The Best Day Trip to Gibraltar from Torremolinos (With Tips)

Are you looking for a fun day trip from Torremolinos? Then, choose Gibraltar.

Gibraltar, a British territory in the Spanish peninsula, is one of the most popular day trips in the Costa del Sol.

Having visited Gibraltar a few times, I can totally say it’s perfect for families with children, couples, and solo travellers because of the variety of activities you can do. 

If you’d love to make this day trip, in this blog, I’ll tell you exactly how to get to Gibraltar from Torremolinos, the top activities to do in Gibraltar in a day, and some extra tips to make the most of your day. 

A pinterest pin that reads a day trip to gibraltar from torremolinos and shows four photos of different spots in Gibraltar.

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How to get to Gibraltar from Torremolinos

An aerial view of Gibraltar

BEST TORREMOLINOS TO GIBRALTAR TOUR

  • 9.5 hour tour
  • Includes transportation and guide
  • Free time to explore Gibraltar

If you’re wondering how to take a day trip to Gibraltar from Torremolinos, here are your main options:

  • Renting a car and driving to Gibraltar 
  • Getting the bus to Gibraltar 
  • Booking a tour to Gibraltar

Option 1: Driving to Gibraltar 

It’s the most convenient option as you don’t need to rely on the bus times, and you can visit Gibraltar at your own pace.

The car journey is 1 hour and 30 minutes if you drive via the toll road. If you don’t want to pay tolls, it’ll take 1 hour and 50 minutes. 

Regardless of the type of road you take, both are well-maintained and aren’t complicated to drive on.

If you visit Gibraltar in summer, be aware that there are usually long queues at Gibraltar’s border. The earlier you arrive, the better. Also, avoid weekends if possible.

When it comes to parking in Gibraltar, the truth is that it’s better to park your car at La Linea de La Concepción. This way, you can avoid the long queues to enter Gibraltar by car.

If you decide to park inside, it isn’t easy to find a free car park, so if you don’t want to waste time trying to find a spot, you can head to the Mid-Town Car Park. It’s one of the cheapest, costing £1.80 per hour from 7:45 am to 7 pm and £0.80 per hour outside those hours.

🚗 Check out rental cars at Malaga Airport here

Option 2: Getting the bus to Gibraltar 

Is it possible to travel from Torremolinos to Gibraltar by bus? Yes, but it’s the longest way to get there. 

First, you need to go to Torremolinos coach station, where you can take the ALSA bus (Co-Ma-Alg) towards Algeciras.

The bus takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes and stops at other Costa del Sol towns, such as Fuengirola and Estepona.

Once in La Linea de la Concepcion, the Spanish town next to Gibraltar, you must walk 10 minutes to reach passport control. 

It will take you approximately 20 minutes from passport control to the centre of Gibraltar.

Please note that you might need to take a different bus than the one you took first to arrive in Gibraltar. 

This is because buses aren’t very regular. On the way back, you can take the Avanza L-611 that leaves you at Malaga Airport.

You can take a taxi or the C-1 train from Malaga airport to Torremolinos

🚍 Book your bus tickets here 

Option 3: Booking a tour of Gibraltar 

Last but not least, you have the option to book a day tour to Gibraltar. 

This is a good idea for a few reasons: firstly, you don’t need to worry about sorting out transport and attractions as most tours include this, and secondly, you get the knowledge and tips from an experienced guide. 

This Gibraltar tour from Malaga and Costa del Sol lasts 9.5 hours and provides transportation, a bilingual guide, Nature Reserve entry tickets and free time in Gibraltar. 

There are several meeting points, including Malaga to Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Marbella. 

I found this day trip to Gibraltar from Torremolinos perfect for discovering Gibraltar’s main attractions.

📌 Book this fantastic day trip to Gibraltar here 

Things to do in Gibraltar on a day trip from Torremolinos

1. Visit Top of the Rock and Upper Nature Reserve

Monkeys eating fruit and veg at apes den in top of the rock, gibraltar.

When anyone thinks of Gibraltar, the first thing that comes to mind is Top of the Rock (and the monkeys!)

There’s no visit to Gibraltar without going to the top of the Rock and exploring its beautiful natural surroundings.

You have three ways to access it: 1) cable car (the most convenient option), 2) group tour, 3) on foot. 

My preferred option is taking the cable car because it’s quick and affordable, and you can discover Top of the Rock at your own pace. 

I would avoid group tours because they tend to be more expensive, and you’ll spend a lot of your time in a 4×4 and only stop at certain spots. 

The Top of the Rock has breathtaking views, and you can see three countries in one from here: Gibraltar, Spain and Africa.  

Regarding the Upper Nature Reserve, you can spend a lot of time exploring its different attractions. 

You can cross the Suspension Bridge, walk on the skyline, see the monkeys being fed, and visit St. Michael’s Cave, among other things. 

2. Do some shopping at Main Street 

Restaurants at Gibraltar main square.

One of the most popular activities to do in Gibraltar is shopping.

Did you know that most products are tax-free? This means you’ll be able to purchase many products for less than in other countries, including Spain. 

There are many shops in Gibraltar, and you can find British high-street brands, such as M&S and Holland and Barrett.

