Windy and foggy days
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Wild Barbary macaques roam freely across 400 hectares of Mediterranean terrain. Views stretch to Africa, while St. Michael's Cave and WWII tunnels lie beneath the surface.
The Gibraltar Nature Reserve spans 40% of Gibraltar's land area, reaching 426 meters above sea level. Walking through the reserve, you'll encounter Barbary macaques swinging through trees, limestone formations in St Michael's Cave, and migrating birds soaring overhead. Step onto the glass-floored Skywalk platform to gaze down at the Mediterranean Sea, or cross the 71-meter Windsor Suspension Bridge for panoramic views of the surrounding coastline.
Enter through Jews Gate, Moorish Castle, or the Cable Car station. The Cable Car takes you to the summit in 6 minutes, running every 10-15 minutes. Since the reserve prohibits private vehicles, explore on foot or join one of the taxi and bus tours.
About 300 Barbary macaques roam freely throughout the reserve, particularly at Apes' Den and near the upper cable car station. Watch griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, and honey buzzards glide past the viewing platforms during spring and autumn migrations. The limestone cliffs create perfect conditions for unique plant species - look for the Gibraltar Candytuft's pink-to-lilac flowers and the rare Gibraltar Campion, which exists nowhere else in the world.
Inside St Michael's Cave, descend 62 meters through chambers filled with white and amber calcium formations. The Skywalk's glass floor sits 340 meters above sea level, while the Windsor Suspension Bridge crosses a 50-meter-deep gorge. Climb to O'Hara's Battery at 421 meters to see Morocco's Rif Mountains across the strait.
The Mediterranean Steps wind up the eastern face of the Rock for 200 meters, passing military batteries and natural caves. Walk the 2.3-kilometer Nature Lover trail around the upper Rock from Apes' Den to Jews' Gate. Follow the History Buff trail to explore eight military installations, or take the Monkey trail to find the main macaque viewing spots.
The Great Siege Tunnels cut 908 feet through the Rock's northern face, carved during the 1779-1783 siege. World War II brought an additional 32 miles of tunnels, creating space for 16,000 people underground. Visit Princess Caroline's Battery and O'Hara's Battery to see their original 9.2-inch guns still in position.
The reserve opens from 9:30 AM to 7:15 PM in summer (April-September) and 9:00 AM to 6:15 PM in winter. Your entry ticket includes 17 sites. Book World War II tunnel tours separately at [email protected]. Expect temperatures around 13°C in winter and 24°C in summer, with most rain falling between November and February.