What To Do In Gibraltar From A Cruise Ship?

Catalan Bay Beach is a popular spot for a relaxing day in Gibraltar, a densely populated British Overseas Territory located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. The beach offers beautiful water and sand, and is rarely crowded despite the famous Rock of Gibraltar. Located on the east side of the Rock, there are cafés and other attractions. Gibraltar is also known for its stunning scenery, fascinating history, and attractions such as the Rock of Gibraltar, historic tunnels, the Apes Den, St. Michaels Cave, Europa Point, Moorish Castle, La Alameda Gardens, and walking the Windsor Suspension Bridge.

To explore Gibraltar from a cruise ship, visitors can join a taxi minibus tour of the Upper Rock at the cruise terminal, leaving the ship at the same time as the herd. The cruise terminal is only 1.5 km from town, and shuttles are available for a 15-minute walk. The tunnel at the end of the runway is now a resort course.

Gibraltar is a diving haven with over 30 wrecks and reefs, making it a popular destination for experienced divers and beginners. The most popular sightseeing trip is the cable car from the old town, which climbs 1350ft (412m) in six minutes to offer fine views and a unique experience.


📹 Gibraltar Travel Guide: 11 BEST Things To Do In Gibraltar

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How much does it cost to go on the cable car in Gibraltar?

It’s 14 quid for the ticket with no entry to sights or 22 quid if you want to see everything. My advice is pay 22 quid cable car up steps down . Whole thing well worth it esp the tunnels and cave which are both included in price.

What to do in gibraltar from a cruise ship without
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Can you walk from the cruise port on Gibraltar?

Walk for around 30 minutes On my last visit to Gibraltar in April 2023, I did do the walk from the cruise port to the cable car station, with some of my fellow cruisers who wanted to do the same. We did it in 35 minutes! Most of the walk was on flat ground but the last 5-10 minutes have some uphill sections.

Before visiting Gibraltar, I thought it was just a big rock. Boy, was I wrong! This fascinating territory is steeped in history, boasts incredible natural wonders, and yes, it’s home to those famously playful monkeys. Let me share what I discovered on my cruise stop in Gibraltar, with tips to get from cruise port to the Cable Car Station, and what to see & do once you get to the Rock of Gibraltar.

  • 1. Bus 5&10 from Gibraltar cruise port
  • 2. Local taxi shuttle bus to city centre, then walk
  • 3. Walk for around 30 minutes
  • 4. Taxi to cable car station
  • 1. See the Barbary macaques at the Apes’ Den
  • 2. Walk the Skywalk
  • 3. Cross the Windsor Suspension Bridge
  • 4. Visit St. Michael’s Cave
  • 5. Walk the Great Siege Tunnels
  • 6. Explore the World War II Tunnels
Gibraltar cruise port to cable car
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How far is the cable car from the cruise port in Gibraltar?

The lower cable-car station is between the South Bastion at the southern end of Main Street & the Botanical Gardens. It’s about a mile & a half / 35 minutes from the ship, all on level ground. With a decently early departure from the ship, before 9am, you should avoid the lines for the cable-car when the hordes of day-trippers arrive by coach from the Spanish resorts.

A taxi would of course be quicker – they’ll possibly be looking for folk wanting a tour so for just a ride to the cablecar you might have to use your charm.;)

The intermediate cablecar station isn’t used in summer, to speed-up the throughput of customers.

Gibraltar cruise terminal shuttle bus
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How do I get to Rock of Gibraltar from a cruise port?

There are 2 ways to get from Gibraltar Cruise Terminal to Rock of Gibraltar by bus or footTake the bus from Europort Road to Boyd Street Terminus 5&10. Bus. 18 min. $9,006.Take the foot from Gibraltar Cruise Terminal to Rock of Gibraltar 2.5 mi. Walk. 51 min.

La Línea de la Concepción, often referred to simply as La Línea, is a municipality of Spain belonging to the province of Cádiz, Andalusia.- Wikipedia (opens in a new window)

Rome2Rio makes travelling from Gibraltar Cruise Terminal to Rock of Gibraltar easy.

Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Gibraltar Cruise Terminal to Rock of Gibraltar right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Rome2Rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward.

Gibraltar cruise terminal duty free
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What are the facilities at the Gibraltar port?

