History, description and attractions of Gibraltar. Where is Gibraltar? History, description and attractions of Gibraltar To Gibraltar by car

I was prompted to write this note by the almost complete lack of information about how to get to Gibraltar legally, and what to do there in general. I will only write about what I saw myself, so I apologize right away that there will be very little about prices in stores :)
1) VISA: The main stumbling block for Russians when entering Gibraltar. I hasten to please you - as of the end of 2013, you no longer need to obtain a British overseas visa! It is enough to have a multi-Schengen valid at the time of return from Gibraltar.
2) HOW TO GET THERE: we won’t consider the plane. How we got there. Flight to Malaga. Please note that your luggage may be placed on another belt where things of non-EU citizens are sent. For which one - see the ad. There is a metro from the airport to the city center (8 minutes drive to Maria Zambrano train station, runs every 20 minutes, schedule is on the Malaga Airport website). The metro is not easy to find. There are no signs inside the airport (if I didn’t see it, I apologize in advance). We solved the problem very simply by asking locals where Tren was located. The way was immediately shown. It turned out to be very close. The fare costs 1.75 euros, it is better to have coins or small bills with you, because tickets are sold by a machine. When boarding the train, it is better to look at the direction in advance, otherwise you will go to Fuengirola (for ease of reference - to the city center - to the left down the escalator). The bus station is a 3-minute walk from the railway station, there are many signs. Then take a bus to Algeciras (2 hours drive, Avanzabus company, you can buy on their website e-ticket). Why Algeciras, and not La Línia de la Concepción, which is generally located on the border with Gibraltar? From Algeciras you can still go to Tarifa (45 minutes), and from La Linea - nowhere else, and Algeciras itself will be more interesting.
Buses from Algeciras run to La Linea every 30 minutes starting at 7 am, the ride is 45 minutes (and there is a direct flight at 08:30, the ride there is generally 30 minutes). Ticket price: 2.45 euros one way. The last return bus M-120 goes to Algeciras at 23:15. Until 21:15 they run once every 30 minutes, then once every hour.
3) BORDER: You need to have a foreign passport with you. The Spaniards will look for the presence of multi-Schengen and let them pass. Gibraltarians will ask you to fill out a simple form (if you are going there for the first time). And they will put the coveted stamp “Gibraltar”. Everything will be the same back.
4) CURRENCY: Theoretically, Gibraltar has its own currency - the Gibraltar pound. But! Cunning Gibraltarians have long realized that tourists don’t want to bother with it, so they accept euros absolutely everywhere! Even on buses there is a double fare (pound-euro, the driver will give change from a large euro bill). So don't panic about currency exchange, it's simply not necessary.
5) TRANSPORT: There is rather no point in going to Gibraltar by car. There may be traffic jams getting in and out, and in Gibraltar itself you don’t need a car. It’s easier to get around the most picturesque part of the city on foot, and it’s easier to go to the lighthouse and Cape Europe Point by bus N 2. It’s better to immediately take a ticket for the whole day. A single trip costs £1.50, a day ticket costs 2.25 (or 3 euros). With an “all day” ticket you can ride as much as you like on any city routes. There are real savings!
6) WHAT WE WATCHED:
- airfield runway. Almost immediately after the border you calmly cross it :). If for some reason you are not interested in it, then take bus No. 5, it will take you to Market Place, where ALL city routes converge.
- Casemate Square - the city center with an office for tourists, where you can take free card city ​​(and save 1 euro by not buying the same one from one of the machines).
- Main Street. The main street with a lot of attractions, taverns, shops and souvenirs. Here everyone must choose for themselves, but there is something to see there.
- 100-ton gun and Parsons Lodge. Honestly, if you are not an ardent fan of British history, then you can safely skip these places. There’s not much to see there, and you’ll waste a lot of time on them. The same applies to bastions. These are ordinary stone walls with a minimum of anything interesting.
- Lighthouse and Cape Europe Point. Bus No. 2 goes here. It goes often. The most convenient way to get on it is to walk to the end of Main Street. At the end of it there will be a gate, and behind it, at the monument to Admiral Nelson, there will be a stop. The driver sells the tickets. Europe Point has a mosque, a Catholic church, a lighthouse and beautiful view to the Rock. We didn't regret going there.
