GibraltarCruise Port Guide
Main Street is a flat walk from the ship, and the Rock, its monkeys and the views to Africa sit right above it. The cable car is shut until 2027, so here's how to get up the Rock and back for all-aboard.
Welcome to Gibraltar
Pro Picks
Dolphin cruise · 75 minDolphin-watching catamaran from Marina Bay
Ride a big, steady catamaran out into the bay to find the common, striped and bottlenose dolphins that live there; the operator says it sees them on 99% of trips. Boats leave morning and afternoon from Marina Bay, a 15-minute walk from the cruise terminal, and you're back in 75 minutes.
From $37.52/ person
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Rock tour · 2.5 hrsRock of Gibraltar tour by minibus
The classic Rock tour: Europa Point's lighthouse and the view to Morocco, the caverns of St Michael's Cave, the Barbary macaques at the Apes' Den and the Great Siege Tunnels, with Nature Reserve tickets included. It meets at the Midtown coach park, about 20 minutes' walk from the ship, and drops you at Casemates Square.
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eBike tour · 3 hrseBike to the top of the Rock
Pedal-assisted bikes take the work out of the climb to over 400 metres, with stops at Catalan Bay, Europa Point, the Pillars of Hercules viewpoint, St Michael's Cave and the monkeys in the Nature Reserve. It starts in Ocean Village, 15 minutes' walk from the terminal; riders must be 12 or over and comfortable on roads with traffic.
From $139.94/ person
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Count from leaving the ship to being back aboard.
Gibraltar in 2 hours
Speedboat (RIB) coast trip
Speedboat round the Rock to Gorham's Cave
A fast rigid-inflatable ride round to the Rock's east side, past the UNESCO-listed Gorham's Cave and the lighthouse at Europa Point. It leaves from Marina Bay, 15 minutes' walk away, and needs six passengers to run.
From$65.63
Time required1.5 hours
Heritage walking tour
Jewish heritage walk through the old town
A private walk from Casemates through Irish Town to four historic synagogues and the square once called the Jews' Market. Your guide meets you at Casemates Gate, not the ship, and a few steps lead into two synagogues.
From$107.20
Time required2 hours
Gibraltar in 4 hours
Rock minibus tour
Rock tour by minibus, caves and monkeys
A two-hour bus loop to Europa Point, then up into the Nature Reserve for the apes and St Michael's Cave, with entry included. It meets at the Midtown coach park, about 20 minutes' walk from the ship, so allow three hours in all.
From$72.33
Time required2 hours
Private Rock tour
Private Rock tour with the Skywalk
Your own guide and minivan to the Pillars of Hercules viewpoint, St Michael's Cave, the glass Skywalk and the Upper Apes' Den, with tickets included. It's priced per person, so it's the costly option, but it runs on your timetable.
From$352.55
Time required2 hours
Within a stroll of the boat
Five stops within a 20-minute walk of the Gibraltar cruise terminal on the North Mole, from the Ocean Village marina to Casemates Square at the top of Main Street. There's no beach in walking range.
Marina · 0.7 mi · ~15 min
Ocean Village Marina
The marina you pass on the way into town. The dolphin boats and speedboat trips leave from Marina Bay beside it, and the eBike tour starts here.
Market · 0.8 mi · ~17 min
Gibraltar Public Market
Gibraltar's public market hall, right outside Casemates Square. Worth a look before you start up Main Street.
Plaza · 0.8 mi · 15–20 min
Grand Casemates Square
The big square at the top of Main Street, through the old Grand Casemates Gates, ringed by restaurants, a fine-arts gallery and Gibraltar Crystal. Main Street's VAT-free shops run south from here.
Drinks · 0.9 mi · ~19 min
Lord Nelson's
A pub on Casemates Square, handy for a drink and free Wi-Fi before the walk back.
Landmark · 0.9 mi · ~20 min
Landport Tunnel
A pedestrian tunnel through the old town walls at the corner of Casemates, a short detour on the way to the square.