WHATSINPORT.COM: YOUR CRUISE GUIDE TO 1200 PORTS OF CALL. Interactive World Cruise Map. Home | Cruise Ships | Port Expenses | Hints and Tips. Location:. The Port’s attractive and efficient Cruise Terminal has a range of facilities including telephones, bar/cafeteria, arts and craft shops, display areas and a Gibraltar Tourist Board Information office.

Cruise ships dock only about 1.5 km from town. A 15 minute walk.

Shuttles (mostly mini vans – the wait can be long) are offered by the port as well (3 £ one way, 4 £ return), as well as taxi’s. 4 £ per person one way.

Sightseeing:. When you first see the Rock of Gibraltar, it is its impressive stature, towering isolated above the surrounding countryside, that causes the greatest impact. It is a narrow peninsula linked to the end of the Iberian Peninsula by a narrow sandy isthmus.

Gibraltar cruise port map
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How do I get from Gibraltar border to cable car?

PRACTICAL INFORMATION. HOW TO GET THERE. The Cable Car is located just beyond the southernmost end of Main Street right next to the Alameda Botanical Gardens. The GibraltarInfo exclusive and direct shuttle service will take you from the Gibraltar side of the frontier to the Cable Car base station. The shuttle bus can be found on the left side of the road just before the runway.

Cross the road at the first set of traffic lights, keep walking passed the large advertising billboard and you will find the shuttle bus located just beyond that on the left. The shuttle departs every 30 mins however please be warned that traffic in Gibraltar might cause delays to the service. The GibraltarInfo shuttle buses will have a sign on the front window. If in doubt, please ask for more information at the GibraltarInfo kiosk located on the Spanish side of the frontier and they will be able to offer assistance also see TICKETS for Shuttle Bus schedule.

If you are coming from the land frontier with Spain and have pre-purchased your tickets online or at the Gibraltarinfo kiosk, you are eligible to use the Gibraltarinfo Cable Car shuttle. This is located on the left-hand side of the road just before you cross the runway. Local bus number 10 also stops very near the Cable Car.

Gibraltar cruise port to town centre
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Is public transport free in Gibraltar?

Calypso Transport operates route 5 between the Frontier (the land border with Spain), the airport and the city centre and tickets between this route and those operated by the Gibraltar Bus Company are not inter-changeable. An adult single fare on either operators’ services currently costs £1.00 and an all-day Hoppa ticket costs £1.50. A year-long trial period where free travel was permitted aboard the buses of the Gibraltar Bus Company ended in May 2012 and only qualifying residents, commuters and military personnel now qualify for free travel in the territory.

Calypso Transport uses a fleet of red double-decker buses.(citation needed)

Route 5 buses operate every 15 minutes Monday to Saturdays, and every 20 minutes on Sundays, this is a shuttle between Reclamation Road (British Steps) near John Macintosh Square and the Frontier/Airport terminus via the Market Place bus station Grand Casemates Square.(citation needed)

Gibraltar cruise port reviews
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Do cruise ships stop at Gibraltar?

The cruise terminal has been acknowledged with awards, including two by Dream World Cruise Destinations in 2003 and 2008. Following a severe storm that battered the building in October 2008, the terminal was renovated in time for the 2009 cruise season. The terminal handled approximately three million cruise ship passengers in the fifteen years since the opening in 1997. Passenger traffic almost doubled over that period. Gibraltar ranks fourth in cruise ports on the Iberian Peninsula, after Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Málaga, Spain.

On 31 May 2011, a dozen passengers aboard the MSIndependence of the Seas received injuries, most minor, after the explosion of a sullage tank that contained water and used oil. The Royal Caribbean International cruise ship had been docked at the cruise terminal on the North Mole, and the blast was believed to have occurred as the result of a spark from welding operations on the tank that was also positioned on the Western Arm of the North Mole. Immediately following the explosion, the vessel moved away from the breakwater. There was no substantial damage to the cruise ship. Spanish dock workers that had been welding the tank, and a policeman, were also injured, one of them seriously. The explosion resulted in a fire that raged for hours and spread to an adjacent tank. Thick, black smoke from the blaze necessitated suspension of flights at Gibraltar International Airport.

