The Rock of Gibraltar is located at the entrance of the Mediterranean. Its strategic location and history have made it an international symbol. When people think of the history of Gibraltar they often think in terms of the bloody 18th century sieges when Spain tried to regain the Rock from the British. However, the history of Gibraltar very much reflects that of the Mediterranean. For an in-depth view of Gibraltar's history visitors should visit the splendid Gibraltar Museum situated in the centre of town at Bomb House Lane. It is just a few minutes walk off Main Street from Marks & Spencer and is clearly sign-posted.

Beaches                                                                                                                                                                                                   Gibraltar's beaches can be divided into eastern and western beaches. Those on the east side tend to be sandy, while those on the west side are typically rocky. The beaches are generally praised for being clean and well-kept.

Eastern Beach                                                                                                                                                                                                  This is Gibraltar's largest beach. It is also fortunate to receive ample sunshine throughout the day. This is Gibraltar's largest beach. It is also fortunate to receive ample sunshine throughout the day.

Catalan Bay                                                                                                                                                                                                   Much smaller than Eastern Beach, Catalan Bay has the charm of a fishing village and is a good place to stroll about and stop for a bite to eat.

Sandy Bay                                                                                                                                                                                                         Not so well known to tourists, Sandy Bay is a small beach enjoyed mostly by locals. It is to the south where the rock is sheer. Parking is not a simple matter in this area.

Little Bay                                                                                                                                                                                                          This rocky beach has rugged cliffs that meet the water straight on. The cliffs provide a nesting area for birds that prefer such rugged terrain.

Camp Bay                                                                                                                                                                                                        This beach is near the cruise ship terminal and is the site of a spectacular man-made waterfall.

Shopping                                                                                                                                                                                                       Many of the big British High Street names are here such as Marks & Spencer, Safeway's,Tesco, BHS, Mothercare and Dorothy Perkins.

The majority of the shops are on or around Main Street. This has been transformed in recent years into a beautiful pedestrianised shopping area. The newly refurbished Casemates Square at the end of Main Street is bustling with shops, restaurants and bars.

Opening Times                                                                                                                                                                                             Shops are generally open on weekdays 10am to 7pm and on Saturdays 10am to 3pm. They are usually closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

Pubs usually open at around 10am and are open until the early hours depending on how busy they are.

The Upper Rock                                                                                                                                                                                               This can be reached by car but the road is narrow and winding. It is probably wiser to take one of the Rock tours organised by taxi or coach or by taking the cable car. Included in the tour are the Upper Rock Nature Reserve giving magnificent views of North Africa and the meeting of the Atlantic and Mediterranean; St Michael's Cave, the Apes Den, the historic Siege Tunnels plus Europa Point. The Nature Reserve is open daily from 0930 - 19.00.

Driving To Gibraltar                                                                                                                                                                                          The best way of entering Gibraltar if you are coming from Spain is to park in La Linea, the town on the Spanish site of the border. It is then a five-minute walk into Gibraltar. Once you enter Gibraltar, an ideal route is to take the number 4 bus to the Cable Car Base station, where you can access the Top of the Rock and all the main attractions of Gibraltar.

Immigration and Customs - Documents you need to enter Gibraltar                                                                                                       Passports are required by all except EU nationals in possession of a valid national identity card. Non EU nationals may require a Visa to enter Gibraltar. As a general rule those who require a visa for entry to the UK also require a separate visa for entry to Gibraltar. Applications should be made to any British Diplomatic Visa Issuing post in the applicant’s normal country of residence (British Embassy) or in the UK, the visa section of the UK Passport Office in London.

Customs Allowances                                                                                                                                                                                  Gibraltar is one of the few remaining VAT-free holiday destinations in Europe, offering its visitors a unique and diverse tax free shopping experience.