"Gibraltar - not the best weather but still great!" Gibraltar by Bwana_Brown

Gibraltar Travel Guide: 1,122 reviews and 2,251 photos

The 'Cradle of History' Welcome Monument

Gibraltar has long held a special place in my heart, I think as a result of my love of history and watching TV documentaries on world history when I was just a youngster. The CBS program I watched was called 'The 20th Century', hosted by Walter Cronkite and sponsered by Prudential Insurance, who always showed their emblem of the Rock of Gibraltar to signify how solid their company was.

Actually, only a week earlier while driving from Cadiz to Estepona, we had come over a rise in the mountains and I spotted an amazingly rugged peak bathed in sunshine that simply stood out from anything else on the Mediterranean shore. Suddenly I realized why it was so amazing - I was actually looking at the Rock of Gibraltar! We did not have time to stop at that stage of our trip, but this time we knew this would be our last chance to see Gibraltar up close, even if conditions were not ideal.

This monument will greet you as you enter Gibraltar 'proper' after crossing from Spain. According to one of Gibraltar's tourism web-sites: "This Welcome Monument in the shape of the Rock depicts Gibraltar's important location throughout history. It shows the first skull of Neanderthal Man, which was found in Gibraltar...as well as one of the Pillars of Hercules and other images which represent the many civilizations that form part of Gibraltar's rich and varied history". Luckily for us, 'The Rock' packs its ~30,000 citizens into an area a little less that 3 square miles (or 7 square kilometers) in size, but it sharply rises from sea level to a height of 1400 feet (430 m). We did not really manage to do a lot during our short visit to Gibraltar but it was fun nonetheless.

Pros and Cons

Pros:One of the world's most unique places
Cons:A trifle expensive and I imagine very crowded in high season
In a nutshell:I was happy to just have had my chance!

Last visit to Gibraltar: Dec 2008
Intro Updated Oct 5, 2009
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (14)

The Convent Guard House & its brass cannons - Gibraltar

The old Convent Guard House Things to Do (6)

As our bus returned to Main Street in downtown Gibraltar, Sue and I got off very close to the Governor's House so we... more travel advice

The end of our southwest Spain... Favorites (2)

By this stage of our trip to Spain, we had already spent one night in Madrid, two way up the coast in Alicante (far... more travel advice

Gibraltar's eastern cliffs rise sharply - Gibraltar

'The Rock' as seen from Europa Point Things to Do (6)

This view looking directly north toward Spain gives some idea of the shape of The Rock on its eastern side. The smaller... more travel advice

Europa Point lighthouse Things to Do (6)

I always like to see a lighthouse and the one at Europa Point looked like quite a tidy affair, although it was too far... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Our only Gibraltar 'meal'
Been to Gibraltar?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (20)

Reply
- Report abuse
GentleSpirit Oct 11, 2012 at 5:16 AM

Hi Glenn. you gave a nice visit of the Rock. I remember always hearing about the famed rock of Gibraltar. Being able to see the two continents was a really neat feeling.
Reply
- Report abuse
kokoryko Aug 3, 2011 at 1:59 PM

It must be a good feeling when a kid's dream becomes true, Glenn! I have seen the big rock from far several times but never visited it; a beginning with your nice page :)Like the picture of the rock under the clouds.
Reply
- Report abuse
micas_pt Jun 8, 2010 at 6:29 AM

Nice overview of Gibraltar, too bad weather wasn't on your side.
Reply
- Report abuse
Ewingjr98 May 15, 2010 at 8:38 AM

Excellent page on such a charming and historic location. Thanks for stopping by my Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park page a few weeks ago. ~Joe
Reply
- Report abuse
Mikebb Dec 22, 2009 at 1:08 AM

Hi Glenn, Enjoyed your page and brought back memories of our 6 hour visit late Sept'08, on our way to Torremolinos. Best wishes for Christmas 7 New Year.
Reply
- Report abuse
HORSCHECK Oct 23, 2009 at 4:10 AM

Glenn, fantastic new page about Gibraltar. It reminds me a lot on my day on this gorgeous strip of land. Like you I entered it on foot from Spain. Unfortunately I missed the Europa Point lighthouse.
Reply
- Report abuse
JLBG Oct 22, 2009 at 9:32 PM

You have written a great and informative page on this exceptionnal piece of land. I hope to visit it though/because it is one of those highly irritating locations with an odd statut.
Reply
- Report abuse
deecat Oct 21, 2009 at 12:16 PM

Glenn, your pages are so helpful. Your precise descriptions, keen insights, and excellent command of language combine to make it a joy to read about Gibraltar. Seems from other comments that it has changed over the years.
Reply
- Report abuse
craic Oct 19, 2009 at 1:26 PM

amazing yu have to walk across the airport - i would love to see the barbery apes
Reply
- Report abuse
starship Oct 17, 2009 at 1:42 PM

Great page! Your 5-star tips recount your interesting time at Gibraltar, and give very helpful information as well. Love to visit Gibraltar & see the Barbary apes too, hopefully when it's sunny.