Gibraltar

A Day-Trip to Gibraltar with Kids (Itinerary Included)

As we were traveling full-time across Europe with our five kids, we selected landmarks that we’d heard about for our itinerary. The Rock of Gibraltar was made famous to me in a somewhat funny way …

I have had five c-sections and never went into labor with any of my five kids. My OB/GYN used to joke that my cervix was like the Rock of Gibraltar! It was going nowhere.

Once we knew we would roadtrip across Europe from Lisbon to Croatia, we had to make a day stop in this famous location and get on top of this world famous landmark. Gibraltar is located at the southern tip of Spain, on the very edge, but it’s not part of it. In fact, you can see Africa from the top! Gibraltar is not a country, but instead a British Territory.

Gibraltar is a tiny peninsula, which makes it ideal for a quick day-trip to Gibraltar from Spain.

If you’re looking to tick another destination off your bucket list, you’ll be surprised that you can do it in hours with Gibraltar! During these hours, you will encounter some pretty fun stuff. You’ll brave some encounters with monkeys, possibly spot dolphins, and even, on a clear day, see the northern part of Africa.

For us, it was truly one of those travel moments that surprise you in the best way. Gibraltar turned out to be a perfect small adventure for our family. In this guide, I will share the best things to do in Gibraltar with kids, where to eat, the best Gibraltar tours, and family-friendly places to stay. We stayed at a yacht hotel with a morning view of the rock as we exited our room! Amazing.

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Best Things to Do in Gibraltar with Kids

Even though Gibraltar sounds like a small place, you will be surprised by how there are many fun things to do with kids! From the famous adventures with monkeys to visiting ancient tunnels, I promise you, you won’t get bored, and neither will your kids. No matter the ages of your crew, here’s what to do in Gibraltar with families:

Barbary Macaques, Dolphins, and Cable Car Tour

This tour is actually pretty complete, as you can tackle three of the most popular activities in Gibraltar in one go. And the best part? It’s affordable ($52 USD per person). Here you will get panoramic views of the ocean, the north of Africa, and Spain while going up the rock. After this, once you’re at the top of the rock, you get to see the famous wild apes (the Barbary macaques)!

You will also get the chance to hop on a cruise with a marine biologist to watch the dolphins and learn a lot about them. This part of the tour is also another chance for you to watch the breathtaking views of both the African and European coastline. These tours usually last about four hours, so make sure to pack some snacks and have the kids well rested.

Quick tip: To make your visit more enjoyable, make sure not to give food to the Barbary macaques and do not try to pet them! Monkeys can be vicious, steal your jewelry (we saw this in real time at the Rock of Gibraltar), steal your food, etc. Do not quarrel with them, as they can bite, and then you are in for some rabies shots.

Explore St. Michael’s Cave and Great Siege Tunnels

This tour lasts two hours and it’s another great way for families to explore Gibraltar—especially if your kids love mystery, history, and a little bit of monkey mischief! You get to see the Barbary macaques again, but there’s more!

As you head into St. Michael’s Cave, you get to look at stalactites and stalagmites that will surely leave you in awe. It’s a magical view–especially the parts that have different colored lighting effects! 

Next, the tour takes you to the historic Great Siege Tunnels, a great place to learn about Gibraltar’s history and importance. At the end of this part, you also get fantastic views, which make it a perfect photo spot! I highly recommend this tour if you or your little ones are not big fans of nature, but are looking for a more historical tour.

Europa Point Lighthouse

This part reminds me of when we visited Cabo da Roca in Portugal as it’s called the southernmost point of the great peninsula. It has great views, your kids can explore, have fun, run … and it is just so beautiful. 

Apart from the Trinity Lighthouse and the views, it has a Polish memorial, a sports facility stadium, and a cafe. Perfect if after a tour you want to take a break, eat something, or just enjoy the ocean views. If you or your kids need to use a restroom, this spot has public toilets.

The lighthouse at Europa Point is so interesting as it splits the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, serving as a beacon to all passing sea vessels traveling along the strait. It’s not open for tours, however, you can still pass by and get a glimpse of it!

Chill at Commonwealth Park or Casemates Square

If you’re looking to chill during your day trip to Gibraltar with kids, perhaps visiting the Commonwealth Park is your best bet. This is perfect for some downtime, watching the fountains, pigeons, and eating some local food or some snacks!

This park has really nice gardens, lots of benches where you can sit, and a lake with a lot of fish. I’d recommend that after a long tour, you come here and rest for a bit. Plus, it’s located right in the historic center, a really cool location.

Visiting the Rock of Gibraltar with Kids

If you are anxious to get to the top of this landmark, like us, here are some practical tips!

• Prep the kids for the monkey encounters BEFORE you get to the top. The monkeys can be right outside the cable car door.  We had already visited Bali and the monkey forest there, so we had some experience and the kids were sufficiently scared of them. I dreaded the possibility of rabies shots and trained the kids to not interact at all with them.
  
• It can be hot and windy! Keep the kids close and hold onto those hats. And remember to keep all your crew hydrated by bringing some water bottles. However, try to make sure that the monkeys do not see your bottles if you bring some!
  
• There is a glass-bottom overlook that is fun to explore at the top. Your kids will probably enjoy it; it is safe and looks so good in pictures!
  
