Los 10 Mejores Lugares de Gibraltar

Top Ten Selling Points

The Mediterranean destination of Gibraltar is consistently voted among its tour operators, as a top 20 city break city. First time visitors are often surprised at how much the Rock can offer in such a compact space. Here are some of the key reasons, that over eight million visitors come and see us each year. 3) A MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE WITH BRITISH VALUES 1) POUND STERLING Gibraltar’s British connection is intrinsic to its history, but it was officially ceded to Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Although its economy is run by Gibraltar’s locally elected Government, as a British overseas territory, Gibraltar, has its own currency, the Gibraltar pound, which is pegged with the UK Pound Sterling at par. Visitors to Gibraltar need not change up currency and ATM service tills are easily accessible. You will note that Gibraltar issues its own denominational notes and coins, whose value in Gibraltar are on par with UK Pounds. The £2 coin has featured a new design every year since its introduction, as it depicts each of the 12 Labours of Hercules. Gibraltar is believed by many to one of the Pillars of Hercules , the other being Jebel Musa across the Strait in Morocco. We advise that before returning home, you exchange your Gibraltar notes without cost, for UK notes and coins before leaving the destination. 2) VAT FREE SHOPPING Gibraltar is a shoppers paradise enhanced by its VAT free status. Its famous Main Street runs north to south from Casemates Square through the pedestrianised old town with fine displays of Genoese, Portuguese, Spanish, Moorish and Regency style architecture. Tourists will find a wide variety of shops, many of which will be familiar with the UK High Street, retailers such as Marks & Spencer, British Homes Stores (BHS), to specialist European boutiques, offering vastly discounted accessories, jewellery, electronic gadgets, spirits and tobacco products. Gibraltar’s specialities include a wide range of popular cosmetic and perfumery brands at agreeable prices. Value for money can be found on cosmetic lines such as Clinique, Clarins and Estee Lauder and on perfumery ranging from Christian Dior to Yves St Laurent and Tommy Hilfiger. Gibraltar’s ‘Main Street’ is dotted with electronic gadget shops for that much needed state-of-the-art palm top or digital camera. There are a wide selection of designer sunglasses on offer from sporting brand Oakley to fashion houses Chanel, Gucci and Giorgio Armani; watches from international brands TAG Heuer, Cartier and Rolex; and mini-disk players from SONY with prices up to a third less in Gibraltar than at home. Discounted jewellery glistens through shop windows. Value and choice characterise the Gibraltar Shopping Experience. Irish town is one of Main Street's sub-districts and was named in the early 19th century when Gibraltar was split into differing quarters. Grand Casemates Square at the end of Main Street, once the centre of public executions is the hub of Gibraltar's nightlife and is filled with numerous restaurants, pubs and bars. 3) A MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE WITH BRITISH VALUES At the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, Gibraltar is in the heart of the Mediterranean and benefits from a moderate climate. Just two and a half hours from the UK, visitors can enjoy warm spring and autumn nights, while basking in sunshine throughout the summer months. Gibraltar's historic appeal with young and old stems from British traditions that make its vistors feel strangely at home. It is amusing to some to see a British bobby walking the beat, hear English spoken but enthused with a Latin culture that remains Gibraltar's own. Tea is taken very seriously in Gibraltar and its leading hotels all offer traditional afternoon teas, together with a number of tea shops in and around Main Street. 4) SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY Dolphins:Despite its size Gibraltar is an activity haven for young and old alike. Our resident dolphins in the Bay of Gibraltar remain a leading attraction. There are three types of Dolphin to spot, the stripped nose, bottlenose and the common dolphin. In the summer months most tour companies will guarantee sightings. A sunny destination would not be complete without a beach and Gibraltar is no exception with three to offer. 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 - is Gibraltar's largest beach. It is also fortunate to receive ample sunshine throughout the day. Catalan Bay – is 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 – is 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. 