Spain (Spring 2023) - Malaga (Day 5)
Gibraltar
Rented a car and drove down south to the tip of Europe
The cost to rent this car was about $15 for the day - I paid way more in gas
(A bike rental on the beach in Malaga was $16/day)
We paid to get international driver’s licenses in the US because everyone says you need one to rent a car but I don’t think that’s the case because the rental agency seemed pleasantly surprised that we had one. They said that a lot of people don’t and it doesn’t seem like they get turned away.
The Rock
The way to passport control
Passport Control
Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, you pass through immigration to enter Gibraltar. After the guard handed me back the passport, I reflexively said “Gracias.” He then told me that I’m in the UK now and can speak English now.
Walking Towards the Rock
As you walk from immigration towards the town, you have to literally cross an airfield.
Once you get into town, the place really did feel English. Old government buildings are scattered around the shops and restaurants. One thing that reminds you that you are in England was that the Scotch was very affordable. I saw some $100 bottles going for about $35.
Gibraltar Nature Preserve
The big hill that contains the rock itself is a park where you pay for entry. The way to do it is to buy the tram ticket at the bottom that takes you to the top and then hit the sites on the walk down. I guess you could walk up instead but trust me, you do not want to walk up.
Views from the tram ride up are below. You get a park pass with the entry ticket/tram ride that will allow for access to the different attractions on the rock.
Monkeys
Gibraltar is famous for their Barbary macaques, the only monkey that lives in Europe. They are protected and run free. There are certain stations where they are fed a natural diet.
They are pretty clever. One of them jumped on my back and tried to open my backpack. You are supposed to stay away from them but some of the park workers are pretty friendly with the monkeys. They are definitely one of the highlights of the visit.
View from the top
View of Africa
Morocco just across the strait
View of the airstrip & drydocks
View of the airstrip and the border with Spain
Ships being repaired in Gibraltar’s drydocks
St. Michael’s Cabin Cafe
We stopped for a coffee and a snack at a cafe in front of St. Michael’s Cave
I assume the bars are to keep the monkeys out
St. Michaels Cave
There is a cave system that you pass on the way down from the top and when you first enter there is a formation that resembles an angel and they provide lighting that makes it look dramatic. There are a few chambers and a large hall at the end where you exit.
The cave is impressively big and water still drips down on you inside the cave. There is a little light show you can sit through at the end if you feel like taking a break.
Tunnels
These tunnels were carved out primarily by the British over the course of their long occupation and wars. It seemed like there was always a war going on so they kept on digging tunnels to provide artillery coverage with these huge cannons shooting out over the rock.
The tunnel is actually a lot longer than you think it would be when you enter. A lot of positions and rooms are set up so you can see what they have looked like during previous wars. I don’t understand how you could not go deaf with multiple cannons firing in an enclosed rock space. It must have been horrible in there.
Moorish Castle
One of the oldest structures in this park, it is also the last attraction on the walk down out of the park. You can climb inside the old structure and get some good views of the city from the top of the building.
The Horseshoe - Gibraltar
Since we were on English soil, why not get some fish and chips. The piece of fish was huge so easily split for a lunch. The cold beers felt good after a long hot day of walking.
The Horseshoe was right on the main drag and had lots of navel hats and memorabilia on the walls from the sailors that have visited.
Marbella
We took the highway down to Gibraltar (which luckily took a credit card for the tolls on the way) but decided to take the smaller road along the beach on the way back. It was a lot slower but much prettier and more things to see as you drive past the resort towns.
Marbella is one of the major resort towns on the southern coast. Lots of golf courses surround the city and the beach is beautiful. Lots of tourists from all over the world seem to flock here. Beaches were clean and everyone seemed to be in a chill vacation mode here. This was Mid-March but the place felt like a pleasant summer day.
Chiringuito la Pesquera el Faro - Marbella
We found this seaside restaurant in Marbella and decided to try it. They had a happy hour tapas menu but they said it was only for the inside bar area while we wanted to sit outside.
We had a nice snack of croquettes and clams but we actually had to move and sit a bit more inside. A sudden early evening wind crept up and started blowing everything on the beach away. We moved three tables over to be more protected from the gusts.
Returning the Car
Google Maps did a pretty good job of navigating us the rest of the way back to the Malaga and the rental car shop. We did have to find a gas station nearby to refill before returning the car.
In the category of things that are different in Spain:
You get wet naps at the gas station to clean your hands after pumping
You pump first then pay at the gas station (which I had to decipher from Spanish from the attendant when I went into pay first)