Handy Helpers
Small things that make a port day easier.
Private Driver, Waiting at the Dock
A pre-booked driver meets you at the dock for a fixed price. No haggling, no waiting for a taxi to fill.
Bike rental
Cover more ground than on foot. Book ahead and return it well before all-aboard.
Travel eSIM
Install it on ship WiFi and your maps and ride apps work the moment you land in Gibraltar.
Sailing from
Homeports with cruises that call at Gibraltar.
Quick answers
Facts last checked .
How we checked these answers
Every answer is built from facts we checked against the sources below and cross-checked with recent port guides. Where sources disagreed, the answer says so instead of guessing a number.
- Princess Cruises — Gibraltar port page
- Celebrity Cruises — Gibraltar port guide
- Visit Gibraltar — Main Street shopping
- Visit Gibraltar — Rock tours
- Gibraltar Nature Reserve — FAQ
- Gibraltar Nature Reserve — tickets
- Visit Gibraltar — Hopper bus ticket
- Gibraltar Nature Reserve — cable car
- Visit Gibraltar — Nature Reserve shuttle bus
- Visit Gibraltar — general information
- HM Government of Gibraltar — travel guidance for visitors (June 2026)
- HM Government of Gibraltar — statement on entry requirements
- GOV.UK — Gibraltar entry requirements
- HM Government of Gibraltar — checks removed from the frontier (15 July 2026)
- U.S. Department of State — travel advisories
Getting ashore
Where do cruise ships dock in Gibraltar?
Cruise ships in Gibraltar dock alongside at the Gibraltar Cruise Terminal on the North Mole, on the harbour's western arm, with no tendering. It's the only cruise terminal, so every line uses it: Princess and Celebrity describe docking there, and recent calls include Norwegian, P&O Cruises, Cunard, MSC, Carnival, Costa and Oceania. The terminal is small, with a tourist information desk, a bar and café, souvenir shops and a taxi rank outside.
What to do in Gibraltar from a cruise ship?
Gibraltar is an easy port to do on your own: Casemates Square and the top of Main Street are a flat 0.8-mile walk from the cruise terminal, and Main Street's shops are VAT-free. The big draw is the Rock above town, where St Michael's Cave, the Barbary macaques and the Europa Point views are covered by one £30 Nature Reserve ticket; the usual way up is a 1½-hour taxi or minibus Rock tour. Dolphin boats leave from Marina Bay, 15 minutes' walk away. The stroll map shows what's close.
Can you walk into Gibraltar from the cruise port?
Yes. Gibraltar's town centre is a flat 0.8-mile walk from the cruise terminal, about 15–20 minutes along North Mole Road and Waterport Road to Grand Casemates Square, where Main Street begins. Ocean Village marina is on the way at about 0.7 miles, and John Mackintosh Square, halfway down Main Street, is about 1.1 miles. The stroll map starts at the terminal.
How do I get from the Gibraltar cruise port to town?
Most people walk from the Gibraltar cruise terminal: Casemates Square is 0.8 miles away on the flat. On cruise days a paid minivan shuttle sometimes runs, and there's a taxi rank at the terminal, but there's no Uber or other ride-hailing in Gibraltar. Public buses stop on North Mole Road at Albert Risso House, nearest the terminal, and a Hopper day ticket for unlimited rides costs £8.80.
Is the Gibraltar cable car open, and how do I get up the Rock?
No. The Gibraltar Cable Car is closed for a full refurbishment and the Nature Reserve expects it to reopen in 2027. To get up the Rock, take a taxi or minibus Rock tour (the standard one has four stops and takes about 1½ hours), the Nature Reserve shuttle bus from Market Place (every 30 minutes, 09:30–16:00, £40 including your ticket), or walk up.
Beaches & water
Is there a beach near the Gibraltar cruise port?
