Gibraltar Off The Beaten Path Tips by bugalugs Top 5 Page for this destination

Morocco

Why not visit Africa! Then you are in another continent.
Morocco and its city of Tangier is only about 17 miles away from Gibraltar and on clear days you can see the Atlas Mountains from Gibraltar.
Trying to find out whether there are day trips from Gibralatar to Tangier is like trying to find gold!
Anyway as we didnt actually get to go, but one day we certainly would like to when we visit Gibraltar again. I have found that there are limited crossings at the moment to Tangier.
Leaves Friday from Tangier to Gibraltar at 11.00
Gibraltar to Tangier at 18.00However it doesnt return until Sunday at 17.00 obviously you would have then to stay in Tangier for 2 nights.
The company to contact regarding this is
Turner & Co. (Gibraltar) Ltd., (Port Office) situated at 65-67 Irish Town.
Telephone No. 350 78305

However it seems there is also a coach that will take you to Algeciras in Spain where you can catch a ferry to Tangier. I think this is a daily service operated by Blands Travel. Telephone No. 350 79068 or 350 77012

I have since found out that you can get a high speed ferry from Tarifa in Spain to Tangier, it takes 35 minutes.
If you can get to Algeciras in Spain, about 20 minutes drive from Gibraltar, there is a free shuttle bus for Tarifa for people buying a ferry ticket.
To read more please see my Tarifa ferry tip by clicking here

Jimena de la Frontera - Andalucia

This moorish castle was once owned by the Dukes of Medina Sidonia.
Lovely views from up here.

To read more, visit my Castellar de la Frontera page by clicking here

Jimena de la Frontera - Andalucia

Heading back down the road from Castellar de la Frontera, when you meet the main road turn left and you will come to another place worth a visit called Jimena de la Frontera. We didnt actually explore the town itself, but drove up to the ruined castle with stands high on the hill.

To visit my Castellar de la Frontera page please click here

Castellar de la Frontera -Andalucia

North of Algeciras and west of the cost of the Mediterranean is an area called Parque Natural de Las Alcornocales, with some lovely places to visit and explore.
We visited Castellar de la Frontera probably about an hours drive from Gibraltar.
Some of this area was flooded to make a reservoir and there are two parts to this village, down below near the valley and up on the hill in what looks like an old castle is a tiny village.

To read more about Castellar de la Frontera it is on my Jimena de la Frontera page as there is no page for Castellar, please click here for Castellar de la frontera

Ronda - Andalucia

So many things to see here in Ronda, it has the oldest bull ring in Spain which you can visit, wonderful architecture, churches, arab baths, incredible views, and tiny narrow streets waiting to be explored.

To visit my Ronda page click here

Ronda - Andalucia

Across the border from Gibraltar is Andalucia and many places to explore.
We had a hire car and drove to Ronda which although a very touristy place is so interesting, lots to see and views that are so beautiful.
The main bridge that spans the river Guadalevin. It joins the old and new town and was finished being built in 1793 taking 42 years to build!

To see my Ronda page click here

Tarifa

Many people visit Gibraltar just for a day trip from Spain. If you have the time and are interested in seeing interesting places then not an hours drive on the N34 West heading towards Cadiz is Tarifa, renown for its water sports, wind surfing, kite surfing and handgliding. A huge beach of golden sands. Tarifa is known as the windy city because that is exactly what you get and I suppose thats what the surfers want. When we visited near the end of November though the temperatures were in the late 60's the sun was shining and the air still, it was really lovely.

This is a very old town, (although a new town has sprung up as well), but the old town is enclosed in the old walls. Wandering through some tiny little alleyways and explore. Enjoy sitting outside at a bar and enjoy the sunshine. Walk up to the Mirador to look out over the sea to the coast of Africa which is 11km away. It is the southern most point in Europe and therefore the nearest point to Africa. You can also take the ferry here to Tangier which takes only 35 minutes.

Here is also where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Walk along the Causeway that separates them both.

To see my Tarifa page click here

A bit of a climb The Rock Review

There is a footpath which leads up to the rock called the Union Jack steps. It is supposed to be quite a dilapidated set of steps and it crosses a road which leads to Devils Gap Battery and the Apes Den.

La Linea de la Concepcion

There are quite a few good beaches here, water sports available, golf courses. There is a tourist bus which runs daily around the area. There are also old bunkers which can be viewed on guided tours.
There is also a big shopping mall called Gran Sur which also has a cinema complex and free activities for children.
When we went into La Linea though a lot of the shops seemed to be closed, whether it was a closing day or siesta time I am not sure but it looks as if the town areas are being done up and had some nice little shops.
I think the pic I have put on here is Plaxa Cruz Herrera Square

Website: http://%FC%S4%CV%B%Mwww.ayto-lalinea.com

La Linea de la Concepcion

Across the border into Spain this town is called La Linea. If you turn to the right as you go over the border and follow the coast road it is a bit run down although it does have a long beach. A bit of renovation wouldnt go amiss.
As you go across the border into La Linea the first thing you see is a McDonalds but also there is a Tourist Information Office there.This photo of the statue of a man and a bicycle is across the border near the tourist information.