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 Upper Rock exploring:Gibraltar’s Upper Rock offers a full day out for the family. The best way to see everything is to take a Rock Tour. Attractions include the Barbary Ape Den, St Michael’s Cave with its Stalagmites and Stalactites, and the Great Siege Tunnels. Cable Car:The Cable Car in Grand Parade will take you to the top of the Rock with a stop at the Ape Denwith spectacular views along the way. Diving:Unknown by many Gibraltar offers great dive facilities with a number a good dive schools where students can take the essential BSAC and NAUI qualifications for open water and wreck diving. There are a number of natural and man made reefs to view, together with ship wrecks and Gibraltar’s natural marine life. Birdwatching: Gibraltar is the perfect place to observe the annual migrations from Europe to Africa and back. The upper Rock, high above the Mediterranean, makes a natural viewing point to watch the 15 species of birds of prey and the 50,000 White Storks that flock across the straits. Over 270 species of bird have been recorded in Gibraltar and it also boasts the only Barbary Partridges to be found on mainland Europe. Sailing:Gibraltar is a leading sailing destination in the Mediterranean, with many yacht owners choosing to register their boats in Gibraltar for the benefit of flying the red ensign. Gibraltar’s two marinas Ocean Village and Queensway Quay offer a range of facilities for sailors together with a selection of sailing schools. The marinas also appeal to visitors for their selection of dining out facilities and designer shops. The International casino club is based in the newly designed Ocean Village complex and houses a nightclub and range of late night bars. Fishing:Sport fishing fanatics are also in for a treat as a variety of trips leave from Gibraltar on a daily basis. Deep sea fishing can provide a thrill difficult to match and the well-equipped boats offer big game fishing for bream, bluefin tuna, broadbill swordfish and various species of shark according to season. 5) WEDDINGS Hollywood legends Lawrence Harvey and Margaret Leighton were one of the first high profile couples to say ‘I do’ in Gibraltar. In 1962 as the world became entranced by the numbers 007, screen hero Sean Connery married his first wife actress Diane Cliento. Sadly, this marriage was not to last but Connery’s affection for Gibraltar was such, that he returned in 1975 to marry his present wife Micheline Boglio Roquebrune. However, it is the marriage of Beatle John Lennon to Yoko Ono in 1969 that caused the biggest media sensation. There are no residency restrictions in Gibraltar for couples wishing to get married, and so, with advance preparation of paperwork it is possible to arrive in the destination just a few days prior to take your vows. Recent legislation also permits the marriage registrar to marry couples outside of the registry office. A number of hotels and a list of historical buildings have been registered as places where marriages can take place. There is also a wide selection of wedding associates products such as florists, caterers and photographers. Many of the larger hotels and UK Tour operators covering the destination over in-house teams to assist with planning. Provisional booking scan be made up to two years in advance of the couples chosen date, with all enquiries made in the first instance to the Civil Status and Registration Office. The Gibraltar Tourist Board is able to supply these contact details. 6) ACCESS TO SPAIN & MOROCCO Gibraltar is the perfect base to explore two continents. Joined by a land frontier with Spain, visitors to Gibraltar will have easy access to the world class golf courses in the Cadiz region, such as Valderrama host to the Ryder Cup. Day trips to the quaint white villages of Ronda, Mijas and bigger cities such as Jerez, Seville and Granada are all possible as day trips. Across the Strait to the north coast of Africa you will find the Moroccan city of Tangiers once home to the Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton and playground of the rich. Today Morocco is still a widely sought destination with the romanticism and excitement of its markets and of the Kasbah. Day trips to Tangiers and Ceuta are easily organised during a stay in Gibraltar and will bring you safely home in time for dinner. 7) HISTORY & HERITAGE Gibraltar is a living history with its turbulent and colourful past evident in every street. Having been occupied at various times by the Spanish, Moors and British, remnants of these periods in history remains evident in the assortment of architectural styles in many of its buildings. The Rock’s British military history has also played a key role in shaping its character. From the innovation of the Great Siege Tunnels dug out to defend the Rock in the 1700’s to the labyrinth of tunnels created much later during the World Wars, stories of spies and heroism abounds. The Gibraltar Museum is an ideal place to start retracing Gibraltar’s past. There are also a number of guided walking tours which recount tales and legends of The Rock’s jagged history. A Tour to the Upper Rock, is the most popular way of engaging in Gibraltar natural heritage, with the famous Barbary Apes roaming wild as you visit St Michael’s cave with its spectacular amphitheatre and the Great Siege Tunnels. 