Gibraltar Cruise Port
Gibraltar strategic location at the entrance to Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean has made the rock outcrop on the southern coast of Spain hugely important to empires and naval forces but that same location has now made it a popular port of call for cruise lines an important bunkering (re-fuelling) stop for all ships.
The country has a land border with Spain but as a British Overseas Territory, Gib as locals know it as, is also known by the moniker of ‘Britain in the Sun’.
From using pounds sterling to the sight of a Morrison’s supermarket next to the port, there is something familiar for all British holidaymakers when stepping ashore in Gibraltar but there are also lots of differences that make for an interesting day of exploring.
When it comes to most people’s knowledge of Gibraltar before visiting for the first time, it is the iconic ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ and the almost equally famous apes that live on it that come to mind but there is a lot more to the country than that.
Gibraltar is big enough to have lots on offer but small enough to be able to explore on your own, including taking a cable car to the top of the Rock to meet the apes and take in the incredible views across the strait of Gibraltar to Africa.
As a must visit destination for Brits cruising the Mediterranean, it is no surprise that there is a lot of choice when it comes to cruise holidays but there is also a wide variety of itineraries, cruise lines and ships that call into the port from ports of departure throughout the Med.
Cruises To Gibraltar
Gibraltar Cruise Guide
If you are in the process of researching a cruise in the region and you are trying to decide if a stop in Gibraltar is the right choice for you, our guide brings you all of the information that you need to know to make an informed decision whist if you have already book a cruise that is calling into the port, our guide helps you to make the most of your day ashore.
Type of Cruises Available
When it comes to cruise holidays, there are two options for visiting Gibraltar, depending on your own personal preferences.
The first option is to take advantage of the numerous cruise lines that offer round trips to the Iberian Peninsula, the Mediterranean and the Canary islands that call into Gibraltar that start and finish in the United Kingdom.
There are cruises offered all year around from these shores and with a great choice of cruise lines, ships and prices to suit all budgets.
The second option is to fly to one of the popular Mediterranean port of departures to enjoy a cruise around the area that calls into Gib without the need for the day or two at sea to get there that is needed from the UK.
The most popular ports to start or end your holiday include the likes of Barcelona, Palma, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Lisbon.
If you do decide to start in or end your cruise in the region, you can also take advantage of different cruise ships, lines and itineraries and enjoy a pre or post cruise stay in your chosen city.
From time to time, there is also the option to take a repositioning cruse that either starts in the Med and sails back to the UK (or vice versus) and calls into Gibraltar but these are few and far between.
Gibraltar Cruise Port Location
Gibraltar has a dedicated cruise terminal, located in the north west of the country, near to the Spanish border and next to the Gibraltar international airport.
The entrance to the port is from the Bay of Gibraltar, which makes for a fascinating journey to the cruise dock as you go past takers, container ships and other vessels all waiting for fuel but you also have a great view of the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ as you gently pull into the dock.
The port of Gibraltar is around a mile walk along a flat straight road (the North Mole Road) to the tow centre and shopping district but there are often shuttle buses or service buses to make things easier.
One of the unique attributes of the port is its location right next to the Gibraltar international airport that allow for you to watch planes land and whilst it isn’t the busiest airport, there is even a main road that crosses over the only runway, it does always add an extra element to your arrival and or departure if you time it right for a plane to be landing or taking off.
There are also a number of taxis located outside of the terminal for those wanting the quickest journey into town and you can also organise tours of the country via them, but at a much higher cost than pre-booking an organised tour.
Gibraltar Attractions
The Rock of Gibraltar is the biggest attraction of the country thanks to the apes that live on it and the incredible views it offers from the top but there is a lot more to it than that.
The trip to the top of the Rock onboard the Gibraltar cable car that departs from near the port and town centre, make for an unforgettable experience.
For many, one of the attractions of Gibraltar is simply heading into the town centre and walking around the narrow streets that are a unique mix match of British high street shops, cafes and restaurants and local shops, bars, cafes, and shops.
There are a small number of beaches that can be reached on foot and the marina that is located close to the cruise terminal offers a number of boat trips including sightseeing ones and nature trips to see the many dolphins and whales that call the water around Gibraltar home.
Gibraltar Shorex
With Gibraltar being as small as it is, you may think that their will be few excursion on offer in the country but thanks to the split between the flat built up area near to the port that is the town centre and the majority of the rest of the country that giants mountain known as the ‘Rock of Gibraltar, visitors will often need to take an organised trip to see all that is on offer.
If you are just wanting to take it the views of the Gibraltar strait and north Africa, you can make your own way to the Rocks cable car and head to the viewing platform at the top but if you want to make the most of your time, it is best to take a minibus journey up to the top.
The journey may not be far but due to the steepness of the climb up and the narrowness of the roads, coupled with the heavy traffic especially when a cruise ship is in port as it will be when you visit, it is more of a white knuckle ride to get to the top.
Many excursion will stop at Europa Point, in the south of the outcrop, which offers great views and they will also offer the opportunity to visit St Michaels Cave.
Other popular excursions from your cruise ship include the Mediterranean steps, the Great Siege Tunnels, Europa Point, and the Botanic Gardens.
It is possible to cross over the border and visit Spain but with the queues at the border always long and unpredictable, it can be more effort than it is worth.
Best Time To Visit
It is relatively warm all year around in Gibraltar so Gibraltar cruises make for a great year round destination although it can get very hot during the summer months and it can also be crowded during the school holidays do the amount of tourists heading there both by ship, by air and also by coach from the Spanish holiday resorts including the Costa Del Sol.
Transport
Much of the country is easily reachable on foot but there are local taxis and buses available and most cruise line swill offer shuttle buses to and from the port to the town centre.
There are lots of companies that offer guide tours of all of the main points of interest which h can be relatively cheap if booked in advance.
Gibraltar
The British Oversea Territory of Gibraltar is located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, where it shares a land border with Spain but the country is staunchly British after holding two referendums in 1967 and 2002.
The strategic nature of the country has seen many countries and navy’s try to take over the country and that has seen it been in the hands of the Spanish, the Dutch and of course the British.
The country has long been an important base for British forces and still remains a key port for the British navy.
Gibraltar Cruises From The UK
If you are looking to visit Gibraltar on a cruise directly from the UK, the great news is that there is a wide range of cruises available from several cruise ports around the UK.
The majority of cruises that call into the port will be ones heading to the Western Mediterranean and either offering round trips or repositioning litanies that see ships swap between UK ports and European ports such as Barcelona and Civitavecchia.
It is also possible to pick itineraries calling into Gib that are heading further south to the Canary Islands or even ones that stop off there before heading across the Atlantic to the USA or the Caribbean.
Gibraltar Cruises From Southampton
Although cruises to Gibraltar are available from ports such as Tilbury and Dover, it is the iconic port of Southampton that by far offers the widest range of ships and itineraries heading to the destination.
Cruise holidays are available all year around and there is a good mix of round trips and repositioning journeys that should allow for the perfect getaway for you and your travelling party.