ROCK:
- Climbing to the Rock itself. For this there is the good old Cable Ride. BUT! There are official minibus taxis right next to it, which turned out to be much more convenient than Cable Ride! What's the trick? The Cable Ride will simply take you to the top (and it does not take you to the Monkey Kingdom from October to the end of March). And then walk along the Rock wherever you want. But this is only on Google maps, where all the roads are smooth, but in reality they go up and down! And here is the trick with taxis. Having paid a little more than for a Cable Ride (i.e. 15 euros per nose), a taxi will take you up to the Rock, along it you will comfortably move around all objects by transport, and not read in horror the signs “there 800” meters, and there it’s generally 3.3 km.” And they will bring you back, making a circle around the Rock. I am writing this for those who know how to value their time and energy. To those who like to walk through the mountains in the heat - my warm greetings! The rock is not a place where more and more enchanting views will open up to you at every step. The view will almost always be the same, but the descents and ascents are always new and very long (especially the ascents). But a taxi will take you everywhere. And it will definitely stop the monkeys! Moreover, the taxi drivers at the top won’t give you a lift even for money (as a rule, there are no more seats), and with a malicious smile they offer to go downstairs on the Cable Ride, use this ticket to wipe out one seat, and only then take a taxi. Maybe someone will be able to persuade the taxi driver upstairs, but this is very unlikely!
- Battery O'Hara. Entrance is for a fee (which is announced only at the end of a very difficult climb. There is absolutely nothing to do there! No views, no architecture. Just waste your time and energy on the climb!
- Cave of St. Michael. This is something worthwhile! Very beautiful inside. The lighting, the music, everything is very gothic. Slightly reminiscent of the Sagrada Familia. You need to buy a separate ticket for the cave (14 euros), which will allow you to enter all other museums in Skala + for the 100-ton cannon. Actually, Cable Ride sells two types of tickets - just up and down and with the Monkey Kingdom. With a ticket from the Kingdom of the Monkeys, you will be allowed into the cave for free, this is 100 percent. I can’t say anything about the other museums; they don’t write anything about the Cave below either. It’s better to find out right away at the box office.
- Tunnels. Because we didn’t take a taxi, we didn’t have enough strength for the tunnels. I didn’t really want to walk 3 km to get to them. And this is at + 15 in the sun! So count your strength in this matter...
- Monkey. Basically, they cluster either at the upper platform of the Cable Ride, or they are sure to come across them somewhere else. They didn’t attack anyone while we were there, they didn’t jump on anyone’s heads, and once they saw a Magot steal a roll from a gaping guy. There is information everywhere about a fine of 500 pounds for feeding monkeys. Judging by the fact that foreigners do not try to feed the macaques, apparently they actually fine them... So you will meet monkeys in any case.
7) FOOD AND BEER.
As soon as we began our walk along Main Street, we decided, since we were in England, to eat an English breakfast. And it turned out to be the right decision! The breakfast was so satisfying that we didn’t think about eating the next time until 7.5 hours later. And this is after intense walking through the mountains and valleys of the Rock!
But as for beer... Beer - yes, everything is imported (according to our standards), but it cannot be compared with Czech or German. Somehow it didn’t make much of an impression on us. Although we drank the Pedigree beer not without pleasure :) It seems they haven’t started barking yet...
8) TIME AND SHOPPING
If you haven’t dreamed of climbing every fold of the Rock of Gibraltar in your past and present life, then you can safely set aside one day of light to visit Gibraltar. Read the Wiki article on the history of Gibraltar, write down a few interesting places on Main Street itself. And don't waste your money on an organized excursion! This is not the place to feed respected guides. But just walking there all day is very interesting and pleasant. Please note that shops close closer to 20:00 (and many even earlier). There seems to be no siesta.
9) RESULT
If you asked me if I would like to visit Gibraltar again, I would answer “no”. One day is enough to see and feel everything. But to the question “Is it worth going there at all?” I would definitely answer “Yes”. A very colorful place with an incredible mixture of English stiffness and Spanish carelessness.

