
Gibraltar
Territory of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Legal breakdown by identity
Learn about Gibraltar
Beyond the scoreLearn about Gibraltar.Official names, languages, local time and practical context for understanding Gibraltar beyond its legal score.
Destination overview
About Gibraltar.
Where Two Continents Collide
Perched at the southern tip of Europe, Gibraltar commands one of the world's great crossroads -- the narrow Strait where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and Africa shimmers just 14 kilometres across the water. The mighty Rock rises 426 metres from sea level, riddled with wartime tunnels, home to ancient Moorish ruins, and alive with the famous Barbary macaques that roam freely across its limestone flanks. It is a place of genuine drama, with a horizon that holds two continents at once.
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History Written in Stone
Three thousand years of history crowd into six square kilometres. Phoenicians, Moors, Spaniards, and the British have all left their mark, from the medieval Castle of the Moors to the Great Siege Tunnels carved by hand during an epic eighteenth-century standoff. Wander the colourful shopfronts of Main Street, discover the tiny Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, or descend into St Michael's Cave, a cathedral of stalactites used as a concert hall and field hospital. Every corner of this remarkable rock rewards curiosity.
A Bazaar at the Edge of Europe
Duty-free shopping draws visitors from across the region, with Main Street lined with perfumeries, jewellers, and electronics outlets offering prices that undercut the surrounding countries. The food scene blends British pub staples with Andalusian tapas, fresh-caught seafood, and the local chickpea pancake calentita that has been feeding Gibraltarians for generations. Markets, wine bars, and a surprisingly vibrant restaurant scene make the territory a genuine pleasure for food lovers making a day trip from the Costa del Sol or staying longer to explore.
See It For Yourself
Explore the territory with a cable car ride to the Rock's summit, a guided tour of the wartime tunnels, or a boat trip through the Strait to spot dolphins riding the bow waves of passing container ships. The nature reserve that covers most of the upper Rock is free to enter on foot and full of wildlife. With a compact footprint, excellent direct flights from the UK, and the gateway to Andalusia just across the border, Gibraltar rewards travellers who enjoy packing extraordinary variety into a short visit.
Official name
- Gibraltar (English)
Region
- Iberia
Continent
- Europe
Total population
32,688
2022 data
Capital
- Gibraltar
Currency
- Gibraltar Pound (GIP · GI£)
Driving side
- right side of the road
Electricity
Languages
English
Official by law · ISO 639-3: eng
Llanito
Indigenous
Current time and time zone
Central European TimeCET
Europe/Gibraltar · Standard CET, daylight CEST
Largest city
- GibraltarGIB · 32,688
2022 data
Busiest airport
- Gibraltar International AirportGIB · 424,386 annual passenger movements
2024 data