestible... You should probably keep any loose objects in the car (or close to you).
+ Urban legend about the macaques
8. Saint Michael's Cave
The cave is actually a network of several caves. The interior is really beautiful and reminded me of a natural concert hall. During WWII the cave was intended to be a military hospital but it was never used as such.
9. Great Siege Tunnels
Another stunning military site are the Great Siege Tunnels in the north part of Gibraltar. The were extensively used in the Great Siege of Gibraltar from 1779 till 1783 as Spain and France unsuccessfully tried to take Gibraltar from Britain. From the tunnels you have a splendid view to Gibraltar airport and Spain. On your way down you might have a stop at the World War II Tunnels.
+ Public transport of Gibraltar
10. Europa Point, Trinity Lighthouse
From the cable car station we head back to Queens Cinema at Elliots Way (200 m north of the lower cable car station). There is a bus stop serviced by bus route #2 which would bring us to the southernmost point of Gibraltar: Europa point.
Next to Europe Point you will see the southernmost mosque in mainland Europe: Mosque of Two Holy Custodians (also Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque): It serves to 4% of Gibraltar's population who are Muslims (that would be around 1000 people).
The view from the Europa park and the nearby Trinity Lighthouse opens a beautiful view to the Strait of Gibraltar (the natural border between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean). On a sunny fog-free day Africa is visible and you can spot the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Africa is less than 15 km (9 mi) away, ferries from the Spanish town of Algeciras need less than 40 minutes to reach the continent.
Bus #2 will bring us back to Grand Casemates Square. From there we can just walk (or take the next bus #5 that runs every 10 minutes to the airport) to our (air)port of entry and leave Gibraltar.
+ Spain... in Africa
I hope you enjoyed the day-trip to this tiny bit of Britain! Cheers, mate!