How long did it take me to get to this proud overseas territory of Great Britain!? Back in 2012, I bought a ticket through London, but just before departure from Moscow it turned out that my six-month British visa was not enough to visit Gibraltar. It is necessary to apply for a special overseas visa ( from three weeks or more)... So then I stayed halfway, in London.) But everything changes, and dreams come true! Surely many, like me, dream of visiting this tiny but incredibly interesting European country?

01. In 2014, visa requirements for visiting the state of Gibraltar were simplified for citizens of the CIS (they corrected me here, only the Russian Federation). Now you can easily move here if you have:
- British multiple entry visa ( valid for at least 6 months)
- Schengen multiple entry visa category C ( common for tourists)
With these visas you can stay in Gibraltar for up to 21 calendar days ( usually, one or two will be enough).
There is also an option to get here without a visa at all, within one day tour organized by Spanish operators ( in this case, upon entry, your passport will be taken away from you and returned upon exit), but this is not our method!?) Walk in a group organized tour and pay for this service... No, we do everything ourselves, and we go wherever we want, and see what we want!

02. We seem to have sorted out the visas ( I’ll also tell you about going through border control). All you have to do is figure out how to get here?
The most common way (and perhaps the most expensive) is GIB airport. Four airlines fly here: British Airways, easyJet, Monarch Airlines from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol; and Royal Air Maroc from nearby Tangier. The cost of tickets from Moscow with a transfer in London usually starts from 30 thousand rubles ( the minimum I found was 149 euros one way, easyJet when purchased three or four months before departure). The flight schedule can be viewed on the official website of the airport.
Another variant, go here through Spain, renting a car for example in Malaga. Distance approximately 140 km one way, toll road (there is also a free one). The cost of renting a car + gasoline + road + expensive parking in Gibraltar itself = not the best a budget option. Interesting though.
Third option which I used is regular bus from Malaga. The most budget and quite comfortable option. You need to go to the Spanish border town of Linea de la Concepcion. The cost of a round trip ticket is about 30 euros. The ride takes approximately 2.5-3 hours, depending on the specific flight. The schedule is designed in such a way that you can leave in the morning, see the main attractions of Gibraltar in a day, and return back to Malaga on the same day. Agree, it’s convenient and quite affordable! Moreover, it is interesting the bus is coming along the coast Costa del Sol, visiting almost all the towns along the way.
Departures from Malaga bus station at: 7:00, 11:30, 14:00, 16:30, 19:15. Return flights to Malaga from La Ligna depart at 8:50, 10:30, 16:30, 19:00 and 20:45 respectively. So I left at 7:00 on a completely empty bus ( maybe because it's Sunday), and returned to Malaga at 21:30 ( leaving La Ligna at 19:00). You can buy a ticket at the bus station right before departure ( cheaper both ways), or on the auto carrier's website (eng).

03. The bus station in LaLiña is within walking distance ( literally 3 minutes) from border control. In the photo in the very center, the runway of the GIB airport, and the automobile-pedestrian road crossing it leading from Spain to Gibraltar. We boldly follow the signs, pass bored Spanish border guards with a passport in our hands, if asked to look, we show our Schengen visa and calmly move on to Gibraltar territory. Here you need to fill out a simple form, samples of which are located right at the border guards’ desk. In addition, especially for Russian-speaking citizens, there is a translation of the questionnaire into Russian ( hangs on the wall). What's in it? Full name, year of birth, place of birth, passport number, when to return and where you plan to stay. If one day, don’t write anything. You give the application form with your passport to the border guards, and after a couple of minutes you receive a stamped passport. Voila!) Hello Gibraltar! We walk calmly across the runway, look around, take photographs, etc. The main thing is not to go away walking trail. Naturally, at the time of takeoff or landing, everything is blocked, and you can watch the maneuvers of the planes as if in the stalls of a theater.

Gibraltar is an overseas territory belonging to Great Britain. In ancient times, this peninsula was known as Mons Calpe (translated from Latin as Mount Calpe). It was subsequently renamed Gibraltar (from the Arabic Jebel Tariq or Mount Tariq).

A little history

Sometimes the country is called in one word - Rock. For 13 centuries, 5 countries have continuously fought for the right to own this narrow strip of land, and today the beauty of the peninsula attracts thousands of tourists every year. The area where Gibraltar is located is known for its attractions to every experienced tourist.

