The Rock of Gibraltar is one of Europe’s most recognizable landmarks and home to a famous troupe of macaque monkeys. Towering 1,397 feet (426 meters) above Gibraltar, The Rock, as it is more commonly known, offers some of the continent’s most staggering views where you can stare across two continents and two seas.
Gibraltar’s monkeys are a famous bunch. As the only wild population of monkeys in Europe, the 230 barbary apes receive their fair share of attention and they revel in it. Hop in the cable car, which soars its way up the near-vertical rock and stop at Apes’ Den to get up close to the cheeky monkeys.
Leaping along the rocks, the pale brown-colored monkeys are entertaining to watch, but have been known to get a bit aggressive, especially if they have babies, so don’t get too close. It is believed the monkeys were either brought by Moors or, some say, arrived from Africa via an undersea tunnel which ended in St. Michael’s Cave. The monkeys are highly protected and there is a famous phrase in Gibraltar which states: "when the apes leave the Rock, so will the British."
Continue to the very top of the Rock of Gibraltar for truly breathtaking views. On a clear day you can easily see the coastline of Africa, the long Spanish Costa del Sol and the point where the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean collide, providing a true top-of-the-world feeling.
From the very top, start the steep walk back down The Rock to visit the other attractions such as the O’Hara’s Battery, St. Michael’s Cave, the Great Siege Tunnels and Military Heritage Center. On the way, look for the different plant species that grow on the different altitudes.
Much of the upper sections of The Rock are within the designated Upper Rock Nature Reserve and entry tickets also include access to the St. Michael’s Cave, the Apes’ Den, the Great Siege Tunnels, the Moorish Castle, the Military Heritage Centre and the 100 Ton Gun. No private vehicles are allowed to drive on St. Michael’s Road up The Rock however, you can either use the cable car, private tour bus, taxi or embark on a challenging hike.