No beach is an easy walk from the Gibraltar cruise terminal. The nearest, Eastern Beach, is about 1.8 miles away on foot, on the far side of the airport, and Catalan Bay is beyond it on the Rock's east side. Take a taxi from the rank at the terminal or a local bus if you want a swim.
Can you see dolphins from Gibraltar?
Yes. Dolphin-watching boats leave Gibraltar's Marina Bay, about 0.7 miles' walk from the cruise terminal, morning and afternoon, and the most-reviewed operator says it sees dolphins on 99% of trips, with common, striped and bottlenose dolphins living in the bay. Its catamaran trip lasts 75 minutes, so it fits even a short call; it's one of the Pro Picks.
Tours & time ashore
How much is a taxi tour of the Rock of Gibraltar?
A taxi Rock tour in Gibraltar costs about £50 per person, which includes the £30 Nature Reserve ticket for St Michael's Cave, the monkeys and the other Upper Rock sites. Visit Gibraltar says the standard tour has four stops and takes about 1½ hours, and an extended six-stop tour about 2¼ hours. There's a taxi rank at the cruise terminal; agree the price and stops before you set off.
Can you walk up the Rock of Gibraltar and see the monkeys yourself?
Yes. You can walk up into Gibraltar's Upper Rock Nature Reserve, which is how you reach the monkeys and St Michael's Cave without a tour, but walkers still need the £30 adult ticket (£22 for children 5–11), and the reserve advises sturdy walking shoes. It's open 09:00–18:15 from October to April and 09:30–19:15 from May to September, with last entry at 17:45 and 18:45. The cable car is closed until 2027.
What to do in Gibraltar for 4 hours?
Four hours in Gibraltar is enough for a Rock tour plus Main Street: a standard taxi or minibus tour takes about 1½ hours, and Casemates Square is a 15–20 minute walk from the ship. With less time, a 75-minute dolphin trip from Marina Bay and a wander up Main Street fit comfortably. The Pro Picks and the time-ashore plans list bookable options with their durations.
Money, borders & safety
Can I use euros in Gibraltar?
Yes, mostly: Visit Gibraltar says credit cards and euros are widely accepted, but the currency is the Gibraltar pound, at par with sterling, and you'll usually get a better rate paying by card or changing money than handing over euros. UK sterling notes are accepted on equal terms, though change may come back in Gibraltar notes.
Is Gibraltar duty free for shopping?
Gibraltar is VAT-free, according to Visit Gibraltar, which is why Main Street is known for cosmetics, jewellery, spirits, tobacco and electronics. Main Street starts at Casemates Square, a flat 0.8-mile walk from the cruise terminal. Check your own country's customs allowance before you buy spirits or tobacco to take home.
Do I need a passport to get off the ship in Gibraltar?
Carry your passport ashore in Gibraltar. Since July 2026 its short-stay entry rules match the Schengen area's, according to the Government of Gibraltar: passports should be under 10 years old and valid at least 3 months beyond your departure, and visa-required nationals need a visa before arriving. Check with your cruise line how passengers are cleared on the day.
Can I walk across the border into Spain from Gibraltar?
Yes. Since 15 July 2026 the Government of Gibraltar says there are no routine checks at the land frontier with Spain, so you can walk across into La LÃnea. Gibraltar's short-stay entry rules now match the Schengen area's, so carry your passport, and leave plenty of time to get back to the ship.
What time zone is Gibraltar in?
Gibraltar is on Central European Time, UTC+1, switching to Central European Summer Time, UTC+2, in summer. That's the same clock as Spain and one hour ahead of the UK. If your ship keeps a different time, go by the all-aboard time it gives you.
Is Gibraltar safe, and can you drink the tap water?
The U.S. State Department has no separate advisory for Gibraltar; its United Kingdom and Spain advisories are both Level 2, exercise increased caution. Gibraltar's tap water is made by desalination and Visit Gibraltar says it's very safe to drink. The emergency number is 999.