Looking for fun facts about Gibraltar? Here’s our list of the most fascinating and interesting facts about the tiny British Overseas Territory.
Due to its location on the southern coast of Spain, people often mistake Gibraltar for Spanish territory. It’s known for its tax haven status and the cheeky Barbary macaques that call the Rock home. But there’s so much more to know about Gibraltar with its Mediterranean climate.
During our recent trip to Gibraltar, we discovered many surprising facts about this small place. Here are 20 of the most interesting fun facts that will make you want to add Gibraltar to your travel list!
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20 Fun & Interesting Facts You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Gibraltar
1. Gibraltar has the only wild monkey population in Europe.
Gibraltar is home to around 300 Barbary macaques and the only place in Europe with wild monkeys. Legend says that if the macaques leave Gibraltar, British rule will end.
During the Second World War, the macaque population shrank to a critically low number. Fearing the legend might become reality, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill reportedly ordered new macaques to be brought in from North Africa to boost the population.
Technically, they’re monkeys, not apes, although they are nicknamed Barbary apes or rock apes due to their lack of a tail.
2. You can cross the runway to get to your airport gate.
Did you know that Gibraltar Airport’s runway crosses Gibraltar’s main road (Winston Churchill Avenue)? Every time a plane lands or takes off, the road traffic needs to be halted to ensure safety.
Upon landing at Gibraltar’s airport, you get the chance to walk across the very runway you touched down on just minutes before. Given that only 3-5 planes are arriving each day, there’s plenty of opportunity for you to cross the runway.
The fact that you can cross an airport runway to get to your gate highlights the unique challenge Gibraltar faces due to its limited space.
3. Gibraltar is nicknamed “The Rock”.
The peninsula is home to the “Rock”, a limestone promontory rising 426 metres (1,398 feet) high and stretching 5 kilometres (3 miles) long. The famous Rock of Gibraltar was formed approximately 200 million years ago and is composed of Jurassic Limestone.
Over 40% of Gibraltar’s land area is a nature reserve. The Gibraltar Nature Reserve is located on the Upper Rock, filled with wildlife and attractions. This is also where you can experience the famous Barbary macaque monkeys in their natural habitat.
You can easily reach the reserve by taking a scenic cable car ride or enjoying a more adventurous hike up the rock.
4. It’s one of the most densely populated territories globally.
Despite its small size of 6.7 square kilometres (2.6 square miles), the population of Gibraltar is about 33,000. This makes Gibraltar the fifth most densely populated country/territory in the world, right behind Macau, Monaco, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
To put Gibraltar’s size into perspective, Central Park in Manhattan covers 3.4 square kilometres (1.3 square miles), about half the size of Gibraltar.
5. On a clear day, you can see Africa from Gibraltar.
Gibraltar sits at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, and across the Strait of Gibraltar is Morocco, Africa. The narrowest point of the strait is only about 14 kilometres (9 miles) wide!
On a clear day, with good visibility, you can easily make out the North African coastline.
For the best chance of seeing Africa, head to Europa Point, the southernmost point of Gibraltar and mainland Europe. It’s a popular spot for tourists to take in the view and snap photos with Africa in the background.
6. Gibraltar has a huge network of tunnels.
At over 55 kilometres (34 miles) long, the tunnels of Gibraltar are nearly twice the length of the territory’s entire road network. Most of the tunnels were constructed over nearly 200 years by the British Army.
Gibraltar’s strategic location meant it needed strong defences, and these tunnels played a crucial role for military purposes during various conflicts. This includes the Great Siege of Gibraltar from 1779 to 1783, during which Spain and France unsuccessfully attempted to capture Gibraltar from the British.
During our last trip, exploring the Great Siege Tunnels was one of our favourite activities in Gibraltar. It’s one of the historic landmarks in Gibraltar you shouldn’t miss on a trip!
Did you know? Luxembourg City is sometimes called the “Gibraltar of the North” due to its strategic fortifications. The Bock Casemates, a complex system of tunnels and chambers carved into the cliffs, played a crucial role in Luxembourg’s defence throughout history.
7. The Rock is riddled with over 150 caves.
The Rock itself is composed of limestone, which is prone to erosion by water. Over millions of years, rainwater dissolving the limestone created these numerous caves.
The caves come in all shapes and sizes and were used by humans for shelter and possibly even rituals as far back as the Neanderthal period.
Today, some of the caves are accessible to tourists, like St. Michael’s Cave, with its colourful lighting and historical displays. We absolutely loved this popular tourist attraction – check out our dedicated section about St. Michael’s Cave here.
8. Gibraltar is a tax haven.
Gibraltar’s low-tax environment makes it an attractive destination for businesses and entrepreneurs. The corporate tax rate is currently set at 12.5%, significantly lower than many other European countries.
The territory also doesn’t impose value-added tax (VAT), but most goods imported into Gibraltar are subject to import duty at varying rates.
Moreover, Gibraltar doesn’t levy capital gains or inheritance tax on assets passed down to heirs.
9. The territory has been under British control since 1713.
Gibraltar has changed hands many times throughout history but has been under British control for over 300 years.
In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht formally ceded Gibraltar to Great Britain, though the Spanish Government has long claimed the territory.
Probably one of the most iconic reminders of British influence is the red telephone boxes that you can still find around Gibraltar.
10. It has its own language.
While English is the official language of Gibraltar, there’s a unique local language called Llanito. This Gibraltarian dialect is a combination of English, Andalusian Spanish, Portuguese, Maltese, Genoese medieval dialect, and Hebrew elements.
One of its notable features is the tendency of speakers to seamlessly switch between languages within a single sentence, reflecting the territory’s diverse cultural influences.
