10 Best Day Trips from Gibraltar

Are you looking for day trips from Gibraltar? Well, there are many fun excursions you can easily do during your stay in Gibraltar.

Being close to two countries (Spain and Morocco), you can take advantage of this and explore beyond Gibraltar. Experience anything from Southern Spain’s whitewashed towns and food culture to the vibrant Moroccan atmosphere.

All the destinations mentioned below can be reached by car, except for Tangier, which you’ll need to take a ferry to. Most day trips are under 1 hour and 30 minutes, so you can make the most of your day out.

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10+ Popular day trips from Gibraltar

1. Tarifa

🚗 Distance by car: 1 hour (46.5 km | 28.9 mi)

One of the nearest places to visit near Gibraltar is Tarifa. This coastal town in the province of Cadiz is worth visiting.

It’s famous for being one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe, so if you love catching waves, this is your place.

However, if you aren’t a fan of water sports, I recommend walking around its charming historic centre. 

There, you’ll discover its castle, main church, and streets lined up with small boutique shops selling gorgeous bohemian dresses and other items. I love it.

Also, don’t miss the point where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great spot for photos too! 

2. Baelo Claudia

🚗 Distance by car: 1 hour and 17 minutes (67.3 km | 41.8 mi)

If you love archaeological places, Baelo Claudia is the perfect day trip from Gibraltar. 

This former Roman city is located inside the Strait of Gibraltar Natural Park in Bolonia. It’s very well preserved, so you can see large parts of the city’s walls, temples, columns, and more. 

Spend time exploring it and learning about the history and civilization of Baelo Claudia. 

Once you finish, visit the golden sand beach of Bolonia. It’s incredibly beautiful and less windier than Tarifa. 

3. Marbella

🚗 Distance by car: 1 hour 14 minutes (80.7 km | 49.7 mi)

Marbella is one of the most sophisticated destinations in the Costa del Sol. 

No visit to Marbella is complete without strolling along Puerto Banus, lined up with high-end boutique shops, restaurants and the most lavish yachts, to have a taste of the luxury Mediterranean lifestyle. 

Nevertheless, I always recommend travellers to visit other areas of Marbella because there’s more than Puerto Banus. 

My favourite place in Marbella is the historic centre. It’s full of charm – just imagine yourself being sun-kissed while getting lost in beautiful whitewashed and cobblestone streets with flower pots hanging through the walls. 

It’s also the best place to learn about Marbella’s past, present, and future, take photos, and sip a cocktail. 

If you have enough time, walk its beach promenade and watch the sunset. 

4. Estepona

🚗 Distance by car: 50 minutes (50.1 km | 31,2 mi)

Estepona, known as the Garden of the Costa del Sol, is an easy fun day trip from Gibraltar by car.

The highlight of Estepona is its historic centre. I absolutely love it because every corner is full of charm, you won’t be able to put your camera away. Get lost in its pretty alleyways with white-painted buildings and flower pots hanging down the walls while spotting statues and street art.

Then stop by Plaza de las Flores, Estepona’s main square, to enjoy a drink while people watch. 

Another unique place to visit is the Orchidarium, where you’ll see over a thousand orchid species. The plants and sound of the artificial waterfall make you feel immersed in a jungle.

If you’re visiting Estepona with kids, check out Selwo Aventura, a safari located outside Estepona Centre. I’ve visited it a few times and love the wide variety of animals living in semi-captive conditions you can see and the scenery.

To end the perfect day trip to Estepona, catch the sunset at La Rada Beach.

5. Vejer de la Frontera

🚗 Distance by car: 1 hour 30 minutes (89.6 km | 55.7 mi)

Vejer de la Frontera is a lovely Andalusian whitewashed town in Cadiz. It might be a small town, but there are many amazing things to see in Vejer.

Iglesia del Divino Salvador is the most emblematic building in the town. Built in a former Moorish Mosque, this church has stunning Nasrid architecture.

Another unmissable place is its Plaza de España (see photo above). This little square has a tiled fountain in the middle. It’s definitely one of the most photogenic spots in Vejer. 

There’s also a castle, and I highly recommend wandering its hilly and narrow streets, which have gorgeous Moorish arches and excellent viewpoints. 

And if you want to soak up the sun at the beach, El Palmar is a short drive. 

6. Ronda

🚗 Distance by car: 1 hour 52 minutes (115 km | 71.4 mi)

Ronda is one of the most popular day trips from Gibraltar. This town in the province of Malaga is nestled in the mountains. 

Wondering what Ronda is famous for? Bullfighting, wine and bridge called Puente Nuevo. 

On a day trip to Ronda, spend your time in the old town of Ronda. Here’s where you’ll find the local museum with impressive archaeological remains and Moorish architecture. 

However, there are other museums and historical houses you might want to visit, such as Casa Museo Don Bosco.