It’s a paradise for shopaholics! But you must know there’s a limit to the number of things you can take outside the country. You’ll have to declare customs at the border. 

3. Go to The Alameda Botanic Gardens 

Beautiful trees and bushes next to a road in Gibraltar.

Gibraltar Botanic Gardens are worth visiting – from seeing beautiful flowers and plants from different parts of the world to visiting the Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park.

The latter has a wide variety of animals. You can see macaques, lemurs, tortoises, iguanas and other interesting species. The park’s mission is to protect the local wildlife.

In addition to these activities, you can take a guided tour of the botanic gardens to learn about the plant species and this location. 

📌 Important to know: The Botanic Gardens are free; however, if you want to visit the Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park, you must pay an entry fee of 7 pounds per adult and 4 pounds per child.

4. Spend time at the beach

A close up photo of Gibraltar rock.

If you visit Gibraltar in summer, it’s always a good idea to cool yourself down by swimming in the sea. 

Gibraltar is home to a few beautiful beaches where you can spend some time. Plus, it’s very close to the beaches of La Linea, the Spanish town next to Gibraltar. 

One of my favourite beaches is Catalan Bay, and apart from the beach, I also recommend the neighbourhood, home to colourful buildings and a church. 

And if you’re up for an adventure, you can do popular water sports in Gibraltar, like scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding. 

5. Go on a dolphin-watching tour 

Another popular activity in Gibraltar is dolphin watching. This 75-minute tour sails through the Spanish and African coastline and includes live commentary from which you can learn more about the three different types of dolphins that live in the area.

Enjoy the cruise while spotting regular, striped and bottlenose dolphins.

🐬 Book this highly-rated dolphin-watching tour

Other activities you might want to add to your itinerary

Rock of Gibraltar History Tour. Learn all about the history of the Rock of Gibraltar in a 2.5 hours guided tour. The tour includes transport to the rock and entrance to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve

Dolphin Watch Cruise & Cable Car Fast Track Combo. Enjoy a boat ride where you can spot dolphins and other sea life, such as turtles and flying fish, and then take the Gibraltar cable car to access the Rock of Gibraltar and see the Barbary Macaques!

How to prepare yourself for a Gibraltar day trip from Torremolinos 

a photo of a man wearing a pink t-shirt and short jeans in Gibraltar steps.
  • Make sure you take your passport with you. It needs to be valid for more than 6 months.
  • If you come to Gibraltar by car, consider parking outside Gibraltar because it isn’t easy to find a parking slot. You can find car parks in La Linea and walk to Gibraltar. This way, you’ll avoid big car queues at the control border.
  • Buy the Gibraltar pass to save money on attractions and transportation. The pass includes access to The Nature Reserve, St. Michael’s Cave, The Moorish Castle, Europa Point, and other top sights in Gibraltar.
  • Don’t take much with you to the Top of the Rock. Some monkeys will try to get your stuff. Watch out for your belongings. 
  • Don’t feed the monkeys. There are signs across the Upper Nature Reserve about it, but it’s good to remember because otherwise, you can be fined.

Staying in Gibraltar for more than a day? Then, you might want to explore beyond the country and visit nearby Spanish towns.

These are some beautiful towns to consider exploring:

Tarifa. It’s known as Spain’s surfing capital, but not only can you surf in Tarifa but explore its picturesque and laid-back vibe old town. Tarifa is only a 30 minute drive from Gibraltar.

Estepona. If you love discovering whitewashed towns, head to Estepona. It’s considered the Garden of Costa del Sol, and there’s nothing better than wandering its historic centre with cobblestone streets, beautiful flower pots hanging on the walls and locals’ balconies and attractions, like the Orchidarium.

Frequently asked questions about trips to Gibraltar from Torremolinos

Can you get a train from Torremolinos to Gibraltar?

No, there isn’t a train that goes from Torremolinos to Gibraltar.

How much is a taxi from Torremolinos to Gibraltar?

A taxi from Torremolinos to Gibraltar costs between 120 to 160 euros.

How far is Gibraltar from Torremolinos?

About 120 kilometres, 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Is Gibraltar expensive for holidays?

Gibraltar is more expensive than southern Spain. Therefore, consider staying in La Linea if you want a more budget-friendly holiday.

Conclusion on a day trip from Torremolinos to Gibraltar

Is it worth making a day trip to Gibraltar from Torremolinos? Yes, it is!

Getting to Gibraltar from Torremolinos is very straightforward, and it’s a fantastic excursion for all ages.

One day in Gibraltar is enough to see its main attractions. However, if you want to explore beyond the tourist spots or take it easy, stay for two or three days.

Do you have any questions about this trip or any other Torremolinos day trips? Drop them in the comments below! I’ll be happy to help. 

You can also check my other Torremolinos travel guides for more information.

Enjoy your Gibraltar day trip!

Cristina x

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Things to do before visiting Gibraltar

  • Check out and book flights with Skyscanner.
  • Staying longer than a day? Book accommodation in Gibraltar with Booking.com
  • Have a look at great experiences and excursions with Get Your Guide.
  • Don’t forget to get travel insurance. This is a must for any trip! SafetyWing offers flexible and affordable health and travel insurance.

Read more about Gibraltar and its surroundings

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