One of the dock workers, 40-year-old Pedro Zambrano Lopez from La Línea de la Concepción, sustained extensive burns. He was stabilised at St Bernard’s Hospital, and was transferred to the Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville, Spain. He died on 3 August 2011 due to complications of the injuries he suffered. The incident on the North Mole led to multiple investigations, primarily of procedures at Nature Port Reception Facilities Ltd, at whose plant the explosion occurred. The investigations were conducted privately on behalf of Capita Symonds, a consultancy company based in the United Kingdom, whose study of the explosion was commissioned by the Government of Gibraltar. Nature Port, on the other hand, pointed out that the Capita Symonds investigations were private and incomplete, and failed to address the inadequate emergency response at the time of the explosion and fire, and hired its own investigators. The company also demanded “an independent public inquiry into all aspects of the incident.” Nature Port commissioned its own investigation of the emergency response, which found “serious failings on the part of the port and emergency services.”

Gibraltar port map
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Is Gibraltar walkable?

Gibraltar is not walkable, despite how small it looks on a map. It is much easier to take taxis, especially if wishing to see the other side of the island.

The top of the 426-metre-high Rock of Gibraltar is well worth the journey. From the top, you will see the African coastline, Spain’s Costa del Sol and a panoramic view of the city far below, the quays, marinas and bays. This journey is best achieved by cable car, and it will only take 6 minutes to get to the top compared to the 4 hour plus challenging walk if you choose to climb the Rock instead. Beware of the local resident monkeys at the top of the Rock. They will be more than happy to pose for a photograph but will also try to pickpocket you as they do so. Although they look cute and furry, they are wild animals and must be treated with caution and respect.

A pleasant walk from the Top Station will take you into the Nature Reserve. St. Michael’s Cave which is a 20-minute downhill stroll away. Other sites of interest include the Great Siege Tunnels, the ‘City under Siege’ exhibition and the Moorish Castle.

There is also a Café at Top Station where you can take in the spectacular views while having a bite to eat, and a souvenir shop.

Gibraltar cruise port schedule
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Is Cádiz walkable from cruise port?

Walk – The Best Way to Experience Cadiz By far the most enjoyable way to reach the city center is on foot. From the cruise port gates, it’s less than a 10-minute stroll to the main square, Plaza de San Juan de Dios.

Welcome to Cadiz,a city that often plays second fiddle to its more famous neighbour,Seville.With Seville just a 90-minute train ride away,it’s easy to see why many cruise passengers make a beeline for Andalusia’s capital.But hold on! Before you rush off to Seville,let’s explore why Cadiz deserves your attention.

This charming coastal city might surprise you with its rich history,vibrant culture,and mouthwatering cuisine.From exploring the historic city centre,a UNESCO World Heritage Site,to relaxing on golden beaches,Cadiz has plenty to offer for a memorable day trip.

Whether you’re a history buff,a foodie,or simply seeking a taste of authentic Spanish life,this guide will show you how to make the most of your time in Cadiz.So,let’s embark on this DIY Cadiz adventure together!

Can you see the Rock of Gibraltar from a cruise ship
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Can you walk in to Cádiz from a cruise port?

Walk – The Best Way to Experience Cadiz By far the most enjoyable way to reach the city center is on foot. From the cruise port gates, it’s less than a 10-minute stroll to the main square, Plaza de San Juan de Dios.

Welcome to Cadiz,a city that often plays second fiddle to its more famous neighbour,Seville.With Seville just a 90-minute train ride away,it’s easy to see why many cruise passengers make a beeline for Andalusia’s capital.But hold on! Before you rush off to Seville,let’s explore why Cadiz deserves your attention.

This charming coastal city might surprise you with its rich history,vibrant culture,and mouthwatering cuisine.From exploring the historic city centre,a UNESCO World Heritage Site,to relaxing on golden beaches,Cadiz has plenty to offer for a memorable day trip.

Whether you’re a history buff,a foodie,or simply seeking a taste of authentic Spanish life,this guide will show you how to make the most of your time in Cadiz.So,let’s embark on this DIY Cadiz adventure together!

Do you have to pay to walk up the Rock of Gibraltar?
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Do you have to pay to walk up the Rock of Gibraltar?

Yes, there is an entrance fee to access the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. The Barbary macaques, commonly referred to as “Gibraltar’s monkeys” or “apes,” primarily live in this area.

Visitors must pay an entrance fee to access and walk around this reserve, where they can encounter the monkeys that roam freely.

It’s important to exercise caution and not feed or approach the monkeys too closely, as they are wild animals, and interactions should be respectful and safe.


📹 Walking in Gibraltar – What to do on Your Day in Port

This is a quick video about what you might do if Gibraltar is a port stop on your cruise.


What To Do In Gibraltar From A Cruise Ship
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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