The Rock of Gibraltar
Going on a Rock of Gibraltar Tour is one of the most popular things to do in Gibraltar. If visiting, it is a must to visit the Nature Reserve and the Gibraltar Monkeys.
The Rock of Gibraltar is a monolithic limestone promontory located near the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula in the British territory of Gibraltar. It stands at a height of 426 meters (1,398 feet). A wildlife reserve covers the most of the Rock’s top portion, which is home to roughly 300 Barbary macaques. These macaques, as well as a maze of tunnels, draw a large number of visitors each year.
The Romans called the Rock of Gibraltar Mons Calpe, one of the two traditional Pillars of Hercules, the other being Mons Abila, perhaps Monte Hacho or Jebel Musa on the African side of the Strait.
The two places represented the end of the known world, according to Greek and Phoenician myths, which were later maintained by the Romans, even though the Phoenicians had travelled beyond this point into the Atlantic, both northward and southward.
Gibraltar Nature Reserve
Gibraltar’s Gibraltar Nature Reserve (previously the Upper Rock Nature Reserve) is a protected nature reserve that encompasses more than 40% of the country’s land area. It was created as the Upper Rock Nature Reserve in 1993 and was recently enlarged in 2013 under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s category Ia (strict nature reserve). It is well-known for its semi-wild population of Barbary macaques and serves as a critical stopover for migrating birds.
Flora
Gibraltar boasts about 600 different blooming plant species. Tall shrubs such as wild olive, Mediterranean buckthorn, lentisc, Osyris, and terebinth, as well as lesser bushes such as shrubby scorpion vetch, spiny broom, teline, wild jasmine, shrubby germander, and felty germander, make up the maquis, or dense Mediterranean scrub.
Parts of the maquis are also home to the bay laurel and dwarf fan palm. Intermediate periwinkle, Butcher’s broom, Italian arum, and Bear’s breech are among the understory plants. Plants including paper-white narcissus, common asphodel, huge Tangier fennel, wild gladiolus, Galactites, and mallow bindweed grow in the maquis firebreaks.
Fauna – Mammals
The red fox, European rabbit, and mouse-eared bat are examples of mammals. The reserve is home to the Barbary macaques, which are the most well-known inhabitants. Barbary macaques, Europe’s sole wild monkey species, the famed Rock apes, have been reintroduced to Gibraltar.
The macaques may be found at the Ape’s Den, near the middle cable car station, and near the Great Siege Tunnels. In 2012, there were between 200 and 250 macaques residing in the natural reserve. Feeding the monkeys is prohibited, however this restriction is not usually enforced. As a result, some of them have turned hostile and reliant on human food.
Fauna – Birds
At the mouth of the Strait, the Rock of Gibraltar is a conspicuous promontory that attracts migrating birds throughout the passage seasons. The vegetation atop the Rock, unique in southern Iberia, offers a temporary home for many species of migrating birds that stop to rest and eat before continuing migration for their journey over the sea and desert.
They return in the spring to restock their supplies before continuing their treks to Western Europe, which might take them as far as Greenland or Russia.
BirdLife International has designated The Rock as an Important Bird Area because it serves as a migratory bottleneck, or choke point, for an estimated 250,000 raptors that cross the Strait each year, as well as a nesting ground for Barbary partridges and lesser kestrels.
Gibraltar tourist attractions
Many of Gibraltar’s notable natural history sites are located within the nature reserve, including caverns like St Michael’s Cave, which has numerous stalagmites and stalactites. Pomponius Mela initially referenced St. Michael’s Cave around 45 AD, and several writers have subsequently cited it. It has become a popular tourist destination. In the main room, concerts are presented.
Forbes’ Quarry was the site of the 1848 Neanderthal discovery. Gibraltar 1 was one of the earliest skulls discovered. Neanderthal skulls have also been discovered near the North Front’s Devil’s Tower Cave. Before they died out 30,000 years ago, some of the last Neanderthals may have made their home in the caverns of Gibraltar.
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust handles protection of the historical sites and their development as tourist attractions. The O’Hara’s Battery, the 100 Ton Gun at Napier of Magdala Battery, the Princess Caroline’s Battery Heritage Centre, and the Parson’s Lodge Battery are among them.
The Moorish Castle, Devil’s Gap Battery, Princess Anne’s Battery, World War II Tunnels, Great Siege Tunnels, and Charles V Wall are among the military sites available to the public.
Places to visit Gibraltar
Gibraltar (Mons Calpe) was one of the Pillars of Hercules on Greek mythology. Ensure to stop at this location to learn about the relevance of this site and also absorb the great views of the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain and North Africa.

