The Tower of Homage - Historic Significance

Our tours allow a unique experience of the Tower of Homage. From the outside you'll be able to see the battlescars from canon attacks over the years, from pirate attacks from the Bay of Gibraltar.

Inside you'll be able to navigate through the stairwells and experience the islamic architecture. From the top you'll enjoy incredible views of Gibraltar and to Spain. 

Gibraltar History

The Tower of Homage from The Moorish Castle can be seen by all visitors to Gibraltar, not only because of its striking construction, but also because of its dominant and strategic position on the north face of The Rock.

Constructed by the Marinid dynasty in 711 AD, The Moorish Castle is truly a unique piece of history on the Iberian Peninsula. The Moorish occupation is by far the longest in Gibraltar's recorded history, having lasted from 711 to 1309 and then again from 1333 to 1462, a total of 727 years.

The present Tower of Homage, and most of what is visible today of the Castle, was rebuilt during the second Moorish period of occupation in the early 14th century, after its near destruction during a reconquest of Gibraltar by the Moors following a re-occupation by Spanish forces from 1309 to 1333.

View of the Moorish Castle's northern defences as seen from the Grand Battery in 1879

Queen Charlotte's Battery at the Moorish Castle.

The Moorish Castle's Tower of Homage in Gibraltar

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in visiting the Moorish Castle in Gibraltar with your own private tour guide, you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.

18th century life during wartime

The Great Siege of Gibraltar started on the 24th June 1779 and lasted 3 years. During this time the Spanish fleet blockaded Gibraltar, and it was only thanks to relief convoys that broke through that Gibraltar survived.

 

 

With strict rationing and lack of supplies, many of the people and armed forces suffered greatly during this time, including a violent outbreak of scurvy amongst the defenders.

 

The siege was finally lifted on the 7th of February 1783 and resulted in a decisive victory for the British against overwhelming odds. The siege was a factor in ending the American Revolutionary War.

This historic Gibraltar attraction is available on our Platinum Rock Tour. The City Under Siege Exhibition will allow you to step back in time to learn about the military of those days, punishments, order and how people survived under strict conditions. You'll also see 18th century carvings on the wall such as dates and grafitti from the time period. It truly is a unique experience and story of the early British struggles in Gibraltar and a testiment to the people, the army, and British navy of the day.

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in experiencing the City Under Siege exhibition in Gibraltar you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.

 Connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea

Based at the start of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve in Gibraltar, The Pillars of Hercules moment is your first stop to explore!

Legend has it that whilst Hercules was carrying out his 12 tasks, he used his super human strength to cut through the Atlas mountains and forged the Straight of Gibraltar, connecting the Mediterranian and Atlantic Sea.

You'll be able to enjoy spectaular views from the Pillars of Hercules to the southern side of Gibraltar, and most days you will also be able to see across to Morocco, Africa. This is also a great photo opportunity to document your experience and views of Gibraltar.

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in visiting the Pillars of Hercules in Gibraltar you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.

Breathtaking 360º views spanning three countries and two continents

At the top of The Rock you can experience the breathtaking views from the glass viewing platform known as the Skywalk!

Inaugirated by none other than Star Wars legend Mark Hamill himself (Luke Skywalker), the Skywalk allows you to view 360º around Gibraltar, with a view across to Spain, as well as the views across the bay of Gibraltar and to Morocco, Africa.

The Skywalk stands at 340m above sea level, with a big drop below you on the glass platform, overlooking Sandy Bay beach. It's the perfect spot for a unique photo opportunity during your tour of Gibraltar too. It's also popular with the monkeys, so remember to keep your bags zipped and secure!

After visiting The Skywalk we have a very short walk up to The Ape's Den where you'll see the majority of the monkeys. This is where they are fed fresh fruit and vegetables, play in their pool, congregate on the walls and surroundings, and enjoy an afternoon snooze! During the months of May, June and July you'll also be able to see the new baby monkeys, as this is their birthing season.

Our experienced tour guides will be able to ensure you're safe around the monkeys and help you with any photo opportunities so you can record your special moments at the top of The Rock.

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in experiencing the Gibraltar Skywalk you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.

Adventure in the footsteps of Churchill...

The most intensive phase of tunnelling in Gibraltar's history came during the Second World War, when the territory played a vital role in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean theatres. The total length of the tunnels increased greatly during the war, from 7 miles (11 km) to 25 miles (40 km).