Moreover, many Gibraltarians are bilingual and proficient in both English and Spanish.
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11. You can get married in Gibraltar with one day’s notice.
Now, here’s another fun fact about Gibraltar: Gibraltar is known for its hassle-free wedding procedures. This makes it a popular choice for couples seeking a quick and easy wedding abroad.
There is no residency requirement like in many other countries, so you can get married with just one day’s notice.
Several celebrities have chosen to get married in Gibraltar, including the Beatles’ John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969 and the original James Bond, Sean Connery (even twice!).
12. Gibraltar has its own government and parliament.
Gibraltar operates with a unique level of self-governance within the British Overseas Territory system.
It has its own Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, which grants it significant control over its internal affairs. This means Gibraltar makes its own laws on education, healthcare, and taxation.
However, the United Kingdom retains responsibility for Gibraltar’s defence and foreign affairs. This means the UK is responsible for Gibraltar’s military and its diplomatic relations with other countries.
13. The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the world’s busiest waterways.
The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow waterway separating the European continent and Africa, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea (see our illustrated map below). It has played a major role in global trade and transportation for centuries.
Over 300 ships transit the Strait daily, translating to roughly one vessel passing through every five minutes! This includes giant cargo ships, container vessels, tankers, cruise liners, and smaller ferries.
Top tip: The waters around the Strait of Gibraltar are teeming with marine life. It’s a prime location for dolphin-watching tours. We did this tour and loved it! You can check the pricing and availability of all dolphin-watching tours in Gibraltar here.
14. Gibraltar left the EU in 2020 following the UK’s Brexit.
As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar benefitted from being part of the European Union (EU) through its connection to the UK.
However, the 2016 Brexit referendum had a direct impact on Gibraltar. While the territory overwhelmingly voted (95%) to remain in the EU, it had to exit the EU in 2020 following the UK’s decision to withdraw.
In late 2020, the UK, Spain, and the EU reached a temporary agreement allowing Gibraltar to continue participating in certain areas like the Schengen zone. However, this agreement lacks legal force. Formal negotiations to determine Gibraltar’s future EU relationship began in 2021 and are ongoing.
15. Unlike the UK, Gibraltar drives on the right side of the road.
Gibraltar’s location plays a key role. It’s a British territory bordering Spain on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain, like most of continental Europe, drives on the right.
To avoid confusion and potential accidents at the land border, Gibraltar adopted right-hand traffic in 1929 to align with Spain’s system.
It’s a fun twist that Gibraltar, with its British connection, adopted a different traffic system than the UK itself.
16. It has a thriving gambling scene.
Gibraltar is renowned for its lively gambling industry. There are numerous casinos, online betting companies, and gambling operators.
The territory’s favourable regulatory environment has attracted international gambling companies, which contributes significantly to Gibraltar’s economy.
Many well-known online casinos and betting platforms have established their headquarters in Gibraltar due to its low taxes, advanced infrastructure, and regulatory expertise.
17. They use British Pounds there, but their own money won’t work in the UK.
Gibraltar has its own currency, the Gibraltar Pound (GIP). It’s pegged to the British Pound Sterling (GBP) at a 1:1 rate, meaning they have the same value.
Gibraltar Pound notes and coins look different from their British counterparts, with unique designs featuring Gibraltar’s landmarks and people.
Here’s the catch: While you can use UK banknotes and coins within Gibraltar, Gibraltarian Pound banknotes or coins aren’t accepted in the UK.
The Euro (€) is also widely accepted in the small territory, particularly in tourist areas and businesses that cater to visitors from neighbouring Spain.
18. It’s home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Gorham’s Cave Complex in Gibraltar earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2016.
The network of four caves holds incredible archaeological and paleontological evidence of Neanderthal occupation. The findings suggest Neanderthals lived in the caves for over 100,000 years.
While access to the caves is restricted to protect the archaeological treasures, there’s a viewing platform where you can learn more about the site’s history.
19. Despite its size, Gibraltar boasts six beaches.
Gibraltar offers a choice between two distinct beach vibes.
The eastern beaches, like Sandy Bay Beach and Catalan Bay, have softer sands and calmer waters, which are ideal for families and lounging.
The western beaches, like Camp Bay and Little Bay, have a rockier terrain and are favoured by snorkelers and divers for their fascinating underwater world.
20. The Rock is known as one of the Pillars of Hercules.
The Rock of Gibraltar is linked to Greek mythology. Hercules supposedly split a mountain that blocked the passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This created the Strait of Gibraltar and two pillars.
The Rock of Gibraltar is identified as one of the pillars. The other’s location is debated by historians, with some suggesting Mount Hacho in Morocco or Jebel Moussa (Musa) in Morocco.
Plan Your Gibraltar Trip
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Final Thoughts on Gibraltar
So, there you have it: 20 fun facts about Gibraltar that will make you want to explore the small peninsula on the southern tip of Spain. We hope these fun facts about Gibraltar inspired you to learn more!
If you’re now ready to discover the Top of the Rock with its natural beauty and cheeky monkeys for yourself, check out our article on the very best things to do in Gibraltar. The territory is the perfect place to go for a day trip from southern Spain, such as Malaga, Seville or Torremolinos.
Do you like learning interesting facts about different places? Check out our fun fact post on Vienna, Seoul, Japan or Poland. You might discover something new and interesting about these unique destinations too!
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16 comments
I never knew all these things about Gibraltar! Very interesting post.
I’m glad it caught your interest, Tara!
I had no idea there was so much more to Gibraltar than the rock! Also great photos, loving the pic of the Macaques!
I’m pleased you found it interesting, Emma! Those Macaques are quite photogenic.