Finally, chill out at Hotel Don Miguel restaurant. It has awe-inspiring views of Ronda’s Bridge, and you can savour regional wines. 

7. Cadiz

🚗 Distance by car: 1 hour and 36 minutes (120 km | 74.6 mi)

Cadiz is the oldest city in Spain, and luckily, Gibraltar isn’t very far, making it a fantastic day trip. There are plenty of things to do and see in Cadiz, so your itinerary will surely be packed with activities.

Start your day visiting the most impressive building in the city, at least to me, the Cathedral. It’s an architectural gem with a combination of Baroque and Neoclassical styles and stunning chapels, and the best thing is that you can climb up its tower to contemplate amazing panoramic views.

Another good place to enjoy the city view is Torre de Tavira, an 18th-century tower.

During your time in Cadiz, don’t miss the opportunity to taste local dishes, including cazon en adobo (marinated dogfish) and tortillita de camarones (shrimp fritters). 

Finish your day trip by watching the beautiful sunset colours at La Caleta, my favourite spot.

8. Tangier

Distance: 3 hours (88.8 km | 55.1 mi)

Tangier is at the other end of the ocean, and it’s a fantastic day trip for anyone who wants to discover what Morocco is like. 

Take the ferry and start exploring a new country full of vibrant streets, delicious cuisine and rich culture.

Personally, I would book an excursion via Get Your Guide, like this one, because if this is your first time visiting the north of Africa, it can be a bit overwhelming. However, the downside is that you’ll need to travel to Tarifa, where the ferry departs.

Travelling with a group and a guide will make things much easier. You’ll meet other travellers, learn about Tangier, and explore the main points of interest. 

Regardless of how you choose to visit Tangier, no visit is complete without exploring the Medina and savouring tagine. But those are only a few of the reasons why Tangier is worth visiting.

Overall, it’s one of the best day trips from Gibraltar to Morocco.

9. Malaga

🚗 Distance by car: 1 hour 58 minutes (137 km | 85.1 mi)

The Gibraltar to Malaga day trip is one of the best because Malaga city centre is very walkable and attractions are close to each other. 

Although I’m sure you’d love to spend more than a day in my hometown, 24 hours in Malaga is perfect for discovering the main attractions.

Discover the influence of Roman and Moors civilizations in Malaga by visiting the Alcazaba Palace and Roman Theatre.

Then visit Malaga Cathedral, popularly called La Manquita. I highly recommend getting tickets to go up to the rooftop. Audioguide is provided during your visit. 

If you’re into art, you shouldn’t miss the Picasso Museum. 

Foodwise, Casa Lola is a great choice for tapas. I always order their croquetas and grilled fish. 

10. Seville

🚗 Distance by car: 2 hours and 23 minutes (200 km | 124.3 mi)

Seville is one of the most visited cities in Southern Spain. Not only is it the capital of Andalucia, but it is also rich in culture.

Visiting Seville on a day trip is a bit of a challenge because there are many wonderful attractions. 

However, if you visit Seville for less than 24 hours, you don’t want to miss Plaza de España, Alcázar of Seville and Cathedral.

Plaza de España is a gorgeous square with tiled benches representing Spanish cities, a lake and the Archivo de Indias building. It’s a special place. 

The Alcazar is one of the most emblematic palaces in Seville. Admire its Moorish architecture and walk its gardens home to peacocks and other small birds. 

Last but not least, the Cathedral is known for its Gothic architecture. You can also climb its tower for panoramic views of the city. 

In between these attractions, take a break to savour Seville’s cuisine. Chickpeas with spinach is my favourite dish, but other delicacies include pork with tomato sauce and snails. A tapas tour can be a fun activity too.

Map of day trips from Gibraltar

Frequently asked questions about excursions from Gibraltar

Conclusion on the best Gibraltar day trips

Overall, there are many excursions from Gibraltar – from day trips to big cities like Malaga and Seville to small whitewashed towns and archaeological sites.

You’ll need to rent a car to visit these places, and you can also go to a couple of them on the same day. For example, you can explore Tarifa and Baelo Claudia on the same day.

In addition to this, make sure to pack your passport, as you’ll need to pass the border to enter Spain.

Enjoy your time in Gibraltar!

Cristina xx

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Things to do before visiting Gibraltar

• Check out flights with Skyscanner to find the cheapest dates.
• Book accommodation with Booking.com
• Have a look at unique experiences and excursions with Get Your Guide.
• Rent a car to travel with ease around Gibraltar.
• Book travel insurance for your trip. It’s a must for any holiday.

Read more about Gibraltar and Southern Spain

• The Best Things to Do in Gibraltar (Itinerary Included)
• 17 Incredible Reasons to Visit Andalucia
• 30 Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in Southern Spain
• Is Malaga Worth Visiting?
• Granada vs Malaga: Which City is Better?
• The Perfect 2 Days in Seville Itinerary
• Unmissable Things to Do in Cordoba

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