At the start of the war, the civilian population was evacuated and numerous new tunnels were excavated to create accommodation for the expanded garrison and to store huge quantities of food, equipment and ammunition.

You'll be able to walk through sections of these tunnels to see how the army's operations were carried out, where the soldiers slept and the rooms created for supplies and storage. Enjoy a headset and audio guide to truly take in all the history of these World War II tunnels.

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in experiencing the World War 2 Tunnels in Gibraltar you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.

The most impressive defence system devised by man?

One of the biggest and most popular attractions in Gibraltar are The Great Siege Tunnels! This attraction is available on all of our Rock Tours in Gibraltar.

The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an attempt by France and Spain to capture Gibraltar from Great Britain. Construction of the tunnels was ordered due to the defending garrison's need to cover a blind angle on the north-east side of the Rock.

The work was carried out by hand, mainly using sledgehammers and crowbars, aided by gunpowder blasts. Total construction length of the tunnels by the end of 1783 was approximately 908 feet (277m).

The Great Siege Tunnels exhibition allows you to step back in history and experience the tunnels for yourself. Explore St George’s Hall with the cannons and soldiers working the defences. Experience the stories of the times with the interactive buttons and audio as you travel down inside. You'll see from the hollowed out windows the view of the Northern side of Gibraltar. The Tunnels are full of history, from military history to the engineering methods of the 18th century, to it’s modernisation and transition.

Outside The Great Siege Tunnels, you’ll also enjoy the viewing platform of the Northern side of Gibraltar, with a full view of the aiport. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to catch a plane arriving or taking off which is always a unique experience!

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in visiting the Great Siege Tunnels in Gibraltar you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.

Meet the wild monkeys of Gibraltar with our professional tour guides

Did you know that the Barbary macaques in Gibraltar are the only wild monkey population on the European continent? On our Rock Tours you'll be able to experience the monkeys playing, eating, sleeping and much more at the Ape's Den at the very top of the Rock of Gibraltar!

It's important to note that the monkeys are wild, so we take care to help our passengers know the do's and don'ts when interacting with them! You're in safe hands with our professional Gibraltar tour guides. The monkeys are usually the favourite part of our tours, and great for photo opportunities.

When driving up The Rock during a tour, it's possible some monkeys hitch a ride on the vehicle or cling on by the window. Many of the monkeys know our tour guides and use them for a cheeky ride!

There is also the legend that as long as Gibraltar Barbary macaques exist on Gibraltar, the territory will remain under British rule!

The Skywalk Glass Viewing Platform

The Ape's Den is also very close to The Skywalk, so you'll be able to experience both tourist attractions together. The Skywalk is a glass viewing platform that hangs over the East side of Gibraltar, offering spectacular views.

The Skywalk was inaugorated by none other than Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself! When Mark Hamill visited Gibraltar our tour guides were actually booked to help transport the storm troopers to the top for the special event.

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in meeting the monkeys in Gibraltar with your own private tour guide you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.

Become immersed in geological history...

St Michael’s cave is one of the most popular tourist sites in Gibraltar. One of the first stops on our rock tours, you’ll be greeted usually with a few monkeys hanging outside the gift shop and entrance to the cave!

The cave is illuminated with The Awakening show every 20 minutes to showcase St Michael’s cave throughout history with light animations for a truly unique experience as you walk through the chambers.

The name “St Michael’s Cave” comes from a similar grotto in Monte Gargano near the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo in Apulia, Italy, where the archangel Michael is said to have appeared!

The Gibraltar cave was created by rainwater slowly seeping through the limestone rock, turning into a weak carbonic acid which gradually dissolved the rock and creating the chambers we are able to experience today! There are also documents to prove that the cave was well known by the ancient world, including the ancient Greeks, Romans and Phoenicians!

Gibraltar is also the place with the first recorded evidence of Neanderthals in Europe too, as remains were found in some of the cave complexes, in a place called Gorham’s Cave.

Through the times, St Michael’s cave has been used for entertainment purposes in Gibraltar – even in the 19th century it would be decorated for events and festivities for weddings, parties and suchlike. The largest chamber (called the Cathedral Cave) acts as an auditorium. Today St Michael’s cave hosts concerts, speakers, comedians and many similar events.

Legend says the Ancient Greeks (who believed Gibraltar to be part of the Pillars of Hercules) believed that St Michael’s cave to be the gates of Hades!

Tour Bookings

If you’re interested in experiencing the caves you can book a tour via our website, or if you have any questions then please get in touch either through our contact form or Whatsapp.