City, Gibraltar
Gibraltar
British territory on a limestone Rock with macaques, tunnels and a walkable town centre, linked to Spain by an airport-crossing border. Safe and English-speaking; small, pricey and best as a short stay.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,910–4,230Comfortable, one person · 2,200–3,200 GBPDetails
- Value for money24/100Better value than 23% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 27°CDetails
- Air quality12 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · ModerateDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe; supply is mostly desalinated seawater.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$66–132Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGibraltar busesVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereGibraltar pounds equal sterling; UK notes are accepted.Details
Where to stay in Gibraltar
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Main Street area | Shops, pubs and restaurants; the walkable base |
| Marina Bay–Ocean Village | Waterfront, hotels and casinos, quiet evenings |
| Catalan Bay | Small fishing village beach on the east side |
| La Línea (Spain) | Cheaper stays across the border; walk in |
Apps that work in Gibraltar
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis are metered or fixed-fare; walk across the border to catch taxis in Spain.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Gibraltar.
- Cards almost everywhere Gibraltar pounds equal sterling; UK notes are accepted. Many shops take euros at a poor rate; cards work almost everywhere.
- Currency: Pound (GIP). US$1 ≈ £0.76 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs often dispense Gibraltar notes, which UK shops won't take; spend them before leaving.
- Tipping: As in the UK: 10% in restaurants if service isn't included; not expected in pubs.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Since 15 July 2026, under the UK–EU treaty, there are no routine passport checks at the land border with Spain; customs rules still apply.
- Arrivals by air or sea pass both Gibraltar and Spanish Schengen checks at the airport or port.
- Non-EU visitors, including British tourists, should expect Schengen rules on entry, including EES registration and the 90/180-day limit.
Emergency numbers
Police 199 · Ambulance 190 · Fire 190 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Not covered by EU roaming, and UK plans vary. Phones may jump to Spanish networks near the border; select a network manually.
Going to Gibraltar solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Gibraltar meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.