However, it is also interesting from a scientific point of view. After all, it was here that the first remains of Neanderthals were found. On this territory in those distant times, all types of ancient African animals were found here. However, in addition to hunting and fishing, people were already engaged in agriculture. The area where Gibraltar is located was then much more extensive than it is now. It was a huge flat valley, which was very well suited for the habitation of ancient people.

Strategic object

Why did the most important people constantly fight for the possession of Gibraltar? different countries? The fact is that the Rock is a very important strategic object. Whoever owns it can control the exit from the Mediterranean and the approaches to it from the Atlantic. For a long period of time it was the property of Spain.

But in 1704 it was captured by an Anglo-Dutch flotilla. From then until now, the Rock belongs to Great Britain. The capital of Gibraltar is the city of Gibraltar (since the state itself consists of one settlement, then their names are the same).

Political system and currency

Executive power in the country belongs to the head of government, and legislative power to the unicameral House of Assembly. The state is not divided into regions. The capital of Gibraltar is the only administrative unit throughout the country. However, for the convenience of government, its territory is divided into seven regions. They are also divided into strategic territories - neighborhoods. The country on which Gibraltar depends is Great Britain. However, it is a self-governing territory. Issues of defense and diplomatic relations are decided by representatives of Great Britain.

But taxation and corporate law is an area governed by Parliament. According to the Treaty of Rome, the territory of Gibraltar is part of the EU. In order to get to Gibraltar, you need to obtain a visa from the British consulate. You can pay in overseas territories either in Spanish currency - pesetas, or in British pounds sterling. Gibraltar also has its own currency - the Gibraltar pound. However, it exists only in paper form; the coins used in the country are English.

Geographical position

On the map, Gibraltar borders Spain. The country's residential areas come close to the northern border of Gibraltar. The length of the border is only 1.2 km. On the southern side, along the Strait of Gibraltar there is a border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located in Africa. IN good weather one can see both the Spanish enclave and Morocco.

From the west, the territory of Gibraltar is washed by the waters of Algeciras Bay, and from the east by the warm Mediterranean Sea. Anyone who sees Gibraltar on the map for the first time immediately notices the small size of this state. Its area is only 6.5 km 2. If all the tourists who come to the country arrived in Gibraltar at once, then life there would be completely paralyzed. After all, more than 6 million tourists visit the country every year.

Population of the Rock

The population of Gibraltar is about 29.1 thousand people. A variety of nationalities live on the same territory. About 15 thousand people are citizens of other countries and have dual citizenship. Moreover, the majority of those who consider themselves indigenous are actually descendants of Spaniards, Italians, Maltese, English, and citizens of the Maghreb.

The population of Gibraltar is constantly increasing. The building density is also constantly increasing. About 4 thousand people live on one square kilometer. There is always a shortage of land here, and buildings are erected even on the water. For example, the runway for Gibraltar Airport was laid out on an artificial embankment.

Climate

Temperature in summer time here it is often above 30 o C, and in winter it does not fall below 18 o C. 300 days a year are considered sunny in Gibraltar. We can say that the tourist season on the Rock literally lasts all year round. In general, the climate in the country can be described as Mediterranean. Maximum precipitation occurs in the cold season.

Economy

However, what is of constant interest to travelers is a real disaster for the state itself. After all, Gibraltar, although surrounded on all sides by water, is actually literally sweltering from the heat. There are no Natural resources- there are no rivers or lakes. Residents mine fresh water practically drop by drop from the sea using distillation apparatus. Collectors also collect rainwater, which is then stored in special stone tanks.

Given such problems, it is not surprising that there is a complete absence of agriculture in the country. All food products (excluding fish) are imported from abroad. There is no industry either - just a few enterprises and a tiny ship repair plant. However, here a large number of banks, various insurance agencies and financial companies. Gibraltar offers the world the most pleasant tax option: no taxes. According to some studies, there are more than 60 thousand different companies registered on the island, whose wealthy owners prefer to get to the country’s shores on personal yachts.

