Within sight of Marbella – a trip to Gibraltar

Marbella is an excellent starting point for those who prefer active sightseeing in Spain, but not only. Within a few dozen kilometers, there are cities such as Malaga, Granada, Ronda, and Gibraltar. Read on to find out why it is worth visiting.

Gibraltar: coveted by Spain and the United Kingdom

It is currently an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, which was incorporated into it in 1713. It was transferred to the royal administration under a peace treaty signed after the War of the Spanish Succession. In 2022, after 180 years, Gibraltar was granted official status as a British city on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Gibraltar has always been of particular importance to the many peoples and civilizations that have ruled the Iberian Peninsula over the last few hundred years. It was on its territory that Arab troops landed in the 8th century, thus beginning a period of several centuries of rule over the Iberian Peninsula, which ended with the Christian Reconquista in the 15th century.

From the 16th century, by virtue of an edict issued by Isabella I, Gibraltar came under Spanish rule, but this status lasted only for the next 200 years. Then, under the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), which ended the war between Spain, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, Gibraltar was transferred “in perpetuity” to the British Empire.

However, the dispute between the British and Spanish over the rights to Gibraltar is still alive, and there have even been attempts to revive it in the context of Brexit. The local population has twice voted in a referendum on joining Spain, but both attempts have been unsuccessful.

Limestone rock and dozens of kilometers of tunnels in Gibraltar

Although Gibraltar is really small, there is a lot to see here. You should definitely start with the 426 m high Rock of Gibraltar. This limestone structure is truly impressive. There are plenty of attractions throughout the Rock, one of which is the stunning caves and tunnels stretching for dozens of kilometers.

There are several ways to access the Rock of Gibraltar. Only some of them can be accessed by private cars. The remaining sections are only accessible to licensed carriers (taxis and minibuses run there regularly).

An alternative solution is to hike or cycle. However, it is important to remember that regardless of the chosen mode of transport, an admission ticket must be purchased.

The most attractive way to reach the Rock was by cable car, offering excellent views of Gibraltar, Africa, and the entire surrounding area. The lower station was located in the city, and the upper station at the top. At the end of 2025, however, the worn-out cable car was closed, and a modern one will be built in its place – this is expected to take about two years.

Moorish Castle in Gibraltar

Gibraltar also has a medieval fortification called the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros). It consists of numerous buildings, gates, and defensive walls, with the most distinctive and recognizable elements being the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. Thanks to its dominant and strategic position, the Tower is clearly visible from almost anywhere in Gibraltar and makes a huge impression on all visitors to the region.

The Moorish Castle is compared to the alcazars in Spain, but it was built by the Marinid dynasty, which makes it unique in Europe. In the past, part of the castle served as Gibraltar’s prison, which was moved from there in 2010. It is such an important building for the local community that it was decided to place it on the reverse side of the 5 Gibraltar pound coin.

Monkey companions in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve

A large part of the Rock of Gibraltar is occupied by the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, one of whose biggest attractions are the Barbary macaques. It is the only place in Europe where you can observe monkeys living in the wild. Currently, there are about 300 macaques living there, which are under special protection.

Local legend has it that Gibraltar will remain under British rule as long as the monkeys live there. When visiting the reserve, please remember that under no circumstances are you allowed to feed the monkeys living there – the penalty for breaking the rules is a fine of several hundred euros.

In addition to monkeys, the Upper Rock Nature Reserve is home to many species of birds, including the Barbary partridge and buzzards. There are about 311 species of birds present here, either nesting or just migrating.

General Sikorski’s accident in Gibraltar

Despite its distance from Poland, Gibraltar has also become a permanent part of our country’s history. It was here that one of the most mysterious disasters of World War II took place, in which the Prime Minister of the Polish government-in-exile and Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, Władysław Sikorski, was killed.

On July 4, 1943, General Sikorski and his delegation were to return from an inspection of Polish troops in the Middle East. His plane took off from the airport and crashed into the sea after only 16 seconds. The only survivor was Czech pilot Eduard Prchal. The causes of the crash remain unknown to this day, and many investigators and researchers from around the world have attempted to solve and investigate it.

A monument dedicated to General Sikorski was unveiled on the 70th anniversary of his death. It is located in the southern part of Gibraltar, in an area called Europa Point. The monument is 3 meters high, and its central point is a monument with a propeller that previously stood in the city center, to which an arch with the Polish military eagle has been added.

Trip from Marbella to Gibraltar

You can easily get there in several ways – by private car or by purchasing an organized bus trip – there are several departures from the city every day. The journey should take you about an hour, depending on the means of transport you choose.

One of the attractions of the trip itself will be the drive through Gibraltar airport, through which a road for cars and buses runs – before and after each plane landing, the road is closed for 10 minutes. At the same time, it is worth remembering that you will need a passport or ID card to enter Gibraltar.