Costa del Sol/Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is located at the entrance of the Mediterranean. Its strategic location and history have made it an international symbol of solidity and strength, and it is frequently visited by both tourists and those already living on the Costa del Sol.

Gibraltar?s unusual status was acquired as a consequence of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht which brought to an end the War of the Spanish Succession and gave the territory to Britain making it a British Crown Colony. In response to joint sovereignty talks between London and Madrid which began in 2001 the Gibraltar government organised a referendum in November 2002 to assess the popular mood. As expected, it returned a huge majority in favour of the status quo. Whatever its preferred option, it is politically impossible for any British government to cede the territory to Spain against the clear wishes of the inhabitants.

Today the area is a mixture of Spanish and British cultures. Of great attraction to visitors are the Rock itself, the infamous apes and of course the tax free shopping!

The Rock of Gibraltar is famous for itīs impressive stature, towering isolated above the surrounding countryside.

The apes can be seen at the Apes' Den (Queen's Gate) and in the area of the Great Siege Tunnels. If you let them, the monkeys will be their captivating selves and show you aspects of their everyday lives.
The Apes are a species of tailless monkeys called Barbary Macaques. These Macaques can be found in Morocco and Algeria, with those in Gibraltar being the only free-living monkeys in Europe today.

For shoppers the best place to go is Main Street, with its adjoining lanes and byways. Here you can find a large selection of goods, transforming this area of Gibraltar into what has often been called the shopping centre of the Western Mediterranean. The range of gifts is quite enormous so whether you are looking for  delicate glassware, priceless porcelain, an unusual piece of pottery, leatherware, perfumes, spirits jewellery, silks or cashmere you will be able to find what you are looking for!

Gibraltar has the most cosmopolitan variety of goods at the most competitive tax reduced prices in Western Europe.

Donīt forget the currency is Gibraltar pounds, at par with sterling. If you do need to change any other currency into pounds, a large number of Banks and Bureaux de Change are available.

If visiting Gibraltar from the coast itīs worth noting that you will need to allow time to enter the colony and donīt forget to bring your passport! Many tourists find it is easier to leave cars in Spain and to travel into Gibraltar via foot and the many available buses! Most tour operators arrange coach trips from the Costa del Sol to Gibraltar. 

 

 Fancy buying a bar in Gibraltar? Take a look at our selection of bars, businesses and homes for sale on the Costa del Sol....