Gibraltar Airport

However, still most of tourists arriving in the country use the plane. Where does it sit? air Transport? Right on the isthmus that connects Spain with the Rock. Its length is about 3 km, and its width is 2 km. Not far from the airstrip there is a paved road that provides easy access to Gibraltar from Spain. In this regard, Gibraltar Airport is one of the most unusual in the world.

When the plane descends, traffic has to be stopped using traffic lights. However, fortunately for the Gibraltarians themselves, no more than three dozen flights operate here every week. Observation of aircraft and the flights themselves are absolutely safe. The airport has been operating since 2003, and since then not a single accident has occurred here: neither on the runway nor on the city avenue.

Gibraltar: how to get to the country?

As stated, the most popular look transport among tourists is an airplane. There are direct connections only to airports in the UK and Morocco. The closest airport in Spain, located 137 km in northeast direction- Malaga.

You can also get to the Rock by renting a car in one of the Spanish cities: Barcelona, ​​Alicante, Madrid, Lisbon. You can also travel by taxi. However, one point needs to be taken into account: drivers from Spain will not take the traveler to Gibraltar itself, but will drop him off right at the border. Another way to get to Gibraltar is to take a regular bus from La Linea.

Rock of Gibraltar

One of the main tourist attractions. Its height is 426 meters, it is one of the most popular natural attractions in the area where Gibraltar is located. The rock is located on southern territory Iberian Peninsula, in the Strait of Gibraltar.

It also has another name - Mount Tariq, which was given to it in honor of the Arab commander Tariq ibn Ziyad. The name of Gibraltar itself originally comes from his name. At the top of the mountain there is a protected area where 250 Barbary macaques (the only species of wild monkeys in all of Europe) find refuge.

Also on the territory of the reserve grow wild plants that moved here from Africa millions of years ago. They were never able to spread throughout Europe and remained only mountain peak. According to Plato, on the Rock of Gibraltar, as well as on the opposite rock of Abila, two huge statues were once installed on high columns. They were a kind of gateway to the Atlantic, but were destroyed by the commander Tariq ibn Ziyad for the glory of Allah.

Famous caves

One of the unusual features of the rock is that underneath it there is a system of underground tunnels. Their length is over 50 km. The labyrinth of underground tunnels and the Barbary monkeys are the main attractions that attract large numbers of tourists to Gibraltar.

The rock itself consists of calcite rocks. With the passage of inexorable time, they are washed away by the waves of the strait, and caves are formed in the rock (on this moment there are already more than a hundred of them). The largest of them is St. Michael's Cave, also popular among tourists. Gorham's Cave is also noteworthy. Traces of human ancestors, the Neanderthals, were found in it. They lived here about 30 thousand years ago.

Cave of St. Michael

The main attraction of Gibraltar, which attracts travelers to this territory, is unusual nature. There are a large number of caves, palm trees, and pine trees. There are more than 600 types of different flowers in Gibraltar. One of the most visited caves is the Cave of St. Michael. It is one of the largest caves on the Rock of Gibraltar. There are about 100 more such objects located here.

The cave is famous for its giant stalactites, which grew here several tens of thousands of years before the emergence of the city of Gibraltar. The remains of primitive people found here in 1974 also attract interest. Another find of archaeologists is rock paintings that depict mountain goats. Archaeologists believe that they were made about 20 thousand years ago.

Ibrahim al Ibrahim Mosque

The region where Gibraltar is located is also attractive from a religious point of view. The Ibrahim al Ibrahim Mosque, built here in 1997, is located just a few kilometers from Africa. The building was a gift from the ruler Saudi Arabia Fahd, and is one of the largest mosques in a non-Muslim state.

Its complex includes a school, a lecture hall, and a library. The building is located on a high platform, and three flights of stairs lead to the main entrance. Each of them has 22 steps. The main entrance is decorated big amount turrets In the southeast corner of the mosque there is a high minaret, inside of which there is a spiral staircase.

Moorish castle

The building was built by representatives of the Marinid dynasty in the 7th century BC. e., and is a medieval fortification consisting of gates, fortress walls and the Tower of Memory - the main building of the entire structure. This is one of the unique attractions of Gibraltar, which invariably attracts tourists from the most remote corners globe.

