Discover Gibraltar: History, Gardens and Europa Point
Accommodation in Gibraltar
Discover Gibraltar through a range of themes: historic streets, military structures, botanical walks and traces of human settlement. In the Old Town, historic streets invite you to take a stroll. The sights offer different starting points for planning your trip—from culture and history to nature and maritime navigation.
History and Structures
The Gibraltar National Museum explores Gibraltar’s history, culture and natural history. Beneath Ordnance House in the museum are the chambers of an ancient bathhouse from Gibraltar’s Moorish period. This brings together a broad view of the area’s history and a tangible architectural record.
You can walk along the Line Wall towards South Bastion. King’s Bastion historically played an important defensive role: from there, most of Gibraltar’s western sea defences and nearby anchorages could be controlled. The bastion was later converted into a leisure facility; check the latest visitor information before your visit.
Harding’s Battery preserves a gun emplacement built for an RML gun. The magazine is located below it. The Great Siege Tunnels are also part of Gibraltar’s military history: they form a defensive system developed by military engineers.
The Tower of Homage at the Moorish Castle was mainly rebuilt around AD 1333. The site is closed until further notice due to ongoing work. The Main Guard, meanwhile, has a room for temporary exhibitions.
Library and Remembrance
The Gibraltar Garrison Library was founded in 1793. It is open daily as a reference library and research centre, offering open access to the collections and archives listed in its catalogue. Check the latest opening hours before your visit.
At Trafalgar Cemetery, the Royal Navy commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar every year. The memorial day falls on the Sunday closest to 21 October. If this recurring event suits your travel interests, you can take the date into account when planning your trip.
Gardens and Nature
The Alameda Gardens opened on 14 April 1816 as an outdoor leisure area. Walking paths in the Alameda Botanical Gardens lead through Gibraltar’s diverse flora and fauna. They also include an adventure playground for young children—a useful consideration for travellers with children.
The Gorham’s Cave Complex covers about 28 hectares on Gibraltar’s eastern side. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. The designation recognises evidence of settlement and the cultural and material culture of Neanderthals and early modern humans, preserved at the site over a period of around 120,000 years.
The Gibraltar Nature Reserve was officially designated a nature reserve in 1993. Unauthorised private vehicles are not permitted there. Bear this restriction in mind when finding your way around the reserve.
Europa Point and the Lighthouse
Europa Point is Gibraltar’s southernmost point and a viewpoint overlooking Africa. The Trinity Lighthouse there has helped with navigation through the Strait of Gibraltar since 1841 and is the only lighthouse of its type outside the United Kingdom.
A notice dated 5 August 2026 mentions tours of the Gibraltar Lighthouse that can be booked online. They include access to the inside of the lighthouse and a climb to the lantern room. Check the tour information before your trip.
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