I'll never forget the first time I learned about Gibraltar.
In fact, my group was assigned to present on Gibraltar to the rest of our college Spanish class, the title of which I can't even remember after years of trying to block out the professor who had a particular distaste for non-native speakers. I learned - the hard way - that Gibraltar is pronounced Hee-bral-tar in Spanish.
The unpleasant professor aside, the assignment exposed me to the fascinating history and cultural patchwork that this territory represents. It wasn't until we visited in September 2025 did Gibraltar's unconventionality hit me. There, we met individuals with Mediterranean complexions, donning tropical shirts and flip flops, speaking in English accents and eating Spanish tapas under Union Jack and Gibraltar flags.
Gibraltar was wildly fun, particularly because we spent most of our day on the Rock of Gibraltar, a nature reserve teeming with Barbary macaques and sweeping views. If you're considering visiting, I recommend against buying a ticket ahead of time*. If the winds are too strong, the lift/gondola will be closed until they can safely reopen.
The alternative way to get up on the Rock will be to go with a guided tour that operates separately from the nature reserve. The tour's fees will include entry to the nature reserve and an extra charge for transportation. Expect it to be pricier than the self-guided option, but you're already there and time is precious. Just go for it.
*You could get a full refund by emailing the nature reserve later, like we did, but I want you to save yourself from the hassle of doing that. Also, please save your energy and previous vacation time - don't hike up if the gondola is closed; it will be very dangerous because you'll compete on the narrow roads with tour vans and buses instead of pedestrians. More vans/buses will occupy the roads on those days because very, very few people will be able to hike up themselves without the gondola.
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