8) THE GREAT OUTDOORS – WALKS, VIEWS & OPEN SPACES The upper Rock brings walkers from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty and its historical sites. Birdwatchers can spot more than 230 species and there are clearly marked nature trails that you can follow to discover the country’s flora and fauna. The Upper Rock Nature Reserve has a number of paths and tracks, which are accessible only by walkers. The old public footpath from the town centre provides another way for walkers to access the various roads, pathways and attractions up the Rock. Gibraltar’s most noteworthy mountain path is the Mediterranean steps. The walk takes in breathtaking views almost vertically down over the sea cliffs into the Mediterranean and is unquestionable the best nature walk in Gibraltar. One of the easiest ways to discover Gibraltar’s history is to take a stroll around the historic city centre. Let’s Go Walking Tours offer a number of gentle walking tours with licensed guides who will take you on a journey back through time. The tour covers Gibraltar’s history during the Moorish, Spanish and periods periods and helps visitors understand about Gibraltar’s diverse culture and its people. Covering approximately one kilometre it takes approximately one and a half hours and is wheel chair friendly. Sites covered include, Casemates Square, main Street, Irish Town, the House of Assembly, the Cathedral, Bomb house Lane and Cathedral Square. The Alameda Gardens, or the Botanical Gardens as they are also referred to, span around six hectares. The gardens, were founded in 1861 by Governor of Gibraltar General George Don in order to provide a recreational area for the Garrison at the time. Serving that purpose for many years, the gardens were fully restored in the 1970’s, and today offer a spectacular setting to walk through and enjoy the beauty of the flora and fauna. There is also an amphitheatre in the middle of gardens where events are frequently staged through the spring and summer. 9) MARINA LIFE Almost entirely surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Gibraltar has long been a haven for maritime tourism. At sea activity caters for the tastes and preferences of even the most demanding water sports enthusiasts. Whether young or old Gibraltar’s water based activities will appeal to all. It is possible to arrive into Gibraltar as a sailing novice and leave a confident seafarer in only a couple of weeks. For those looking for an ideal place to learn to sail, Gibraltar fits the bill perfectly with its warm climate and proximity to the sheltered Bay of Gibraltar. For more experienced sailors, bareboat charters are available as are skippered charters for those who want to sail without the skipper’s responsibility! With frequent flights to and from the UK, Gibraltar provides the perfect base for yacht owners who would like to keep their boats in warm climes and close to exotic harbours. With a newly developed luxury marina resort recently launched a new marina complex on the destination’s eastern side will shortly be under development. Ocean Village nestled between the town and the airport on the west side of the Rock of Gibraltar, is a unique state of the art marina, encompassing the old Marina bay and Sheppards Marina. The complex offers residential aprtments, designer shopping and an International Casino. The three Marina Piers also house a selection of international restaurants and a champagne bar. Queensway Quay Marina, set within the main harbour, accommodates up to 100 yachts and offers full facilities including a duty free fuel service, which brings fuel diesel directly to the quayside. The entire area surrounding Gibraltar’s newest marina, Queensway Quay has been extensively redeveloped to include prestigious residential accommodation and a host of waterfront restaurants, bars and shops. 10) THE GIBRALTARIAN PEOPLE Visitors to Gibraltar are always surprised by the warm welcome they receive by the hospitable local Gibraltarians. By nature Gibraltarians enjoy entertaining and showing visitors around their beloved Rock. As a people, Gibraltarians are a racial and cultural fusion of the many European immigrants who came to the Rock over three hundred years ago. These include the Spanish, Italian Genoese, who arrived to work for the garrison and later went on to form the basis of Gibraltar’s civilian police force, and the Catalans who arrived under a Dutch flag (soon replaced by a British flag), Jews from Tetouan in Morocco, Maltese workers in construction, and Portuguese. Other groups arriving into Gibraltar included, Sardinians, Sicilians and other Italians, French, Germans and the British. The Gibraltarians have developed their own dialect called Ilanito – a blend of English and Spanish words, which can be frequently heard.