Stand on the same location as Queen Elizabeth II did during her visit to Gibraltar in 1954. Enjoy the excellent view point of the Straits from this location.

Originally mentioned during the 1st century by the great Roman Traveller Pomponius Mela, St. Michael's Cave is one of the top attractions. Now recently improved with a new 3d Mapping Image show "The Awakening"

Relatively new to the scene, the Skywalk offers great views from of the Eastern coast and also has a glass floor for a thrilling experience! A must attraction to visit during your adventure into the Upper Rock.
One of the various locations in which the Gibraltar Monkeys (Barbary Macaque) are found. Caution must be taken when interacting with these wild animals, ensure you do not take food readily available with you. Make sure to read the guidance on visiting the Macaques before you venture to the reserve.
Check out the spectacular views from this 71 meters long bridge suspended above 50 meters from the rocks gorge. Another thrilling attraction recently installed in the Nature Reserve.

Constructed in 1782 during the Great Siege of Gibraltar, the Upper Galleries are proof of the pioneering work of the Royal Artificers. One of the most important attractions Gibraltar has to offer.

Created during the Second World War, the Royal Engineers took inspiration from their predecessors the Royal Artificers in creating tunnels systems along the rock for security and shelter from the enemy.
Top of the Rock Tickets
Opening Hours
Open all days of the week except Christmas Day
Nature Reserve Ticket
Only valid for day of payment
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Entry to all attractions in the Nature Reserve
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£10 fee for children 11 or younger
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Free- Children under 5
Rock Tour
Below are some of the most popular tours are organised by Victory Tours Gibraltar.

Discover all of Gibraltar’s most iconic touristic sites under the careful guide and luxury comfort of our Gibraltar Rock Tours.
From £31ppOnly place to safely and ethically interact with the Gibraltar Monkeys under the guidance and supervision of a specialist guide.
From £35pp
Gibraltar Military History Tours is one of our most popular and on-demand tours. This is clearly of no surprise, due to the significance of Gibraltar as a Military Strategic location. This strategic importance can be dated back to the Greek Empire. Such importance is evident as Gibraltar is described as one of the Pillars of Hercules.
From £35pp
Choose from the easy tour starting at the top of the rock heading down towards the bridge or adventure up the rock on a hike tour.
From £35ppWW2 Tunnels Gibraltar
With Italy’s admission into the war and Germany’s dominance of Europe, Gibraltar’s strategic importance expanded. The need for storage grew urgent and critical; space became even more important; stocks, food, and equipment had to be built up and safeguarded; and troops needed siege quarters.
A tunnel system would satisfy these requirements, providing complete protection from all known methods of air assault as well as sea and land bombardment at the time.
What amounted to a subterranean metropolis was housed in the tunnels. The whole 16,000-strong garrison, as well as enough food to sustain them 16 months, could be held there.
An underground telephone exchange, a power generating station, a water distillation plant, a hospital, a bakery, ammunition magazines, and a vehicle repair facility were all located within the tunnels. The complete tunnel network within the Rock is roughly 34 miles (55 kilometers) long.
Day Trip from Gibraltar
Below are some of the most popular day trips to Spain organised by Victory Tours Gibraltar.

Get to visit one of the most iconic cities in Andalucia and also get to go on a Cherry Wine Tasting Tour.
Enquire for price
Get to visit one of the most ancient cities in Andalucia on this day trip. Get a guided tour of the city plus enjoy the fabulous Spanish cuisine
Enquire for price
Visit the famous city of the Costa del Sol and be amazed by the amazing city features and fabulous tapas.
Enquire for priceWe hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and that it may have helped you in a small way in planning your next visit to Gibraltar. Please feel free to share with friends if you found this article helpful.
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