• The pathways can be narrow and bumpy. I recommend a baby carrier for the little ones. If you do not take the cable car and decide to walk, bringing strollers or even wheelchairs can be difficult on your way back.
  
• Get there early! Avoid the crowds by planning ahead. Gibraltar’s rock is probably the most popular attraction, so it will probably have a lot of people. If your kids don’t like crowds, make sure to get there early. Also, the weather will be cooler and more tolerable for them.
  
• Watch out for the edges. While most of the paths are secure, there are some lookout points without high barriers. Get your littlest ones close and ask them to avoid any running—especially when there’s steep stairs nearby.

Where to Eat in Gibraltar with Kids

After a long day, all that your kids might be thinking about is food! Here are my recommendations for having a delicious meal that all your kids will love:

• Mamma Mia: If your kids are picky eaters, this option might be ideal for you. It’s an Italian restaurant and we know that kids love pasta and pizza! Their menu has tons of options for every single palate, even the vegetarian and vegan ones. So, if you’re looking for an easy and kid-friendly option, this is perfect for you.
  
• Lord Nelson Bar & Brasserie: This is a different, but still great, option for kids. They’re famous for their fish and chips dish as well as their authentic Mediterranean food options. Also, if you’re looking for a place with great ambience and live music, you won’t want to miss this stop!

• Fern’s Curry Sushi and Indo Chinese Wok: Craving Asian food? Then you’ll find this restaurant to be very interesting! It’s a family-owned restaurant and they serve everything from sushi and lamb to the best curry in town. So, don’t hesitate and pay this place a visit! It has great reviews.
  
• Gelateria Gela’ti Amo: In case you’re only looking to have a dessert at Gibraltar, I wanted to give you two sweet options. Starting off with gelato! Located on the main street, it has plenty of flavors, and a very fast service with plenty of seating. Enjoy an artisan Italian gelato while walking through a park or on the streets of Gibraltar.
  
• Piece of Cake Bakery: Lastly, if your kids are bigger fans of cakes, you’ll find this place perfect. They have a variety of cupcake flavors, cakes, brownies, croissants, waffles, coffee, and even gluten-free options. The only downside is that they do not have seating.
  
• Mons Calpe Suite (closed until further notice):  We decided to opt for lunch with stunning views from the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. The food was yummy and the views were unbeatable.
  

Where to Stay: Family Hotels in Gibraltar

When visiting Gibraltar, you have different options. You can stay for a few nights and really enjoy and tackle all there is to do and see. Or you can just arrive really early in the morning and leave later that day. 

So, no matter your schedule or plans, you have many family-friendly options for staying one or more nights. I also suggest staying right in the historic center where there are many food and shop options.

1. Sunborn Gibraltar: This hotel is actually a unique experience and more on the luxurious side, as you’d be staying onboard a yacht! This is where we stayed and we were very impressed. The room service was awesome, and the lobby is gorgeous. It has a pool, spa, and restaurant, and offers fantastic sea or rock views depending on your room. For food, it has a kid-friendly buffet option and a bar (for the parents, of course). It’s quite close to the rock as well.
   
2. The Eliott Hotel: Located in the heart of Gibraltar, it has a rooftop pool and terrace that offer breathtaking views over the Gibraltar Strait. It also has its own restaurants, but its amazing location offers lots of surrounding food options as well as shops.
   
3. Rock Hotel: As the name says, it’s located on the Rock of Gibraltar and has a stunning view! It’s pretty much a historic landmark, as this hotel was built in 1932 and once hosted Sir Winston Churchill. So, if you’re looking for a bit of history, views and a great location, this is the hotel for you.
   
4. Holiday Inn Express Campo de Gibraltar-Barrios by IHG: Finally, this hotel is for those of you who are not looking for something especially nice and just want comfort. It has a café-bar with continental breakfast options. However, it’s a bit far away from Gibraltar.

Tips for Visiting Gibraltar with Children

Before we tell you all about our idea of a perfect day-trip in Gibraltar with kids, here are some other tips you might find helpful. As you may know, Gibraltar is part of the UK, so you will need to consider some things:

• Crossing the border: If you’re entering Gibraltar from Spain—whether you’re walking, driving, or flying in—you’ll need to have your passport ready. If you’re not a UK citizen, you’ll be required to pass through border control. The crossing is usually quick and straightforward, but it’s always a good idea to check your documents and allow a bit of extra time during busy hours.
  
• Currency: Make sure to exchange some money before entering, as only a few places accept euros. The currency in Gibraltar is the GBP, and while some businesses might take euros, the exchange rate isn’t usually the best. You might find that the rates in Gibraltar are not that great—so it’s best to arrive prepared.

• Strollers and walkability: When doing the cave, tunnel and rock tours you will find that accessibility is limited in the rocky or steep areas. So, if you have little ones who need strollers, I highly advise you switch it for a comfortable carrier.
  
• Best times to visit: You’ll find that the best time to visit Gibraltar with kids is spring or early fall, when the weather is not too hot and is comfortable enough to do some exploring. Summers can be way too hot and crowded because of vacations. And during winters, some attractions may have limited hours. However, no matter the season, Gibraltar is always a fun family stop!
  
• Language: Since it’s part of the UK, English is a language that you’ll find many locals speak. However, because of its proximity to Spain, some people also speak Spanish. So, perhaps knowing some basic Spanish might lighten your experience.

One-Day Itinerary: Gibraltar with Kids (Downloadable)

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