The castle can be seen from afar thanks to its unusual architecture. Its height is more than 100 meters, it represents a symbol of the Arab domination of the Pyrenees, which lasted more than 800 years. After many historical events, the building became a museum open to visitors to Gibraltar.

Where can you now go with a regular, valid multiple-entry Schengen visa? Gibraltar is located on south coast The Iberian Peninsula opposite Cape Marroqui, in the north has common border with the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción. The population of Gibraltar is about 30,000 people

Climate and weather

Maritime climate without sharp changes in daily and annual temperatures, in summer the daytime temperature is within 26 degrees, in winter about 10 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is pronounced from November to April, it will rain almost every day, but in the summer you can forget about an umbrella.

How to get to Gibraltar

You can fly from by charter flight to Malaga airport. Airlines from the UK fly to the airport of Gibraltar itself where you need to make a transfer.

It is impossible to get to Gibraltar by train or bus, the nearest bus stations and railway stations are situated in spanish city La Line is 6 kilometers from the border zone.

Gibraltar can be reached by ferry from Tarifa, Algeciras and Tangier. You can get to Gibraltar by car, for example, the distance to Madrid is 700 kilometers, to Barcelona 1100 kilometers, to Lisbon 650 kilometers, and to Moscow 5000 kilometers.

You can also simply walk to Gibraltar by passing through the checkpoint, which is located in a building half a kilometer from La Line station.

Visas to Gibraltar

Citizens can enter Gibraltar with a multiple-entry Schengen visa, which will be valid for another three weeks; if the period is shorter, then Gibraltar must be left within 7 days. On the other hand, you will be allowed into Gibraltar with a visa, which must be obtained in the UK.

Customs regulations

It is necessary to declare amounts over 10,000 euros; this rule does not apply to non-cash money. Let us remind you that Gibraltar is part of the European Union, and all customs regulations of this association. Russians and Ukrainians can bring with them up to 200 cigarettes and up to 1 liter of spirits without paying duty, of course, if you have already reached the age of 17. You can bring gifts or personal items worth up to £145.

Money in Gibraltar

National currency The country's currency is the Gibraltar pound (GIP), which is divided into 100 pence. Banknotes are 50, 20, 10 and 5 pounds, and coins are 2 and 1 pound, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. In the country, along with the local currency, the British pound sterling is also accepted, which is freely convertible. It is better to get rid of the Gibraltar pound before leaving the country; it is almost impossible to change it in other countries with the exception of the UK itself. In Gibraltar you can use international credit cards everywhere, banks are open on weekdays until 3 pm, there are exchange offices and ATMs. Some shops, restaurants and hotels may also accept Eurocurrency, subject to an exchange fee. Gibraltar is an offshore zone, goods and services do not include VAT, which means that you will not be able to use tax-free. But on the other hand, due to the appearance of international offices of companies and banks here, Gibraltar has turned into a city, prices here for almost everything are twice as expensive as in neighboring Spain, local residents for food they go to neighboring La Line; we also recommend that tourists, from the point of view of economy, stay in hotels on the Spanish side and go on excursions to Gibraltar on foot.

Sights of Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a rock on top of which there is a fortress, the city is located on the western side of the rock, the port can accommodate deep-sea ferries and ships.

The fortress of Gibraltar was built in the 18th century, but construction began in the 9th century; it is interesting that the fortress walls go inside the rock, turning into underground tunnels which connect the defensive walls in the east and the artillery fortifications at the very top of the fortress. Tourists will walk through the Holyland Tunnel to St. George's Hall with stunning views of the bay, which is locally nicknamed the Alboran Sea.

In one of the tunnels there is a museum called the Gibraltar Military Heritage Center with a collection of historical weapons. You can climb the mountain by cable car from Monday to Saturday from ten in the morning to four in the afternoon. It is worth paying attention to the intermediate station, where the very rare Gibraltar monkeys live. If you bought a ticket for the funicular, you can get into the cave complex of St. Michael with an underground lake three hundred meters above sea level. Some caves serve as concert halls.

Tourists will be interested in the city Cathedral St. Virgin Mary and the Gibraltar Museum with a copy of the "Gibraltar Skull". You can stroll along main street The town of La Calle Real, which runs through the entire territory of Gibraltar, offers tourists pubs, restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops.

