Let us immerse you in the stunning views and the complex history of Gibraltar with a private full-day journey to the United Kingdom without leaving the Iberian Peninsula.
On your private day trip, you will:
- Travel comfortably with round-trip transfers from your hotel in central Seville;
- Take a walking tour of the immense Rock of Gibraltar;
- Admire the incredible views stretching as far as Africa at the top of the rock;
- Marvel at the extraordinary rock formations inside St. Michael's Cave;
- Get acquainted with the famous Barbary Apes within the Gibraltar Nature Reserve;
- Learn about the eventful history of the territory as well as the diverse mix of cultures that make up present-day Gibraltar;
- Soak in the in the thriving commercial area around Main Street;
- Enjoy some free time to explore Gibraltar at your leisure before embarking on your journey back to Seville.
Gibraltar is one of the most peculiar corners of the Iberian Peninsula, a controversial cultural melting pot that has to be seen to be believed. Seized by the Anglo-Dutch forces in 1704, Gibraltar remains a British Overseas Territory. Dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, it lies at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, less than 15 km from Africa. With a surface area of less than 7 km2, Gibraltar’s strategic importance massively outweighs its small size and it has been the site of important battles and border disputes for centuries. An excursion to Gibraltar offers an enticing mix of nature, history, and anthropology, along with some seriously stunning views.
Your day trip will begin at central Seville, where your driver-guide will pick you up to embark upon your journey across cultures. While passing through the picturesque province of Cádiz, (famed for its Cork Oak forests and charming White Villages), your guide will provide an introduction to the geographic and historical context of Gibraltar, known locally as “the Rock”, and the curious combination of Andalusian and British identity evident in its inhabitants, known as Gibraltarians or Llanitos.
Once you cross the infamous border into Gibraltar, which remarkably runs across the airport runway, you will kick off your visit with a Rock Tour. You will begin by entering the Gibraltar Nature Reserve and proceed to the Pillars of Hercules viewpoint which boasts wonderful views of the Strait of Gibraltar. Your tour will also cover St. Michael’s Cave, one of Europe’s most impressive natural grottoes. The cave is made of limestone and is replete with stalactites and stalagmites. Based on archaeological excavations of the area, the cave has been in use since prehistoric times and now serves as a venue for concerts and other performances due to its excellent acoustics.
No visit to the Rock of Gibraltar would be complete without encountering the famous Barbary Macaques, the only wild monkey population in Europe. The Gibraltar Nature Reserve is their natural habitat and the Apes’ Den is one of the areas where you can see these macaques up close, though they are sometimes even seen wandering the streets of Gibraltar’s Old Town. You will learn how the animals are naturally curious and accustomed to humans. Legend has it that as long as Barbary macaques exist on the Rock of Gibraltar, the territory will remain under British rule, so they hold great symbolic importance for the locals who are very proud of their British identity.
After your comprehensive exploration of the Rock of Gibraltar, your guide will lead you into Gibraltar's Old Town where you will have some free time to discover the area around Main Street, the beating heart of the city. There will be many different options for places to eat, shop, and experience the distinctive British feel of the area, from traditional pubs to the iconic red telephone boxes (lunch not included).
As your time in Gibraltar draws to a close, you will rejoin your guide to cross back into Spain and return to Seville. Having spent a memorable day discovering this exceptional enclave, the clash of cultures and the stark contrast between Seville and the surrounding area will be sure to leave a lasting impression.
