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Gibraltar Travel Guide: St. Michael's Caves, Gibraltar Ten Things To Do In The Rock Of Gibraltar The Apes of Gibraltar   Gibraltar Featured Hotels Search for Gibraltar hotels

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Ten Things To Do In The Rock Of Gibraltar   by Jonathan Williams

The Rock of Gibraltar is a place rich in history especially in the traces of human existence dating as far back as the age of the Neanderthal man. There has been a longstanding battle between Spain and the UK for sovereignty of the place, and a unanimous vote by the people of Gibraltar to remain under British rule rendered it still to be a British territory up to this day.

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Nonetheless, Gibraltar's unique culture is a combination of all the influences that have landed in the region, Spanish and British notwithstanding, and its landmarks are worth seeing if you're going on a trip to this place. 1.) Dolphin and whale watching A cove down Gibraltar has an amazing display of dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. A trip down this bay is worth making just to witness the beauty of these sea creatures playing and showing off their splendor for all to see. Here, you will truly appreciate these marine creatures in their natural habitat. 2.) Cable ride For a spectacular view from the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, you can take a cable car ride. During the ride, you will also get to see the majestic spread of Spain up north and Africa down south. This is truly a sight to behold!

3.) Water sports

You can go jet skiing and paragliding to enjoy the beautiful waters down in the Catalan or Sandy bays and other beaches. Be one with the underground flora and fauna by diving into the waters, too, if you love exploring under the sea. This will definitely give you a thrill as you dive deep down into the waters of Gibraltar.

4.) Migrating birds On certain seasons, migratory birds flock the Rock of Gibraltar to escape the wintry months of their homes. Thousands of different birds come here, and the sight is truly amazing. It is one of those experiences that have you in awe at the wonders of nature. 5.) Monkeys without tails This is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Gibraltar. The macaques, otherwise known as the tailless monkeys are said to be the only species of wild primates that can be found in the whole of Europe. There is also a wonderful legend covering the existence of these macaques in Gibraltar, one which believes that it will cease to be a British territory once these monkeys have also ceased to exist.

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6.) Museum

Here, you will find the earliest evidences of human existence in Gibraltar. The museum houses a skull of the Neanderthal man said to have first inhabited the place. You will also learn all about the historical battle between the British and Spanish troops for the right to own the Rock of Gibraltar.

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7.) Botanical Garden The Botanical Garden is said to have been around since the early 1800s. Gibraltar's gardens are a collection of native and foreign plants and flowers. You will also see here bust sculptures that depict the era of when the garden was first opened. 8.) Shopping Don't miss out on shopping here. In fact, you can go on a shopping spree guilt-free because most goods and commodities here are sold at lower prices. This is primarily due to lower taxes on these goods as well as the freedom from other government taxes.

9.) Shrines and mosques

Gibraltar has been under many influences including religion. This country has a rich mixture of these religious influences in their history. Here, you will see mosques converted into the Shrine of Gibraltar's Patroness, Our Lady of Europe, among other things.

10.) Changing of the Guards

Typically British, this ceremony, which takes place a couple of times within the day, is something to watch out for. You will witness the discipline and perhaps a little stoicism in the behavior of the Guards that are quite entertaining and awe-inspiring at the same time. You can see this in the place where Gibraltar's Governor resides.

About the Author - Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos. Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/gibraltar to view or share Gibraltar travel videos.

The Apes of Gibraltar

The Barbary Apes of Gibraltar, Macaca Sylvanus, are actually tail-less monkeys and are an unusual and delightful attraction for anyone visiting Gibraltar or the Costa del Sol. No one is really sure how the only wild apes in Europe arrived in Gibraltar and legend has it that were they to leave The Rock then would fall to the Spanish. The two most popular explanations as to the appearance of the apes of Gibraltar is either that they crossed via a subterranean tunnel from their native Morocco or British sailors introduced them having picked them up on their travels. 

Whatever the explanation they readily adapted to their new habitat and have lived, bred and been an integral part of Gibraltar for some centuries now.

During the second World War their numbers went into a decline and Sir Winston Churchiil, taking a personal interest in the Gibraltar Apes, arranged to have some more imported from Morocco.Since then their numbers have steadily increased and today, in addition to the pack readily seen around the Apes Den, there are five other packs living wild on the steep slopes of the Rock. The apes that the visitor sees are very tame and quite cheeky, often climbing on unsuspecting tourists and onto the taxis that bring the tourists to the top of the rock to see them. Most of the taxi drivers know the individual apes and can often tell you quite a lot about them. The tour of the rock can either be undertaken by taxi or you can take the cable car up and then enjoy a very pleasant walk taking in the wonderful views of the Mediterranean to one side and the Atlantic to the other.You will see lots of Gibraltar apes this way and can stop and enjoy their company and take plenty of photos. The walk will take you down past St. Michael's Cave, which you should definitely visit, before carrying on and picking up the cable car again at it's mid-way stage.

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The welfare of the Barbary Apes is now in the hands of the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society and the R.S.P.C.A.

N.B. Note by webmaster - take care, as these cheeky monkeys sometimes steal from you.  When I was up there they took my double chocolate muffin!  And a guy lost his t-shirt, which he had slung over his shoulder....

Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular. 

St. Michael's Caves, Gibraltar

St. Michael's Caves in Gibraltar are situated some 300m above sea level on the southerly end of the Rock of Gibraltar. They are a marvellous sight with many truly impressive stalagmites and stalactites. It has long been believed that the caves are bottomless which in turn gave credence to the theory that there was once a subterranean link, about 15 miles long, between Gibraltar and Africa and that it was through this that the Apes of Gibraltar, the only wild monkeys in Europe, found their way onto the Rock many centuries ago. Certainly they have their counterparts across the Mediterranean in Africa and the only other feasible explanation for their appearance on mainland Europe is that they were introduced by sailors who collected them on their travels.

The caves have been visited since Roman times but today's visitor has the benefit of footlights and hand rails to assist them. It is still slippery underfoot though so be sure to wear good footware.  The main Cathedral cave is an impressive site and during the Second World War was adapted to be used as a military hospital. However it was never required as such and today is put to a more peaceful use when concerts are held there. The acoustics are wonderful.

The rest of the caves consist of various interconnecting passageways with some really impressive stalagmites and stalagtites. At some point in it's past one of these enormous structures, unable any longer to bear it's own weight, gave way and fell. In 1792 an inquisitive person removed a section from the it's top end and this has left the interior of the stalactite exposed, giving us a wonderful insight into the secret history of these magnificent structures. It shows quite clearly in rings the history of it's growth, for instance during periods of excessive rain its growth is indicated by light-brown rings and patches and the darker areas were formed during periods of less rain. Perhaps the two thin lines of crumbly white substance are the most interesting part of its structure as it is believed that these represent glacial periods.

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During the preparation of the caves for a military hospital the blasting required to improve ventilation revealed a series of further caves and an underground lake. However these can only be visited with a guide by prior arrangement. One of the best ways to get up to the caves is by cable car which operates from the car park at the top end of the Rock. The car will take you to the top of the rock from where it is a pleasant stroll down to St. Michael's caves. This will also enable you to take in the wonderful views of both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and of course see many of the Gibraltar apes. On leaving the caves you can then continue to walk down until you reach the mid-way stage and pick up the cable car again. For the less energetic you can take a trip in a taxi. The driver will also take you to meet the apes, give you a potted history of the Rock of Gibraltar and wait for you whilst you visit the caves.

Whichever way you decide to do it a visit to both St. Michael's caves and to the apes is a very enjoyable excursion.

Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular. 

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