Gibraltar also has numerous beaches hidden between the rocks; take a walk around the pier or in the city's many parks and gardens, for example near the Elliot Memorial. Some attractions are hidden under water; diving centers will provide the opportunity to dive and explore countless sunken ships off the rocky shore of the fortress.

How to get there. Transport

To Gibraltar by plane

Only three airlines fly from Gibraltar Airport: Monarch Airlines, GB Airways (a subsidiary of British Airways) and EasyJet - and only to the UK (2.5 hours). It is more convenient to use the much busier airport of nearby Spanish Malaga, which has regular flights and charters from Russia, or other Spanish airports. It is important to remember that to travel to Gibraltar via Spain you will need a multiple-entry Schengen visa. Without a Schengen visa, it is better to fly with British Airways with a transfer in London.

To Gibraltar by train

There is no railway in Gibraltar; the nearest stations are in the Spanish San Roca (just over 10 kilometers from the border) and Algeciras (20 kilometers). The line has connections with Madrid, Seville, Malaga (with a change in Bobadilla) and other cities in Spain. From Russia you can get to Algeciras with at least three transfers via Paris and Madrid. Estimated travel time from Moscow is 70 hours. It should be emphasized that traveling to Gibraltar by train is an extremely expensive and lengthy undertaking that may only be of interest to railway fans.

To Gibraltar by bus

There are no intercity buses in Gibraltar. The nearest bus station is in the Spanish town of La Linea, just half a kilometer from the border. From there there are regular buses to Algeciras (every half hour during the day and once every hour in the evening), and there are flights to Malaga, Seville, Cadiz, and Jerez several times a day.

To Gibraltar by ferry

Ferry service between Gibraltar and Morocco (operating until 2011) in
currently unavailable. The nearest ports for ferries to Africa are Algeciras and Tarifa, from where ferries to Tangier depart hourly. The cost of a one-way ferry ticket is 35-40 euros.

To Gibraltar by car

There is no fee for entering Gibraltar by car, but there are queues at the border. Distances from Gibraltar by road: Moscow - 4961 kilometers, Madrid - 701 kilometers, Barcelona - 1164 kilometers, Lisbon - 648 kilometers. The border point between Gibraltar and Spain is located 2.5 kilometers from the center of Gibraltar, immediately beyond the runway of the local airfield.

To Gibraltar on foot

The border crossing from the Spanish La Line to Gibraltar is located 500 meters from the La Line bus station and a kilometer from the center of Gibraltar on the other side. Crossing the border does not take much time, and most often is nothing more than a formal passage through a small terminal building, where no document checks are carried out at all. (info from http://guide.travel.ru/gibraltar/formalities/travel)

Documents, visas

Gibraltar is part of the EU (as a British overseas territory) but is not part of the Schengen area. On land border with Spain, at the port and airport - passport and customs control. Entry to Gibraltar is carried out on the basis of a special visa obtained from the British embassies.

A visa to Gibraltar is not required for citizens of most countries in Europe, America, many countries in Oceania, and some rich countries in Asia. Citizens of CIS countries all need a visa.

Citizens of all countries of the world who have a UK multiple visa valid for 6 months or more can enter Gibraltar without a visa.

Also, citizens of Russia, China, Morocco, India and Mongolia who have a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa in their passport can enter Gibraltar without a visa for up to 21 days. If the validity period of the visa is less than 21 days, then you can enter Gibraltar for the remaining number of days minus 7 (for example, if on the day of entry into Gibraltar the Schengen visa expires after 10 days, then you can enter Gibraltar for 10- 7=3 days).

When obtaining a Gibraltar visa in Russia, biometric data (fingerprints) is not required, in contrast to the procedure for obtaining a visa to the UK itself. You can apply for a visa at visa centers Great Britain in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don.

There are two ways to get to Gibraltar visa-free for citizens of all countries of the world: buy one day excursion there from Spain in a special travel agency accredited in Gibraltar; sail to the peninsula on a cruise ship.

Citizens of most EU and Schengen countries can enter Gibraltar using identity cards (ID cards).

Air transit without a visa through Gibraltar Airport is possible for up to 24 hours.

Visa rules can always be clarified on the official website of Gibraltar:

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/visas-and-immigration