Tips on Avoiding Gibraltar Tourist Traps

Gibraltar Tourist Traps

A sliver of rock jutting down into the Mediterranean from Spain, Gibraltar is actually a part of England. This much-fought-over seven miles of land is steeped in history, and its beauty can’t be denied, but watch out for the following tourist traps at the Rock of Gibraltar.

Duty Free Shopping

While in Gibraltar, many shops will advertise their duty free prices because no VAT tax is charged. However, many visitors find that in reality prices are no cheaper than across the border, and can even be higher than they would be in England, so there is no reason to go on a shopping spree while there. Tobacco and spirits are cheap, but when you look at jewelry, watches, and electronics, you won’t save by buying them in Gibraltar.

The Border Crossing

Driving across the border can be a long waiting process, and there are often people trying to sell you many things (including visas you don’t need) as you wait. Taxis can be expensive once you get to Gibraltar, but the peninsula is only seven miles long, and walking across the border can save you lots of time.

St. Michaels Cave

Some visitors find St Michael’s cave to be somewhat over-hyped. If you have not been in a major cave complex before then it is worth the visit, but otherwise it is a bit anti-climactic. If caves are no big excitement for you, you might find the WWII tunnels or other historical sites to be of more interest.

The Monkeys

Monkeys are perhaps not the wildlife that you would expect to find on a Spanish peninsula, but here you’ll find the most northern population of wild macaques (usually found in Northern Africa). Many tourists greatly enjoy watching the monkeys, and while not strictly a “tourist trap,” it is not advisable to feed them or buy food for them, as they are already well fed and can be mean if you get too close.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about tourist traps in Gibraltar.